ALMOST NEVER WITH FLORA (FINAL CHAPTER - 6)
David Michael Chidiebere@michaelchidieberedavid863694
12 days ago
CHAPTER 6
FAREWELL
Flora said to Nonso follow me; they went to a quiet but exposed area, few non academic staff flow in and out the offices along the pathway there. Nonso noticed she wasn't that excited anymore, he could see the signs that something was wrong. She started;
FLORA: you made my final year worth alive, you encouraged me, taught me, disciplined me to become better. Thank you so much i will never forget you
NONSO: what are you saying? Is this a closing speech, he chuckled loudly
FLORA: listen (holding Nonso's hand tightly). I wish I could say this in a more professional manner but I don't know how to. I don't want to ever leave you, you make me feel complete and important.
NONSO: me too, I wish it continues (he said naively)
FLORA: drew closer, lifted up her heel and kissed him. She said I am leaving you and all my friends.
My dad made arrangements for me to pursue my career as a scientist in microbiology, in the United States and I will be leaving immediately.
A sharp shock ran through Nonso's veins, he couldn't comprehend immediately.
NONSO: was that the reason you left indecisively during the social week?
FLORA: yes! I wish I could tell you earlier but I told my dad about you but he is yet to make his decisions
She reached for her handbag which was slung on her left shoulder, then brought out a paper and gave to Nonso
He couldn't open the letter as tears filled his eyes. Knowing this may be the last time he will ever set his eyes on her
FLORA: raised her heels to reach his ears as she whispered "do not forget to write to me, this can still work" she kissed him for long and left.
THE LETTER
Nonso was devastated, felt empty for the first time since he met Flora. He stood there and watched her as she walked away, images flashed through his head as he recalled how he met her for the first time in the ICT center, sitting on the awaiting bench and everything she said including how she held his lost lanyard to him. He couldn't say goodbye to his acclaimed lover.
After about an hour He walked out to join the crowd of other celebrating students, Ozioma came to him, she had been watching from afar
OZIOMA: it's alright, at least she will be working something for you both. Then Ozioma left the premise too without any other word
Nonso couldn't understand what she meant by working something out for you both. So he decided to check the letter Flora gave him.
He noticed it contains her parental residential address in Abuja and her email address which he can write directly to her at ease. Below it was written "I will tell you when to visit the address, hopefully when my dad agrees to see you."
He paused, looked around to see if he could find Ozioma because she must be in the right position to explain, he acknowledged. It seems she had an idea of what is going on. He searched the whole campus but couldn't find either Ozioma or Flora.
THE DEFENCE
Two days after their sign out, Nonso wrote to Flora through the email. She responded about six hours later. She said in her response, she arrived safely and was welcomed by her mum who is based in the United states. The flight took not more than expected.
Nonso never knew about her mum although he never asked, she confirmed that her project defence will be taken care of.
Because Nonso asked, how she intended to defend the project as she was away.
Nonso noticed that even ozioma was not present on the day of defence, apparently she left for Abuja immediately too after the sign out.
Later on Nonso confirmed that both ladies (Flora and Ozioma) were from an ancient wealthy family and were extendedly related. Their great grandfather was the famous Chief Mbazulike Aniocha the undisputed successful business tycoon of the early twentieth century. Whose wealth and connections was wisely foot tracked to this present era. Both ladies (Flora and Ozioma) just decided to pass through a Nigerian University for awareness, nothing more.
Nonso wrote to her again many days after defence but she didn't reply. Days passed, weeks passed.
But he kept up with the energy still writing to her email. Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months yet no response.
ALMOST NEVER WITH FLORA
Seven months later, Nonso already got a job in a public hospital in Lagos city where he did his elementary school.
One fateful evening, Nonso came back from work hungry and tired. Then he decided to go to his favorite local Nwanyi Nnewi restaurant ( Nnewi woman) in the streets of Lagos. Unlucky for him, his usual combo bitter leaf soup and vegetable soup were finished.
He sat on the plastic chair deliberating on what else to take home. As oha soup his next choice was equally what he had for the past two nights. Then he brought out his phone to check for quick dinner ideas from a website he often patronized back then in the old school days.
Accidentally Nonso found some new mails he received two days ago. They were all from Flora, he sat up in relief (assuring himself that she is safe). One of the letters said she has been away with a group of isolated medical scientists in Germany. Then another mail which caught Nonso's attention said her dad has approved Nonso coming over to the states, all his flight expenses will be sorted out by the family of Aniocha.
The mail instructed him to visit the address she gave him on the day of their signing out. All his paperwork will kick off immediately when he sees her dad at the residence in Abuja.
The joy overwhelmed him that special evening, he quickly rushed back home without any meal while he called his old time friend Josh, the both friends (Nonso and Josh) have always been in touch even as Josh left to port Harcourt for his new clothing business line.
They both spoke and made jokes about their old school days, but Nonso didn't let the cat off the bag yet.
Nonso left for Abuja a week later and arrived several hours later at the popular maitama area of Abuja city. The father of his acclaimed college lover accepted him and the passport was ready in three weeks. While Nonso was back to Lagos.
He contacted Flora and relaid all the new developments especially concerning his passport and trip. Her team of scientists had been withdrawn for a special honorary event in Florida that same week.
This situation made it possible for Flora to welcome Nonso herself from the airport.
He departed the Murtala Muhammed international Airport a week later as all the necessary documents were weight bill to him from Abuja.
It all occurred in a twinkle of an eye, most of his colleagues at the public hospital said he was lucky to find True Love in the University, others said he was a child whose Grace speaks for. But either of the well said comments, Nonso is outstanding wherever he found himself even at Flora's parental residence in Abuja. This alone impressed his father in-law to be.
He was so happy as he spoke with Josh from the United States for the first time, they made remarks of their nightmares in school and the happy moments especially with the girls.
Then Josh said to Nonso "it was ALMOST NEVER WITH FLORA" but yet it worked. Nonso unreluctantly agreed recalling the toughest moment he thought he lost her, when she handed the letter to him on the day of their signing out.
Two months later Nonso moved into a new apartment in the United States with Flora and pursued his own career as a surgeon , two years later the profound University lovers got engaged and married in the states. Then a year after they visited Nigeria for a proper traditional marriage (as the custom was) in Flora's hometown inside Anambra State.
The couple had a son seven months after their visit to Nigeria and subsequently had two daughters. As his people would say "they don't use the morning to know a bad day"
THE END.
📸 F. UDOFIA
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THE END
