Chapter 45: Chapter 45

The room had a cool ambiance, neon light caste beautifully on the mannequin highlighting the beautiful streamlined wedding dress draped over it. The stones on the dress glittered attractively, tempting to the touch.

Uyai looked at her new design. The one she had painstakingly crafted having high hopes for it's patronage. She knew it was going to be her next big hit so she put her whole soul, body and emotion into it. But as she looked at it now, the desire to keep it for herself and shield it from the world hit her. Uyai wanted this dress for herself. The design, material and emotion put into it reminded her of herself; her growth, strength and of course her relationship with others. If someone had told her she would be where she was now, she would've have laughed in their faces and probably uttered a sarcastic comment like 'It's good to dream.'

The truth is, it is indeed good to dream. Without dreams, life would be static and stagnant.

Too engrossed in her thoughts, she didn't hear the door open and definitely didn't see the young man who strolled in with an hesitant pace. It was when she felt a comforting presence, did she feel the need to turn and when she did, she resisted a smile.

He looked so uncertain and ridiculously handsome that she was tempted to hug him.

Effiong gave a half grin and watched as her lips finally upturned in a little smile.

"I'm proud of you." He suddenly said.

"Thank you." She replied.

Suddenly the serene atmosphere became tensed. Heavy silence hung the walls and at once they both stole a look. One fleeting, the other stared long and hard.

Effiong couldn't help but quickly pull his eyes away. He could feel the charged atmosphere and as much as he wanted to pull her into his arms, he was wary. Especially after what happened the first few times he had attempted a proposal. No not attempt he had actually proposed and she rejected him four times. They said once bitten twice shy. Well he was shyer than ever. He knew what it meant to be rejected over and over again and trust him, it was a horrible feeling.

He made sure no one knew he cried every time she rejected him and even went the extent of googling why women reject men and the answers he found made everything worse. Oh like a man he had pretended to take it and had secretly been encouraging himself not to give up but please...he was human too.

"I get it this is your new big design?" He suddenly asked to dispel the awkwardness making sure to avoid eye contact because he suddenly felt like he was being measured and it was unsettling.

"Yes." She said quietly.

Effiong sighed. He had ran out of words to say and she didn't even help one bit. What's with her and her one worded answers. It irked the hell out of him.

"Well...it's quite hot here isn't it." He began to fiddle with the collar of his shirt.

Uyai cocked her head, "Is it? The AC is on."

"Ha- ha" He gave a short nervous chuckle. Yep. You could say that was his last resort. Instead of standing and looking stupid while at it, he went around her to see and feel the dress.

It was beautiful and when he felt it, the image that appeared in his mind was of Uyai in the wedding dress. "It's beautiful." He voiced out with his back to her.

"Indeed..." she whispered. And immediately he turned to her. He saw the look in her eyes but ignored it 'cause he couldn't begin to interpret what it meant. He walked towards her determinedly but nervously and when he reached her, he took both of her hands in his.

Uyai looked at him expectantly, she pursed her lips and unexpectedly her heart began to race, rapidly that she feared he could hear it.

He smiled. It was unsure but still a beautiful smile.

"Will you..."

"Yes!" She said immediately with a huge smile. But paused when he looked at her confused.

She didn't let him finish his question and she already said yes.

When Effiong made no move to do anything, Uyai began to withdraw.

"let me take you to a place..." He finished but slowly and unsure.

Why did she say yes?

"Oh..." she muttered and pulled her hands away from his with a shaky smile.

Effiong noticed that her countenance had changed. She was now avoiding his eyes.

"Are you alright?" He asked concerned.

"Y-Yes. I am. Why not? Why wont I be alright?" She babbled all at once.

Weird.

"Okay..." He trailed off looking at her warily "Are you sure?" He asked?

"Of course I am fine." She said and faked a smile.

It was then Effiong knew something was up. She wasn't happy about something and he couldn't figure out what it was. He couldn't remember saying anything that would upset her. Indeed he had had thought of asking her to marry him yet again but after the last few trials, he was reluctant.

With her mood now, he knew asking her again would be a bad move. So he too feigned a smile and said "Alright then, let's go. I promise you'll love this place." He turned away from her and walked to the door, confident that she'll follow.

But Uyai was stuck in her position. Unknown emotions crossed her face at once and then she blinked. But she didn't move.

"Effiong?" she called out to him with a soft voice that if not for the quietness of the room he wouldn't have heard her.

Startled, he turned, and there she was with a look he couldn't decipher.

