LET ME BE YOUR SUPERMAN

“And I know now that I can drop my superwoman cape and let you carry it” Nicole ended as loud cheer erupted from the crowd. She had just finished saying her vows, before God and the people present, to the man of her dreams. The one who broke through the walls she had formed around her for so long.

The walls.

Everything came playing in her mind like a movie. She was so young; she could barely feed herself properly. But somehow she knew deep down, that the daily chaos was not what it was to be. “Lazy thing. Yes, that’s what you are. Look at your mates now Alfred, which of them have left the entire workload for their wives. Only you ehn, Mr. Man. Shameless man” Her mum said on one of those days as she pushed him to the ground and waltzed away.  This scene was very recurrent; a routine even. Nicole was used to it. She watched her mother spit these derogatory terms to her father for years. 

Then it happened. He had had enough on this particular Sunday afternoon. “Balance o, my Oga at the top. Spread your legs wide and occupy the whole place. If only the money in your bank account was also occu…” she didn’t get to finish that sentence. Alfred cut her short with a resounding slap as she stood rooted at that spot, with her mouth opening and closing up like a fish. She had never seen him so mad. No, not mad. He was enraged. Nicole stood at the corner watching with tears trickling down her face. Her father went into the room and came out a few minutes later with a bag. Then he walked right through the door not sparing his wife or even Nicole a glance. He walked out of their lives. Forever.  That was the day the foundation for the walls was laid.

A successful engineer she grew to be. Nicole had everything at her beck and call. Yet, deep down, something told her it wasn’t enough. She always made sure to silence that voice. If what her parents had was marriage then she didn’t want that. She was scared. She wanted to play safe. She shut everyone out. She was her own superwoman.
She had met Tola during her NYSC and they clicked instantly. He was well learned and she admired his passion. You like him, Nicole. She heard her subconscious say. Of course, she didn’t listen; she was headstrong Nicole after all. Their friendship grew. And it grew. “You know, you can’t actually deny the fact that we have a deep connection, Nicole. I like you and I see it in your eyes too” Tola said on one of their dates; or hangouts, as she preferred to refer to them. She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about abeg, eat your food let’s start going.” She had tried to avoid the topic because she knew. She knew deep inside she felt something for him, something she was not ready to express. From that moment, Tola pushed it on but not too much. It felt like he gave her space but was still always there. He was everything sweet. She couldn’t believe he had eaten so deep into her. She felt the walls crumbling. She was ready to let this one young man in. she found herself wanting to talk to him at all times. She wanted to speak about her day; he was always ready to listen. He not only listened, but he also lifted her spirit. Deep in sleep one Saturday morning, she heard her phone ring. Oh, who’s that one this early morning? She groaned and turned to her phone. Her morning sour expression immediately fell off and a smile replaced it. “How much do I owe you, young man?”She said as she answered the call, biting back her smile.  “You actually do owe me, young lady. Good morning princess. Get up, pack a few clothes and get ready, I’m coming over to pick you.” Tola said in quite a hurry and hung up. Huh. What was he talking about? She reluctantly did as he said and waited. An hour and thirty minutes, and he was here. They got into the car and proceeded to the airport. “You dragged me out of bed this morning to face this Lagos traffic abi?” She said as she looked out of the window. “Don’t worry, when we get to DR it’ll be no more” he said quietly. She gasped. She didn’t know what to say. He was taking her to the Dominican Republic. Wow. Oh well, she needed it. That was it. They got to the Dominican Republic to spend four days and on the third day, he proposed. She choked out a yes amidst tears. She never understood why people cried during proposals but here she was doing the exact same thing. Nicole, you love him.

Now here she was standing in front of Adetola Ogunleye. The man she was willing and ready to spend the rest of her life with. “Adetola, you may kiss your bride” the pastor’s voice brought her out of her trance. He smiled at her and leaned in. He lifted her veil and gave her a short kiss then leaned further into her left ear. “Let me be your Superman” he whispered.  She smiled and mouthed my superman.

Aww. Who else smiled while reading this? I definitely did😊
Here is my one shot at a romance short story. what do you think of it? Please, please leave comments. I'd really love to read them. Thanks for stopping by.

Nazam✌️