THE ONE

Kara was the first. Enchanted by her surreal beauty, he thought she was the one. He imagined mornings when he would wake up on their matrimonial bed smiling and beholding her pretty face. She was that beautiful. They talked about their wedding. It'd be the talk of the town, they both agreed. But she walked away... she left with a piece of his broken heart.

Then, it was Chioma. He had met her at Bella's wedding. She was the life of the party, and he couldn't resist her charms. 'I'd never be unhappy with such a woman by my side,' he thought to himself each time he heard her excited laughter or her cheery alto voice talking sweetly. Soon, he had her attention. Within a few weeks, they had become an inseparable duo. How would he forget how his heart leaped with joy when Chioma handed him an envelope on Val's Day? He had grown excited, convinced he had been given a card emblazoned and laced with Chioma's love. They went their ways after an evening out at one of the most expensive eateries in town. It was a happy and satiated Temi that sat on his king-size bed to look into the content of Chioma's envelope. He grew skeptical as he drew out an ivory card.

The Families of....

He read on, and as reality slowly dawned on him, his hands began to quiver, his head began to swirl, goosebumps suddenly formed on his skin. Chioma was getting married in two weeks' time. She'd be married to Chief Okoye, the middle-aged business tycoon in the East. He had only been her side-boo in the North. His heart sank as he lay still on his large bed, unable to understand why loving a woman was always a mistake.
He had thought he found Heaven with Chioma. But now all that's left of their seemingly perfect relationship are memories that haunt. Chioma had warmed her way into his heart and rid it of yet another piece.

                 *****
'Nne, you're so wonderful. The man that will marry you ehn, him life don better be that,' the middle-aged woman said with her gaze fixed on the young woman before her.
'Ah Aunty, you're always talking about the man I'll marry,' Naomi replied, mildly embarrassed.
'Yes, my pikin. I can't wait o. But I must advise you, shine your eye well oh. Only the very best deserves you.'

                  *****
'Lord, I surrender. I thought I could find my woman myself but today I'm letting you take charge. I give up.' Temi said his last words of prayer and laid down to sleep.

                 *****
She bends down to pick up the paper lying on the terrazzo floor and goes after the tall light-skinned man walking up the stairs.
'Hello... Excuse me.' He turns to the direction of her gentle voice.
'Ye--es. A...ny any problem, Miss?' he stutters, awestruck in a way that he can't explain.
'I think you should see this. It must have fallen off you,' she says with a warm smile spread over her face. His eyes widen as he sees the cheque.
'Thank you. Oh, thank you,' he keeps saying till she walks away in graceful strides. She was gone before he could ask for her name.

As he sits in his living room, his thoughts again wander to that scene at the Bank. In fact, the scene has occupied his thought system almost all day. There was something about her he couldn't place his hands on. There was a mystery about that young woman with the shoulder-length hair, singsong voice, graceful steps, ebony-dark skin, heart-warming smile... There's a mystery he wants to uncover. Somehow, he finds himself wishing and praying he'd see her again.

         *****
'I'm sorry, Emeka... I have to turn down your proposal. I pray you find a better woman. Thank you,' she says to the person at the other end of the line at a stretch, without a single pause.
'I love you, Naomi. Where can I find a woman like you? Where? Please... just give me a chance.'
'I'm really sorry, Emeka. Please understand,' she murmurs before ending the call.

           *****
'Please let her in.' He downs a cup of coffee and draws in a deep breath. He hears a knock on the door and readies to see who the talented programmer is.

'She's the best you can find. She's my friend, and I'd help you speak with her- I mean, convince her to bless your company with her magical wits. Her work is always superb,' Kola had said as they sat over lunch two days ago. He was sure this lady was the best person to work on the project they discussed.

She- the programmer- walks in, and he recognises her dark oval face. She's the lady he's been praying to meet again. Here she is standing in his office.
'Naomi Ehiane,' she says in a crisp, formal tone.
'Oh, you're welcome. Please have your seat,' he says as he gestures to the seat facing his. A happy smile subtly forms on his lips but he quickly catches himself.

      *****
It has been three months since he first met Naomi. She's the one for him. He hasn't been surer of anything in his life. But there are fears, doubts lagging in his heart. 'What if she turns me down?' he asks himself, his fear taking a hold of him. Still, he'd take the step. He was sure God had his back this time. Naomi, his Naomi, is a thousand times better than Kara, Chioma and all the other women. She easily made his heart merry with her priceless words. Her words were like bread fresh from the oven and honey from the hive. And oh, Naomi loved the Lord and sought to please him.
Temi knows that friendship with Naomi would never be enough. He desires her for a soul mate, a life-long partner. He wants her face to be the first he'd see when he awoke in the morning and the last he'd behold at dusk. He had dreams, lofty dreams he would love to chase and clinch with Naomi by his side. For one would chase a thousand, and two a thousand.

    *****
'Naomi Ehiane, do you take this man, Temi Afolarin to be your lawfully wedded husband?' the Bishop asks in a most solemn tone.
'Yes I do,' she says. Her usually warm smile is even warmer, gentler. She looks like a seraphim in her immaculate-white wedding gown.