Almost a Bride: 101 My True Survival Story Part 1

Almost a Bride: My True Survival Story

Forever after is one thing most young people look forward to, but at times, the path could be steep, slippery, or spooky. Having heard but not met a woman or a man who was seemingly a victim of a ghost or almost wedded could be unimaginable, but meeting one, in reality, is everything. At a restaurant with friends, my eyes fell on this stunning young lady and her three-year-old son. Holla! That was not what caught my attention, but the way she laughed with a friend as she narrated an ordeal that brought shudders down my spine. Lol! My antennas are always active. Yeah! In fact, I was itching to drain some spicy gist out of her lungs. It only takes a bold step to get what you want, and I needed some juicy gist! Immediately, I got up from my table and went straight for the kill, and when she agreed, my recorder got spinning, and here is her unforgettable tale....

It's good to have you here on Boldpetalz blog. How do you feel?

I feel like a million dollar pearl! Lol! Without any doubt, I am really excited about this opportunity to share my experience with the world; I feel a bit anxious to narrate about my survival. Also, I am in anticipation of how this story would turn out because it is not every day that a beam of light is cast over one’s life for the entire public. Clearly, I have moved on, and I strongly believe that I’m in a happier place, sunbathing in my peace of mind, even though I didn’t end up with any of –ex, I know better now, and I am gracious that I never settled for less back then. 

Hopefully, this story should inspire someone out there too.

 

Yeah, the most important thing is that you have found the will to be human again. Let’s start by getting a little detail into your background. How was it growing up as a girl? May we meet the real Lillian?

Lol! I have always been this unapologetic introvert. This is because I come from a family that is a little bit too protective towards preserving the family name. Actually, we were brought up in a very strict and disciplined manner, and as the first daughter, it rubbed off so much on me that I couldn’t help but boxed into what the society would tag as being ‘morally upright’ or a good girl.

How did your upbringing influence your education? How was it going away to school and embracing freedom?

In high school, I was a religious fanatic. On gaining admission to study Mass communication in 2006 at the University of Ibadan, my personality still stuck with me like a sweet perfume, nothing changed. I felt that with my nature, the best thing to do was to channel my energy to the church. On the other hand, I strongly wanted to become a role model; to prove that one can be reserved, classy, and appealing.

Wow! Such a rare trait to come by today! So, tell me, did you date while on campus?

Absolutely not: throughout my active years in school, I had no boyfriend; I felt it would be a huge distraction if I agreed to date anyone because definitely, I won’t have any other reason but to fall madly in love with him. Although I had admirers, I was practically the triangular kind of student because I wasn’t the party freak, and I had absolutely no reason to be.

Part of the reason why I didn’t want the distraction was the constant reminder by my parents that I was the first and how much I needed to come out with the best result. It would set a kind of pace for my younger ones. As a result, I was bent on my books. I was so into the church that I practically lived next door to one.

Although you never dated while in school, tell us about some guys who came close enough to tear down the thick wall you erected around yourself?

In my third year, I met Mike; he was this tall, dark, well-built guy in my department. Mike had this intimidating and manly aura he exuded; he was more of a politician than a student back then. Although he had the hot for me, I paid him the least attention because I wasn’t out to date anyone. He got an opportunity to make a pass at me when we were placed in a seminar group, and due to his lackadaisical attitude, I had to confront him. Little did I know that it was an opportunity he yearned for years? Ever since then, he hung on my neck like a stone, and wouldn’t flinch.

Mikey was every girl’s dream: powerful, good looking, arrogant, and all that, but he wasn’t my type because he was extremely egocentric. Then, I felt he didn’t actually woo me like I wanted. In fact, at a point when he noticed that I wasn’t giving in, he made it clear to me that he was a real man who doesn’t sew where he wouldn’t reap, and there was no point spending on me. But he was shocked that I wasn’t at his beck and call like every other lady. Even, some of my friends tried to push me into dating him because he was the potential SUG president, but I felt it wasn’t the right timing for me.

At a point, he nominated me as his first lady. Honestly, I was in love with traditional kind stuff but knowing that it was a means of getting to me, and the fact that I came to study, I turned his offer down. I didn’t want to be pushed into a corner. Can you believe that he declined the chieftaincy title because I turned him down? He kept up for so many years. Well, he is married now.

So, when did you finally say to yes to someone?

In my final year, 2010, after my project, I had this feeling that I needed a boyfriend. I started having this feeling because every other person was attached to someone except me. It felt quite odd to be the last man standing.

Quite interesting. So, who was the first lucky guy then?

I met Desmond on Facebook, which back then was an abomination. Actually, this is the first time I am opening up about it, even my parents are not aware till date. It was the strike season, and fortunately for us, it was the period school introduced free wifi on campus. So, after the day’s work, we went all around surfing the net, and usually, men came calling on Facebook messenger: that was how I met my first love.

Interestingly, we were of the same faith, state, and had the same surname; it thrilled me. In December 2010, he said that he would be visiting. Also, I had a wedding function to attend in his village, and looking at it back then, it felt like a match made in the clouds.

I thought you said your parents were so strict, how were you able to have your way?

Truth be told, it was the first time my parents would allow me to step out of my village but after so many heated arguments, they agreed on the condition that my mum would drop me off and investigate. They were that strict.

I fell in love with Desmond at first sight: I was young, honest, and all I ever wished for was someone who would ease my troubled mind, and he seemed to be exactly what I needed. I didn’t look at the fact that he was a young man just starting to learn the odds to life, but I saw him the way he least imagined himself to be. It is impossible to forget that day, to forget the way we looked at each other, to miss the fire in our eyes, and the smell of earth which stuck all over him. What more can I say, from there, we started dating until Bobby was served on a platter of gold.

I hope you enjoyed every bit of this read? Kindly share your thoughts in the comment section below while you wait for the next part…..

#lovelife #lovestory #101survivalstory

Photo credit: Udemezue Oluoma