The Rebirth

EPISODE 3 The confusion.

"You look very different and I almost could not recognize you.", Tonelo said to Agnes who was seated cross legged on his bed.

"What do you mean by different?" she anxiously asked. He moved his eyes on her body, analyzing every inch of it.

"you look so changed, everything about you now looks incredible. "he complimented her.

"Well,well, Bomboy,I actually love the fact that you grew a beard." she followed, instead he simply replied:

"This is one of the perks of being an adult!" Agnes smiled and nodded.

"Only God knows how patiently I have waited for this day!" she said flirtatiously. Tonelo could have sworn he saw a seductive spark in her eyes as she spoke but remained indifferent and decided to change the topic.

"Ags how have you been? please tell me about America!" he told her cheerfully.

"I have been good, nothing special about America, just studies and I made few white friends." she answered. Tonelo asked again.

"What about your career?" Agnes was a bit irritated.

"you should know, I have been a doctor for two years now".

"Wow I am so proud of you". He said, impressed by the woman’s accomplishments.

Agnes reluctantly replied: "Thanks!" Although she was interested in catching up with her childhood friend, the subject about her work was not on the priorities list. "Can we change the topic? I want us to talk about other important things." Tonelo was puzzled about the sudden change of attitude.

"Other things like what?"

"We should talk about our life together, our marriage, our......", she stuttered as she did not know how to address the matter, but after a couple of seconds she finally added: "Our Love, baby". It was at this point when Tonelo realized that something was wrong. several thoughts instantly popped out in his mind. Did she just mentioned love and marriage? did she just called him baby? it was the first time in fifteen years since he saw her, so from where or whom did she get her hopes up along with the information about his whereabouts? His eyes widened in shock as he scrutinized her for a while, but the only question coming out of his mouth was:

"what are you talking about?"

"Stop playing dumb! Look, as soon as Mrs. Lawson called to tell me that you already came back from your service and that you have been dying to see and propose to me, I had to take the next available flight down here!" she snapped.

Alas, he finally knew that his mother was responsible for the confusion. His eyes turned red, his heart burned out of rage and a sudden urge pulsed inside him as he was on the point to scream at Agnes but he restrained his feelings, considering the fact that it was not her fault, the poor girl was lied to by his manipulative mother.

His whole body weakened as he didn’t know how to handle the situation. He was so furious at his mother and yet he still wanted to protect her image, Mrs Lawson was his mother after all. Not that he has ever fallen in love before, but he kind of knew what it felt like because his friends always lectured him, plus he read a book or two about it. He certainly knew he felt nothing of that sort for Agnes, his heart didn’t beat for the woman standing in front of him and his world did not move in slow motion like he always imagined it would be.

Agnes frowned her eyebrows while her gaze was locked on Tonelo. A blind man could have seen the refusal in his eyes as well as a deaf man could’ve heard how his heart’s rhythm intensified at hearing of the news. She has never felt so disappointed and embarrassed in her life like she did now. In America, people who were mightier and much more regarded than Tonelo treated her like a queen and men would drop on their knees to even have a chance of speaking with the beautiful ebony woman. Agnes felt a knife shoved right through her heart due to the man’s indifference for her love, therefore she rushed out of the room, without even glancing at Tonelo who was rattled by her sudden burst.