UNMARRIED... SO? Part 10 (THE FINALE)
Thank you for joining Lulu and Clinton on this journey, honesty I did not know how this story would go when I started writing it, I simply went with the creative flow and how the spirit led, and I am pleased with how it went.
Enough said.. Let's get to the FINALE.
> > >
After Clinton left Lulu's house that night, the drive home felt different. It felt lighter and clearer. Like he had just stepped out of a foggy room and finally found the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
Only this time the tunnel was his life and the light was the new found identity he embodied, all thanks to Lulu. He started to wonder how his life really would have been had he not gone for that birthday party.
I mean honestly, a 3 y/o birthday party wasn't exactly his ideal meeting point but, conventional didn't seem to bring him any of this clarity. This did. It had brought him to this phase where he had the courage to confront two things now.
Himself and the system of control his parents had built around him.
He pulled into his compound a different man, planning phase in place. Lulu was right, if he was going to prove that he was now a man of his own, he had to start by facing his parents, and risking losing everything that came from them.
He knew his father, he could be vindictive sometimes and he needed to be ready.
So.. Plan A.. "Put My Affairs in order."
Everything was uncertain.
Everything but one.
He had an amazing woman by his side. And that was the biggest flex at the moment.
> > >
Oluchi fixed up what was left to clean after Clinton left. He had helped her tidy up but she insisted he left the rest since it was late and he had to drive home.
She worked in silence and just allowed herself to bask in the memories of what transpired in the last few hours.
The old Lulu would not have given a second thought to a guy in the face of the slightest inconvenience or hint of a lie. But the fact that she saw this through was solid proof, not just that she loved him, but that she had grown.
Things were different now.. She was ready.
> > > >
ONE WEEK LATER
"Are you sure this is not too much?"
Lulu asked Clinton when she saw the amount of paperwork he had done to separate himself from his father's company.
"I just want to be prepared, you know. Just in case he decides to pull the 'you are disowned' card, at least I know I'm ready."
This made Lulu sad..
"Babe, I hope you are not doing this just for me-- I would hate to come between you and your parents."
He reassured her..
"Oh no.. I should have done this a long time ago. You just helped me see how much of myself I was losing every year that passed with me still on his leash. This is a good thing, honey. I am grateful."
"And what if they flip, and.. You know... Get drastic?"
"We will know what to do if or when we get there, I promise"
And he kissed her forehead.
"So have you told Aunty Ene about us?"
"Not yet, I want it to be a physical meeting.."
They both laughed..
"That will surely be a sight"
"But my mom knows, she's relieved that at least I'm not a stone or sworn to a life of spinsterhood. She's happy. Emem knows too, and she has a few things to say to you..."
He looked at her intensely..
"You are by far the singular best choice I ever made. I don't think anything can beat that"
"Ha.. Wait until you start designing Singaporean style structures"
"You would still be the best architectural work of art in my opinion",
he teased, stroking her chin and she swatted his arm playfully before they got back to the papers.
Her mind drifted to when she mentioned her decision to stay abstinent until marriage and his reaction to how long she had kept it, he took it well.. It didn't help that he was insanely attractive and attracted to her.. This would be a delicious struggle.
"Yeah, so we are seeing them tomorrow. Sure you still wanna come with me?"
"Well if your head will roll, I might as well be there to take it with me as a monument"
"Ha ha 😂... Thank you for the support!"
> > > >
NEXT DAY.
CLINTON'S PARENTS' HOUSE
The atmosphere was tense, so tense that you could slice a scissors through the thick air.
"So you have come here to do what?"
"Dad.. With all due respect--"
"Speak like a man and don't mince your words! You have already disrespected me by making me look foolish before the Basseys and their daughter--"
"No I will not take responsibility for that, it was completely on you. You blindsided me and just expected me to go along with it like a robot being fed instructions... What was that supposed to be?"
"It is your duty as my son to do as I say!"
"Even if that means losing myself in the process? I had no identity dad! No sense of self! Nothing that wasn't suggested or imposed by you! You moulded me into a miniature version of yourself, to massage your ego and prove that you really are in control of something. Of someone"
His mother was uneasy but reluctant to interfere. Lulu was on the edge of her seat. Heart racing.
"How dare you? I raised you with everything. I gave you everything any son would want--"
"-- except the freedom of choice, dad. YOU chose everything and I'm done. I'm done living in a bubble that you created. I'm done suppressing my true self to fit into your idea of an ideal son. I'm done. Please.. "
His dad was silent. Cold stare at Clinton who was almost visibly shaken but stood his ground.
"So you think you are a man now? Because you are making some money and you have a bimbo--"
What? Bimbo?
