GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
Episode 23
By Faith Lucky.
Nina was in her room playing games with her phone when a call came in from a strange number. She didn’t pick it at first attempt since she had been avoiding calls all day. But when it called for four more times, she decided to give attention to it.
“Yes?” She said on the phone with less enthusiasm.
But her countenance was brightened up by the voice she heard.
“Nina, could you step out for a minute? I’m at your gate”.
She quickly sprang on her feet as her eyes dilated in surprise.
Before she could say any other thing, the call ended but that didn’t limit her happiness.
She ran out of the house and went straight to the gate. It ws a good thing Declan had been in his room.
GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
Immediately she opened the gate, she beheld her Alvin standing there, right in front of her.
The atmosphere had gone dark but his eyes were gleaming.
“Alvin?” She called agaped.
He smiled at her and the next thing she did ws jump on him, embracing him tight.
“Nina, ca…careful. you might choke me” Alvin managed to say and Nina climbed down from his body.
“Alvin, it’s really you” she burbled. “What happened? Are you on break or something?”
He laughed and brushed her hair with his palm.
“Yes. I’m on a permanent break. I’ve decided to take a stand just like you said. I’ve quit from the priesthood.” He replied and nina gasped.
“You…you did? Are you serious?” Nina asked nonplussed.
“Of course, Nina. I am”.
“But what about your mum? Is she okay with it?”
He bent his head in diffidence and replied :”she threw me out of the house”
“What?” Nina shrieked. “But why? So, where’re you staying?”
“I’m staying wit a cousin. Don’t worry about me Nina, I’m fine”
She held his hands and embraced him again.
“I’m glad you made the right choice Alvin. I’m so happy to heat that. Thank you.”
“What about you Nina?” He asked staring at her face.
She hesitated before looking up at him to give a reply
“I’ll be keeping up to my end of the agreement” she replied.
“And what about Theo?”
“Well, I’m sure he can understand. I’ll explain everything to him tomorrow”.
He drew her to himself and embraced her.
“I love you Nina. Thank you for this” he said elatedly and she also replied with an “I love you too”.
GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
Nina was so happy to know that Alvin rejected hus mother’s dream Just for her. She also felt happy knowing they yad a high possibility of being together. But she still had Theo to deal with . she was really hoping he’d understand.
As she laid on the bed to sleep, her talking teddy started beeping and she knew it was Theo.
They’ve been communicating through the talking teddy for sometime now and it had really been fun.
But this time around, she ignored him.
GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
The news about Alvin quitting from the priesthood and being thrown out of the house by his mum had spread round like wildfire. And to crown it all, the rumours were accompanied by the fact that he took all the risks Just for Nina.
No body could be more affected than Theo. He had been restless and tried comprehending what was going on with Nina.
He’s been calling her since the previous evening, but she wouldn’t pick his calls and didn’t reply any of his messages. He ws so worried and really wanted to talk with her.
The basketball game was about to commence and the hall had become filled with students and coaches from CVHS and East High.
The players had been warmed up by their coaches, but theo was still finding it difficult to focus.
He looked at the front row which had been filled up and couldn’t find Nina there. She was supposed to be there to cheer him up as agreed, but now she was missing. Why was everything changing all of a sudden?
The whistle went off and the game began. Curiosity fulled the air as all eyes were open to watch.
Theo’s team had been depending on him for the winning of the game, but when the game started, he seemed to be disappointing them as he ws totally losing focus.
He would get hold of the ball but playing it to the right direction was a problem. He just kept thinking of Nina and the rumours. The wedding was just two days ahead.
Halftime to the game, East High were already jubilating as the goals were 2-6.
Theo’s team were totally losing and the two goals weren’t even scored by him. He was easily losing the ball to the opponents.
His team mates were already mad at him.
GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
Nina had a lot on mind as she walked along the floors of CVHS.
She was so nervous, anxious and was seriously hoping Theo would be able to adapt to her new changes.
Knowing she Was late, she headed to the basketball hall when she ran into Emily. It seems she had been waiting for her because the moment she saw her, she went on her knees, crying and placing her hands together, pleading fir mercy.
“Please Nina, I’m so sorry. I can explain” she pleaded with tears.
