Must Read: As Deep As The Sea

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: As Deep As The Sea

[quote]As Deep As The Sea (Final Episode)

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Boma sat in the comfort of his home that evening watching the television. He had wanted to speak with Promise earlier that day, but, she avoided him.



It had become clear to him over the past few weeks that he had fallen in love with her. It pained him that she was withdrawing from him.



Why can’t she just open up to him?
He picked up the television remote and reduced the volume. He bowed his head and began to pray.



The door bell rang. He opened his eyes and raised his head. He wasn’t expecting anyone.



Maybe it was his neighbour. What did that guy want now? He got up and headed for the front door.


The bell rang again.
“Hold on,” he unlocked the door and opened it.



“Hi… ”
He blinked in shock when he saw Promise standing at his doorstep. He couldn’t believe she was standing right there in front of him.
“Can I come in?” She noticed his astonishment.
“Yes, sorry, please come in,” he stepped back.




She walked into the apartment. He noticed that she was still clad in the trouser suit he saw her in that morning. Why hasn’t she gone home yet? He was sure she left the office before he did.



She took a seat and placed her hand bag on the tiled floor.
“Can I get you anything to drink or eat?”
She shook her head. She doubted if she would be able to swallow anything.
“Okay,” he joined her on the three settee.




She swallowed hard and met his intent gaze.
“I know I have been a bit distracted and I am sorry that I didn’t open up to you. What are friends for?”



He remained quiet. He could discern that she had a lot to say.
“There are some things you need to know about me. We have grown very fond of each other and it wouldn’t be wise to… to move on without transparency.”
“I am all ears Promise.”
She closed her eyes and opened them. She clasped her hands together and cleared her throat.
“It all began when I went to serve in Abuja,” she narrated her experience and her affair with Keshinro.





He folded his hands across his chest. Some men had no shame and they called themselves Christians. He wondered how God felt.
“Was this the reason why Gbenga broke up with you?”
Promise nodded, unable to look at him.
“It is not everyone that can handle your past.”
She nodded again.



“I believe you have repented and re-dedicated your life to God.”
“Yes, I have.”
“Promise, look at me, please.”
She lifted her eyes and met his soft ones.
“God forgave you. Who am I to hold your past against you?”
Her lips parted in shock. She had been afraid that he might judge her like Gbenga.
“Your past is past Promise. Focus on your future and live a fulfilled life in Christ Jesus.”
Tears gathered, she could hardly believe her ears.
“Is that all?” He smiled at her. God forgave him when he erred, who was he to judge another man? If God could forgive and forget one’s sins, he believed everyone should be able to do the same.



She shook her head, “Keshinro is here in Lagos and has been pestering me to come back to him. My parents have decided to sue him if he doesn’t stay away from me.”
He frowned. Some men were incorrigible.
“Do you want to go back to him?”
“No, heaven forbid! I can never go back to my vomit.”
“Good. Hold on and stand firm. Your past has no power over you. Focus on Jesus and your problems will cease to look big,” he sq££zed one of her hands.



She nodded and smiled. She felt wrapped up in peace. Why didn’t she open up to him sooner?
Her phone began to ring. It was the same number Keshinro had been using to call her.
“Is he the one?”
She nodded and sighed.
“Give me the phone.”
She placed it in his hand, wondering what he would do.



Boma picked the call.
“Hello, Promise love, why are you doing this to us?”
“This isn’t Promise, this is Boma Etuk.”
There was silence at the other end of the line.



“Hello… ”
“Who are you? I want to speak to Promise.”
“I am Boma Etuk, Promise’s future husband.”



She looked at him in shock. What did he just say? When did Boma become her future husband?
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Please stop calling and disturbing my fiancée.



Go home to your wife and children.”
“Future husband? Promise is your fiancée?!




How? This is pure nonsense.”
“Don’t dare me Mr. Keshinro. If you fail to desist from your devilish and obsessive acts, I will not hesitate to sue you for attempted murder, kidnapping and all sorts of other crimes you committed while dating Promise.”
“You… You can’t be serious. Promise is mine. Please let me speak to her.”
“Mr. Keshinro, let this be the last time you will ever call her and if you are seen as close as ten feet to her, you will be arrested and jailed.”
“I… I… I can’t believe this. You… You can’t do this.”





“Goodbye Mr. Keshinro,” he cut the call and returned the phone.
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome,” he got up, “Give me a minute,” he walked out of the sitting room.




Promise sighed with relief. She wished she had opened up to him sooner. She believed that Keshinro would never disturb her again.



He must devastated and scared. God had answered her prayers.




Boma returned and sat beside her.




“Do you remember the day you wanted to steal my pot of soup?”
She started to laugh. Why was he bringing that up?
“Yes, I do.”
“Do you remember when I said I wished you could stay here forever?”
She stopped laughing, their gazes locked.



“Yes, I remember.”
He took one of her hands and held it.
“I still do.”
She felt warm all of a sudden.
“I have known you as a colleague and a friend for a while. As far as I am concerned, I know you well enough to be sure that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”




She opened her mouth and closed it. Her heart began to hammer wildly against her chest. What was he saying? Was he out of his mind?



Boma got down from the settee and went down on one knee. His actions made her breathless. She took in a long deep breath and exhaled.




“Promise Daodu, will you marry me?” He held her left hand and slipped a golden ring on her fourth finger.





She stared back at him. Was he crazy? Why would he want to marry her? Was the fact that they had strong feelings for each other enough to tie the knot? Was this what she wanted?
He was a good friend. She had always wanted to marry someone she could call a friend. He had always been there for her, no matter how often she withdrew from him. They were intensely physically attracted to each other and somewhere along the line, she had fallen in love with him, but, she had been too scared to admit it because of the fear that he might not accept her past. What more was she looking for? Wasn’t this an answer to all her prayers?




“Promise, since the day you walked into TL Communications, there had been a strong earth shattering chemistry between us. Aside that, you struck me as the kind of girl I would love to marry. Over the past few months, I fell in love with you.”



Tear drops made her face wet, “I am in love with you too.”
Joy and excitement made his face to glow, “Fantastic! I believe we can grow in love together, forever, a day at a time.”
“I believe so too.”
“Will you marry me? My knee is aching me,” he rolled his eyes.
She began to laugh.
“Yes, I will marry you, Boma Etuk.”



He pulled her down to her knees and crushed her in his arms.
“I love you Promise, you are my dream come true.”
She bit at her lower lip, unable to speak. God was indeed faithful. He had answered her prayers. He forgave her, healed her wounds, mend her heart and brought along her way a gift; someone she could spend the rest of her life with.
Boma swept her off her feet and carried her in his arms.
“Boma!” She squealed in surprise.
“You are mine,” he got to his feet and spinned her round and round.


THE END