Simi's mind raced, putting together the pieces of that painful night. All the unanswered questions, the hurt, the anger it all made sense now. Tobi hadn't abandoned her; he had been lying in a hospital bed, fighting for his life.
I had to find my way back, I had to visit Tobi, I put a call through to Juri, I narrated to her what had just happened, Juri was the person I could explain too, I had to go back to lagos to visit Tobi.
Juri had understood and told me I could take a leave to visit Lagos, my office has approved my mail before the end of the week and I was granted two weeks off work. I called Simbi every day asking her of tobi,
"Is he… okay now?" I asked, dreading the answer,
"He's alive, but he's not the same, Simi. The accident left him with some injuries. He's walking with a cane and had to undergo a lot of therapy. It's been hard for him."
I felt tears tingling at the corners of her eyes. I had spent months believing a lie, while Tobi had been suffering in silence. "I need to see him, Simbi. I need to talk to him."
I had explained to Simbi what happened between Tobi and I, I apologized because I felt she wouldn't be happy that I loved a man whom she claimed to be a player, Simbi apologized too, because she felt she would have heard from my side before castigating him, because she only knew Tobi through Jamal, we both apologized, though I felt she only apologized because she didn't want me to feel bad, Simbi promised to go along with me to see tobi when I'm back from Canada.
*****************************
I arrived the Murtala Muhammad airport in Lagos by 8:00 am on Saturday, my dads driver was at the airport waiting, I hurriedly jumped into the car greeted the driver and told him to hurry up because I didn't want the Lagos traffic to hold me down, before I got to simbi's house on the island.
I arrived simbi's house, it was the most gorgeous place I've seen, the serene atmosphere and the exquisite interior, I loved it, it was my first time in simbi's house and I loved it, but I couldn't really say much because I just needed to see Tobi, "I need to see him, Simbi. I need to talk to him".
Simbi nodded, her expression gentle. "I thought you might. He's been staying at his parents' house. I can take you there".
The journey to Tobi's house felt like an eternity. My heart pounded with a mix of fear and anticipation. I didn't know what to expect, but i knew she had to see him, to explain, to understand what had happened that night.When we arrived, my hands trembled as I knocked on the door. Tobi's mother answered, her face lighting up in recognition. "Simi, it's so good to see you. Come in, come in."
I gently followed her inside, my heart in her throat. The house was quiet, a huge contrast to the chaotic emotions swirling inside me. Tobi's mother led her to the living room, where Tobi was seated by the window, staring out at the garden.
Tears rolled down my cheeks. "Tobi" I called out, He turned at the sound of his name, and for a moment, their eyes locked. I felt a rush of emotions relief, guilt, and longing. A cane rested against his chair, "Simi," he said, his voice soft, tinged with surprise.
"Tobi," I replied, my voice breaking. I took a step closer, then another, until i was standing right in front of him. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I thought you—. I bursted into tears, Tobi's mum holding me through it and simbi patting my back.
I know," he interrupted gently. "I tried to reach you, but it was too late. I'm sorry for everything you went through." I hugged him, I had missed Tobi so much and I wasn't sure I wanted to go back. Tears welled up in my eyes. "I thought you had left me. I felt so lost. And now, knowing what happened…"
Tobi reached out, taking her hand in his. His touch was warm, reassuring. "It's okay, Simi. We've both been through a lot. But you're here now, and that's what matters."
Tobi and I sat there for a while, just crying and consoling each other, " you really thought I won't come for dinner, oh simi I'm too much of a foodie for that" we all laughed, Tobi's mum had made a special dinner for all of us, it was jollof rice with salad, moi moi and chicken, it was an absolute treat, Jamal had come to join us at the house, and we talked and it was the best reunion ever.
After everyone left, it was time for me to leave, Tobi escorted me out of the house holding my hand and leading me to his car, I jokingly called him one legged man, we both laughed at it, I sighted Tobi's large garden " Tobi, I can see your family is in love with gardens" I said in amusement, Tobi's house was one of those large Lagos houses where only the elite lived, " you want to take a look"
We got into the garden, Tobi had grabbed my hands, and we walked, laughing out loud our jokes, he called me a "runway lagosian" and I called him the "one legged man", Tobi held my waist and drew my closer, he whispered softly " I'll never leave you" he rested slowly into my arms, planting a kiss on my lips, the warmth of his lips on mine, I couldn't wish for anything better, Tobi went on his knees, " would you marry me" I moved back slowly in disbelief.
Few weeks ago, I was healing from the same man on his knees asking me out to marry him, i was so confused, but I wanted Tobi and now he wanted me, all I could say was "YES"
I drove home that night asking myself why I had said yes and what I had done, but all I knew now was I had the man I always wanted and that made me happy.