Beautiful stranger - Episode 14

 

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JERRY
••••••
I turned off the engine as I pulled up under a big tree. I took
a deep breath and stepped out of the car to take a walk. The
vacation had turned out to be longer than forever. We had
lived more than a week. I know I am supposed to be excited
about Toni seeing a month since the proposed one week,
and I am, but I am also worried . I don’t know if getting my
hopes up would be appropriate. I have spent the last one
month watching Toni sleep and wake up. I have also spent it
on my knees praying that she should see the next day and
not just leave me. We have all kept vigils around her bed
hoping that she didn’t give up anytime soon, and she really
is giving it a fight. It looks like she’ll be staying. I can’t help
but smile at the thought that she might actually be here with
me.
“Hey, man!”
It took a tap from Emeka to bring me back to reality. I turned
at him with a frown from the effect of the tap. “What is it?” I
asked.
“I saw you pull up and I decided to join you, and now I find
you smiling to yourself. Is everything okay?” he asked.
I nodded

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. “It couldn’t be any better.”
“Great.” He replied and walked by my side.
I stared at him. “Emeka, it’s a month today. Toni is still alive.”
Emeka smiled. “Man, I understand your joy.”
“I don’t think you do, this is beyond joy. This is like a
miracle.” I said. “One month and counting. She is still here.”
He nodded as he stared at me. “I know.”
Emeka was silent. I sighed as I stared at him. “Am I wrong
to get my hopes up?”
“No, I think it is fine. I think we are right to stay optimistic.”
Emeka replied.
I smiled. “I am going to ask her to marry me.”
“Jerry?”
I nodded. “I think it’s the right thing to do. When two people
love each other, they should be together.”
Emeka took a deep breath. “Jerry, I don’t think you do this
right now. Do you have an idea what the proposal might
do?”
“She would accept it. I know.” I replied.
Emeka took a deep breath. “Toni won’t want to marry you.”
“Why are you so sure?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I am not sure. But, I just know she won’t
want to do that to you.”
“What are you trying to say?” I asked.
Emeka stared at him. “Jerry, you know better. Don’t do this
to you…and to her.”
“Do what?!” I shouted.
“What hopes are you trying to give her? Toni is living every
day so positively that we can’t see the traces, but they are
there. Don’t weigh her down by presenting a ring now. She
doesn’t need it.” He replied.
I swallowed painfully.
“I am sorry if I came off harsh.” He said. “You don’t need
this now, enjoy the days.” He added.
“Well, you just ruined my day.” I replied and walked away.
***
NORA
I don’t know what I am doing in a very unfamiliar
environment. I am at the back pew in a church and staring
at the altar. Toni thinks I should talk to God and she wants
me to do it for me. I don’t even know where to start or
what to say to Him. All I know is I am really thankful for this
last one month. I just thought I had a week more to spend
with my sister, but I have enjoyed a lengthier period and I
am thankful to God for it. Toni might not know this, but I
am glad God has given her more to write about in her book.
I took a deep breath and approached the altar. I have
nothing else to do than to give thanks to God for what I had,
what I have and what I hope to still have. Toni has been
more than a sister to me, she has been a gift. One I’d
forever be thankful to have had.
“We have to go.” James called from the back.
I turned and stared at him. “Why?”
“Toni is alone.” He replied. “She shouldn’t be left alone for a
minute.”
I nodded. “Give me one minute.” I replied.
James walked out.
“Thank you, Lord, for sending James my way.” I said.
***
TONI
What would I love to do before I die? I guess I have done a
lot of that already. Most of all, I have only cared about one
thing after my purpose on earth is fulfilled, and that is,
making Heaven. What would life be if I didn’t get to meet
God after all? Meeting God would be amazing, I would like to
ask him what I am still doing in Obudu three weeks after the
Doctors say I would be gone? Isn’t it just amazing? One
week was the set time and I am still here. It is true that God
