Must Read: As Deep As The Sea

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: As Deep As The Sea

Gift and Promise found a comfortable spot and sat on the semi-white sand.


“What do you think?” She used her shoulder to nudge her.
“I agree, the air is fresher than the one in my bedroom.”
Gift started to laugh and Promise joined her.


Two young men walked up to them and asked if they wanted to buy drinks and roasted fish or chicken. They declined and watched them as they went after another potential customer.



Promise sighted a fair tall figure walking past them and recognition hit her. She sU-Cked in a deep breath and sq££zed one of her sister’s hand. Gift saw her sister’s ghostly expression and followed her gaze. Her brows came together in a frown when she saw Gbenga.
“Talk about the devil.”
“We shouldn’t have come here.”
Gift eyed her, “Kuramo beach is a public place.”
“You don’t understand,” her voice shook.
“Yes, I do. The fact that both of you frequent here often doesn’t mean that you have to avoid this place.”
She let go of her hand and folded hers.



“You need to replace your memories and build new ones, or else your past will forever hunt you.”
She eyed her, “It is easier said than done.”
“Regardless… “
“Promise!”
They both turned towards the sound of her name. They saw Gbenga walking towards them.


“He has seen us,” she whispered.
“And so what? Do you want to run?”
She took a good look at her younger sister. She hoped she wouldn’t start a fight.
“Good afternoon ladies,” he greeted them, but his hazel eyes were fixed on Promise’s averted face.


Gift and her sister refused to respond.


He couldn’t believe that she was here. He knew they would run into each other once in a while, but it had not crossed his mind that it would be so soon.
“Can we help you?”
He glanced at Gift and noticed the way she was staring at him. She must have thought he was the devil himself for calling off the wedding. If only she knew the years of pain and anguish that laced his decision, she might not be quick to judge him.


“I believe you are not dumb. As you can see, you are disrupting our peaceful relaxation.”
She gapped at her in surprise. Her sister had a very big mouth and was quick to lash out at whoever crossed her part.
“Gift… ” She used her eyes to caution her, but, her sister was past caring.



He decided not to take offence, after all, the young lady was only coming to her sister’s aid. Who could blame her?
“Please, can I have a word with you?”
She looked back at him and saw the concern in his eyes.
“Why? Haven’t you caused enough harm?” Gift tried to get up, but, her sister held her back.



“Give us a minute,” Promise pleaded.
She glared at her and turned to eye him.
“Please.”
“As you wish,” she got up and walked away.
Gbenga shook his head, “Your sister is something else.”
“What do you want?”
He fell on his knees and sat opposite her.
“I need you to hear me out.”
“I am listening.”
“Thank you. Two years before I graduated from the university, my father started cheating on my mum.”



Her shocked gaze met his sad ones.
“Nobody knew, until I saw him at one of the girl’s hostel in my school, picking up babes with a few friends of his. I approached him and he told me point blank that it was known of my business. I was sad, distressed and confused.
“My father was a born-again Christian. He was a Deacon in church. He was a happily married man with four male children. What led him to such atrocities?”
“Hmmm…. ” She began to understand why he had issues with unfaithful married men.


“He came home one day with one of his mistresses and ordered us to move out of the main house and move into the boys’ quarters.



We were upset, but, my mum decided not to fight him. She fought her battles on her knees in prayers.
“The mistress that moved in with my dad was a choir mistress in her church. She was a so called born-again Christian. Yet, she lived a double life.”
“Wow!” She realized that he must have compared her to his father’s mistress.
“My father had an accident a year later. His mistress died instantly, but, he survived. He apologised us and asked for our forgiveness. He passed away some months later due to the infection that had taken over his wounds. I have issues with married men and the women who fall for their lies. I hope you can now understand why I cannot marry you and accept your past.”


Promise returned his gaze and wondered if he had truly forgiven his father and the mistress who took his mother’s place for sometime. No wonder he couldn’t accept her past.
“Your father made mistakes. His mistresses made mistakes. We all make mistakes. We are not perfect. As Christians, what counts is the fact that we decide to repent, re-dedicate our lives to God, endeavour to learn from our mistakes, and move on. God’s grace is sufficient for us all.”



He sighed heavily. He knew she was right, yet, these were issues he couldn’t come to terms with, regardless of what he had to let go.


She brushed a hand over his fair face and their eyes locked.
“It is okay. I understand where you are coming from. My prince charming is out there somewhere and your damsel in distress is also out there. We will find them soon.”
He smiled and blinked back the tears threatening to burst forth from his eyes.
“I enjoyed every moment we spent together. I believe we are still friends.”
He nodded in agreement.


“Take care of yourself, Gbenga Lewis,” she lifted herself and walked away, in search of her sister