The first day we went to the program, she sat next to me and we spoke. It was just a normal conversation between two people who had just met at a new place. It was awkward at first but when the program went on a recess, we both met at the food joint and we talked more. She mentioned her name. She’s Barbara. It was on the third day of the program that we exchanged contacts. That night we spoke. We spoke until we heard the cock crow. I felt the connection between us and knew she liked me. Two weeks later, I proposed to her and she said no.

I was a little bit surprised. I asked why and she said, “We just met. I don’t think we know each other a lot for us to be in a relationship.” I accepted her reason. I asked, “So I should wait for how long?” She said, “This thing doesn’t come with a time limit to it. It’s emotions we are talking about here. It develops. It could take days. It could take weeks. It could take months. Well, I’m not saying it’s going to take so long but let’s give it some time.” I understood her. I decided to take it slowly with her.

She called me every day. She texted when she didn’t hear from me for hours. In the night, we stayed on the phone for hours, yawning in turns but none willing to say bye-bye. Everything she did pointed to the fact that she loved me, “So what’s stopping her from accepting my proposal?” I asked myself. A month later I asked about the relationship again and she said, “The truth is, you proposed to me just a day after my boyfriend had jilted me. I’ve been talking to you all this while because somehow, you’re helping me heal quicker than I expected. All I can ask from you now is a little bit of time.” 

She made a lot of sense. I agreed to give her more time. In fact, I decided not to ask her about it again until she walks to me with an answer to my proposal. One afternoon I visited her home. Her senior sister was there with us throughout the visit. She was actively involved in our conversation. She was funny and upfront. She asked my name. She asked about my work. She asked where I lived. She asked about my family and then she asked, “So what are you to my sister?” Barbara cut in, “We are just friends.” Her sister looked at me and I nodded. She said, “I hope you guys are not lying to me?” I said, “Yeah we are friends and nothing else.”

From there, her senior sister took an active interest in me. Anytime Barbara called me she told me that her senior sister asked of me and that she extends her greetings. One evening I called and her senior sister was there. I overheard her asking, “Is that Evans?” Barbara said, “Yeah.” She said, “Give the phone to me let me say hi.” She took the phone, said hi and asked, “When are you coming around? We miss your presence here.” I said, “I will come soon.” She said, “And when are you taking me out too? Every day it’s you and Barbara. Change it sometime. Let it be me.” I said, “Anytime you’re ready, let me know.” She said, “I’m ready so why are you not here?” I laughed. She said, ”I’ll take your number and call you.”

When Barbara took the phone she said, “Don’t mind my sister eern, she’s always like that. You should know her by now.”

One Saturday morning I had a call from her. She said, “I’m free this weekend. If you’re also free then let’s go somewhere. I heard Barbara’s voice from behind, “I’m also free ooo don’t forget about me.” That Saturday, I met her senior sister in town and we had our very first outing. She acted like the boss. She was in charge of the conversation and was in charge of the date. She was sweetly imposing and sounded like she knew what she wanted. When the bill came she said, “Don’t bother. I called for the date. I chose this venue so I pay. She paid and even paid for the taxi we used. It’s the first time in my life I’ve had a lady pay for an outing. All night I was struggling not to feel anything for her because of Barbara but when she got home and called to ask if I had gotten home safely, I melted. 

I was in love with her and couldn’t wait to tell her but I remembered I’d already proposed to her junior sister. Yes, Barbara told her that we were just friends but both of us knew from deep inside that we were heading somewhere. I was conflicted. I loved Barbara. I still do but her sister all of a sudden became the height I was ready to ascend. 

The next day Barbara asked how everything went and I told her. She said, “My sister likes you. She has never done that to anyone. She hardly opens up to people on this level. I asked her, “What about her boyfriend? Is she always like this with him?” I asked that question just to know if she was dating. She answered, “She doesn’t have a boyfriend. She’s been single for about two years now if I’m not mistaken.” I said in my head, “Perfect. She’s available.”

My proposal to Barbara had been pending for four months now. We haven’t spoken about it lately. She said she enjoys who we are and wish things will forever remain the same. I asked, ”How do you mean?” She said, “I love the vibe between us. The connection. How we laugh in each other’s presence. I don’t want anything to spoil this for us.” Maybe she thinks saying yes to me will turn things around. I didn’t say anything because I was thinking about her senior sister.

Just three days ago Barbara called. She wants us to talk. I asked what the talk was about and she said, “You’ll know when we meet.” I feel like she’s going to talk about the proposal. I feel like she’s now ready to say yes to me but I’m now out of love with her. I think about her senior sister more. I talk more with her now than I do with Barbara. We’ve gone to different places together and each time she was the life of the party. I want to make a move on her and see how it goes but when I discussed the dilemma with my friend, he drew my attention to something I’ve never thought of. He said, “What if Barbara is using her sister to test your love for her? What if you lose both of them while trying to play smart? Think about it because it’s very likely.”

Now I’m conflicted. I don’t know what to do. I’ve been thinking a lot. The way I see her senior sister, I don’t think she would stoop for a test this low but in love and in life, everything is possible. I’m here to ask the same question I’ve been asking myself each day. “Is it possible for the two sisters to conduct such a prank on me? I believe such things happen in movies and not in real life. Do you think It’s possible? Kindly advise me before I commit such a grievous mistake with my dating life.  

–Evans

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