C1 Chapter one

DANIEL

"Grandma," I drawled out as I folded some of my clothes into my big brown box. "I've heard you. I'll come home" I chuckled.

"when are you going to come? is it when I'm at the point of death,ehnn?" I rolled my eyes at what she said. Grandma and her drama.

I moved around the room picking my important stuffs and stuffing them into the box. "Just give me one month extra." I smiled knowing what she was going to say next.

"One month ke! you this boy! I'll come and drag you from that place that you are ohh." I laughed as her yoruba accent became thicker. My grandma spent most of her teenage years in France and then later moved to New York, before she finally settled in Nigeria with my grandfather.

"Grandma, don't stress yourself ba! I'll soon come home." I smiled at the phone as I zipped close my box and placed it with my other bags. She had no idea I was coming home next week.

"I'm only giving you a grace of one month. have you heard me?" I heard someone enter her room, maybe her doctor.

"yes ma."

"Okay, I'll call you later" and she hung up.

I sighed as I threw my phone in the bed and then proceeded to search my drawers, in case I forgot anything. I opened the top drawer beside my bed and noticed a small black box.

It contained the ring Elizabeth was supposed to be wearing. I sighed as I picked up the box and kept it inside my black Versace bag.

It has been five years since I started dating my girlfriend, Elizabeth. Today is going to be the fifth year and I already plan on surprising her this night with this dinner I planned. I want to make sure I do something special, not that I don't do something special but you grab what I'm saying right?

I waited patiently for her on the three seater in our living room. We decided to move in together last year May. I was nervous, truth be told, cause this is a very huge step. I picked up my car keys from the side glass table beside our grey couch. I tossed the key from one hand to another as I thought of Elizabeth.

She was still inside putting her make up on, even though I told her it was not necessary. I met her at a bar after she had an awful breakup with her abusive ex-boyfriend. That night she was drunk and was saying all kinds of stuff. I got interested in her, and we started off as friends at first until it grew into something more.

I pulled up into the car park of the restaurant and looked at her smiling. "what is my makeup bad?" she asked worried.

"No, it's perfect. You are perfect." I smiled at her as I pecked her lips, making her blush.

I got down from my side of the car and opened the door for her. I held out my hand as I pulled her out of her seat. "Thank you." she gave me a dimpled smile.

I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her closer to me as we entered into the restaurant. We sat by our table and waited for someone to come take our order. I already made a reservation here since Last week. It was easier since the owner was my friend.

"Look Daniel they have a new food," she said excitedly as she showed me where it was in the menu. "Let's try it out?" she asked

"Okay, no problem." I laughed at her excited state.

Five minutes later, the waiter came and we placed our orders. Some minutes later he came back with our food and wine. "this is to a better life and a good future" I said the toast as we made a toast.

"To a better life" she smiled and took a sip out if her red wine.

We talked about a lot of things, made fun of each other and we even planned on how we were going to visit my grandma back home in Nigeria. She told me about how her elder sister was getting married soon and she invited me for the wedding. She had so much joy in her eyes as she talked about her family. I'm so sure her mom was going to be proud of her.

She continued rambling about her work place and thus french guy who was making advances towards her. I laughed at a few things she said. I was happy I had her all to myself.

I felt the small box inside the pocket of my suit to make sure it was intact. I better do this on quickly, time waits for no man right?

"Lizzy," I held her hand to stop her from her talk.

"what's wrong? do you need me to get something?" She gave me a worried look.

I released a shaky breath and then got down on one knee. She had a confused look on her face as she took in my position. "Daniel, what are you doing?" she whispered as she looked around the restaurant.

Most people in the restaurant were looking at us already while some of them had knowing looks on their faces already. I was nervous as hell.

I pulled out the box and brought out the ring, she gasped as she stood up from her seat. She was at the verge of tears already. I chuckled as I looked around and then back at her.

"The first day I saw you, I was intrigued. You had a short red gown on, you held your black heels in your hand as you walked into the bar." I chuckled as I remembered that particular night. "we became friends at first until it grew into something more. Five years with you, five years of living you and I don't regret any single moment of it." I twirled the ring in my hand and smiled at her, "I love your smile, your hair, even when you wake up in the morning looking like a zombie" she hit my arm and then laughed as she sniffed, causing the whole room to burst into laughter. "just kidding, I love it when you are happy and you being sad makes me was also. I love you and I'll continue to love you. Forever."

"I love you too." she whispered to me as she sniffed and the cleaned her tears.

"So, would you, Elizabeth Davids, do me the honour of being my wife and the mother of my kids?"

"yes! yes! yes!" She jumped excitedly as I slipped the ring into her finger.

I stood up and then kissed her as I wrapped my arms around her waist pulling her closer.

Pero poco sabía que la para siempre que deseaba nunca iba a llegar(But little did I know that the forever I wished for was never going to come.)