PLEASE STAY

Victoria has been worried and sad ever since Blessing made it compulsory that she honor her promise and leave the house. There was no one to help change Blessing's mind to let Victoria stay and those who Victoria thought could help her couldn't. Because of that Victoria became someone who spent most of her time thinking and regretting why she made such a promise that has now cost her her home, and the fact that she has nowhere to go.

It wasn't long before Blessing's grandpa woke up from the coma and it was only Blessing's mother and grandmother that was present in the hospital when the grandpa woke up and they were both very happy to see the grandpa awake. Upon waking up from the coma, Blessing's grandpa asked for Blessing and Victoria and he was told they were fine but were just not in the hospital. Blessing's grandpa demanded the presence of the Blessing and Victoria as soon as possible.

Blessing's mother was able to get in touch with Victoria but not Blessing and Victoria came to the hospital gladly and was very happy that the grandpa was awake from the coma. Victoria hugged the grandpa happily upon seeing the grandpa awake on the bed and the grandpa hugged her back. The grandpa told Blessing's mother and the grandma to excuse him and Victoria that he would like to speak with Victoria privately.

Blessing's mother and grandma wondered what the grandpa would want to talk to Victoria about that he had to tell them to excuse him and Victoria. After Blessing's mother and grandmother left the room, the grandpa said to Victoria "I know you might be wondering why I demanded time alone with you. Don't be scared there is nothing to worry about. I just want you to make me a promise".

"A promise?" asked Victoria confused and surprised.

"Yeah. The very first day Blessing brought you to the house I knew you were bound to him. I mean you were the first person he ever brought home. I knew you were made for each other. Destiny brought you both to each other and I believe you have an important role to play in Blessing's life. You were able to bring back his smile and you are gradually changing him in a way he and you might not know. Am so grateful for everything you have done for Blessing and things you will do for him" said the grandpa.

"You don't need to thank me. Your family showed me love no one has ever shown me. You accepted me like I was a true member of your family when I was rejected. I indeed made it my mission to change Blessing to his old self but I don't think I can anymore. I think it is high time I back out. I am sorry that I have to back out, grandpa " said Victoria sadly, knowing she had to leave the house now that the grandpa was awake.

"Am not going to ask you why you want to back out but am going to say this to you. Blessing is yours just like you are his and your lives are bound together. You might not know now but Blessing needs you in his journey in life and you need him. And here is the promise I want you to make to me" said the grandpa.

Blessing arrived at the hospital and saw his mother and grandma waiting outside the ward his grandpa was in and that made him worried thinking of something else. Upon getting to his mother and grandmother, Blessing asked why they were outside and they told him that his grandpa was awake and demanded alone time with Victoria. Blessing was extremely happy that his grandpa was out of the coma but wondered why his grandpa wanted to see Victoria alone. Blessing smiled to himself while thinking that Victoria must have talked to his grandpa about her promise and told his grandpa to help her beg him but he wasn't ready to listen to everyone.

After waiting more minutes still not heard from the grandpa or Victoria, Blessing entered the ward leaving his mother and grandmother even though they told him not to. Upon getting into the ward, Blessing saw his grandpa and Victoria holding hands and both of them looking unhappy. Blessing moved closer to both his grandpa and Victoria wondering why they were in that state and that made them notice his presence. Immediately Victoria saw Blessing, she let go of the grandpa's hands and left the ward without saying any word to Blessing while Blessing wondered what was going on. 

Immediately after Victoria left the ward, Blessing's grandpa told Blessing to move closer to him and that he needed to talk to him and Blessing did smiling because he was glad that his grandpa was awake.

Blessing's mother and Blessing's grandma saw Victoria walk out of the ward looking sad and they tried to talk to her but she said nothing and just left hurriedly making them wonder what happened between Victoria and the grandpa. Blessing's mother and grandmother were still waiting impatiently for the grandpa to call them back in when they suddenly heard Blessing scream sorrowfully from inside the ward and that made them hurriedly walk inside the word.

Upon getting inside the ward, Blessing's mother and grandmother saw Blessing on his knees closer 

to the bed holding his grandpa's hands and crying bitterly. Seeing Blessing made them look carefully at the grandpa on the bed as they moved closer to the bed to realize the grandpa was dead, and then they began to cry.

When Victoria left the ward, she was able to reach outside of the hospital looking so sad before she fell to her knees and began to cry bitterly and people around tried to console her.

While the preparation of the grandpa's burial funeral was in preparation, Blessing's whereabouts were unknown to everyone. Blessing had left home ever since he left the hospital the day his grandpa died and had never shown up once in the house. Blessing's mother and grandmother were worried about his whereabouts and wanted him to show up because they didn't want him to miss his grandfather's burial funeral but had no idea where to look for him.

