The week in which mama had pulled the pity stunt had passed and after the whole issue died down, Fikayo had invited the pastor of their church to help talk to his mother and wife.
The pastor however focused on Ifeoma alone in such a way that angered her the more. He even told her to apologize to mama and although she did it reluctantly and just to create peace, she still felt wronged.
'Mama was the troublemaker not me. She needed the scolding and preaching more not me. She was the one who ought to apologize not me.' She had thought.
Ifeoma had however decided to take to the pastor's advice and forget about what had happened even though mama was still acting like the devil that she was.
Ifeoma was presently at the wedding of one of her university friends who had deemed it fit that she had to attend. She was seated round one of the tables with other people when a familiar masculine voice got her attention.
"Ify? Is that you?" The voice asked.
Ifeoma looked up to see Adam, one of the guys who used to stalk Ifeoma and shower her with gifts in hope that she'd be his girlfriend. She could remember that Fikayo had to file a police case of stalking against him before he finally stopped trying to win her over.
Adam has always had short cute dreads and studs on both ears. His skin was neither fair nor dark, just somewhere in between but very smooth. He was now a part of the beards gang and it was neatly cut and cute. He had perky lips with the bottom lip pinker than the upper lip and his nose was like a cute little button that was just etched on his face. He was dressed in a cute white agbada and looked so fresh and cute. He was always like this though, but Ifeoma knew that he had definitely gotten finer and richer. There had always been this bad boy aura around him and it was still there.
"Can I sit?" He politely asked, even though he was already drawing out the empty chair beside Ifeoma.
"Even before I reply, you're already planning to sit." Ifeoma said humorously.
Adam laughed and sat down nevertheless. He found himself staring at the lady he had a huge crush on back in school days. He knew that he still longed to have something with her even now but the wedding ring he spotted on one of her left fingers pulled him back even though it wasn't a big deal. He had numerous married women offering him money for sex, most especially the elites. Sugar mummies and internet fraud was what he did for a living even though he already owned legal businesses through it. Marriage didn't mean those in it do not fuck other people but for Ifeoma, he knew that it'd be hard even if it were to happen. Someone who didn't even cheat while dating.
"Ify, how have you been? You look the same. So beautiful and sparkling as usual. Marriage gat nothing on you, girl" Adam complimented.
"And you look dashing as well, monsieur" Ifeoma said... with humor yet again.
They both laughed.
"Let me guess, you married Fikayo?" Adam questioned.
"You guessed right. I think that was pretty obvious, right?" Ifeoma chuckled.
"Well, maybe. But I actually hoped that you'd end up with someone better, I've always thought that he's... how do I put this? He's just not fit for you, I felt like you deserved better." Adam let out.
Ifeoma found herself sighing. 'I made a big mistake, right?' She thought to herself.
"I love him and he loves me. Nothing is greater than that." She shrugged.
"It always isn't about love alone. Love is a basis, fine. But it takes more than love for relationships to work. I'm not a counselor, psychologist or anything like that but I'm very sure that in one way or the other, you're regretting saying yes to his proposal."
"Well, maybe. Maybe not." Ifeoma shrugged.
"I know how difficult it can be. I know that people shout at other people to do something they themselves might not be able to do if they were in that shoes, like get out of it, why is she there. What's her problem. People say it can never be me even though it can literally be anybody. I know that it can be easier said than done and no one would know how they'd react unless they are actually in it." Adam lectured.
Ifeoma looked at him, wondering how he became so observant, counseling and all or how maybe and maybe not led to the speech he just gave. She knew that she was definitely not going to open up to someone who was once her stalker and definitely had the criminal aura to him. But she was happy to meet someone who didn't really judge her nor think she was been foolish or too stupid despite her not saying a thing to him.
"You're now counsellor-ish, Adam. That's so impressive." Ifeoma tried to wave the subject.
"I know right? I know that I can't have you ever again but one thing I can't do is let you stay unhappy" Adam said.
"I'm not unhappy. You're so hilarious, Adam, are you now into acting? Where's all these coming from?" Ifeoma laughed it off.
"You can keep trying to change the subject but I'm still gon tell you this. Leave when you can't take it anymore, you love him, fine. But love isn't enough, it isn't, get out of it. Any thing that stresses you or makes you unhappy no matter the form it takes is unhealthy and one shouldn't bask in it. Here is my card, you can always call me when you need someone to talk to, okay?" Adam left his card in Ifeoma's palm as he lingered his hands on her skin for a while before he left her alone.
"Well, well, well! If baby, was that Adam Badmus I saw with you right now?"
Ifeoma sighed as she saw Sewa yet again.
"We keep bumping into eachother and it's so annoying, can't you like pretend you didn't see me?" Ifeoma told her.
"Why? What I caught you doing isn't modest for a married woman, especially not a guy you had history with." Sewa accused.
"Girl, I don't give a fvck what you think you saw or what you conclude on in your stupid head. I have more important things to worry about than a b*tch, please!" Ifeoma snapped as she stood up and walked out of the hall.
"We'll see about that." Sewa said and then smiled mischievously.
TO BE CONTINUED...