GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL: WEDDING BELLS RINGING

CHAPTER TEN (PART THREE)
THE GRADUATION
..The next day was Friday, and to Bisi's greatest surprise, Abayomi showed up at their house to ask her out. She knew he was certainly going to do this, but never expected it to be so soon. She however agreed considering the cordial relationship they had had for years. It was 7 pm at Kunle and Bisi's apartment on Cleveland Street. The evening was warm, but windy. Bisi had just finished doing the dishes and was about to sit down on the cream-colored leather sofa when she heard the door bell. It was Abayomi.
       "Hey, it's you. Come in" She said as she opened the door.
       "How are you? You decided to come pay us a visit today?"
       "Yes. I am very well. Everything is great. How are you?"
       "I'm good. Just finished doing the dishes. Your friend is in his room studying. Let me go and call him" Bisi said as she attempted walking toward the hallway.
       "Um, Bisi...that won't be necessary. It's you I actually came to see"
      "Oh, okay. Hope all is well?" Bisi asked pretensiously as if she didn't suspect the reason behind his wanting to see her.
     "Actually, I was wondering if we can go some place and talk. Just the two of us. There is something I'd like to tell you. I hope this is a good time?" Abayomi asked a little nervous.
    "I was just about to watch a documentary by BBC, but I think I can spare an hour or two. You know I can't tun you down" Bisi said with a smile, relieving Abayomi's nervousness.
    "I really appreciate that" he said as he sat down.
    "You look beautiful" he added. Bisi blushed and paused for a while as she turned to look at Abayomi, who at this point was wondering if he shouldn't have said that.
   "Thank you!" Bisi said with a short giggle, as he looked Abayomi in his eye. There was a certain knowing to the look they exchanged in that brief moment. It was if they both know where this is going.
  "Well, I have to go and freshen up and change into something else. Five minutes would do" she said as she went into her room. Five minutes later, she appeared, looking resplendent in a red silk sleeveless gown.
    "Can we get going now?" she said to Abayomi who was so captivated by her beauty that he stood staring, dumbfounded for a few seconds.   
  "Sure!" he said short of words. "Kunle we are leaving. Please lock the door" Bisi called out to Kunle.
  "Alright! You two have fun!" came the response from the hallway. They both drove off in Abayomi's Lexus jeep to Terra restraunt at 53 Cleveland street. Few minutes after they arrived and got a table, and chatted for a while, Abayomi decided to make his intentions known to Bisi.
  "You see Bisi, I think you are the most beautiful creature I've ever seen on two legs" He started off with a broad smile.
  "Oh please. Don't flatter me" she replied with a smile revealing her perfect dental structure with an opening in the middle. She looked more beautiful with her smiles, that leave her cheeks dimpled.
  "Nooo! It's no flattery. I mean every word of what I just said" Abayomi said expressing his honesty.
  "Thank you then" Bisi said as she reached for the glass of Pink Lady on the table, took a slow sip and then placed it back on the table covered in white linen fabric.
  "Honestly, you possess all the qualities a man would desire in a woman. I mean any man would be proud to have you as a wife" he continued as he stared into her glowing eyes, holding her hands.
   "I love you Bisi! Please marry me!" Abayomi said letting out the inner content of his heart, as he brought out a shiny black gold-plated case containing a diamond ring.
  "Marry you? I don't think I am ready for marriage now!" Bisi said but in a low voice.
  "Please Bisi, don't say no. You mean so much to me right now. I know we haven't dated and I am sorry I never mentioned this all along, I just thought this would be the right time. Please marry me and I will make you feel loved, like a real woman" Abayomi pleaded kneeling.
  "Well, Abayomi I have always admired your character. I mean your discipline, intelligence and moral chastity. The thing is, I just think this is moving too fast. But, like you said, may be this is the right time. I know I still need to know you better if we are going to be together. But I guess, having being friends all our lives, there isn't much left to know about you. So yes, I'll marry you!" Bisi replied with a radiant smile.
   "Oh thank you!" Abayomi said as he gently slid the ring down her finger. They both embraced each other and kissed briefly, before leaving the restraunt hand in hand.
    Abayomi called his parents that night and informed them of his newly found love. They were very happy with him and congratulated him for making a right choice. Bisi also informed her parents of the engagement. They two were in support of the union. It was if their marriage was God-ordained. The three decided to travel home the next weekend to see their parents after so many years, and to fix a date for the upcoming wedding. Everything was really moving fast. They bought their flight ticket, went shopping, and packed all that the journey would require. They were to leave Britain on a morning flight and so decided to make all preparations ahead of time.