"Yes..." He walked back towards her.

"Have you really given up?" She asked.

Effiong stopped short, startled. He moved his lips but still couldn't voice out a word.

What was going on and what was she talking about?

"Wh-what do you mean?" he stuttered.

She sighed shakily. "You have given up, haven't you?" She said with a sullen expression. Her face downcast. He closed the distance between them, and lifted her chin to bring her face into view. And when he did, he saw a string of tear drop.

She was crying and somehow he was the cause of it.

His heart broke.

"Why are you crying? And what did you mean by giving up?"

She looked at him, and then he knew.

"Oh!"He exclaimed "No. Absolutely not. No, I haven't given up, I can't even. In fact to let you know, I carry it in my pocket always." he looked at her intensely and watched as her eyes slowly widened.

"You do?" She looked at him warily.

"Indeed I do." He smiled and then withdrew his hands from her chin and brought it behind him to feel his back pocket. And when his hand met the slight protrusion, he smiled and slowly retrieved the object.

When he brought it out, he went on one knee, opened the case, and looked up at her.

Tears fell down her eyes like water-drops. He almost cried too but he had to say the word.

"Will you..."

"Yes!" she said and jumped into his arms startling the hell out of him.

Yet again she didn't let him complete his question. But who cares she said yes! And just made him the happiest man on earth.

***

"She's so tiny." Gift commented playing with the tiny fingers of baby Inemesit meaning Joy.

Affiong's bundle of joy.

She was a beautiful baby with wild curls on her head, she took her mother's complexion and features thankfully.

"Yes she is." Uyai smiled down at the fingers wrapped around her pinky finger as she held her in her arms.

She stole a glance at her fiancé Effiong who she caught looking down at her lovingly.

She smiled shyly and he winked.

After numerous pursuit, she had finally said yes! And thinking about what led to the event of her saying yes, she felt like hiding inside a hole. She couldn't believe she acted so desperate. But who cares. She was engaged to the love of her life.

Indeed, her parents were aware of their mutual attraction and though didn't push her to accept his proposal, they kept hinting at it.

In fact come to think of it, they were indirectly pushing.

She remembered the joy on their faces when she announced that she was engaged.

Father was the happiest, she was sure.

"Hand her to me, let me carry her for a bit."Affiong playfully demanded for her child.

Uyai did so with a laugh.

"Now you come here." Uyai looked at the hand of her fiancé as he beckoned her closer.

She went willingly into his arms.

Effiong placed a kiss on her temple hugging her tightly that she forgot her parents were present.

"Hey! Marry her first." Father of course had to ruin the moment.

Mrs. Chance rolled her eyes.

"Leave the kids alone.".Grand mother said.

"So Isabelle what do you say? We go out?" It was Peter trying again after numerous fail to persuade Isabelle to go out with him.

Who would've thought.

"Okay."

Uyai was shocked at well as everyone by Isabelle's answer.

"Yes!" Peter exclaimed

Effiong laughed. "Finally bro. She has put you out of your misery. I'll miss you whining to me though."

"I don't whine." Peter denied with a scowl.

"Tell that to the countless messages you sent me. What with 'Effiong am I not good looking enough? Why won't she say yes? Do you think it's my beard, should I cut it? But girls like it though... Effiong help!" he mimicked Peter.

"Hey! Dude! That's not funny." Peter glared at him

"Awwn... Don't worry I love you with your beard." Isabelle told him, her eyes danced with amusement.

"Really?" Peter squeaked. Then coughed since he sounded like a little girl. "I mean I'm glad."

Everyone laughed.

Family!

Uyai was happy...since the contest an international brand had offered to sign her up and she would have refused if Mrs. Chance didn't convince her otherwise.

Their conditions were favorable though and Uyai discovered she had time to go deeply into fashion. She was now a fashion designer and her designs were modelled and worn by top models and celebrities.

Alisha had made sure to wear dresses made by Uyai and Uyai felt touched that their friendship stayed despite Alisha being an international star.

Martha still kept in touch though she later got married and had opened a boutique. Uyai's latest designs were often showcased there.

You might be wondering about Catherine. She went on to partake in other Beauty contests and finally she won as the Most beautiful girl in Nigeria.

Raina...she is now a medical doctor with countless admirers especially from the opposite sex.

Pwesh went into acting and currently features in many Nollywood movies.

And of course Uyai was making a name for herself and without her knowledge she found that already her designs were called BEAUTY... Just like her name.

Uyai.

THE END.