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Episode 19 —
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EPISODE 20: THE REJECTION 

Olamide and Tunde were busy preparing to surprise Rita on her birthday.

While discussing the plan, an idea struck Olamide and he decided to share it with Tunde.

“Brother, I was thinking before proposing to Rita in front of everyone, I should talk to her parents first. If they agree and then we tell Rita so she’ll be really happy.

Besides, you know she’ll never go against her father so why don’t we get his permission first?”

Tunde replied, “Yeah, you’re right. You should definitely talk to them first.”

Olamide said hesitantly, “But I’m a bit scared. You know how strict her dad is.”

Tunde chuckled, “Yeah, but her mom is nice, isn’t she? She really likes you and keeps calling you ‘beta’ all the time.”

Olamide smiled, “Yeah, aunty is really sweet. I’ll talk to her first. She can help convince uncle. I can’t talk to him directly anyway.”

Tunde nodded, “Perfect! That’s a great plan. Go talk to aunty first and see what she says about it.”

Olamide stood up excitedly. “Alright, I’m going right now.”

Tunde stopped him, “Where are you rushing off to so early in the morning?”

Olamide said, “I can’t wait any longer. I’m leaving now.”

Saying this, Olamide jumped out of the house in excitement but quickly came back to pull Tunde along. “Brother, I can’t handle such a big thing alone. You’re coming with me.”

Tunde sighed, “Alright, alright, I’m coming. Ab khinchna bandh kar” (Don’t drag me!)

The two then set off together for Rita’s house.

Meanwhile, at the Chibunna house,

Mr. and Mrs. Chibunna were sitting in the living room, sipping their morning tea.

Rita had left early to meet a friend for some urgent work.

While talking, Mr. Chibunna said, “Rabbit, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Rita’s marriage. I’ve come across a very suitable boy. What do you think?”

Mrs. Chibunna, Chinyere, smiled and replied, “You read my mind. I’ve been thinking about this too. Rita is all grown up now and we should start considering her marriage. I’ve also been thinking about a boy and I feel you might be talking about the same one.”

Mr. Chibunna asked, “Who are you referring to?”

Chinyere said, “You tell me first, who are you thinking about?”

Mr. Chibunna responded, “I’m talking about Mr. Ahmed’s son. Moses. He’s an excellent boy. He recently finished his studies in the IIS and has returned to help with his father’s business. He’s very responsible and will take great care of our Rita. Ahmed’s are really a nice family and they’ll treat Rita like a queen.”

Mrs. Chibunna exclaimed, “What? Mr. Ahmed’s son? But…”

Mr. Chibunna asked, “Yes, why? What were you thinking?”

Chinyere hesitated, “Well, I… I was…”

Mr. Chibunna pressed, “Tell me, who were you thinking about?”

Chinyere said, “You know exactly who I’m talking about but you’re pretending not to. Why consider someone else when Olamide is already there? He likes Rita so much and our Rita has liked him since childhood too.”

Mr. Chibunna burst out, “Have you lost your mind Chinyere? How can you even think of fixing Rita’s match with Olamide?”

Chinyere: “Why? What’s wrong? What’s so bad about Olamide? He’s such a good boy; we’ve known him since childhood. Why are you speaking like this about him?”

Daniel: “What else should I say? That how has no identity of his own. no stability in his family. He doesn’t even have a house of his own. How can we send Rita with him?”

Chinyere: “Why are you saying this? He’s not an orphan. Tunde’s family treats him like their own son and he’s been with them since childhood.”

Daniel: “Treats him like a son Chinyere, but he’s not their real son. And for Rita, we’re getting proposals from very wealthy families. How can I marry my daughter to a boy who has no future? Don’t forget, he’s just a son of an employee!!”

Chinyere: “But they love each other.”

Daniel: “Enough Chinyere. There will be no further discussion on this and my daughter will never go against me. So, drop this matter.”

Chinyere: “You’re snatching away our daughter’s happiness. Olamide is a very good boy. We’ve known him for years. The love in his eyes for Rita is pure, and Rita also—”

Daniel: “Enough! I’ve said it already. This matter is closed now.”

Just as Chinyere was about to say something she noticed the door.

Olamide was standing there, head bowed and having overheard their entire conversation.

Tunde was standing beside him, he’s furious after hearing everything Daniel had said.

Chinyere (getting up): “Olamide, Tunde… when did you both arrive?”

Daniel also stood up. Olamide didn’t respond but Tunde said, “When Mr. Chibunna was making bitter remarks about Olamide.”