Blessing's mother and grandmother wanted to ask if Victoria knew of Blessing's whereabouts or if she could help them find Blessing but couldn't because Victoria hardly stayed home and when she was home no one saw her. Victoria always locked herself in her room and that made Blessing's mother and grandmother think it was because of the grandpa's death is why she decided to be alone and not talk to anyone since she would be so heartbroken.

Victoria could have looked for Blessing if she hadn't promised to leave but instead, she decided to spend time alone with herself to find a way to work out things in her head and how to honor the promise she made to the grandpa before he died. Victoria also thought about everything the grandpa told her before his death.

On the funeral day, everyone was present in the church except for Blessing whose whereabouts were still unknown. Victoria also sat alone from the family as she stared at the grandpa's dead body inside the casket. During the church service and after the church service still no one saw Blessing and then proceeded to the cemetery.

Victoria stood alone watching the casket being put into the grave as Blessing's mother, Blessing's grandmother, some family members, and other people cried. Victoria didn't do anything other than stare at the casket as she thought about the memorable times she had with the late grandpa. Victoria was in her thoughts when Blessing's voice brought her back to reality hearing him say to her "am sure you are gonna miss him".

Victoria looked to her side and saw Blessing standing next to her staring at the casket inside the grave. Victoria faced the front and said to Blessing "I thought you were never going to show up".

"I wouldn't miss my grandpa's funeral for any reason" said Blessing.

Victoria sighed and said "and just so to answer you. I won't be the only one missing him. We are all gonna miss him. He was both a father and grandfather to me and you".

"Yeah. He was a kind, jovial, lovely, and great man. He has every quality a man needs to have which I would never have" said Blessing.

"Yeah, he is way different from you. You can never live up to him and that is because you are both different. He might be your grandpa but you can never be him so be yourself. I think people who love to see that than you trying to live up to him" said Victoria.

Hearing that, Blessing looked at Victoria whose eyes were fixed on the grandpa's grave knowing why she said that. Blessing said "I don't know why....".

Blessing was cut short of words as Victoria cut in saying to him "try to be a good son and grandson today and join your family. I think you should go say your last goodbye before it is too late", and then left.

Blessing watched Victoria leave even though he wanted to stop her but decided not to. After Victoria was out of his sight, Blessing went to his grandmother and mother.

NIGHT 

Victoria sat down alone on the rooftop of the abandoned building looking at the city. Victoria had become fond of the rooftop ever since her separation from Blessing to be her comfort zone where she can be alone happily away from her worries since Blessing does not ever show up.

Victoria was smiling at the scenes that were happening in the city forgetting her sorrow and worries when he heard someone say to her from behind "so there is where you are while I have been looking all over the place for you".

Victoria recognized the voice to be that of Blessing and said to him "am sure you are here to tell me that it is time I honor my promise since the death of grandpa doesn't change anything. It is the same as him living", without looking at him.

Blessing didn't give any response to Victoria and walked toward her. Upon getting to her, Blessing sat down beside Victoria and looked at the city saying to her "the city never fails me. It is just like I left it".

"Yeah. The city doesn't abandon its own but only changes for the betterment of its own. You mind telling me why you are here and stopped trying to make the conversation long" said Victoria.

"Am sorry, Victoria. Am sorry for everything I have done. I wish I had treated you better but this is just who I am" said Blessing.

"I don't blame you for anything. Have just been asking myself why you? Out of all the billions of people in the world, why must it be you who walked then and helped me? Why must it be you who heard my cry and pain? Why was it you that has to become that person I can't get out of my mind and heart? Why do I care about you so much? Why was my fate bound to yours?" said Victoria.

"I guess we have both been asking ourselves those questions. I have also asked myself. Why does it have to be you? Why do I have to feel this way when it comes to you? Why couldn't I mind my business when I saw you? Why was my heart drawn to you, your suffering, and your pain? I am someone who doesn't care about others or pity anyone. Why do I have to pity you? Why do you have to be the girl I save that wants to change me? Why can't I stop feeling the way I feel about you?" said Blessing, and looked at Victoria to see she was also looking at him.

"If you could ask yourself those questions I guess you had a conversation with grandpa. I hope you will find answers to your questions because I am still trying to find answers to mine" said Victoria, and stood up to leave.

Victoria had only taken a few steps away from Blessing when she heard Blessing who was now standing facing her say to her "don't leave, Victoria", making her stop.

"I think I found answers thanks to grandpa and the answer is you. Am only feeling this way because it is you. As much as I try to deny it. I... I really need you in my life" said Blessing.

"Well, it is too late, Blessing. I found answers to my questions also. It is because you are just someone I have to pass by to gain experience in life. I am leaving for good" said Victoria.