"You will not speak about Oluchi like that dad, I will not allow it."
"Everything you have I gave it to you! The money you are making, the house, the life.. It's mine! And you stand there, ungrateful---"
"I'm not ungrateful dad. You gave me these things in exchange for my dreams, my identity and my life. You are right. Everything I have was given to me by you. And that's why I have brought them back."
He dropped the papers on the table.
"I am ready to start living my own life dad. To make my own money, my own mistakes, on my own terms. And if it works out, fine. If it doesn't, at least I know it was my choice to make."
Silence as his father picked up the papers and flipped through them. He slumped on the chair afterwards and Clinton's mom scooched to peep through the documents.
Lulu looked at Clinton whose face was holding so much. She just sat there speechless.
After a lifetime of silence, Clinton spoke up.
"Well, if that'll be all, we'll take our leave now"
He reacahed for Lulu's hand when his father spoke up.
"Wait!"
He stood up and walked towards them both. Clinton clutched her hand tighter while Lulu stood her ground ready for what was coming.
"You were willing to give it all up?"
He nodded.
"Yes dad. If that's what it would take for you to get me off the leash."
"Hmm.. "
He handed the papers back to him.
"You are right. I should have done things differently"
he said, then patted Clinton's shoulder, nodded in Lulu's direction and walked away into the bedroom.
Clinton held the papers in his hands and looked at his mom.
"What just happened?"
"I think that was his version of an apology."
His mom said.
"Your father is a proud man. You know that may be the most you'll get from him."
She hugged Clinton.
"I'm proud of you for finally standing up to him.. "
"I have Oluchi to thank for that mummy"
She looked at Lulu with a smile.
"And I take it that you are Oluchi?"
"Yes ma.. "
Lulu said, bending her knees.
"Oh please.. " She hugged her instead.
"Call me mom. You are welcome my daughter. Perhaps soon I will host you both for a proper dinner. If you will oblige me."
"Yes ma, mom.. It would be an honor."
She nodded, and caressed Clinton's cheek before stepping in the same direction as her husband.
Clinton and Lulu looked at each other... They hugged.
Nothing needed to be said... She was proud of him.
"I'm so happy he gave you the papers back"
They chuckled before heading out.
> > >
TWO MONTHS LATER.
Eveey relationship has had their ups and downs and this one was no different.
Between Aunty Ene's dramatic reaction and demand for a cut from the bride price, to dinners with Clinton's mom, occasional disagreement, healing, growth, these two sure have mastered the art of choosing each other every step of the way.
Clinton had enrolled for an Architectural Design course and was still working as C.O.O and things were bearable with his dad. The occasional grunt had grown to one worded replies.
That's progress! 💪
On a beautiful sunny day, Clinton took Lulu to go Kayaking, aiming to prove that he was no longer afraid of large bodies of water, but perhaps he had other plans.
They sat on the bar stool -- after another obvious episode of him freaking out on the water and Lulu laughing at him -- and laughed over glasses of milkshakes.
Clinton took her into the shed, and as ahe stepped in she saw that he had the place decorated and scented.
No writings. No balloons. Just simple decorations. It confused Lulu. When she turned around, she saw Clinton on one knee with a box in his hands.
Oh.. My.. Goodnessssss.
"Baby, this was the very place where I confirmed that you cared about me. And now I have two questions for you"
Lulu's cheeks were burning and wet with tears.
"I did not fully start living until I met you, and you have brought color and meaning to my otherwise bleak life. I thank God for the day I met you..i love the sparkle in your eyes when you get excited, and how lovingly you call me to order. And now... Lulu.. My beloved, Wil you do me the honor of beautifying my life forever? Will You Marry Me?"
Lulu was fully crying now..
"Oh you.. Naughty... Yes.. Yes.. I will marry you. Oh gosh, it's so beautiful..and the shed..you do really know me."
He slid the ring into her finger, kissed it and hugged her tightly... As they laugh-
cried together "
He pulled away from her and cupped her cheeks.
"One more question, baby.. "
"Yeah"
He looked serious as he held her hands.
"Do you promise NOT to marry me, until you know for sure that I am the perfect person for you, the one who ticks all your boxes and make you feel safest. Do you promise not to marry me until then?"
"Clinton... You are my home, and I will always run towards you, regardless of whatever happens."
"I love you.. 💜"
"I love you... Soon to be Mrs. Clinton'"
He tickled and lifted her off the floor as they celebrated their devotion to each other in a place that meant something for them both... Joyfully reveling in the hope of the life they had ahead of them.
THE END!
THANK YOU.. EVERYONE.
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