Chinyere: “It’s not like that, beta. He’s just…”

Daniel: “I didn’t make bitter remarks, just stated the truth. But the truth always tastes bitter.”

Tunde: “How dare you say that Olamide has no one in this world, how you think he has no family? He’s my brother and he’s more than my real brother to me.

My parents have never treated him any differently from me.”

Daniel: “Yes, I know he’s treated like a son in your home but that doesn’t change the truth that he’s an outsider.”

Tunde: “That’s enough! If you say one more word—”

Daniel: “What will you do? You can stop me but how will you stop the world? Our family’s reputation matters and I can’t marry my daughter to a boy whose father was just an ordinary employee. Everyone knows this.”

Tunde: “The problem isn’t Olamide’s background. The problem is your narrow mindset.

You’re right, Aunty. Olamide loves Rita deeply and would have kept her very happy. Infact Today, he came to ask for Rita’s hand. But here…

Olamide: “That’s enough, Tunde. Stop talking like that.”

At Olamide’s insistence, Tunde stopped.

Olamide then spoke softly, “I apologize for entering your home without notice. I thought of you as my own but perhaps…”

Chinyere: “It’s not like that, Olamide. Please don’t take his words to heart. I apologize on his behalf.”

Olamide: “There’s no need to apologize Aunty. He only spoke the truth. Why would anyone marry their daughter to someone whose father was just a simple employee?

Maybe I was foolish to think you’d happily agree. I forgot that people from such esteemed families wouldn’t marry their only daughter to an orphan.”

Tunde: “Olamide, you…”

Olamide: “Stop, Tunde. Let me speak today.”

Olamide continued, “I really love Rita deeply, Uncle. I wanted to marry her.

I thought, since Rita’s birthday is in three days I’d propose her and confess my feelings. I had planned everything, but then I thought of you both. I figured that if Rita heard you’d agreed to the marriage, she’d be even happier. That’s why I came here unannounced.

But I was wrong. At least now I’ve heard the truth I’d forgotten.”

Chinyere: “No, beta, it’s not like that. Don’t think”

Daniel: “Look, Olamide. It wasn’t my intention to hurt you. I apologize, but…”

Olamide: “But you won’t let Rita marry me, will you?”

Daniel: “I am sorry but Rita is our only daughter. We’ve dreamt of her marriage for years and I want to give her every happiness in the world.”

Tunde: “By snatching away her love? Can’t you see that Rita loves Olamide? How can you even think of separating them? Everyone can see their love but you’re deliberately ignoring it.”

Olamide: “No, Tunde. He’s not wrong. Every parent has their wishes and dreams for their child’s marriage.

We have no right to ruin their dreams.”

Tunde: “What are you saying, Olamide? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of leaving Rita…”

Daniel: “What else? Will you now tell Rita everything and make her hate her father, just so she chooses you and not us?”

Olamide: “No. I won’t tell Rita anything. If I wanted her for myself, I would’ve done so long ago. But I came here to seek your blessings to take her into my home with full respect.”

Daniel: “What home? What house are you even talking about? You don’t even have a house of your own.”

Chinyere: “Enough! How can you be so heartless? I never thought you’d think of Olamide this way.”

Daniel: “This is about my daughter’s future, Chinyere.”

Tunde: “Enough is enough now!!!!Mr. Chibunna, i warn you; Never say again that Olamide has no family, no home.

The entire Kapoor mansion belongs to Olamide. He’s a part of our family and remember Rita will never be happy with someone else.”

Chinyere: “Why are you being so stubborn? This argument is getting out of hand”

Chinyere and Tunde disappeared.

Olamide, who had been holding back his tears, could no longer control them. He softly replied,

“I promise I’ll stay away from Rita and never interfere in her life.”

Without looking back he left with tears streaming down his face.

Tunde glared at Daniel and ran after Olamide.

Chinyere: “What have you done? Couldn’t you think about Rita even once?”

Daniel: “I did this thinking about her only”

Chinyere: “But she loves Olamide—”

Daniel: “It’s just her immaturity. She’s still a child and children often make poor decisions at this age.

We’re her parents, and it’s our duty to make the right choices for her.

Whatever I did was for her happiness and better future.”

Chinyere: “Fine. If this is your decision, so be it. But the day you see your daughter suffering, you’ll realize the magnitude of your mistake.”

Saying this, Chinyere walked away leaving Daniel standing there.

To be continued in the next chapter…

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