Chapter 2: A Village Beauty

Damian meets Elsie 

The sounds of life filled the town square, including ladies conversing, children laughing, and the distant buzz of farmers in the fields. Here Damian Cole stood on one edge of that square, observing for the last time the old sights and sounds of his ancestral home-from a distance. It had been years since he had set foot in that village, but nothing had changed-it was as simple and peaceful as before, untouched by the sad noises of the city. 

As he went through the square greeting old friends and neighbors, he got drawn to a group of young women by the well who never stopped chatting and laughing, though warm winds already carried their voices far away. One girl actually did distinguish herself from the others; she was the most breathtakingly beautiful one, smooth, dark skin, full lips, eyes that sparkled with innocence. The simple dress only seemed to add to her charm.

That was the girl that drew all attention to himself. There was something in her, pure and untampered, that stole his breath. A tiny hope lit within him, the kind that had been absent for many years. This was the moment. This was what he had yearned for.

He worked closer to them, though his heart was really pounding against his ribs. The women fell silent, looking at him with interest and amazement. The beautiful girl looked down shyly, her cheeks flushing, when he said, "My name is Damian Cole. I do not get the feeling we have met."

"I'm Elsie," she said softly, her words like music to him. "Elsie Nwoko."

Elsie is Shy

However, all these qualities fell short of the mark: Elsie Nwoko stood apart as one of the most unique human beings he had ever encountered. She was shy and reserved, with her brown eyes trailing the floor as she spoke. Yet, she bore an inner strength, a sense of dignity and grace that touched him. He respected her; she called him with all the weight of a man of his standing, but with no promise of the lust or pretension with which he had come to categorize women in his city.

He came to know that Elsie had never been to the big city. All her life, she had stayed in the village, busy assisting her mother with household chores and tidying up her little farm. She spoke softly-as if every word were from an innocent mouth-and this impressed Damian. It was this thing, and it was its absence in many years that connected him and sparked something real.

"Elsie, what do you dream of?" Damian asked, as softly as he could.

Elsie hesitated; her eyes flitted around as if unsure. "I...I don't know," she said softly after. "I have really never thought about it. Life here, in the village, is all about doing the chores and helping my mother in the farm; that is what I've known all my life."

He smiled, his heart filled with admiration as she was such a contrast to the very women he had known in the city-so pure and so untouched by the corrupted world. Just what he had been seeking.

Damian Got Captivated

The passing days made the case worse for Damian because the more he spent time with Elsie, the more addicted he became to her. He did visit her family's farm from time to time, bringing her things and offering assistance in the work. He listened to her share her stories of what she dreamed of, what her fears were, and, as each day passed, he was convinced that she was the one who would love the man, not his wealth.

It was one evening when the sun had gone down beneath the horizon that Elsie and Damian now shared a seat on the porch of her home. The hot air was being perfumed by blooming flowers, and in the background, crickets chirped. He looked to Elsie, felt the heartbeat of love pounding heavily in his chest.

"Elsie," he began, voice low with emotions but full of melodrama, "I have searched for someone like you for ages. Someone pure, someone honest, someone who would see me for me. I know we do not have much time to know each other, but what I know and feel is worth the little time I've spent with you. Do you love me?"

Elsie's eyes opened wide in astonishment, and her cheeks flushed a rose color. She looked down, hands trembling in her lap. "I... I don't know what to say," she murmured.

Damian stretched out in readiness, taking her hand in his. "If you don't want to say anything right now, you don't have to," he said. "Just think of my question, Elsie; I want you to be happy. That's all I ever wanted."

Elsie looked at him with the semblance of interest, although it turned out to be for the very first time that he had seen an emotion lurking in her gaze. This made his heart skip a beat. She nodded slowly, a smile playing on her lips.

Damian's heart swelled with hope. He had found her - the woman who would love him for who he was. And he was determined to make her his wife.