Boma (Bride): We met at Nsit Attai camp in Akwa Ibom State, July 2012. It was a sunny day in NYSC camp. One could smell the sweat interspersed with anxiety emanating from the stampede of fresh Corp members. I was stressed out and nervous; being posted to a foreign state, and having to go through the rigours of camp clearance. I ran into my sister’s friend, Nnamdi, from back in my Uniport days. Nnamdi suggested we go and beg an NYSC official to assist us with speeding up our clearance process. I agreed. There, I met Lanre (groom). Little did I know I was going to meet my future husband for assistance. Lanre was nice and very helpful. Later that evening, I was returning from fixing my khaki outfit at Mami market when I bumped into Lanre again. He looked so tall and handsome. His height was a winner (giggles), but you know nau, I had no time for that. I was still trying to adjust to the system so no time for “man wahala”. Lanre said hello and invited me to have dinner with him at Mami. I told him I had to rush back to the hostel but I would return to join him. But for where? I was just putting him on serious cruise. I got back to my hostel, prepared for bed, and dozed off (laughs).
Lanre (Groom): (laughs) Don’t mind her, she was feeling the boy.
Boma: (chuckles) Oh puleeeeese! Well as I was saying, I was in my room when Efe came. Efe is my sister’s friend who was also posted to Akwa Ibom State. Efe asked who the hunk was that she had spotted me with earlier. I gave her the whole gist. She then teased me and told me to be wise and not dull. “He would help you with posting”, she said. “And also freebies from Mami. Free meals etc”, Efe giggled.
Lanre: You see? She tried to use me but God arrested her ( laughs).
Boma: I wasn’t into the freebies part, but the word “posting” rang in my ears. Mehhn that posting was important oh. I jumped up, dressed up and rushed down to Mami to meet him. We talked and talked for hours. There I learnt he was also a corper serving under NYSC. We became close friends. I discovered this sweet, loving, and caring soul, encompassed in this handsome tall dude.
Lanre: Yeah, and I discovered this terrrific, pretty hot chic with a huge pure heart. We indeed became good friends. And we started hanging out a lot. She would come to my office and we would talk and talk for hours (smiles).
Boma: Don’t mind this man, he didn’t try. My posting plan backfired because he tried but it didn’t work. I didn’t get posted to where I desired, but I didn’t feel entire loss; I had gained a best friend.
Lanre: Yeah, she wanted to chop and run but she got hooked on me for life (laughs).
HOW HE PROPOSED
Lanre: There I was with this Boma, totally immersed in my love for her. She had become my everything. I just couldn’t see myself spending the rest of my life without her. I wanted to propose, but I needed it to mean something. I wanted it to be special to her… In a place she loved. So I flew her out to Lagos; took her to lunch at her favourite Chinese restaurant, and then we went home and changed up and set out to the beach. Boma loves the beach.
All the while I was sooooo nervous. I don’t know why exactly. I guess it was the anxiety attack of: What if she says no? What if she isn’t surprised? What if she doesn’t like the surprise? These were my thoughts. Earlier, I had informed our friends of the plan to do a surprise proposal on the beach. Boma and I did the beach-car ride and then started taking pictures. As we were taking pictures, my friends ran out with placards, screaming. On the placards read ” BOMA, WILL YOU MARRY ME?” Boma turned back in shock.
And before she could turn back to ask me what was going on, I was on one knee with a ring in my hand. I looked her in the eyes and asked, “Boma, you are the love of my life. With you, life is easy and fun. I want you to make the rest our lives fun.
I thank God everyday for bringing you into my life. Please Boma, will you marry me. Please make my dreams come through and say yes.” Suddenly, what I saw in Boma’s eyes were indescribable. I knew at that moment for sure that my world was okay. With a huge grin, Boma said, yes. Our friends were all around us whistling, cheering and jeering.
