'For the love of Christ, please allow me'. Phillip kept on insisting while my friend, Lilian was shaking her head indicating a No.
'Stop doing this, Phillip? I don't want my emotions fired up! Can't you understand? Derin can you tell him to stop this?' Lilian screamed out of exasperation.
'Please Phillip, give her time. She will soon come around.' I replied, holding her to calm her nerves. I moved close to her stroking her hair away from her face. She is blessed with very long beautiful hair.
Lilian is half-caste. Her mom is white while her dad is African. She has this pointed nose that makes her look lovely.
'I will suggest we leave the ladies alone. Lilian will soon be discharged by evening. Phillip let's go to my house. We need to talk.' Isaac suggested.
We both sighed as they left. But I could not hold back my excitement though. I held her by the shoulders and yelled at her,
' Phillip is madly in love with you, girlfriend! Can't you see his eyes, so full of pain as he was leaving? It was as if he would cry. He kept on looking back and clenching his teeth.' I declared.
Lilian hissed like a snake, pouted her lips, and furrowed her eyebrows.
'Ha ha, you know that right from the beginning he is fond of you. Remember that day in my house, how you told me he has this likeness for you? I fought you for insinuating that.
Here we are today, I believe that Phillip has found true love in you. Now my question is, Do you love him?'
She sighed deeply closing her eyes for a long time. By the time she opened it, there was a trickle of tears from one side of her face. I never knew the time I got out my phone and used the camera to snap her.
'Pretty baby! Please I am waiting for you.'
'Do you think it's funny? I sold myself so cheaply to this thing. I need to restore my dignity. Though I am dying of his love, I will not yield to him.'
'Okay, so you love him too, I guess?'
'Say whatever, all I know is that he would not find me cheap again.'
'I accept. But for the sake of your child. You will succumb later on.'
'That is if he proposes. This guy is still a flirt, don't forget. Hmm, I regret my move toward him. I need to earn my respect.'
'You may have to demand it if he crosses your boundary. Now I trust that you will keep yourself and not be swayed by his professing of love.'
'He knows how to make me fall like a pack of cards, but I have made up my mind to tame my emotions and not be a slave of stupid desire.'
'Sure, but I believe he has learnt his lessons.'
'Meaning what? I can't seem to understand you?'
'You have to accept his friendship but keep yourself. Later when you are satisfied with his change of character. Accept his proposal of marriage.'
'Has he proposed yet?'
'No, but he will. I bet you, Phillip will do so soon.'
'Okay, prophetess Derin!'
'Yeah, I'm cool with the name, girlfriend.'
'Of course yes, why not!' Lilian mumbled and we both started to cackle until my phone beeped. Duty calls.
Lilian was discharged afterward and went to her house. In the night she sent a thank you message to me. It read,
Dear Derin,
I want to appreciate you and your lovely friend, Isaac. I count myself fortunate to be called your friend.
I'm so sorry for all the pain I have caused you. Indeed you are a special gift to me.
Thank you for standing by me throughout this trying period. God will pull through for you in your hour of need.
Please, send my warm regards to Isaac. I wish you both a lovely and warm home.
Lilian.
I closed my eyes, enjoying the memory of the words. I'm so glad that I forgave my friend. Forgiveness is sweet and rewarding.
A call pulled through after and checking my phone, it was Phillip calling me in the dead of night again!
'Please I'm sorry Derin. You have to help me talk to your friend.'
Trying to prove naughty I requested,
'Who among my friends because I have so many.
Is it Kate, Karen, Lilian, Annabel, or..'
'Ha ha! You know in your heart that it's Lilian now!.'
'So how may I help you here?' I stressed trying to humble him by all means.
'I love Lilian. I've always loved her. Since the day I saw her, I thought, it was ordinary lust. Even after the fling, her love is growing day by day.' He declared.
I began to laugh out loud in the night. How I wish Lilian would be there to hear this. I knew it of course.
I started to meditate on how to convince my friend to accept Phillip.
'Are you still there' He broke through my thoughts.