is not a respecter of any man.
I loved being here. It was fun while it lasted.
Till we meet again,
Toni.
***
With that, I slipped into the bed and drew the blanket over
me. A lot seemed to have changed in the last one month. I
felt the necessary strength and courage to go through each
day.
‘They say you know when your day comes’ I don’t know
why, but every passing day in the last one month seemed
like a date with Heaven, but yet, it didn’t come. Maybe today
seemed more like the day.
I took a deep breath and rolled over to my right. I stared into
my mirror. Surely, I have seen a lovelier Toni than who I
see now, but then, I have never seen a more ready Toni
than the one I see today. It has to be today.
The door opened and Nora walked in. “Hey.”
“Hi.” She replied and joined me on the bed. “How are you
feeling?”
I took a deep breath. “I don’t feel at home anymore.”
Nora nodded. “I understand.” She said. “I went to Church
today.” She added.
I smiled. “Thank God.”
“Toni, I love you so much and there is nothing that could
ever change that.” She said.
I chuckled. “Of course, it’s not like you have a choice.”
Nora blinked. “Toni, when you see Jesus, tell Him I am
grateful.”
“Of course.” I replied and pulled her close for a hug. “I’ll tell
him just that.”
Nora smiled. “What about Jerry?”
“You’ll take care of him for me.” I replied. “I am sure he
would find someone beautiful too.”
Nora broke down in tears. “Toni.” She muffled amidst tears.
“Toni.”
The door opened and Jerry stood by the door.
She nodded as she pulled away. “I love you.” She said and
kissed my forehead. She turned in Jerry’s direction. “Hello.”
“Hey.” Jerry replied with a faint smile.
Nora hugged Jerry and shut the door after him.
Jerry took a deep breath as he walked over to me. “Hey,
Stranger.”
“Hello.” I replied with a faint smile.
He took his seat beside me. “How did it go?”
“I am done.”
He took a deep breath. “So, what’s next?”
“I have sent it to the editor and from there, they’ll take care
of the rest.” I replied.
He drew me close and hugged me. “How are you?” Jerry
asked.
I stared at him. “Ready.”
“Are…Are you saying-”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
Jerry blinked as a tear drop rolled down his eye. “Don’t do
this.”
I raised a finger and wiped the tear from his eye. “I love you,
Jerry.”
“And I love you, Toni.” He replied and hugged me tight…till I
knew I was truly done.
***6 MONTHS LATER***
JERRY
“Toni was a really special woman and we are here to
celebrate her. Her lovely and only Novel titled “I WAS HERE”
is officially launched today.” Nora announced over the
microphone. “As earlier announced, Doctor Jerry and I
would be signing the autographs on behalf of the Late Toni
in the next forty-five minutes down the hall. Thank you all
for coming.” Nora said and descended the podium.
The hall roared with applause.
I smiled from a corner of the room as I watched Nora leave
the podium.
James joined me from the right with a drink. “Isn’t she
lovely?” he asked.
“She is. Nora is my sister, you can’t mess with her.” I
replied.
Emeka joined us. “Are you set for the interview? The press is
here.”
“Almost ready.” I said
He nodded and hurried back to meet the press. James
tapped me. “I’ll go and help him out. Later, man.”
Yes, I assumed the role of being Nora’s brother and friend,
just as Toni wanted it. James was really going to make her
happy and I knew it. They were in love.
Toni was everything for me and the last six months have
been painful for me. It’s as though I have had a portion of
my life taken from me, but every little moment we had
together was enough for me to hang on to. The last months
have all been about thinking, shedding a tear for the pain but
I hang on to the hope that someday I’ll wake up and it won’t
have to hurt so much. That, I know.
Toni came into my life and gave meaning to everything that
had no meaning. It was all in the little things she did. My gift
from God was Toni and I could not question that.
I know I’d find love in another woman someday, Maybe not
today or tomorrow or the next, but I know I will.
I turned to the wall and stared at the giant portrait of Toni
that stood there and smiled.
I love her.
***
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die” –
Thomas Campbell
THE END.