feistyfiona's: Love, Flicker, Burn

Bile rushed into the back of his throat. Or was it stomach acid? He couldn't quite figure out which it was. Was bile produced in the liver or was it the gall bladder? Either way, it would take a while to get to his throat. Stomach acid, then, he mentally concluded. It had to be. He’d check later or not, if he got out of this situation alive. He wiped off the sweat that moistened his forehead and steadied his hand. The breeze was cool and it was cloudy tonight. Rain, maybe.

He was on a boat, on his knees, both. He had uttered those four magic words to her, his girlfriend of eleven months. He had practiced so many times and now he was on both knees. ‘Idiot! You look like you are begging her!’, he thought to himself and resumed his shaky smile but made no attempt to pull up one knee to avoid looking clumsy.

‘O God, please don’t let her say No! Eleven months is short, I know.’ He thought unsurely. ‘Stranger things have happened.’, his best friend, Adaeze, had told him as they both looked at engagement rings online three months back.

This boat was indeed a bit over the top. It would compensate for the “both knees” mistake. It all sounded silly now that he retraced his motives for getting a boat. Proposals these days were so elaborate. ‘We no fit carry last o!’ His friends had goofed around, as they drank beers three weeks ago. Bisi had teased about how the photos would be on Instagram, Facebook, and even LinkedIn and how embarrassing it would be for everyone if they didn't have the glistering, glamourous look Nigerian events possessed. Thank God Bisi knew Remi Adams, who knew a man who gave her his contact at The Harbor. He would have to tip the contact quite heavily at this rate.

The ring was flawless. Even his pretentious socialite-enthusiast sister, Lara, had been blown away. ‘Where did you get the money, Nappie?!’ Nappie was a nickname she called him because all his baby photos showed him wearing just a bright white nappy with the exception of one or two. He rolled his eyes at her typical dramatic outburst. She was always intrigued by uneventful occurrences, always hoping there was more to it.

He could see her from the corner of his eye, breath held. She looked like she might burst from the thrill of the suspense. He would have laughed if not for that bile, no, acid.

She surely would say Yes. He had the boat, a professional photographer (who required a deposit of 100,000 Naira), he had friends and family around (they say women can’t say “No” if you have people around), it was his birthday and he had that ring. She was so beautiful. She was wearing that dress and her sophisticated red lipstick that probably cost more than his shoes. Her chandelier earrings dangled freely half way down her neck. Her wonderful neck. ‘Lord, help me’, he prayed silently.

Good thing he had hired that event planner. He was so poor at this whole thing. He couldn't even do his part right. Two knees! His guys won’t ever let him live this down. The planner was wonderful, he had her cheque in the car. Lara had been away in Ko-something, one of those Thai islands. She was offended that he got a planner when he had a sister who went for at least six events per week. She could have planned it in eight days she had said when he picked her from the airport.

Tiide had blinked, finally. Her lips parted loosely. They didn't seem to be making any sounds. She blinked again, her eyes getting wider at the sight of the ring. That was the exact response he was going for. She looked at him and then the ring again.'Did you hear me, Tiide. Will you marry me?' He repeated. He had seen that ring and he had wondered who bought these rings. What was their occupation? Would a wife dare act up with that rock on her finger? Matthew had pestered him daily about it being the right ring.

He sometimes felt Matthew considered Tiide out of his league and he’d have to compensate with the material things. He agreed with Matthew, of course. He had met Tide by sheer luck and her interest was certainly undeserved. He couldn't afford the ring but he had it now, he was on his knees and she was in shock. Mission accomplished. Well, almost. He shivered a little from the confidence the ring gave him and the whispers from the crowd at its sight.

He saw Tiide’s head move in slight response. Her chandelier earrings glimmered from the movement. 'Was that a Yes, baby?' He got up and took a step closer. Her eyes were full of tears and a slight look of anger. ‘I’m sorry. I can't.' Tiide took three steps back, turned on her heel and pushed through the guests to the deck below. Like a divinely orchestrated ending to a 31st birthday party, the rain drops suddenly began to fall all around them.

To be continued...