“Is this how you’ll keep treating me? This is not how we started, Paul?” Kemi said as Paul hung up the phone. Like a confused lady in love with her man, Kemi couldn’t quite get what was going on. She knew Paul, her lover, to be a gentle being, but his actions lately had proven otherwise. “What could be the problem?” Kemi asked herself.
Kemi and Paul met at the university, and they’ve been in the relationship for years. Like every other lovebird, they showed each other all the care and affection every lover could ever wish for. People often get jealous of the duo while in school.
Like fish and water, they are inseparable; even when they were not together, they kept in touch with calls. “Is Paul using jazz on you?” One of Kemi’s friends had once taunted her. At a time, they made the school magazine as the best lovers of the year.
After graduation and one year of service to the nation, Kemi and Paul still kept in touch. Their love was like the binding of an unbreakable cord, as strong as when they first met. However, what led to Kemi’s complaint about how Paul was treating her emerged subtly.
Like every true lover wishes, Paul and Kemi had plans to take their love story to a forever stage. They’ve had conversations about the number of kids they both desired, and they deliberated on other important marital matters.
“I think I’ll prefer to have the toothpaste pressed in the middle and our sponges well placed in their cases.” As Kemi made her statement, Paul, like the gentleman that he is, nodded in agreement and replied, “anything you want, my darling.”
Their sweet love story started turning bitter when Kemi got employed by one of the top banks and was collecting a huge salary. Paul has applied severally for jobs, but he has yet to get employed. Kemi supported Paul, not just financially but also with encouraging words.
“Baby, don’t think about anything; all is going to be well, my love. I just transferred some money into your account; please manage it. Don’t worry, all will be well.” As Paul checked his phone to confirm Kemi’s credit alert, like a man caught unaware, he was surprised and emotionally replied, “Kemi, this is much; you don’t have to send this much, you know. Thank you; I really appreciate your support,” he said.
Kemi’s support was unwavering and kept coming like it was never going to stop. But Paul was getting worried and uncomfortable with the situation, as he was feeling less than the man he would love to be. He wants to be a provider and not a back bencher in the relationship.
Due to this inferior feeling, Paul started avoiding Kemi and was also ignoring her calls. The new treatment and attitude got Kemi worried, and she had to remind Paul about how they started and the need to keep the love burning.
Kemi tried all she could to keep the relationship and often told Paul to avoid being discouraged because his situation was temporary. However, Paul was adamant about distancing himself from Kemi due to his financial incapacity. The relationship nosedived, and both later lost contact.
A few years later, they both got married to different partners and even had kids. Unfortunately, life happened, and Kemi lost her husband, while Paul also lost his wife. Both became single parents.
Paul had a daughter, Titi, while Kemi had a son, Tosin. Their children grew up, and as nature would have it, they both attended the same university.
Like a rollercoaster life arranged a copy, Tosin and Titi met at the university and became lovers just like their parents. Fortunately for them, their love story approached the forever stage.
"I think we need to see each other's parents and seal this deal. I can't stand seeing you leave; I want to be in the same place you are every moment." As Tosin confessed his feelings like a man bewitched by his partner, Titi hugged him tightly, like she was never going to let go.
It was glaring that they were both love-struck. As they agreed on Tosin's suggestions, they decided to take action immediately. It was at this point that Kemi and Paul met and discovered their children had been dating all the while.
"Tosin, what is the meaning of all these? Why would you invite this man to our house?" Kemi became so infuriated. She told her son that their guests should leave immediately. Paul looked at his daughter with pity, "I'll explain everything to you," he said.
After explaining all the past to Tosin, "you would have to find another lover," Kemi had said as Tosin walked out on her for the first time. The same night, Paul, on his end, explained to Titi what happened between him and Kemi and told her she'd have to get a new man, but she also went to her room and shut her door.
After several considerations and affirmations that the bond between Tosin and Titi was unbreakable, Kemi and Paul had no choice but to give their consent to their relationship. Their children also made them realize that their love story has nothing to do with their personal lives, and both parents will have to sort out whatever rift they had amicably.
Kemi and Paul agreed to settle their disputes but went further to mend the broken love; this was after Tosin and Titi got married.
Kemi is still rich and wealthy, and like a fulfillment he had long desired, Paul now measures up as the ideal man he had always wanted to be. He is quite rich and successful. They started considering reigniting their fire of love, as they were both single parents now.
Tosin and Titi, after suspecting that their parents are getting back together, kicked against the notion of reunion, as they believe it would be awkward to have their parents married and also have themselves as forever lovers.
"Mum, what would people say? This is not right." Tosin tried convincing his mother, but she wouldn't listen to him. "Whatever anyone likes, they can say, I love Paul, and he loves me. We gave you your chance; please let's have our own in peace." Like a stubborn old lover who was never going to let go, Kemi replied Tosin.
Paul and Titi were also present. Paul nodded in agreement with Kemi's reply, and Titi could only watch as she was confused. "Let's have our second chance at forever, lads; like my darling said, we deserve it." As Paul concluded his statement, Titi ruminated on the implication of their parents decision: "Is this even right religiously and legally?" She asked herself.
It was obvious that Kemi and Paul weren't going to let go of each other. Like a defeated debator, Tosin said to Titi, "I think we have no choice; let them have their way." Titi couldn't agree less, as she nodded in approval.
