Chapter 9
The restaurant's ambiance was a cocoon of romance, with the soft strumming of a guitar complementing the murmur of conversations. Stephanie had just stepped away, and Oghene was left alone, his thoughts drifting like the gentle music in the air. That's when Adaobi appeared, a figure from a past life, walking towards him with a hesitant smile.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them faded into a blur.
"Oghene?" Adaobi's voice was a whisper, tinged with disbelief.
"Adaobi... what are you doing here?" Oghene's voice was steady, but his heart raced.
"I... I moved here a few months ago. I never thought I'd see you again, especially not here, in Jos." Adaobi's eyes searched his, looking for the connection they once shared.
They stood there, enveloped in the silence of their past, until Adaobi stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. It was a hug that held years of memories, a gesture that spoke louder than words.
Oghene was still processing the embrace when Adaobi pulled back slightly, her hand slipping him a piece of paper with her contact. Oghene squeezes the paper in his pocket not paying any attention to it. "I've missed you," she confessed, her voice barely above a murmur. "And I've realized that leaving you was a mistake. I still love you, Oghene."
Before Oghene could respond, Stephanie's return caught them in the act. The confusion on Stephanie's face was evident, her eyes flickering between Oghene and Adaobi.
"Stephanie, it's not what it looks like," Oghene started, his words tumbling out in a rush.
"Then what is it?" Stephanie's tone was calm, but her eyes betrayed her concern.
"This is Adaobi, an old friend from Delta State. We just ran into each other," Oghene explained, hoping to ease the tension.
Adaobi, sensing the growing discomfort, took a step back. "I should go," she said, giving Oghene a meaningful look. "We'll talk later?"
Oghene nodded, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. As Adaobi walked away, he turned to Stephanie, taking her hands in his. "Stephanie, I love you. Nothing has changed that. Adaobi is part of my past, and that's where she'll stay."
Stephanie looked into Oghene's eyes, searching for the truth. "I trust you, Oghene. But this... it's a lot to take in."
"I know, and I'm sorry you had to see that. But I want you to know that you're the one I choose, today and always," Oghene reassured her, his grip on her hands firm and comforting.
Stephanie nodded, a small smile breaking through her initial shock. "I believe you. Let's just enjoy our evening, okay?"
Oghene smiled back, relief washing over him. "Okay."
As they settled back into their seats, the weight of the encounter lingered between them, but so did the strength of their bond. The rest of the evening was a testament to their resilience, a celebration of the love they shared, unshaken by the ghosts of the past.
As the evening wore on, the air was thick with unspoken words and lingering glances. Stephanie's smile was a mask, hiding the turmoil that churned beneath. She laughed at Oghene's jokes and clung to his every word, but her mind was elsewhere, tangled in the web of Adaobi's sudden appearance.
The night drew to a close, and they found themselves outside, under the vast African sky. Stephanie's hand was still in Oghene's as they walked to the car, but the distance between them was palpable.
"Oghene," Stephanie finally broke the silence, her voice steady but soft, "I need to know that what happened tonight... it won't come between us."
Oghene stopped, turning to face her, the streetlights casting shadows on his face. "Stephanie, you have my word. Adaobi is my past, but you, you are my present and future. There's nothing left for me in what once was."
Stephanie searched his eyes, looking for the certainty she so desperately needed. She found it there, in the depths of his gaze, and it was enough to push her doubts away.
"Let's board a taxi ," she whispered, and the simplicity of the statement held a promise of new beginnings.
As they leave the restaurant, the piece of paper Adaobi had slipped into Oghene's hand remained folded in his pocket, its contents still a mystery. It was a reminder of a chapter closed, but not forgotten.