Immediately, Nina slapped her.
“You should talk to the walls Emily, because they might be the only ones ready to listen to your silly explanations” she said bile fully and tried walking away but Emily held her back by the knee.
“Nina please, forgive me. Swear I never wanted to do it. It was a mistake.” She cried out, not minding the students around.
“It’s over between us, Emily. I treated you like a sister because you were the only close friend I had. But you stabbed me in the back just for some pieces of paper. Maybe you should take that mistake of yours to the grave” Nina replied bluntly and forced her way out.
She tried to avoid any possible clemency towards Emily because she felt She needed to pay for it.
She walked into the crowded basketball hall and her eyes went straight to the court, searching for him.
Shw saw the readings on the score board and it read: 6-12. Theo’s team were obviously losing.
She managed to walk her way through the crowd so she could have a clearer view of the game and there she saw Theo, looking distracted.
He would stare into the crowd from time to time and that’d make him lose the ball to the opponent.
The next time he held the ball, his eyes ran into Nina.
GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
Finally, just whom he’s been looking for.
He stood still, starring at her with glaze eyes and she also did same. They were motionless.
Just then, an opponent came from behind and pushed him to the floor, seizing the ball from him. And with that, they gained one more goal.
“Fk you, Theo! What the he.ll’s going on?” One of his team mates whispered angrily to him.
In less than five minutes, the game ended with a total score of 7-16.
Shouts and jubilations could be heard from East High as they all ran into the court, celebrating their team. In a short time, the court was already filled with colorful East High students.
Theo’s team were devastated, but none of them could really confront him, except for those who mumbled things like: “You ruined it man”.
The derogatory comments didn’t really matter to Theo as his whole attention was on Nina. He sighted her walking out and quickly followed her, hoping to catch up with her.
Nina knew he ws following behind, but she kept going farther and farther, targeting a place with less students.
They finally got to a more quiet place and that was when Nina stopped and waited for him to get closer.
“Nina!” He called as he stood in front of her, panting heavily.
“I’ve…I’ve been looking for you”.
The somber look in his eyes were killing.
For a moment, they were speechless. But after enough time silence, he spoke out.
“What’s going on?” Hs asked perturbed. “I’ve been hearing some rumours around. And you haven’t been picking my calls all day. Talk to me, Nina.”
She couldn’t bring herself to look at him as she just kept staring at the floor.
“Theo, I’m sorry” she wavered. “But I can’t do this. It’s over between us.”
Theo looked at her and scoffed.
“Over?” He asked with a wry tone. “What’re you talking about?”
“I’m sorry. We were only betrothed, but never meant to be” she paused and turned around, backing him.
“I need to take a stand. I hope you do same. And I also hope you forgive me” she added and walked away, leaving him gobsmacked.
He stood still watching helplessly as she walked away and couldn’t do anything to stop her. He felt it was useless.
His Nina was gone. The wedding had been shattered. His plans were ruined. Everything!
He fisted his hand and grinned his teeth, redolent about the whole thing.
Just then, MOL came up to him, looking troubled.
“Theo, what the he.ll happened?”Owen asked, referring to the game
GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
Immediately, Theo punched him in the face.
“I’m not being paid for it, okay? And stay the hell out of my business” he snarled at them and ran off
He got to where hus car was and snatched the keys from his driver, ignoring his questions.
He turned on the ignition and started off on a high speed. There was so much acrimony.
Thinking about Nina’s hurtful words to him pierced through his heart and left a sharp pain in it. It ws so painful.
Although, he had been so reluctant about the marriage, but after getting to know Nina, he realized he’s fallen in love with her and wasn’t ready to let her go. He was really looking forward to the wedding but she’s let go of it and the thought of that alone tore him apart.
He allowed his devastated tears flow as he controlled the steering, now beginning to have a blur vision. The only thing on his mind were the words of Nina.
“We were only betrothed but never meant to be”
But he had really wanted to be with her.
“Oh! Those sparkling eyes of hers, her dashing smile and even her cute frown. He really wanted to have those close to himself forever. But, perhaps, it could never be possible.
In a short time, he could barely see a thing and the next thing that happened was a loud crash.
GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END
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