The engagement: did Love win?
Since Jude decided Wanda was what he wanted, he felt the need to keep her at all cost. The red flags kept popping up but Wanda ignored them, she had become one of those girls who didn’t read the signs but believed love covers a multitude… She had now lost all male friends and acquaintances, even females had to pass his test to remain her friends, how Oiza survived this is still a surprise seeing that Jude hated her guts.
It was several months into the relationship that she experienced one of his out bursts… Nicolas was one of those guys everyone in class loved, he was smart, witty and had just been made class rep, Wanda and Oiza didn’t need to suck up to him cos he had his eye on Oiza so they exploited the opportunity…
Jude had just walked past the cafeteria by the library and heard her giggle “only she laughs this way” what was she doing here? He didn’t need an explanation neither did she have one, he grabbed her hand that grip was so tight a slap would have been better…
”Jude you’re hurting me…we’re in public” Nicolas was more confused than embarrassed; his mistake was making the effort to stop them, he was shoved hard and he fell to the chair the small crowd that gathered quickly broke it off and just then Oiza showed up and saved the day…. can anyone explain what just happened? Nic was still speechless and Wanda was full of apologies…that evening she would receive the beating of her life, if only she had avoided Jude as Oiza advised.
she needed to justify her action or inaction, whatever it was; “I mean look at Gladys and Mofe, their somewhat toxic relationship had blossomed into a budding romance, the kind Nollywood movies were made of”…she wanted that for Jude and her. And for a while it seemed she got her fairy tale, the happily ever after was now in sight they had survived one year, they were in love. She had hidden several other incidents from her friend; like Jude would say, ‘She doesn’t need to know everything about our business” He always apologised anyway; cos he loved her (so she thought) “Is it rape when he is your boyfriend?” she had questioned herself countless times even second guess herself, “Jude was just a passionate lover, I need to relax” even she knew those words weren’t convincing, “thank God Oiza doesn’t know about this”.
Months of several altercations , squabbles and fights would pass, each time Oiza hoped it would be the last but like metal drawn to magnet Jude and Wanda found a way to make up…
This guy has got moves….a giggling Wanda told Oiza…The glittering ring on her middle finger was getting all the attention and as much as Oiza wanted to be happy she knew this was a mistake.. “ Girl you mean you said YES?, you agreed to marry him?”…her stammering lips blurted out.. “bu…but you’re just in your 2nd year? what happens when he finds another girl during NYSC? what about the beatings?” “have you thought that maybe he just did this ti keep you because he is graduating…?”
Oiza had switched to mother-hen mode and there was no stopping but Wanda wasn’t having it…”babe, at least you can pretend to be happy me”..
“ Wanda you want the truth?” she paused as if awaiting a response then continued… “I’m scared for your safety, I’m worried, not happy, I mean its Jude we are talking about” Knowing what her friend was getting at which would awaken old hurt she quickly wrapped up the conversation.. “we love each other and that’s final, by the way we’re not getting married until my final year or after NYSC…. be happy for me, pleeeaasseeee!!! Jude is different now, I promise; he has changed” Wanda thought if she said it long enough it would be true. She needed to say it to convince herself. Both girls hug but it was clear the worry had not disappeared.
Not that she was comparing but, she was beginning to see a bit of Anty Billy and Uncle Tam’s traits in Jude and her.
She was in a toxic relationship and she knew it.
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