COME WHAT MAY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Christine Fani waited patiently with her husband and Prof. Badmus at their Senior Pastor's office. She had also called Grace to come so she could witness just how terrible her daughter was. How could she scheme to destroy her friend's wedding? She was sad her son Darren messed things up with Desire and Lorato but she would render whatever help in her capacity to make sure both girls get the happiness they deserve. She remembered it was Desire that alerted her about her husband's affair many years before. Grace Badmus was in a heated argument with her husband and had even slapped him. She wanted to interrupt them and ask what happened when her husband kissed Grace. The latter slapped him again and left. Her respect and love for Grace died that night and she had pleaded to God to help her forgive them. She forgave her husband and became a much better wife to him and since then he hadn't cheated even once. She would know because she hired a private investigator to follow him around. Grace had severed her relationship with Christine after the incident and the latter was convinced it was out of guilt.

Lolita felt too tired to love another human being let alone Ryan Johnson. A little flicker of light kept its glow where her love for Chidi lie. Should she manipulate him too and get him to love her as he did before or should she kill the little spark that is left? She had directed him to drive out of Gaborone. They finally stopped after Kopong heading towards Molepolole Village. Chidi parked the car under a tree, came out and waited for Lolita to follow suit. The surrounding area was quiet with the exception of few people and cars passing by. The two remained silent as each was lost in their thoughts.

Lolita had imagined this day when she would have a comfortable conversation about her feelings for him. She sighed as she thought about everything she wanted to do. Hug him, go on dates, hold hands and brag to her girlfriends about him. The tears rolled down her face as she realized she must completely let him go. He doesn't love her that way and will never do so. She allowed her head to rest on his shoulder and her arms around him. She immediately felt him  move away slightly and said,

 "Don't be uncomfortable Chidi. I am not trying to manipulate you or frame you. I just wanted to be with you one last time."

Chidi relaxed but felt guilty. She had briefed him in the car about her relationship with her father and Desire's manipulation and that she had to leave. An idea came to him at that moment. 

"You can marry Ryan!"

Lolita pulled away and looked up at him. He was so handsome; so charming and very kind hearted. "Why?" she asked.

"That way you become the wife of a citizen of Botswana!" Lolita shook her head in the negative.

"I can never do that Chidi. It is not right. I can never marry someone just to remain here. It is wrong. I could never do that to Ryan. He is the kindest, most thoughtful, loving, God Fearing and the most generous man I had ever met. He likes me a lot and I will never hurt him or any other guy."

Chidi watched as Lolita spoke with so much emotion and conviction. He realized she was not aware of her own feelings. She had begun falling in love with Ryan without knowing it. He smiled brightly and kissed her on the fore-head. Lolita held his arms and hugged him for dear life. She wanted to let him go but at the same time hold on to him. As tears of relief that their friendship was resurrected fell down her eyes, she reminded herself that Chidi was not hers, was never hers and now belongs to someone else. She needed to leave before she does what she would regret like cry and beg him not to leave. Slowly she pulled away.

"I am sorry for not considering your feelings when I started courting Lorato. I knew deep down that you might be waiting for me but I chose to ignore that voice of reason in order to pursue my own happiness and marital destiny."