'I can tell from the way you admire it that you love the ring', Richard whispered to Titi teasingly.
They were in the living room in his house on a Friday evening. Richard's parents were coming down from Paris to meet his betrothed wife, and would arrive in a few hours. Titi had taken the weekend off from work, and she had been in Richards house since morning, ready to meet her to-be in-laws.
'I don't love the ring', she said sternly, whispering back. She was sitting beside him on the sofa, cuddled in his arms.
Richard pulled back to look into her eyes, his countenance changing. 'Why? Is it not good enough?', he asked.
'I mean I don't love the ring, I love the man who put it on me', she smiled.
Richard sighed. 'Naughty you! I was beginning to get scared', he said, smacking her playfully.
They laughed in unison.
'Don't be scared', Titi told him. 'But I still don't love the ring, because ornaments can be stolen, but love lasts forever.'
'Hmm!', Richard marveled. 'That's my baby. You know, I always love your sentiments.'
'Thank you', she smiled.
'No, thank God. For sending you my way', Richard said, dropping a kiss on her forehead.
And he meant those words. He knew he couldn't have wished for a better woman, and he was rest assured she had come to stay.
'So', Titi asked after a while, 'I'm sleeping over at your place tonight, after meeting mum and dad, right?'
'Yes', Richard nodded.
'Are we, you know, sleeping together?', she asked shyly.
'You mean, are we having sex?'
Titi looked down, avoiding his gaze. She didn't expect him to be that blunt, perhaps he had been intending to ask her initially. They usually did. Her refusal to sleep with her last lover; Femi, contributed to the factors for being dumped by him. He had accused her of being a hypocrite. He expected her to give in, since she already had a child and sex would be nothing new. But Titi knew Femi didn't love her. He was going to dump her anyway; the previous ones did, so why give herself to him?
Now, she was sure Richard loved her, and if it would take sex to make his love for her increase, then she was more than willing to give in.
'Yes', she answered, still carefully avoiding his gaze.
'No, we are not', he told her. 'And in fact, we aren't sleeping in the same room. You'll sleep in my room, while I crash in another room, you know, there are enough rooms in the house.'
Titi leaned back and stared askance at him. She couldn't believe her ears. 'Are you serious? I mean, you are cool with that?'
'Of course, I am, why not?'
'You must be kidding me', Titi shook her head in disbelief. 'Are you gay?'
'Of course not', Richard laughed. 'See', he sat up and turned her to face him. 'I'm not after your body, I didn't ask you to be part of my life so that I can just have sex with you. No. Though there will be time for that, but it can wait, OK?'
Titi inclined her head and forced an insincere smile. She didn't expect what she was hearing from him. Wishing she could pack her words back into her mouth and chew them up, she bit her lower lip in regret, embarrasment flushing to her cheeks.
Richard, as if reading her mind, drew her to himself and smiled. 'You don't have to be embarrassed Tee, you didn't say anything wrong. It was right for you to ask, and perhaps expect, because that is what men always want. And I'll like to add to your book of philosophies; that sex doesn't also make a man, his ability to love and treat his woman right does.'
Titi looked up at him with love in her eyes and smiled. Richard was a man of valour, and she admired his principles. But suddenly, her countenance changed when she remembered the secret she was still hiding. Her heart began thumping hard against her chest. Richard seemed too innocent for her. How would he deal with the fact that she was not only unchaste, she already had an issue?
'Are you alright?', he asked, givng her a curious look.
'Yes, I'm fine.'
'No, you are not. There is something wrong, please tell me.'
Titi hesitated at first, but then, 'I'm only scared of what your parents will think of me, you know, with all your status and all, they may not think I'm good enough for you.', she lied.
Titi knew her excuse was not genuine. Richard's parents already liked her even without seeing her yet. She had spoken with them on phone and Richard had told them every detail about her. They never showed any sign of resentment, but Titi could not tell her fiance the truth, so she had to use that excuse as cover up.
'Come on, Tee', Richard said softly. 'You know my parents love you already. Can't you see they have accepted you? Even my sisters have grown fond of you on phone too. There is nothing to worry about'.
'I know, Richard, they already accept me when they have not seen me yet. That my change when they get to meet me.', she lamented.
'You should not think like that Tee, as long as you are my choice, they will love you too as their daughter, you are part of our family now', he smiled. 'See, I know you are being nervous, but I assure you, everything will be fine.'
'Titi nodded in agreement and leaned into his embrace. She knew of course, everything was going to be fine, but not until he discovered her secret.
Soon, Richard's parents; Dr. & Mrs Akinade, and his sisters Sussan and Sandra arrived. They all accepted and related with her like they had known her for ages, just as Richard assured. His mother received her warmly like she was her own daughter, his father laughed with her like she had been a part of the family from Adam, and even his sisters chit-chatted with her like she was an old friend. Titi really loved this family. They never for once showed any resentment or condemned her in any way throughout her stay with them that weekend. Despite their status and wealth, they were so down to earth and modest, and that explains where Richard got it from.
When Richard's father had asked about her qualification and she told him she had only attended nursing school, he'd promised her he would sponsor her education and send her abroad for her degree and masters programmes.
Titi was astonished and overjoyed. It was what she had least expected. Indeed, God had favoured her by sending Richard her way, she just hoped she would find a way around what she wasn't doing right.
-Temi
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