Unfulfilled promises 2 Epilogue

***UNFULFILLED PROMISES P2***

Written by Audrey Tim's

Epilogue

Tonia fell on her grandmother and sobbed profusely when she ended her story. Oleng held her granddaughter tightly and couldn’t help crying too. They were like that for a while. Tonia pulled away to look into the eyes of her cherished grandmother.

“Oh, grandma, you went through all that? You’re a very strong woman. I’m glad I was named after you.” She sniffed.

Oleng smiled and used her hands to wipe away the tears from her granddaughter’s eyes. “It’s okay, my love. Please stop crying. My early years weren’t happy ones but my latter years have been nothing but bliss with your grandfather. If I were to turn back the hands of time, I’d do it all over again because I learnt a lot; though I’d be wiser this time around.”

Her granddaughter smiled. “I learnt a lot too, grandma. Thanks for telling me the story of your life. There’s no doubt I would have lived your life all over again with my boyfriend, Jude, but now that I’ve heard your story, I’m going to be very careful. We’re exactly like how you and grandpa were then, but we’re going to take things slowly from now on. We have pet names for each other too. He calls me his sunshine and I call him my hero.” She smiled brightly.

Oleng smiled in reminiscence.

“I learnt so many things, grandma. First and foremost, I’m going to give my mum a big hug when she comes back. I’m so grateful to her for giving birth to me and loving me. I’m not going to take her corrections wrongly anymore because I know it’s out of love that she does that. Secondly, I’m not going to allow my relationship with Jude go as far as having s-x and all that. Thirdly, I’m not going to allow emotions rule the decisions I make in life. I’m going to give everyone a listening ear and benefit ofdoubt. Furthermore, even though I know it’s not always good listening to friends, but when they keep saying something, I’m going to pause and listen to them, then investigate myself. I’ll never give up, no matter what life throws my way. I’ll keep strong and keep keeping on because I know there’s light at the end of every tunnel. Being able to forgive all hurts is a good thing. Lastly and most importantly, I’m going to allow God order my steps. Oh, grandma, I could go and on about what I learnt from you in just a few hours. Love is indeed very strong.”

“I’m so happy to hear that.” Oleng smiled through her tears and they hugged again just as they heard the gate open and a car drive in.

Not long, the tall and handsome seventy-one year old man with grey hair entered the room, all smiles. The two females in the room, still in each other’s arms, smiled back at him. Tonia disengaged from Oleng’s arms and rushed into his arms, crying. He held her in surprise and looked over her head at the love of his life with raised eyebrows. Oleng smiled with a little shrug.

“I love you, grandpa. Thanks for never giving up on grandma. Someday, I hope I get to hear your own story.” She went on tiptoes to kiss his cheek and rushed out of the room.

Oleng got up and went into his arms too.

“What was that all about?” he asked quietly.

“I told her our love story.”

He chuckled. “Isn’t she too young for such a deep story?”

Oleng shook her head. “No one’s too young to learn life’s lessons. Besides, she has her own ‘Hero’ who calls her ‘Sunshine’ too.”

He looked down at her in amazement and she softly laughed. He turned in the direction of the sound system in the small sitting area of the room. “Play track seven.”

A female computer voice from the sound system replied, “Playing track seven- Still The One by Shana Twain.

They moved together slowly to the rhythm of what was known by their family and friend as ‘their song.’

“Where would you like to go for our fortieth marriage anniversary coming up in a few days?

She shook her head and looked into his black eyes. “Anywhere, as far as you are there with me.”

He smiled. “Erica called. She’s coming over with her husband and son tomorrow. Ethanis coming over with his wife, Ngozi and Ethel and that her…her…French boyfriend!”

Oleng chuckled. “You still aren’t comfortable with her French boyfriend, huh?”

He frowned. “What do you expect me to do when she has a neon tattoo of his name on her arm. It glows all the time.”

Oleng laughed as her husband grumbled about their last child’s association with her latest boyfriend. Ethel was more or less the black sheep of their family. She loved keeping her father on his toes. Oleng didn’t bother because she felt when life dealt her child a serious blow; she’d tone down on her crazy habits.

“It’s hard to imagine that she’s Ethan’s twin. I mean he’s so cool, calm and collected and…”

“Just like his father?” she chipped in, and he smiled sheepishly. “I’m so glad you’re the one I’m growing old with, Ricky. Life has been tough on us but I’m glad we’re together against all odds. I have a lot to be thankful for. I have you, four wonderful kids, and five grandchildren with another on the way. I’m thankful I didn’t lose you through my stupidity.”

“Sunshine, don’t tell me you’re still flogging yourself over the decisions you took so many years ago.”

“Sometimes I can’t help it. When I see what I would have missed due to my stupidity, I cringe.”

He smiled. “Let it go, my darling. God knows why we went through all that. Now, it’s just for you to tell your story to the world for them to learn from it.”

“Yep, I’ve already told it to one great writer who is going to be a NobelPrizefor Literature winner someday, considering her manuscripts that I’ve read.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Who?”

“Your granddaughter- AntoniaOleng Conrad.”

He laughed and they maintained a companionable silence for a while.

She sighed in contentment. “All our promises to each other have been fulfilled, right?”

“Hmm…” He pretended thinking. “We’re always together, we always communicate and above all, we still love each other very much, right?”

They looked into each other’s eyes with so much love in their depths.

“Yes,” she finally answered.“Fulfilled Promises.”

Gloria InExcelsisDeo.

The End.

1.Who was ur fav character?

2.Do u think Mrs. Akpan explanation justifies her wickedness?

3.What did u learn nd wat do u think of. The story?

4. Any msg for d writer of this story? (Audrey Timms)?