ROMANCE STORY THAT WILL CAPTIVATE YOU 

“Wait!” Kwame advised, his nose bleeding profusely but C-Note unleashed another blow prompting the police officers to burst in, their guns trained on the duo.

“Get down” they said.

“I’ll surrender! I’ll surrender!”, Kwame cried falling to the ground but C-Note refused to relent, his anger fueled by the sight of his sister’s blood flowing by his sneakers.

One of the officers fired a warning shot though C-Note remained undeterred driven by a fierce protectiveness towards Maria as well as a deep-seated animosity towards Tunde.

“Hands off me man” he barked shoving my boyfriend aside seconds before the second gunshot reverberated through the air.

In that moment, I realized the senseless destruction we had wrought.

“Guys it’s enough” I clamoured, rising to my feet. Why this fight over a senseless chunk of rich girl? Am I that beautiful? Or was it my self independence that brought the hassle?

C-Note’s gaze turned cold without hesitation, “You are the cause Joanne. Just figured you are nothing but poison.”

I felt a paroxysm of guilt. Those words really cut me deep.

“What did I do C?” I asked in a sad voice.

His response was swift and merciless. “Just stay where you are. All this happened because of your lack of sense and boundaries.”

With that, he scooped up his sister and rushed out into the rain leaving me stunned and bewildered. However as I watched him depart, I felt an unexpected sense of forgiveness emanating from Maria. She had pardoned me and I knew through that flimsy hand sign that our bond remains unbroken.

“I love you, Maria!” I cried out and to my surprise she responded with our secret hand gesture again, a symbol of our enduring friendship.

 

“Ma’am, please step aside,” the officers requested as I stood entranced, lost in the turbulent events of my birthday. A peak love life I had once mused but Kwame’s extremity had brought me to this precipice.

While the paramedics attended to Mrs. Afua, I inquired about her well-being.

“Will she be alright?”, I held her hands tight.

“Yes”, One of them reassured me, “but her blood pressure is a call to concern.”

I squeezed those hands, a sign of my remorse. “Forgive me, Maa. I didn’t know how to end things with Kwame without hurting you.”

Her reply though weak was laced with humor. “I still don’t believe you Joanne until you return my jollof rice plate.”

I chuckled almost quickly appreciating her jest even in this moment of turmoil.

“I won’t forget,” a wink ensued as she was whisked away into the ambulance.

I bid her farewell hoping for nothing but the best. Tunde’s strength however surprised me lifting me from behind with ease.

“Ah Tunde,” I giggled, my concern for him evident. His answer was a deep passionate kiss leaving the officers perplexed about my story.

“What shall I title this?” I pondered. “Birthday drama or perhaps saga?”

Tunde read my mind, his lips whispering….. “Birthday Wahala.”

I gave him a sultry gaze. “Hope the cut isn’t too deep?”

He playfully lifted me again, “Not deeper than the love I now see in your eyes.”

“Ah not love ooo sir,” I descended from his muscular arms but the night still held secrets. What Joanne desires, Joanne achieves.

An officer approached me, pen and jotter in hand. “Ma’am any statements regarding the accused?”

I smirked in return,….”Only that he’s a jealous wretch, incapable of accepting defeat.”

The officer raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Fascinating.” He bid me good night but I knew I’d have to visit the station tomorrow to press further charges. Kwame Afua would face justice for attempted murder.

Tunde’s gaze slightly lowered to my neck, his eyes gleaming like a vampire’s. “You need to get that little cut checked out.”

I diverted his attention swiftly to my lips, “Would you care for a drink at my place?”

He smiled and agreed to drive through the rain-soaked night but I pondered the fresh page before us. The Nigerian I once deemed irresponsible, now held promise. C-Note too had shown a different side. I acknowledge my mistake of letting him go but more importantly breaking my girl’s promise was worse. A costly error especially for a woman of my standing.

“Hmm Joanne. Cheers to making more mistakes”, I congratulated myself.

lt’s my 27th birthday, I gazed at the East Legon’s twinkling lights once more as we came onto the bridge. Whether I’d made a wise choice or not in the future, a woman must do what she deems right by her with a dash of sense of course. The rain-soaked drive nevertheless was exhilarating but then I recalled Tunde’s proximity to my residence.

What kind of short-distance relationship was this going to be? How short is his temper when I start to fling my heels at him? Is he a potential woman beater as well?

“Ah, Joanne Darlington…not again!” I exclaimed, chuckling at my own folly.