Chapter 12

My hands became instantly weak and my phone fell down.

In a rush, I picked it up. Tears was already flowing freely from my eyes.

I dialed Mercy's number. I could no longer wait for her to call back.

'Martins has blocked me' was the first thing I said in tears.

'I was just about to call you' Mercy said.

'We didnt had a fight, we talked last night and everything was cool, what is happening? 'What is happening to me?'

'Calm down, Lisa'

'Did he picked your call?' I sobered.

'No he didnt' She replied.

Just then, I received a text message.

'I will call you back' I told Mercy and quickly opened the message.

It was from Martins

'It is over between us' I read.

It became dawn on me, that something had gone wrong and Martins has left.

I burst into bitter tears and Immediately

I called My mum, My dad, Chika, Favour and My siblings.

'I have lost Martin's, I dont know what happened, I know I didnt do anything wrong, please pray for me, If Things end like this with Martin's I will never befriend a man again, I will kill myself, I will never pursue a romantic relationship, Martin's was my last hope to breakthrough, to love, to a new life and to being a better me' were the words I said to them and ended the call.

As they all tried calling me back, I just put off my phone.

I cried so hard, I couldnt think of a reason why he left.

I thought my life had gotten better.

I thought 30 would perfect everything for me.

I rolled on my bed and cried through out.

In the evening.

I heard a knock on my door and stood up to open it.

It was Mercy, Her husband and Martins.

I trembled as I saw Martins.

Mercy rushed to hold me.

'Your phone has been off, I was so worried, see how much you have cried' she said in a pitiful tone.

'Martins' was the only word that came out of my mouth as I looked at his face.

As Martins walked to me, Mercy paved way for him and went to stand beside her husband.

'What happened?' I asked him catching my breath.

He stayed quiet for a while. Then brought out his phone and showed me a picture.

It was a guy, I could recognize his face. Tega!

Tega was Femi's room mate then in school.

'Tega is my younger brother' Martins broke his silence.

That came as a big shock to me.

I had never met any of his family, we have been taking things slowly and it never bothered me.

I drifted back on hearing those words. I was terrified, but Martins held me firmly.

'Tega came around, He saw our pictures and recognized you, He told me everything about you and your ex and how you cheated on him with two guys' He said.

My knees weakened but still I managed to remain standing.

I could see Mercy and Her husband's pitiful look.

I didnt know what to say, infact what could I have possibly say.

'I hated you at that moment' 'A cheat will always be a cheat' I tried to just forget about you and move on but Mercy and Her husband came to my place.

'They talked to me, it was at that moment I reflected on how transperent you had been to me, I thought about how sweet, helpful and understanding you have been to me'

'I know we have all made mistakes in the past, I am not perfect either, there are some shameful things I also did in the past, but I am in a better place now'

'You have being faithful to me, I have never had to worry about anything since we became a couple'

I decided not to judge you with what you did years ago but instead love you for what I know you to be. Martins said.

My heart melted and My eyes clouded with tears.

Just how much will my past torture me. were my thoughts as he said those words.

I love you somuch Lisa, Martins said as he planted a kiss on my lips.

'I did other shameful things too' I said breaking out from his kiss.

If my past wants to keep torturing me, it should and this should just end it. I was just so tired.

'It is fine' 'This is 30' Let us celebrate the new phase and change of your life' Happy birthday. Martins kissed me again.

I closed my eyes in somuch pain as his lips touched mine.

Just then, Martins went on his knees.

'You are human, with flaws, an imperfect beautuful woman, my woman, I want to do forever with you, without judging your mistakes, without holding your past against you' 'I want us to live life together, knowing and doing better' 'I want to keep loving you for the great woman you have become' 'I want you to keep being my help mate'

'Please marry me' Martins said as he stretched out a ring to me.

I looked at Mercy and Her husband.

This time they was smiles all over their face. It made me smile too.

'Yes'!!! I screamed with somuch happiness.

As Martins wore the ring on my finger. Mercy and Her husband started clapping.

'Congratulations' they said as Martins and I, hugged each other.

It was like a dream to me.

I walked up to Mercy.

'You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, You are my guardian angel, You are my God's gift' I cried as I hugged her firmly.

'Thank you' 'Thank you' I added.

'Let the birthday and engagement celebration begin' Mercy's husband shouted.

We all laughed and clapped.

As we ate the cake I had baked, I stared at my engagement ring with somuch admiration and happiness.

Martins stayed with me that night, He told me about his past, I told him about Jide and Rico too.

'We will do better' He assured me.

As I switched my phone on, there was plenty of messages from my family and friends.

They were worried.

Immediately I forwarded the pictures I had took with Martins to all of them.

'Things are fine now, We have a wedding to plan' was my caption.

My mum was the first to call.

'Atlast' she shouted happily.

'Congratulation Lisa' my friends said.

Then I remembered Faith. I had distanced myself from her but she has to come to my wedding. I scrolled down to her message I had archived on my whatsapp.

'Hi Faith' I messaged.

As I rested my head on Martins chest, We talked about how we wanted our wedding to be.

'Thank you God' 'Thank you Mercy' 'Life, thank you for giving me a second chance' I smiled.

'Happy 30th birthday to me'. I closed my eyes and slept peacefully.

The End.