THE PROPOSAL (A Short Story)
“Say yes!”
I joined in the chorus as my teary friend, whom I had barely seen in over two years, stood dumbfounded, hands over mouth, teary-eyed, surrounded by her new circle of friends whom I barely knew. She has added a few pounds, but everyone does when they move to America.
The words ‘WILL YOU MARRY ME’ glistening brightly in the evening sky behind Jacob, who was now wearing a nervous smile of his own, looking up into her face from his knees.
I remember forcing her to agree to a first date with him 16 months ago, so it was only right he flew me out from Lagos instead of her parents.
Elizabeth has always been wary of fine guys; talk less of this Americana boy we both nicknamed Jake. I don’t mean to brag, but she was wary of me when we first met some years back, but that’s a story for another day.
“Say yes already!,” I shouted, “ You fish!”.
Those words exposed my presence in the dimly lit rooftop restaurant. I’m the only one that calls her Fish in the World. I knew she knew because she screamed, looking frantically around in disbelief until her eyes fell on my wide ecstatic smile, surprised to see me 12,000 miles from Lagos.
She turned to face the wall as everyone kept applauding. I’m sure they were all wondering what the bigger surprise was- the $16,000 diamond cut ring I helped Jake pick out — or me, the sparsely bearded young man whose only achievement was being crowned ‘bestie’.
I knew there was a problem the moment she turned back. Her face, now smeared with makeup didn’t hold the tears of joy it held a minute ago.
It held something new.
Something strange.
Sadness.
Wait, why sadn…?
Wait.
I watched in horror as she mouthed what seemed like “I’m sorry” to kneeling Jacob, and the steward holding the engagement cake burst into laughter.
Time seemed to stand still as she walked up to me and kissed me full on the lips. I hesitated for a second, a thousand thoughts running through my mind. Especially what I’m going to tell my pregnant girlfriend back in Lagos.
I could also hear a mixture of applause and boo from the crowd as I closed my eyes and kissed her back.
I mean, if life gives you lemons, right?
… Right?
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