Obiageli's mouth fell open as she gaped at him. "So this is it now right? So you're now playing dumb, gbo?"

She let out a small satiric laugh. "You're really this shameless. I never expected this from you, Jideze. This conversation is pointless." She turned her face from him in disgust.

Jideze let out a loud gasp. "What is this now, Oby? Is this some sick game you're playing on me? If it is, you have to stop right now because it's not funny anymore. What's the meaning of these rubbish you're saying?

"If there's anyone to be giving this cold attitude, it's no one else but me. You said I abandoned you but it was you who did. You never replied any of my letters despite the fact I kept sending them to you. I was trying to keep my calm but you're making me lose it." He spoke lowly but Obiageli could hear the anger laced in his voice.

Her mouth fell open again. What was all these he was saying?

"Letters? What letters did you send? Who did you even send letters to?"

"Now who's playing dumb?" He glared at her. "You want to tell me you didn't receive all the letters I sent to you immediately I left for Enugu?"

"Letters? No! Did you send- "

"I did! I sent you thousands of letters, Oby. But you never replied one, not even a single one." He connected his fist to the table in a loud bump and Obiageli flinched. "How did you do it, Oby? Please enlighten me."

People were already murmuring to one another and casting weird glances their way.

Obiageli couldn't speak. All her lips did was quiver. This was just too confusing for her. What was going on?

"Nekwa anya, Jideze, I didn't receive any single letter from you. Are you sure you sent them to the right address?"

Jideze gave her an incredulous look. "Come on, Oby. I know your address like the back of my fingers. What are you saying?"

"But I didn't receive any letter, na. I waited patiently for your letters but none came. I even came here, to Enugu state, in search of you. I was tired of staying put and so decided to take action which was coming here to Enugu. I never received any letter, Jideze."

Jideze looked at her like he was trying to detect any sign of dishonesty or deception. "So what could have happened for I know I sent you letters every month. I never skipped one despite the fact I got no response. I believed there must be something going on for you to behave this way. The Oby I know won't abandon me like this. If not that I couldn't leave my boss, I would have returned home immediately to see if all was well."

Obiageli's heart fluttered. This was just the Jideze she knew. He had always trusted her.

"What then happened? Did the post man misplace the letters?" Obiageli held her chin; totally deep in thought.

"Or did he direct the letters to the wrong address?" Jideze pursued; deep in thought too.

"Or. . ." Obiageli began but soon stopped as her mouth fell open.

She looked up immediately, Jideze had looked up too. Their eyes locked as they stared at each other, shock and realisation written on their faces.

"Mama!" They said together.

"How come I didn't think about this?" Jideze's shoulder slumped and his face fell. He rammed his fist on the table twice.

Obiageli on the other hand held her face in her hand and bowed her head. How could she never had known? How could she be this stupid? How could she had done this to herself - to both of them? Why didn't she see the handwriting on the wall?

She knew her mother never liked her being with Jideze. How then would she have trusted her mother when she said she didn't receive any letter?

Her mother had been the one picking up letters, the post man kept coming to her shop which was built in front of their house. Perhaps, it had been because her mother kept consoling her, telling her to be patient that the letters will come; telling her sweet words that she had not sensed the lies and mockery beneath those consolation.

Hot stream of tears slithered down her cheeks as she shut her eyes tightly and clenched her teeth. She wanted to scream and shout.

She heard the chair squeak and suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and another trying to reveal her face but she held on tightly, covering her face - her shame.

"It's okay, Oby. It's not your fault. Stop crying."

Only Jideze knew her this much. Only Jideze knew that she blamed herself each time she covered her face. He knew her so well; he trusted her too but she? She had listened to all the lies and condemnation people who didn't even know him accused him of. She was ashamed of herself for not trusting him enough. She was upset she ruined everything.

"Oby! Look at me." She heard his cool voice say. Oh! That mellifluous voice of his that made her lose her senses. How she missed him!

"Look at me, Oby. Please."

She couldn't refuse him anything- not when he spoke like that - so she dropped her palms from her face and stared at him with tear-streaked face. He was squatting next to her, his hand on her lap. He reached out and wiped her face with his fingers; concern written on his face.

"What's done is done. We can't reverse a thing. Your mother really went too far but that doesn't stop her from being your mother. She tried her best but she just can't defeat destiny. Fate brought us together, my dear Obiageli. We can finally be together after all these pain." He smiled at her.

Optimistic Jideze! He had always been so optimistic; looking at the bright side of life. He didn't know she had someone else beside him. He didn't know she had broken the vow and had gone out with someone else.

How would she break such heartbreaking news to him after all he had gone through for her sake? How would she break the heart of someone who had done nothing but loved her unconditionally; no matter the obstacle? He had been faithful to her through out the years - three years of not seeing her yet he believed in her.

"What do you say, Oby? Are you ready to ignite the quenching fire?"

There was so much hope in his eyes. What else could she say other than. . .
"Yes."

She watched as happiness took over his feature as he padded back to his seat, stretching his hands to hold hers. He brought it to his lips and kissed it lightly.

"We are never going to be apart again, Oby. No one is going to cause us unnecessary pain anymore. We are over it. Let's build our relationship from where we left it. Shall we?"

She nodded. She couldn't speak. She would cry if she tried too.