CALLED BEFORE US
Episode 16 — Safe in Your Arms
Hiiii babies!!!! Don’t play this song yet till you get to the next part of the story. Play it while reading and….. whoshhhhh… I have no words 🥹🥹
“Tammy, please tell me this call is not about work.”
Tammy pressed her lips together to stop herself from smiling too loudly.
“It’s about your birthday shoot.”
Then a sigh. “I don’t wanna take any pictures joor. You know I’m not a fan”
Tammy laughed. “Val, i do not care. You must take pictures this year. You’re turning 30 for crying out loud”
Valerie groaned loudly. “No.”
“Yes.”
“I said no.”
“Your man already booked a photographer and makeup artist oo”
“He what?”
Tammy grinned mischievously even though Valerie couldn’t see her. “I convinced him to. He wanted to do something nice for you. You know how this thing works.”
Valerie muttered something under her breath that sounded like prayer and frustration mixed together.
Tammy softened her voice. “Please, it’s in two days. Just come. It won’t take time. One hour max.”
Valerie hesitated.
Tammy held her breath.
“Fine.”
Tammy almost screamed.
But she composed herself. “I will send the outfit over by evening..”
There was a pause.
“You even got an outfit for me??”
Tammy’s brain worked quickly. “Yes…. Yes… I know you won’t have so much time to make an outfit for yourself so i got you one from Lasosa ”
Valerie laughed. “You are serious oo, this girl.”
“It’s your BIG 30!!!!!.”
“Okay, okay. Send the outfit.”
They hung up the call. The second the call ended, Tammy collapsed backward on her bed and screamed into her pillow.
“It’s happening!”
She grabbed her phone and texted Purity.
SHE AGREED. WE HAVE LESS THAN TWO DAYS!!.
Three dots appeared instantly.
THANK YOU JESUS.
Tammy exhaled deeply and whispered, “God, please let this go well. Please let her heart be soft.”
Inside a modest apartment in Lekki, Valerie sat on the edge of her bed, staring at herself in the mirror, unaware that her life was about to divide into two parts: before this night, and everything after.
Tammy stood behind her like a woman on a mission.
“No, no, no…..Valerie, sit well!” she snapped, adjusting the strap of her dress for the third time.
Valerie groaned. “Tammy, I’m not going to a wedding. It’s just pictures.”
Tammy paused, slowly lifting her head, eyes narrowing like a suspicious mother. “Pictures? Is that what you think this is?”
Valerie turned halfway, confused. “Is it not?”
Tammy folded her arms. “You think I will stress like this for ordinary pictures?”
Valerie blinked. “You always stress like this.”
Tammy opened her mouth… then closed it. “EHHHH!! Agreed, fair point. But today is different.”
Valerie laughed, shaking her head. “You’re dramatic. I’m already tired.”
“You cannot be tired!” Tammy snapped. “You are two weeks away from your birthday, your man is sponsoring this shoot, and you want to dull? Omo, abeg shift.”
Valerie rolled her eyes but smiled softly.
Your man.
Even now, the phrase still did something to her. Here they were again. Stronger. Softer. Intentional. Stull choosing each other.
She looked back at herself in the mirror.
Her dress flowed softly around her—white, elegant, almost bridal without trying too hard. The fabric caught the light in quiet waves. Her makeup was soft but radiant. Her hair fell in controlled curls that framed her face perfectly.
For a moment, she didn’t recognize herself.
“The photographer said 6pm, right?” she asked.
Tammy nodded, distracted, fixing her earrings. “Yes. And don’t ask me again.”
Valerie picked up her phone, checking her chat with Purity for the hundredth time.
No new message from her man.
She smiled faintly.
“Calm down,” Tammy muttered. “You’re acting like a secondary school girl.”
“I’m not,” Valerie said quickly.
Tammy raised one brow. “You’ve checked your phone five times in two minutes.”
Valerie hissed. “Leave me.”
But her heart was already doing that thing.
Purity stood in the middle of a half-decorated rooftop venue overlooking the city skyline.
The ocean breeze carried a faint salt scent into the air. Blue and white. That was the theme.
Soft powder blue drapes flowed from silver frames. White roses lined the aisle. Fairy lights hung like quiet stars above.
He adjusted one of the chairs again even though it was already straight.
Joel walked over, hands in his pockets. “If you touch that chair one more time, I’ll remove you from your own proposal.”
Purity inhaled sharply. “Does it look good?”
Daniel stepped back, scanning the venue. “It looks perfect.”
Purity swallowed. His chest tightened immediately.
Everything was ready. It had taken weeks of planning, Coordination with Tammy, Late-night calls. Careful attention to every detail Valerie had ever mentioned in passing.
Things she liked. Things she had once said she wanted “one day.” He had remembered everything.
His phone buzzed.
Tammy.
He picked immediately.
“Hello?”
“She’s ready,” Tammy said.
His heart skipped. “Is she suspicious?”
Tammy scoffed. “That one? She thinks she’s just going for pictures. Calm down.”
He exhaled slowly.
“Everything is set.” he asked.
Tammy’s voice softened. “ You did well, Purity. Tonight will go well.”
