Faithfully, Yours

THE APPROVAL

That whole night Patty couldn't take her mind of the surprise Joel had given her. The only thing that she didn't like in the whole plan was the fact that he ghosted her. She consoled herself with the surprise and made it slide and allowed sleep to get  hold of her. The next day was a happy one since it was a no working day for Patty. Her mum kinda knew her boss so she just gave him an excuse which Patty herself didn't know about but that was nothing to worry about since it was to make her happy. She didn't drag it any further as she would have.  Talking about her Dad's view on the relationship, Patty already knew her Dad wouldn't freak out because he trusted her and her choices. Her Dad already grew fond of Joel for the fact that he came all the way from Kumasi to him in person just to let him know that he was going out with his daughter. A lot of people normally hide their relationships from their parents and Patty's parent never wanted their daughter to hide anything from them and she didn't . She always told them everything even when she wasn't sure of how her Dad or Mum would react. Even though Joel stayed in Kumasi he knew a lot of places in Accra since he visited there a lot. He was very adventurous. Patty's mum wanted them to hangout since it's been a while since they did. Blessed was around and Tony could join them so it was really going to be a great day. The weather was kinda hot so they decided to go to the pool side and Tony was to join them at the location. 

"I don't have any swimming costume here so what do I wear to the pool" Blessed asked

"Me neither since it wasn't in my plans but I can wear my shorts in the pool I guess" Joel added with a wink.

"Then I think we should stop by the mall.  I also need new bathing suits" Patty concluded 

Patty's mum was on a leave at work so she was going to be home all week. She permitted them to use her car since she had no plans to go out. They left the house and made a stop to the mall to buy their bathing suits. They picked out their bathing suits  and set out for the pool. Patty couldn't wait to dive into the pool since the weather was hot and she also hadn't been to the pool in a while. She loved the pool but only went to private pools since she hated sharing the pool with a lot of people. She didn't have a problem with being in the pool with a few people she just didn't like the crowd. One reason was a lot of different people feasting their eyes on her body and another reason was sharing the water with too many people. For the private pools, it's being cleaned regularly. And she made this clear to Joel before they chose a location and he was in support too. They got to the location and met Tony already at the parking lot in his mum's car waiting for them.

Patty: I hope you took the car with permission because if you didn't I won't be involved when there is trouble.

Tony: you are soo annoying...I asked mum for it, just wait till I get my car I promise you that your place would be at the backseat.

Blessed: I can't believe that I'm not the main topic. Does it mean that I haven't been missed?

Tony: sorry babe, I really missed you and I'm happy to see you. And you too Joel, thanks for surprising us.

Blessed: I missed you too, all thanks to Joel.

Joel: you guys don't need to thank me. I really love your friend and I'm hoping we get along pretty well.

Tony: oh sure. Welcome to the family....I'm glad I'm no longer the only male. 

Patty: okay so are we here to have fun or just to chat in the parking lot?? Lets get inside I'm burning.

Joel: okay madam, I will just settle the bills and other stuff at the reception so we can go in.

Joel settles all the necessary bills to be payed at the reception and they went to the pool. Luckily for Patty there were only a few people at the pool since it was a week day. There would have been more people had it been the weekend. They had to go to the changing room to change into their bathing suits. Tony and Joel finish within two minutes and went to the pool. They sat on the benches around the pool waiting for Blessed and Patty to show up. Blessed finished and joined the guys but Patty had a problem with her suit so took a little longer. Her bathing suit was a little but smaller since she gained a little weight while at home. She joined them later and both Tony and Joel couldn't take their eyes off Patty.

(BLESSED CLEARS THROAT)

Blessed: I didn't get those stares when I got here or should I go back and walk in.

Patty: now you guys are making me shy.  

Blessed: enough of the silence  and Joel please enough of the stares ok... you can't stare too much.

Joel: I'm sorry if you guys are jealous but it's not my fault. Patty never shows her skin so she showing all this today makes me confuse..I can't think straight right now.

