Meeting the ghost

Ibitein was intimidated by this man's height although she was tall but he made her fall short but then she tried to remain calm.

A handsome man with high cheek bone, arc shaped eye brows, sharp nose and a full lip. His presence didn't go unnoticed by the people as their gaze did not leave him, he was Indeed beautiful.

This was exactly what she wanted, a man who was perfect but what she didn't know was that he was a ghost and he was not perfect, he had come here to teach her a lesson she won't forget in a hurry.

Calvin Jones, he introduced

confused and not knowing what to say she stammered I uh-- uhm ---

Your name? he asked

I am -- uh- she stuttered. Ibitein Alfred, she finally said

Hmm, ibitein, he nodded his head, that's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl he said and she blushed.

Thank you, she responded shyly.

For a beautiful girl you dance so elegantly and you shouldn't be dancing alone unless you don't have a partner to dance with, he added gauging her expression.

I don't have a partner yet, she replied shyly not looking into his eyes.

Look at that, and why will a beautiful girl not have suitors, he said with an unchanged expression.

It was as if he knew she was suppose to have a lot of suitors judging by the way she looked. A beautiful girl with beautiful big eyes, full lip, sharp nose and her brows that looks as if they were shaped from birth, nice body curves, beautiful long legs that men would kill for.

uhm - I had suitors, she said to clear his doubt.

May I? he asked and she gave him her hands without hesitation and they went to dance.

But where are they?he asked

Not comfortable with the strange questions, he was getting to her in a way she didn't like but then she didn't want to be disrespectful.

Forgive me Mr. but I'm not comfortable with your questions.. too many questions, she added, knowing how many suitors she had rejected all in the name of searching for the man of her dreams, she didn't want anyone to rub it in her face.

Oh please forgive my manners but I was curious to know about you, he bowed slightly.

That's okay, she responded

Especially when I have an interest in you, he added.

ibitein was marveled by this man's behavior, men who had asked her hand were very careful on how they speak just to please her but this man had no boundaries she was hoping he would ask her but it was too soon, but even if she barely know him she was ready to marry him.

Really?

Yes, it depends on you to not reject my proposal and she frowned, it's like he knew how to make her happy and sad..

You've done your homework then, it seems like you know my story already and without asking if I will accept you or not you jumped to conclusions, she said annoyed.

He looked at her for a few seconds and smiled.

'Then will you marry me?' he asked playfully.

Ibitein was taken aback, she was surprised by this man's behavior, isn't too soon for that? but it doesn't matter after all, she thought.

Okay.. she stammered

Okay what?

I- i will marry you, she said

So you are ready to marry a stranger.. he asked.

She looked at him for a moment, and shook her head.

Unless you still want to remain a stranger then we're on the same page.

Who is your father? he asked amused by her.

Alfred Clifford, she replied

"Then go tell your father that I and my kinsmen are coming to get my bride tomorrow evening and he placed a diamond ring on her finger and turned around and vanished into the crowd.

Before she could say anything, he was nowhere to be seen.

'What a mystery man' she said and walked away.

Ayonadu who had been watching the two saw how strange the man was, trying to keep a watchful eye on him he followed him into the woods not far away from where the festival ground was, and suddenly, he saw how the man disappeared into the thin air, he was shocked that the man who had been talking to ibitein was a ghost in disguise.

'Ghost, he whispered' and he ran back to the festival ground, he searched around for ibitein. Ibitein who had just been engaged by a stranger was now flaunting her diamond ring. she went straight to her parents who were sitting under the canopy.

Who gave you a diamond ring, Alfred asked worriedly as his daughter came to them.

A man gave it to me, she answered.

Which man? Abigail asked surprised

The man that i danced with gave it to me, she replied

I didn't see you dance with any other man apart from Ayonadu, her mother pointed out.

Me neither, her father agreed.

Papa just when you and mama left to talk with uncle Christopher a man came to dance with me.

Well is that so? that was quick, ge father replied.

Yes papa, and he said to tell you that he and his kinsmen will come tomorrow evening to pay my bride price..

That's a good news cousin, a voice said from behind.

Oh yes Shiella, I'm so excited.

Oh my goodness your ring is so beautiful, Shiella said with glit in her eyes.

I know i know, ibitein giggled.

But Isn't that too soon? her mother asked still worried. I mean you don't even know him or the family he hails from'.

Mama you don't have to be worried... you ask me to find a man right and i found one tonight, she said rubbing her mother's hands and giving her a small smile.

I agree with her, our daughter has made us proud, the man didn't just give her any ring but a diamond ring, it's amazing, her father said and ibitein nodded.

'Not satisfied, her mother asked, What's his name and which village is he from?'

He's name is Calvin Jones and he's from uh--uhm ibitein just realized that he never told her where he came from but then she has to convince her parents.

He-- he is from Tal the next village after, she lied.

Tal, hmm that's good, Alfred said nodding his head.

Thank you papa she hugged him.

But her mother stood worried about the strange man.