13th February, 2024

I had to re-read the text over and over again to be sure I am not seeing double.

“Why did she send me this kind of message?” I asked myself.

Currently, I am not in a right state of mind because I am angry. I am pissed because I am a fool. I am a damn fool. What did I do? Why did I allow this to happen? Why did I believe her and let her destroy my relationship again?

Patrick, why are you such a fool? That was the question I kept asking myself.

Angela used her sickness to get me to be soft on her so she can penetrate and show the snake she is again and again. I am such an idiot.

Ife.

My heart went to her immediately but I was too angry to talk to her when she called. Angela was there and I didn’t want to give her the wrong impression.

When I thought about how I answered her. I felt hurt. She must have gotten the letter and now confirmed whatever lies that snake sent to her.

I had to make sure she was moved out of my house because she was going crazy on me. It was a real challenge the officials had while evacuating her from my home. I will have to move again but first I need to fix this between us. I want her to know I love her and would stay with her forever. She has to know she’s still and would be the love of my life till I take my last breath. She’s the woman for me and I will keep reminding her.

I called her severally, texted her but she didn’t respond. This was how she has been calling me because I saw her calls moments after I found out about Angela’s devious plans.

When she didn’t pick up, I called Daimen and he told me he has tried to talk to her but she isn’t listening to him either. I hurt her again. I have to go there. to explain things to her.

Even if she pushes me away, I will keep coming back till she takes me back and see me worthy of her love.

“I’m coming to you Ife mi” I whispered and went to pack my bags.

***

Immediately I landed, I came straight to her house. Daimen came to pick me up since I am not too familiar with the road to her temporary place. We talked and he explained to me that Ife planned to leave for the US when their project concludes this evening and it broke my heart that she wants to be far from me.

If I was in her place, I would feel same. If I even come to the knowledge that she was dating this Daimen guy and eloped with him. I would die. That’s how much I am dedicated to her and our relationship.

Daimen wished me luck when he dropped me off by her apartment and told me where the floor and room was. I was nervous. I have a bouquet of her favorite flowers in my hand and a box of chocolate in the other. I am scared to even face her. My legs are trembling but I am determined to make sure we sort this thing out and she forgives me.

I knocked the door for like three times before she came to answer the door. When she saw me, she immediately wanted to slam the door in my face but I stopped her and begged her to let me in.

She was adamant at first but she let me in and gave me two minutes to say whatever I wanted to say and leave.

“These are for you” I handed her the flowers and chocolate. She eyed it and hissed then looked the other way.

“One and half minutes” she said.

I nod my head and let out a sigh.

“I don’t even know where to start from” I commented the truth.

She looked at me with a sarcastic smile on her face. “Then leave” she pointed to the door.

“Ife,” I took a step towards her but she stopped me by raising her hand up. I stopped. “I am sorry. I am sorry I didn’t tell you about Angela” I apologized.

When I said those words, her tensed shoulders collapsed and the anger on her face was replaced by hurt but she couldn’t say anything.

“I am sorry, I didn’t mention it to you earlier. I just didn’t want anything to come in between us” I confessed.

“But it came in between us” she whispered. I wanted to walk over to her and hug her but I know this moment isn’t right for that.

“I am sorry for that.” I looked down and tried to blink back tears because looking into her hurt-filled ones makes me hurt more. “I should have told you when Angela disclosed it to me. I should have told you right from start” I chuckled lightly and shook my head as I looked at the slightly opened window. “Yemi warned me. Warned me that it was a trap to set us up again”

“Is… is it true?” she asked in a whisper. I looked at her, a little furrow on my brows.

“Yes,” I said and she burst out crying. “Yes, it’s true. Angela has cancer” I completed my sentence and the sobbing stopped.

She looked at me and frowned. “Angela has cancer?” she asked, confusion evident on her face and in her voice.

I nod my head. “Yes, you know right? That’s the secret I didn’t tell you about. I should have told you ear-”

“You wrote in the letter that Angela was pregnant for you” she said in an accusing tone.

“What? Pregnant for me? I haven’t been with another woman in the past year than you. I am just seeing her after that crazy encounter with her couple of months ago” I told her the truth.

Is that the thing Angela told her that made her hate me? That cray woman. I am glad I came here to rectify it.

I walked closer to Ife but she stopped me and warned me to stay where I was before she took a step back.

“Why didn’t you tell me”

“I… I don’t know” my answer came in a whisper. I wasn’t solid on why I didn’t tell her. “That was my mistake, please forgive me” I begged, going down on my knees.

Ife looked down at me. “Stop, stand up” she grumbled.

“No, I am not standing up till you forgive me” I was adamant. I need her forgiveness. It means so much to me.

“Patrick, stand up” she grumbled and looked away from me. “I will not talk to you till you stand up” she crossed her arms and pouted.

She’s so cute.

I stood up and came closer to her. “Ife, I would never hurt you intentionally and if I do it unintentionally, I am deeply sorry” I put down the chocolate and flower on the couch and held her hands in mine.

She closed her eyes and sniffled as she tried to keep the tears in.

“I am sorry. I should have been transparent with you about it. I didn’t want you to get mad at me for helping her.” I confessed and kissed the fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. “I might not like Angela but she needed a friend and I was there for her as that till I got in contact with her family but she just has a way of showing how much of a fox she is. Sly and dangerous” I said to her.

She opened her eyes to look at me and I rest my forehead against hers.

“Everything… in that letter, isn’t from you?”

I shook my head and kissed her cheeks. “I don’t even know what is written inside. It can never be from me. I love you too much to let you go. I can’t ever let you go and I will never let you go. You’re my go to girl, my lover, the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. My love” she giggled and the sound soothed my pounding heart.

Just like medicine to a sick body, her giggles healed the pain, frustrations and nervousness I felt before we talked.

She’s my super woman.

“I love you Ifeoluwa Tobiloba. There’s nothing in this life that would make me feel opposite of what I feel towards you” I pecked her lips and kissed her knuckles “I promise to be transparent about everything with you. No secret or anything, even if it wouldn’t be something you like, I would tell you everything and be open to you” I kissed her knuckles again “This is my many promises to you, my love”

She nodded her head and wrapped her arms around my neck. “I love you too Patrick, I will always love you for the rest of my life” she whispered in my ears.

“This is my love to you” I kissed her lips lightly “To give you more,” another kiss at the side of her lips “And all of myself to you” I looked her in the eyes before capturing her lips in a sweet kiss.