"No, don't do this, Victoria. I know I have hurt you in many ways and I am sorry for that. Grandpa made me promise to never let you go and hold on tight to you and he made me realize why it has to be you. Please don't leave me, Victoria. You promise to stick with me forever" said Blessing.

Victoria faced Blessing and asked out loud "if grandpa hadn't told you that would you have wanted me to stay?".

There was no response from Blessing after hearing Victoria ask that and Victoria said "I thought as much. You never wanted me to be close to you from the start. You always wanted me far away from you and now I get to give you that pleasure and happiness of that and you don't want me to leave? How do you want me to believe that?".

"Yeah, I have always wanted you to stay away from me but not anymore. I thought about all those times we were together. I thought about the way you make me feel. You were the third person who has ever loved me for who I am ever since I got my scar. I pushed you away because I couldn't overcome my pain and my shame. I didn't want them to affect you but you never cared about that and decided to stay with me and be close to me. You never care about what others say about me or what they say to you because of me because you love and care for me. You were the one that first made me smile in a long time. You showed me what it was like to have fun and how it feels. You showed me how to live and how it felt to live. You brought back my mother to me and the promise you made was because of my mother. Please don't leave, Victoria, or else my pain and shame will haunt me forever" said Blessing unhappily.

"If I was that kind of person to you then why did you insist I leave? I beg you. Your mum begged you but you insisted that I leave that is to show you never needed me or cared about me until grandpa told you otherwise. I don't need you anymore or want to have anything to you" said Victoria bluntly.

"I only did that because I thought we were playing a game and I was determined to win. It was a game of you wanting me to change and me not wanting to change who I have become. I only wanted to win that is why I want you gone but not anymore. I wasn't able to realize who you are to me until now and I am sorry for that. Please don't leave, Victoria. You are my happiness and I want you and need you" pleaded Blessing.

"I am nothing to you and that is what I have always been. How do you want me to suddenly believe you now that you are claiming I mean something to you when I haven't been ever since we met? How do I know you are not just trying to play with my heart and continue the game you thought we were playing? I tried every possible way to make you want me but you never did and wanted me to stay away from you. I…. I am grateful for everything you have done for me and I will always be but it has come to an end. Let me go, Blessing. It is not you now wanting me to leave, it is me wanting to leave and I don't think there is nothing you can say to stop me" said Victoria, and turned to leave.

"How can you promise to spend an eternity with me and leave now?" shouted Blessing, and that made Victoria stop.

"You said I would be forever stuck with you and here you are leaving me. You are breaking the promise you made to me" said out loud Blessing.

Blessing fell to his knees and said "Look at me, Victoria".

Victoria looked at Blessing and saw him on his knees. Blessing said "am begging, Victoria. Am deeply and seriously begging you, Victoria. Please don't leave. I need you in my life. I want you with everything and I have decided to give my whole life to you. I promise to always listen to and to change. I want to change and I want you to change me. I have decided to listen to you. Please stay with me and let me honor my grandpa's last wish".

Victoria moved closer to Blessing and said looking into Blessing's eyes "I am leaving. How do I know you are not lying? I don't trust you anymore and I no longer care for you".

"You do. I know you do. I know I messed up. Please forgive me and I will make up for it. I realize I want you and care for you. Please don't leave me. Please stay with me. If you leave I will forever be like this with no one to be close to me and no one will want to change me. If you leave I will never be able to get an answer to whatever is it I always felt when it comes to you" said Blessing looking pitiful.

Victoria suddenly burst into laughter and Blessing wondered why she did and then Victoria (laughing) said to him "I was just pulling your legs".

Blessing was confused about Victoria's reaction and why she was laughing. Victoria (laughing) said to Blessing "I was just pulling your legs about leaving. I told you that you are stuck with me till eternity until you change and you think I was going to leave? I didn't know I was good at acting".

Blessing was annoyed to hear that Victoria was just joking with him with everything she had said and about her leaving. Blessing. stood up angrily asking Victoria "did you just say you were joking about leaving?".

"Yes, I was. Just like grandpa made you promise him, he also made me promise him never to leave you no matter what and made sure I accomplished my mission. Thanks to my acting I was able to realize you need me just as much as I need you. You care for me and love me. So glad to hear all those things from you" said Victoria smiling.

"Holy God" said Blessing angrily, and said to Victoria "stay away from me and don't bother coming home or I will kill you", and then began to leave.

As Blessing walked away from her, Victoria said with a smile to him "I wish I could. Your secrets are already leaked to me and you are stuck with me forever. You can no longer win against me and I am already the winner. I will always love you and be with you forever".

After Blessing left, Victoria looked at the sky raising his hands, and said out loud with a smile happily "I did. He is forever mine".