MY VALENTINE ORDEAL

Written by Royal David Igbinedion


So with the so much hype and vibes about valentine for the past days it makes it almost impossible for the seemingly lonely singles to breathe. There's either a big shop deal or company offers for the Valentine, or your social media followers updating their space with pictures of romantic dinner, beautiful gifts, and also a happy marriage proposal scene. But hmmmmmmmmmm who really cares about those who are not so excited about this so called overated valentine's day. They have no beef about St.Valentine or the celebration of love but this day is going to open up wounds, breakheart and some will record painful experiences. Here are some of the ordeal of people from the whole Valentine craze.

NB: Names and stories are fictional

Mr Oluwasugo works in a reputable company and had everything going well for him except his wife who has lost trust and faith in him, but would you blame her? She's been a victim of infidelity. Though Oluwasugo has since repented, apologized and sincerely vowed never to cheat on his wife again, but he still feels deep down that the trust in their relationship has been broken and he'll need to do a lot more to restore it. Valentine's day is 5days away and Sugo as he is called for short, has made plans to spoil madam, but then a mail dropped and he's expected to travel the next day for a 3days Business Development meeting. "Nothing spoil, I'll be back by Saturday" he thought. On Friday which was supposed to be the last day of the meeting, they were informed that the senior regional manager was on his way and the meeting was rescheduled to be completed on Saturday. Sugo kept calling his wife to keep her abreast of the current situation. Just as expected the Saturday meeting was delayed and Sugo's boss insisted that he stayed back for one night before leaving the next day, since he wasn't flying with the rest of them and it was late already to drive back to Akure. Sugo obliged but regretted not accepting to fly with his colleagues rather than collecting the money, he had thought all would go according to his plans. He could barely sleep throughout the night and at the first break of light he was set for his journey. Unfortunately for him, everything that could possibly go wrong on a journey went wrong. From traffic delay, to armed robbery news delay, to faulty vehicle but then he was able to get a valentine cake on his way home. By 8:15pm he was home and his wife was already in her pyjamas looking like one with no expectations. He presented the cake to her and said "Happy Val Love" she said a silent thank you, dropped it on the dinning table and walked way. Sugo followed her from behind and said "honey get dressed, let's stroll out" she gave him a sarcastic look and said "at this time? I'm  no one's second best" Mr Oluwasugo died standing for the next seven minutes then stormed into the bathroom murmuring "after all I went through, all for what; Valentine mtscheewwwww."


Sabrina is a charismatic simple young lady in her early 30s, easy going and fun to be with. She's got lot of friends especially guys but no special man to call her own. She secretly admired some of her male friends but had a strong crush on one; Josh. They grew so close, closer than normal with a few kisses here and there and they found themselves dating without Josh formally asking her out. They both gave their own share of commitment to the new relationship and for the first time in her life she's looking forward to Valentine's day with so much excitement. It's February 10th and Josh has been a bit cold, he doesn't call as usual and when she calls, he's either sounding too tired or upset. Sabrina began to panic because she has heard of sudden breakup before Valentine but then she was not about to lose her man, so she avoided any form of quarrel or misunderstanding. While they were together on Friday evening Josh received an emergency call about his mum's health and so he'll be traveling home the next day but then he promised Sabrina that he'll make it back just in time on Sunday. After Sunday service at about 2pm, there was a knock on her door and some stranger presented a valentine pack to her, containing chocolates, cup cakes, a bottle of wine, a teddy and a hand written note "I love you Sabrina from Josh" awwwwwwww, how romantic she thought. She kept waiting for Josh and about 6:58pm Josh called and told her he's few minutes away and that she should get ready. Josh came and they were out, from the movies to a romantic candle lit dinner, they had so much fun and returned a bit late feeling all lovey dovey. They kissed so passionately and it was getting a bit too deep, Sabrina tried to resist but Josh was not about to let go, Sabrina gave in to his fondling and then you know the rest of the story. They woke up cuddling in each others arm on Monday morning with lots of smiles, wondering how short the night was but then they both had to get ready for work.
At the office, all the ladies were chattering about their valentine groove, gifts and all, Sabrina walked in confidently, this time she has something to say and not just listening like before. She also shared her experience but then one of her colleague Uju told them of how her bestie had the most exciting valentine because she got a ring too amongst other things. Everyone reached out for Uju's phone to see the pics on instagram, and they were all impressed. Sabrina finally got a hold of the phone and she exclaimed "oh no" she dropped the phone and walked to her desk. It was Josh the same guy she gave her 33years of virginity to the night before. How would she remember this day.


To some this might be a fable but few days ago on Valentine's day, some ugly past would be remembered, some immoral acts will happen, a girl will lose her value and dignity, an innocent husband would be mistrusted and misunderstood. A wife will doubt her husband and a naive girl would feel unloved just because her man didn't save enough money to buy her a gift or take her out. Love is beyond a day and should be celebrated everyday. If you are lonely at the moment do not panic love would find you, don't be depressed because other people are happy, make yourself happy and when you least expect love would find you. If your man couldnt get you anything on that day don't feel bad, after all he's been doing a lot on other days like paying for your hair, subscriptions and phone bills etc. Don't always be the one expecting and receiving also become the giver. Sometimes the greater the expectations the greater the disappointment. True love is the satisfaction you get in helping a stranger without expecting anything in return, the feeling of content and sharing. The act of doing good even to people you don't know. No one can give what they don't have, you must first love yourself to be able to love others. Only the love of God in you can truly make you a good lover of men and the best partner for your spouse. 1Cor 13:4-8(NIV)