Third Person's POV.

The night sky had already bade the sun goodbye, and was soon grinning down at the Earth, paving way for the moon to showcase its luminous beauty.

Everyone still seemed to want to continue partying, as the music blared from the speakers and the guests busied themselves by swaying to the music. Chioma had long gotten exhausted and was sitting on the couch with Femi by her side, his arms over her shoulders.

"You guys are dulling oh! Come and dance nau. Chioma, dance!" Amara hurried to her side and pulled her up. Chioma let out a tired groan, she'd already danced enough already and wasn't ready to keep dancing anymore.

"I'm really tired!" she whined but Amara wasn't willing to hear any of it. She pulled her to the dance floor, with Damola and the rest hailing her - Damola being the loudest amongst them.

"I seriously don't want to dance!" she protested, and before she knew it, Femi walked towards them.

"Free her nau" he said, and Damola chuckled.

"Romeo, disappear from here with immediate effect!" Femi laughed at his words, and held Chioma's hands in his.

"Then you, come and dance" Amanda suggested and he immediately shook his head, no.

She threw her hands up in the air in frustration, "You both are incredibly boring!" and she danced her way out of there.

Again, they both sat on the couch and Femi placed Chioma's head on his lap as she lay down on the couch, beside him.

From a distance, Agozie observed them both - with a sad smile on his lips. He couldn't, and wouldn't deny the fact that he still felt something for her. But he knew nothing could happen between them - absolutely nothing. He was aware Femi loved her way too much. And he didn't want to intervene in that. Femi was his friend, and although they'd only known each other for a year, he grew so fond of him due to his calm and amazing personality.

He couldn't take Chioma away from him. Femi was a really nice person who deserved more than what he had gotten in the past. And he wasn't willing to ruin just about another important part in his life. Agozie, being the kind of person who'd do anything for a friend, or family, was willing to back away - under the pretence of basic friendship - just so his friend could be happy.

No one knew about this, and he wanted to keep things that way too. All along, everyone had predicted him to be basically a player - they weren't wrong, for that was who he was. Although, no one knew why he was actually like that. He was afraid of commitments 'cause he was afraid of losing the person he'd grow to love - just like he just lost Chioma, even before he could even tell her how he actually felt. He didn't want to get too attached, 'cause he didn't want to get hurt. He truly didn't want to know how it felt to be heartbroken - but now? He had an insight of what it felt like... And it was truly awful.

To him, it was best to avoid commitments... He felt variety was the spice of life, and didn't want to be all attached to a person that'd somehow hurt him by leaving or even dying. He didn't want to know how that felt like, but sadly, now he did. All these were true, his carefree and nonchalant behavior remained intact and his flirtatious ways stood still, not until he met Chioma.

He wasn't even able to flirt with other girls as much as he used to 'cause he'd thought he'd finally found someone he actually liked, and would like to settle down with. He was wrong, but he pacified himself, in the hope that one day that person would come.

He didn't know how, but he trusted on God to make it happen. He needed someone like Chioma, someone even better than Chioma. Someone who'd be as carefree as him, understand him and wouldn't nag him as much as other girls did to their boyfriends. He hated that the most about girls, he found it irritating. He didn't want someone that'd be too clingy or demanding, she mustn't be perfect, she just had to be someone he could tolerate and understand really well. That was all he wanted.

As he gulped down the contents of his red plastic cup, he felt a presence beside him. And when he looked up to find who it was, a smile spread across his face, as his eyes ran through her from head to toe.

"Hey" the plump, light skinned girl said. Her smile was captivating, as her dimples sprang out each time she smiled or talked. She was tall, and had a tender voice that came out thin and alluring. Another thing he loved about her, was that she was curvy and had the kindest deep brown eyes he'd ever seen.

"Hey" he beamed at her.

"I'm Olanma, but you can call me Ola" she said, grinning at him as she took a sip out of her drink. He was sure it wasn't alcohol cause it didn't smell like it.

"Agozie" he simply said and she grinned, her cute dimples sprang out once again.

"Wanna dance?" the words came out of her mouth so easily, smooth and gentle - yet so alluring.

With a second glance at the couple, who seemed so lost in their own world, another sad smile found its way to his lips as he took in a deep breath. Now looking at Ola, he nodded his head in affirmation.

"Sure..." with a last glance at the couple, he continue. "Why not?" and he quickly put down his cup and they both walked to the dance floor, a smile playing on both their lips.

Someday, someday he'd find her. He pacified him self with that thought.

But as for now? He was going to stick to being a chronic flirt, and a playboy. Until he finds her. His soulmate.

* * *

The party was slowly drawing to an end, and everyone had already began to shower Chioma with gifts. She smiled gratefully at each and every one of them as they presented her with their gift. Femi saved his for last, and he watched in admiration as she kept smiling, chuckling and laughing.

"Happy birthday!" Amara yelled as she engulfed her in a hug. She'd gotten Chioma a gold necklace that had her name - which was the pendant - on it. She'd been saving up for it, and Chioma grinned happily the minute she received it.

"Thank you so much" she returned the hug, beaming gratefully at her.

"And let's not forget mine!" came Amanda's voice. Chioma chuckled lightly as she approached her with her gift in hand, wrapped in a blue floral patterned gift-wrapper.

She handed Chioma the gift, wishing her a happy birthday and giving her a hug afterwards. Still smiling, Chioma also returned the hug and grinned in content.

"Thank you so much. This is lovely" she smiled, caressing the deep blue Prada handbag Amanda had gotten for her.

"You're welcome!" Amanda chirped and smiled at her.

"Clear road abeg! The real gee is coming through!" Damola announced, as he hurriedly approached Chioma with his own gift in hand.

He had gotten her a really expensive watch which had gold and silver decorations on it. Diamonds were encrusted on it and it glimmered under the reflection of the tender white light bulbs. Chioma squealed and thanked him for it, and they both exchanged hugs, with Femi standing at a corner and grinning from ear to ear.

Agozie gifted her a jewelry set, and she also thanked him and they both exchanged hugs. Although he felt a pang of sadness engulf him the minute they pulled away, he said nothing and offered her a smile instead.

On and on, a lot of people presented gifts to her. Her mother presented her an expensive blue dress and a black pencil-heels from Zara. Her father, on the other hand, presented her with a brand new Mercedes-Benz. She happily thanked them as well.

And Femi's parents also gave her gifts. His mother got her an expensive bracelet while his father offered her a cheque of a million naira - since he had no idea what to get her. She was ecstatic and thanked them both, the gratitude in her eyes glimmered as she thanked them both.

And finally, it was Femi's turn to present his gift to her. Like everyone else, he smiled and confidently approached her with his gift in hand. The minute he approached, she grinned widely and couldn't suppress the heat that crept to her cheeks and the curiosity towards knowing what he'd gotten her.

In his hand, he held a rectangular shaped box which was wrapped in a red, heart shaped gift-wrapper.

"Happy birthday, my love. This is a small gift from me to you, and although it's small, I hope it'd be enough to express just how much you mean to me" he said as he offered her his gift.

The entire room was lifted by the uproar that arose from the onlookers.

Chioma blushed again, as she happily accepted the gift from him, she couldn't keep her smile at bay - and neither could he.

She hurriedly tore open his gift with so much excitement and curiosity. The minute she opened it, she realized that it had a lot of gift-wrappers inside. She glanced up at him, he was still smiling down at her, and she decided to return it.

Determined, she pulled out all the wrappers from the box and she almost fainted when she saw was actually hidden inside. Involuntarily, she rubbed her eyes, to be sure she wasn't seeing things. The excitement she felt was indescribable to her.

Lo and behold! Inside the box, was an engagement ring.

The ring was most definitely expensive. It had a big, bright glimmering diamond encrusted on it, and had a sliver lining. Tinier pieces of diamonds were encrusted on the silver linings, and the fascinating metal holding it was twisted and twined into an elegant design. It sparkled under the tender glow of the white light bulbs and got everyone cheering in acknowledgment.

Femi was already on his knees, his eyes never leaving her shocked ones. She already had tears welling up in her eyes as she stared at him in disbelief, she'd never been proposed to before and she was so elated that she could just faint from her happiness.

Femi held the ring in his hand, and smiled. This was it, the time he'd been waiting for. Like honey, his words flew out of his mouth and as he began, Chioma could barely hold in all her tears.

"Chioma, I know we started off rough. I said so many things that I wish I could take back - we both did. And I'm sorry about those times. I know I might've judged you for your flaws in the past, possibly made you cry or hurt you, but right now: I wish to rectify those mistakes. You're perfect in your own way, your flaws make you perfect, even when you're at your worst I value you more than anything" he took a short pause, and the tears finally rolled out of Chioma's eyes.

"... You changed so much that I feel so lucky to have known you to begin with. You're thoughtful, you're sensitive about the ones you care about, and when you love, you love with a full heart. It's magical how much you give your all into relationships, of all the girls I've dated, I've never seen one half as committed as you are. It's like no one else matters. And need I say: you're so beautiful, you could make me go insane, even without trying. And your eyes... Your eyes are so fascinating, they're enchanting. I used to think they were too cold to be glanced at, but I was SO wrong 'cause one look into your eyes got me tripping - countless times. And although I know right now I can't even put how I feel about you into actually words that'd actually make perfect sense. Not even if I try to put it all it words... I just can't stress it enough. I truly love you, so much. More than you could ever imagine. I love you so much that it hurts sometimes, and I do not want to lose you" and a small smile spread across his face.

"Please, Chioma Christine Aniobi, will you marry me?" at this point, another uproar had arisen and Chioma already had her tears flowing like a river down her cheeks.

She got up from the couch she'd been sitting on and walked towards him. Staring intently at him, with tear-filled eyes. To everyone's surprise, she helped him up of the floor and punched his arm, feigning anger.

But soon, it morphed into a grateful smile, although her tears lingered.

"That's for taking this long to ask" and her hands wrapped around him. "Of course I'll marry you, dummy. Yes! Yes, Femi! Yes!" and Femi's previously shocked expression, dissolved into the biggest smile he could muster.

Delighted and happy, he scooped her into his arms, showering her with kisses while the others congratulated them.

"I love you" he kissed her, and she smiled, wrapping her hands around his neck.

"I love you too, Femi. I love you!" she replied, the smile on her face knowing no bounds whatsoever.

___________________________

Magical moment right there, don't you think? 🤭

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Love y'all loads! 💕

The Epilogue awaits y'all!
Meet you there...💘