BELLA'S MEMOIRS (ENTRY #35)

SENTIMENTAL CLIMAX

*TWELVE WEEKS LATER*

Me: So how does it feel to be the executive governor of Lagos state?

My Daddy: Ask me that this time next year.

We both laughed. My father had been sworn in as governor earlier that day and we were now at the inaugural gala night. He had been so busy all day, I finally found a little time to catch up with him since the gala night was almost over.

My Daddy: Missing your fiancé?

Me: Yes Daddy! Very much although considering that the baby is only four days old I didn’t think it would be fair to ask him to come back for the inauguration. Ese doesn’t have any family in America so he has to be there to support for now.

My Daddy: You know this is how it’s always going be don’t you? He will sometimes have to put Ese and her baby first even when you are married and have children of your own.

Me: I know daddy. But you and Ms. A made it work. I’m hoping we have learnt a thing or two from both of you.

My Daddy: That’s a very political response. I’m sure you know I have your best interest at heart and the most important thing for me is your happiness.

Me: Daddy I am happy. Don’t worry about me.

My Daddy: Okechukwu informed me he is going to the states for a while to get a college degree.

Me: Yes he is. He is really excited about it.

My Daddy: Bella what about you? What is next for you, apart from marriage to Okechukwu eventually?

Me: I was going to discuss this with you later but since you asked I might as well tell you now. I have been talking to some schools and I am looking to go back to America in September for a master’s degree.

My Daddy: That’s awesome Bella!

Me: I have also been talking to some public relations and image management companies as well and I got a summer internship spot at a top notch PR firm in New York. So that’s how I will be spending my Summer.

My Daddy: Hmmmm when does Okechukwu start school in America?

Me: September but he wants to settle in before school starts so he’d be leaving much earlier.

He laughed.

My Daddy: Is this your way of telling me you and Okechukwu are moving to America together?

Me: No! It is my way of telling you that we are both trying to get our lives on track before we get married and it has somehow led us to America.

My Daddy: You are not planning to live together are you? If you are, forget about it!

Me: Daddy! We won’t even be in the same state when school starts! He is going to school in Washington and I would be in New York.

My Daddy: Just know I would visit you every single week if I have to. Just make sure I don’t catch you two shacking up together and no babies before marriage because I don’t trust that boy.

Me: Daddy you are a governor now. You can’t possibly have the time to visit me every week and as for no babies before marriage…we’ll try our best.

My Daddy: Bella!!!

Me: Just kidding daddy. Roger that!

My Daddy: Gosh! I am going to miss you like crazy.

He pulled me into a bear hug and I felt myself tearing up.

I was going to miss him too!

My stepmom spotted us and walked over to us.

Ms. A: What’s going on here?

My Daddy: Can you believe she wants to abandon us and move back to New York.

Ms. A: Yes we have been discussing it. I think it’s a wonderful idea.

My Daddy: I am so happy everything is working out. By the way, guess who called me to congratulate me on my inauguration earlier?

Me: Who daddy?

My Daddy: The Vice President. I guess he and the president have reconciled their differences so he has forgiven me for the strain I caused between them.

Ms. A.: Thank goodness! I was so worried the president would keep insisting he resign from office but it’s a good thing the president took our accusations seriously and opened an investigation on him. At least they have been able to clean up some of the mess he had been creating all this while. Imagine if the opposition party got wind of any of his shady dealings it would have been terrible for the whole party.

My Daddy: I know darling. I am glad we have finally buried the hatchet. He also invited me to Yinka and Toni’s wedding next month. I told him Yinka had already invited us, I am sure he knew that but he just wanted me to know that Yinka has forgiven him.

We all laughed.

Me: Do you think The Duchess will attend Yinka and Toni’s wedding?

My Daddy: Hmmmm…that’s a really tough question to answer. Considering that the mother of the bride is her estranged husband’s mistress it would be unfair to ask her to attend don’t you think?

Ms. A: It’s so sad I always thought your dad would reconsider and come back home. The Duchess must be very lonely.

My Daddy: The Duchess can take care of herself. Trust me.

Ms. A: Aha! The grand surprise for the evening has arrived!

Me: What grand surprise Ms. A? The party is almost over.

My Daddy: Look behind you.

I turned around and spotted the love of my life looking frantically around the hall for me.

Me: You two knew he was coming home?

My Daddy: Of course we did. I won’t let my daughter be dateless on a night like this?

I hugged my dad and my stepmom and rushed towards Okechukwu. When he spotted me, he froze in his steps and smiled.

I knew I looked beautiful in a gold couture dress that showed off my curves. He was also looking very dapper in a black suit.

Okechukwu: Gosh! You are so beautiful!

Me: I know.

He pulled me close and kissed me deeply.

Me: You didn’t tell me you were coming home today!

Okechukwu: That is why it’s a surprise duh!

Me: Did you change your flight date? You can’t afford all these expenses with your new baby and your school tuition.

Okechukwu: Your dad hooked me up…first class and all. Life as a governor’s son in law would be pretty interesting.

I hit him on the chest.

The band playing moved to a slow number, as the event was gradually coming to an end.

Okechukwu: Dance with me.

Me: Ask nicely.

Okechukwu: Are you ever going to stop being so stubborn?

Me: Ermmmm…nope. Are you ever going to stop being arrogant?

Okechukwu: Ermmmmm….. nope. Are you ever going to stop loving me?

Me: Never! Are you ever going to stop loving me?

Okechukwu: There is nothing you can do to make me stop loving you.

Me: So, I told my dad about our travel plans.

Okechukwu: Bella why did you do that?

Me: No I didn’t tell him we were planning to get married this summer. Just about our school plans.

Okechukwu: Good! I just want to marry you right away. No frills, no media circus no family drama…just you and me before something else happens.

Me: I know. There is no way we plan a wedding and it doesn’t become some sort of family fiasco. I mean between The Duchess and your older brother we can guarantee there would be a fist fight in the church.

Okechukwu: Definitely! And a kidnapping or two at the reception.

We both laughed. There was no way we would have a big wedding and there won’t be issues we had decided to elope that summer and then do the traditional rites and wedding reception the following year. That way no matter what the future held we would be bound together forever in love.

Nothing was ever going to stop us. He took my hand and led me to the dance floor.

Okechukwu: Ready Cupcakes?

Me: I was born ready.

Okechukwu: Roger that!

We hit the dance floor and I knew that was it, Bella and Ferrari….forever.

XOXO

Bella Ayo – Kessington

THE END