True Love. At last...

Dear Moira,

How are you, and your family? You must forgive me for replying your email so late, but when I explain all that has happened I’m sure you will understand.

You see, in the three months since you left to join your husband in India, I have been through a lot. But in the end, I am happy to inform you that I too, have found true love.

You will remember that while you were here, I had a boyfriend, a young man whom I thought I could get married to and spend the rest of my life with. However, when I took him home to my parents, my mum helped me to see that what I felt for him was not love at all. It came as something of a surprise to me, because I had hitherto thought that I was in love with him. But she helped me to see that it was only infatuation.

Her reasons were that, firstly, the young man in question does not appear ready for marriage. You will recall that he was still serving as a youth corper by the time I met him? My mother explained to me that if by now he is still serving the nation, when will he look for a job and get one good enough to keep both of us?

Secondly, his parents still reside in a rural area. Can you believe that Moira? And I thought I was in love with him! They live in a village where there is no electricity, no pipe borne water, no library (you know how much I love to read, what would I do when we visit?), no good roads, and no internet! Add to that, the fact that he is first of five children. The others are at various stages of their education and sometimes, all the money he earns goes into their upkeep.
Tell me, how could I be in love with someone like that?

Even though he is ambitious; at least he engages himself in several business ventures, and already, he had received a few job offers from reputable companies, but all that does not translate into a good life!

My mother also pointed out that the young man is not even good looking! While he is not an ugly brute as such, I’m sure even you will agree with me that he is not the finest man you ever laid eyes upon. He is not tall, and he has no distinctive features. Nothing to set him apart in a crowd!

By the time my mother had explained all these things to me carefully, and their implications for my life if I chose to marry him, I realized that what I felt for him was not love at all.
So I broke up with him, and told him I didn’t love him anymore.

Within a few weeks, my mother introduced me to the son of one of her friends.
Oh Moira, you should see this guy! Very tall, and handsome! Need I tell you that I fell in love with him at once?

He carries himself like a prince, and what is more, the size of his various bank accounts would make any Arab prince jealous. His parents, like mine, live in the high brow area of a very modern estate in Lagos.
Even though when we talk, he doesn’t seem to understand my point of view most times; my mother has said it is part of getting to know each other.

At other times, he neglects to call me for the whole day, and doesn’t bother to apologize. When I point this out to him, he replies in a manner that is almost rude but I think it’s just his nature, and I will get used to it. After all, he was well brought up by my mother’s friend, was he not?

I have also seen him stare and wink at other girls even in my presence, but that’s because we only just met, and he is not used to my presence yet. Besides, the onus is on me to make myself so desirable to him that he will not be able to look at other women, even if I am not around. You do agree with me, don’t you?

So far, in the three months since we met, he has not given me a single gift. Unlike my ex boyfriend, who would give me gifts all the time even though he could scarcely afford them. I love him all the same, for it means my fiancé is not a careless spender.

We are getting married in two months, and I hope you will be able to travel to Nigeria for the wedding.
You are happy for me, are you not?

I do believe that I have found true love at last!