Gabriel and I have been friends since we were teenagers. We lived around the same neighborhood for about seven years untill we (I and my family) moved out of that area.
I remember the first time i saw Gabriel. I was Sixteen and he had just clocked Eighteen. His face looked new, i knew that face didn't belong on those streets. He looked like luxury, he probably bribed Angels to look that good. He was a fine blend of chocolate and milk, not too dark and not so light skinned either. He had obvious brown-striking eyes and i thought he looked divine. My heart skipped when i saw him. I wore a white gown that stopped at my knees. It had yellow and red flower decorations at the upper and lower ends. It wasn't big or too tight , it was just enough to show some details of my curves.
I was running an errand for my Mom and he was passing by the same street, coming from the opposite direction. We both noticed each other but didn't say a word.
I didn't see him again till about a week plus, and coincidentally i happened to be wearing the same dress. I loved the dress because it was simple and it gave this 'i didn't put so much energy to look this good vibes.' The dress was pretty but i didn't want him always seeing me on the same dress and think that was the only clothe i had or it was my Christmas clothes. I bumped into him at the same shop i was going to purchase some things from.
This time around he said " Good afternoon" and i responded swallowing saliva. I knew he noticed my anxiety but he didn't say anything else and turned to leave. I went home and fell on my bed, screaming on a low tone into my pillow.
The following day my Mom asked me to hurriedly go and give something to our neighbor. Since i had just worn the white gown the previous day, it was within reach and i grabbed it and headed outside the gate.
Guess who i bumped into at the gate? Yea, you guessed right, Gabriel! 'Not again in this dress' i thought to myself. This time around, i broke the silence between us and said " i know you have always seen me on this dress, i have others clothes, believe me." He bursted out laughing and said "thank God you made that clear." I chuckled and that was the beginning of our Friendship.
Our Friendship grew stronger. We would both spend time at each other's houses. I assisted Gabriel's Mom sometimes in the Kitchen and Gabriel assisted my Dad with the Garden and Man-jobs. It was beautiful, our Parents jokingly called us husband and wife.
When i clocked twenty three years, My Family relocated to a different country within Africa due to my Dad's promotion at the office. It broke i and Gabriel's heart but there wasn't much we could do. We broke off communication for a long while.
After spending a while at our new place, my Dad started to connect with his Boss's eldest Son. He was 9 years older and still unmarried,loved to party, relied solely on his parent's wealth and was arrogantly He's name was Luke.I didn't like him and refused but my Dad insisted because there were people of repute and transgenerational wealth.
A day to my 26th birthday, i bumped into Gabriel's Facebook page, i quickly sent him a request which he didn't take long to answer.
It was an exciting moment of reconnection. I gave him my call contact and we spoke for what seemed like forever. Days turned to weeks and weeks months and our bond grew stronger. Gabriel had become an Aeronautic Engineer and was doing really good for himself. Our feelings grew and it was obvious we were in love. We were in a relationship for 6 months then he flew in to where i was and popped the "will you marry me" question. It was an easy yes for me.
I took him to my parents and they seemed all happy to see Gabriel untill i told them about the engagement. They went upstairs and didn't come down till Gabriel went back to his lodge.
I tried to convince them and tell them Gabriel was doing good for himself but they paid deaf ears.
Gabriel kept flying in and out of the country countless times with gifts to appease them but they were insatiable. It was Luke or no other for them.
This time around when he (Gabriel ) came again and was going back to his place the following month, guess who was going back with him? Me!
"I am not going to loose a good Man to your greed."
Wedding plans are ongoing, invitations will be sent, with parents or not wedding bells are ringing!