Patty: really... I know I don't like to show too much skin but I do wear short stuff and besides it's the pool. And I always dress this way at the pool side. I love the pool.

Tony: yeah...your mum mentioned that you took swimming classes sometime ago in junior high school when you almost drowned at Sajuna Beach Club.

Patty: I'm not surprised mum told you that and I know she has told you a lot of other past events. She is just fond of you and I get that so no hard feelings.

Joel: I think I would be taking you to the pool often if that's the only time I can see all this sparkling, glowing and expensive skin.

Patty: that's not funny. You know what I'm going for a swim. Blessed are you coming or you just came here to be on your phone.

Blessed: oh sorry what did I miss?? You look smashy in that swim suit babe.

Patty: thanks hun...but it's a little tight. Yours fits well too.

Tony: I think we should order some drinks I'm kinda thirsty and hungry.

Joel: Yh you are right...at this point I need a drink.

Patty: naughty naughty...anyways I want anything but my khebabs are a must...for the drinks anything soft is fine.

Patty dived into the pool and the rest joined her later. Joel couldn't stop looking at her all the time and that made her uncomfortable at a certain point which he realized so he decided to act cool. Patty wasn't the type of person to always show some skin. I mean, she wears revealing clothes but she always had her limits. Her body was for her future husband and not the whole world she believed. They had a lot of fun and didn't even notice it was late and they had to return.  Tony left in his mum's car and Joel was to drive  Patty and Blessed back home. They got home and took their showers. Later that night Joel joined Patty and Blessed and they talked about a few topics, both relevant and irrelevant.

Joel and Blessed were to leave the next day and Patty was to resume work too and this made them sad but school was to resume in about a month so they consoled each other with that. Blessed excused herself to be in Joel's room leaving the love birds to have sometime to themselves.

Joel: I'm glad that my plans to surprise you worked. I can't wait for school to resume so I can see you everyday.

Patty: me too. And thanks for everything. I wish you could actually stay a little longer.

Joel: yh me too but you know that's not possible. I think we should watch a movie as usual. I pray Blessed  sleeps in my room today.

Patty: you wish... I don't have any new movies on my laptop but there is this nice movie on Netflix I think we should watch that..it's very.....

Patty couldn't complete her sentence as Joel took control of her lips. He kissed her until they were both out of breath. Joel respected Patty and never crossed her boundaries and this made Patty love him more. He later retired to his room and Blessed joined Patty. They both slept like babies since they were both tired from their little  outing. Patty had to report to work the following day  while Joel and Blessed had to catch their flight back home. Since their journey back home was just 30 to 45 minutes, they decided to travel later in the day since Patty had work in the morning and would close at five in the evening. Joel and Blessed then decided to leave at 7pm since their flight was at 10pm in the evening. 

Later in the evening, after Patty had returned from work and rested for about an hour they had to leave. Tony was to join them at the airport so they all had to pick an Uber. Patty's parent couldn't go with them since they insisted that they could go on their own.

Joel: Mummy and Daddy thanks soo much for having us stay over.

Patty's mum: don't mention you are always welcomed to our home.

Patty's Dad: Just take care of yourselves and learn hard. Also know your boundaries around my daughter.

Patty: Daddy...you don't have to....we do know our boundaries.....okay we have to leave now.

Blessed: I'm glad that I could meet you mum and Dad.

Patty's Mum: we are too... okay your Uber is outside so you guys should run along so you catch your flight in time. Bye.

Joel and Blessed: Bye.

They left and Tony met them at the airport. Even though they were sad, they had the assurance that they would see each other everyday when school resumes. Patty thanked Joel and Blessed for their surprise. They gave each other long hugs before departing to board the plane. Tony and Patty had a few drinks at the restaurant section before going back to their various homes. Later that night the four of them had a conference call after Blessed and Joel had arrived safely. They were all happy especially Patty and Joel because their parents had approved of their relationship and even though Joel's parent hadn't met Patty in person yet they knew about their relationship and liked her.