Emeka holds her right hand as she walks pass him to the ladies’ room. This stops Amara in her tracks. She looks at Emeka’s hand griping hers from the wrist. QUICKLY, she pulls her hand FORCEFULLY out of his grip, and continues in her tracks. Emeka goes after her.
Uche pushes his chair backwards, and stands up. A classic romantic tune is being played at the background by a special band he’d probably paid for. Chioma looks FLUSTERED as Uche draws closer to her, with pride and confidence. Uche goes down on his right knee. He reaches into his left trouser pocket and reveals a small hard purple box.
Couples around are staring at Chioma and Uche in excitement. Uche flips the small box open with his left hand, while he holds the box FIRM with his right hand. A GLITTERING diamond ring is revealed. An unanimous ‘wow’ can be distinctly heard from the crowd of Couples and Waitresses. Uche signals the band to stop playing. The room is now completely quiet. Everyone is anxious.
UCHE
We’ve been dating for eleven months now, but it seems like I’ve known you all my life. You’ve made the last eleven months of my life the best moments of my existence. You are a bundle of joy to me, and I don’t want any man to steal this joy from me.
UCHE (CONT’D)
Will you marry me, Chioma Victoria
Okafor?
Uche had just proposed in as romantic a manner as any woman could have wished for. Chioma stares at the ring a little too long, and not with a smile, but a face dressed in worry.
JUMP CUT TO:
INT. ROOM 7, WING C, ST. NICHOLAS HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS
Femi is seated on the visitor’s chair, legs SPREAD apart, back bent over, and elbows rested on laps.
CHIOMA
The ring was perfect and the words he said were heavenly, but they didn’t count because I wasn’t in love with him. And that made me not ready to give him my all.
DISSOLVE TO: