Bolaji got to Sarah's parents' place that day. He wanted to ask her if they should return home the next day.
He hadn't bought her a new phone yet; his plan was that they would buy it together on their way back to Lagos.
After greeting her parents, he sat beside her.
Bolaji: "Should we go home tomorrow?"
Sarah: (not looking at him) "I'm not going back yet."
Bolaji: "Okay… should I come and pick you next week then? They'll have to deliver your phone here, because I thought we would buy it on our way."
Sarah: "There's no need for you to buy me a phone, and I don't know when I'll come back home. I must learn something and make sure I get admission before I return. I don't know how long it will take.
And I want to appreciate you for everything you've done for me and my family. I'm not saying I don't want this marriage again, I still want us, but I would like us to stick to our first agreement.
About schooling, please—you've already done enough. You've helped my parents a lot, and now I think they can do the rest. So please… give me some time.
Bolaji was speechless for a while. Then he said softly:
Bolaji: "But I've begged you, Sarah. I've promised you—I've learnt my lessons. I'm not going to treat you badly again. I had the intention of you going to school, I was only scared then. But now, I'll allow you to do anything you want. Please, let's go home. How do you expect me to cope without you?"
Sarah sighed.
Sarah: "I'm sorry. But I think we need to stand on our first agreement."
Bolaji: "But this is the time for us to bond. You know I've not been nice before, and I want us to create memories."
Sarah: "I don't think it will affect us. I will still come home, but not this year again."
That week, Bolaji returned to Lagos. He visited her at different times, sent her a new phone (which she reluctantly accepted), but Sarah still refused to follow him.
Her parents encouraged him:
Sarah's father: "Don't worry, she will soon miss you and come back home."
Two weeks passed, and Sarah still didn't return.
Bolaji was lonely and bored. He remembered how she always woke up early to make his food, how she cleaned the house, how she looked the first time she entered his home as his wife.
He wondered why he had treated her unfairly all that time. Was it pride?
He remembered how he once beat her and he held his head in regret.
Bolaji (to himself): "If she ever gives us a chance again, I promise this time I'll be the best husband."
Meanwhile, Sarah also faced her own battles. When she strolled down the street, she often heard girls whispering:
"She has been divorced."
"After all he has done for her and her family? What an ingrate."
"If I was that lucky, I'd never waste such a chance."
Sarah ignored them, though it pained her. She thought of her life and remembered her first dream of being a pharmacist. She knew she had to study hard.
Since there were still four months before JAMB, she enrolled in lessons. She told Bolaji about it, and he supported her decision.
Their chats became softer. She felt freer, able to express herself. He told her about work; she told him how her day went.
Bolaji visited her almost every two weeks, and whenever he saw her, he said the same thing:
Bolaji: "I miss you. Hopefully, one day you'll change your mind and come back home."
Finally, the JAMB form came out and Sarah bought it. She studied hard and sat for the exam, praying for good results since Pharmacy required high scores.
When the results were released, Sarah could hardly believe her eyes.
325.
Tears filled her eyes as she whispered:
Sarah: "Thank you, God. My dream is possible."