Five years later
It's has been five years. Nathaniel was done with his education at the University of Ibadan and he has done his National service but he has not have a good job. Toun was a lawyer at Ibadan and she have a good pay. She also own a house bought by her father which Nathaniel and their daughter Anna stayed whenever they visit her.
Nathaniel refused to stay at ibadan with his fiancee. He refused to live in the house bought for her by her father because he was embarrassed. And he was also ashamed that his plans had been futile. He couldn't fulfill those things he promised her. He felt like a failure.
He had hoped to get a good job after his National service but it was all in vain. He wrote applications letters to different companies and industries in the past few years since his graduation but he didn't get a good job. And he decided to go for his master degree with his fiancee as his sponsor. But it didn't change much.
****
"How was the place?" Mrs Allyson asked her son after he returned from an interview.
He slumped on the old sofa "The same." He replied.
"God will do it. Just don't give up. Every thing will be fine." She assured him.
"It's so hard to keep hoping mom. I can't get married to Toun because I don't have a good job. I can't go to meet her parents because I am jobless. My daughter also have to stay far away from her mother." He complained bitterly.
"You know she want you two to live with her." The wkman said to her son
"I know but I can't. It's a disgrace for me to live in the house bought by her parents for her. I have dignity too mom. It will give her family more reasons to mock me if I stay with her. It will just prove them right that I have no future. It's hard enough that she is paying my school fees and at the same time handling the responsibilities of our child. Imagine, I can't do anything to help her. It's hurt mom." He complained bitterly with his head on his hand.
"You can't give up now. You have to think of the both of them." She advised her son.
He said nothing and he reluctantly stood up.
"Where are you going?" Allyson asked.
"To my room. I need to keep searching for any vacancies." He replied.
"You have to eat first. You did not eat before leaving the house this morning."
"I'm not hungry." He said, broken hearted and walked away. Mrs Allyson sighed. She was hurt to see her son so hurt and helpless.
*****
Toun was in office where she worked when she received an unexpected call from her father.
"Hello dad. How are you and mommy?" She asked.
"We are fine. I won't waste your time because I'm also busy. I need to see you Toun." He said firmly.
Toun wondered why her father was talking so harsh to her. He is a serious man but he is always gentle around his family.
"Is something wrong dad?" She asksd.
"No dear. I just need to see you and there is something I will love to discuss with you." He answered and she was relieved.
"Okay dad. I also want to see you about something important."
"Alright then, I will be expecting your visit. I think this weekend is okay." He said. She was sad about the timing because she won't be able to travel to Lagos to see her fiance and daughter. But she agreed because it was the only time she was chance to do so. They will be other time to visit her other family.
"Okay, I will be home by weekend. Bye dad."
"Okay bye." And the call ended.
****
"My dad called me today and he said he wants to see me." Toun said to Nathaniel on the phone. She had called when she got to her apartment that day.
"Do you have any idea why he wants to see you?" Nathaniel asked a little worried.
"No, I don't." She told him honestly. "I will be going to Abuja by weekend, so I won't be coming home this weekend."
"Okay but you have to talk to Annabelle. I'm sure you don't want her to be angry."
She chuckled lightly on the phone. "Of course not. I will talk to her before then." She said. "And also Nathan."
"Yes."
"I want to tell my parents about us." She said and there was silence. "I know it because of them you haven't talk about our marriage."
"How do you want me to talk about marriage when I don't have a job. What do you want them to think of me?"
"We can resolve that later. Let me talk to them. And I pray they accept."
"I pray so too." Nathaniel said with little faith.
"We can do this Nathaniel. Don't worry you will get a job and we will be fine. We have been with each other for a long time now, we can't let anything hinder us."
"Okay. Thanks a lot." He appreciated. Her words of comfort are one of the reasons he is still strong to keep fighting. He was glad she believe in him despite he is already giving up on himself. "I love you. Take care of yourself."
"You too. And say hi to Anna for me." She requested.
"I will. I love you."
"I love you too." She said sweetly.
****
What do you think will be the outcome of Toun visit to her parents? Will they accept her to marry Nathaniel?
Don't forget to vote. Thanks.