He closed his eyes briefly. “Thank you, Tam Tam.”
The drive to the “studio” was filled with Tammy’s usual chaos.
“Don’t smudge your lipstick!”
“Sit well!”
“Ah ah, Valerie, do you want your pictures to come out ugly?”
Valerie laughed helplessly. “Tammy, please! I’m not even breathing again!”
“Good! Don’t breathe!”
They both burst into laughter.
Halfway through the drive, Tammy’s phone rang.
She put it on speaker.
“Hello?”
“Ah, Tammy, I’m so sorry,” a male voice said. “I’m running late. Can you give me like two hours?.”
Tammy frowned. “What do you mean two hours?”
“I’m stuck in Lagos traffic. I’m had a shoot on the mainland”
Valerie threw her head back dramatically. “Oh my God!”
Tammy hissed. “Mr Chuks!! Why na? We are on our way to your studio already!!”
“I’m so sorry, please!”
“Kaiii… this is so annoying”
“I promise I’ll make it up to you, Tammy. We will give you a 50% refund” he pleaded
Tammy just hissed and ended the call.
Tammy groaned. “Which kain wahala be this na? I’m tired.”
Valerie turned to her slowly. “Relax. We’ll find something to do while we wait”
Tammy sighed. “Like what? This man is so unprofessional.”
Right on cue, Valerie’s phone rang.
Purity.
Valerie’s face softened instantly as she picked.
“Hi, baby.”
His voice came through warm, calm.
“Hey, mama.”
“You’re done with work?” she asked.
“Yeah. You?”
She groaned. “Don’t ask. The photographer is late. Two hours.”
“Ah,” he said softly. “Sorry baby…. That’s Lagos for you.”
She pouted. “I’m already tired. I don’t want to just waste my time waiting for him”
He chuckled.
“Then you guys should eat first,” he said gently.
Tammy immediately nodded aggressively beside her.
“Yes!! Yes!!! I support.” She whispered to Valerie.
Valerie side-eyed her. “Madam… Why are you excited to eat food?” she asked suspiciously.
“Why not? This photographer just annoyed me. Food will make me feel better” Tammy said quickly.
Purity laughed and Valerie rolled her eyes. “Okay, okay.”
“There’s a resturant close to the studio,” he continued. “Tammy drove there. You guys should eat and relax. I’ll join you later.”
Her brows lifted. “You’re coming?”
“Yeah.”
Her heart skipped. “Okayyyyy, baby. Can’t wait to see you.”
Tammy smirked quietly.
Babiessssss…. It’s time to swoon🥹🥹. Don’t play the song yet oo. Hold on a bit… Just a little, teeny, weeny bit.
The restaurant was calm when they arrived. Soft music was playing in the background with dim lighting.
They sat downstairs and ordered food.
Valerie relaxed gradually, laughing at Tammy’s stories, sipping her drink and occasionally checking her phone for Purity’s call.
Then, just as their food was about to arrive, a waiter approached.
“Good evening, ma,” he said politely. “We’re so sorry for the inconvenience, but this section has been booked for a private event starting shortly.”
Tammy frowned. “Ah, but we just ordered.”
“Yes, ma. Your meal will be transferred upstairs. The rooftop is available, and your meal is on us for the inconvenience.”
Valerie blinked. “Free food?”
Tammy immediately stood. “Since free food is involved, we forgive you.”
Valerie laughed. “You and food”
They followed the waiter upstairs.
Immediately they for upstairs, something about the air changed.
Large wooden doors stood before them.
Valerie frowned slightly. “Why is the door closed?”
The waiter smiled. “I’ll open it for you, ma’am.”
Tammy squeezed her hand.
“Oya go first ,” she whispered.
Valerie looked at her.
“What is going on?” she asked softly.
Tammy only smiled. “Just go joor.”
Valerie turned back to the door. Her heart was beating loudly— a strange rhythm. She was confused then she pushed the door open.
The first thing she noticed was the light. It was soft and golden.
Flickering from dozens….no, hundreds of candles encased in glass cylinders, lining a path that stretched ahead of her like something out of a dream.
Then the petals. There were White rose petals everywhere layered so thickly they formed a soft, glowing carpet beneath her feet.
Her breath caught. “Tammy…”
But her voice was already shaking. She stepped forward slowly.
There was a massive heart constructed entirely of white roses, blooming fully, arranged so perfectly it almost didn’t look real.
And in the center there was a glowing sign.
“Will You Marry Me?”
Her hand flew to her mouth.
The screen before her flickered to life.
Valerie froze. Her face appeared on the screen— there were clips of her sleeping while on a video call with Purity, laughing at something funny. A collage of her photos in church, her childhood pictures and even selfies with purity.
Then the words appeared:
“Valerie… if love was a person, it would be you.”
Her hands began to tremble.
Tears filled her eyes and she covered her mouth.
The final slide appeared:
“I choose you.”
Then she heard footsteps and turned slowly.
Purity stepped forward from behind the drapes.
He wore a blue shirt and white trousers. He looked tensed but soooo fine.
His hands were shaking and he exhaled slowly.
“Hi.”
Her tears spilled instantly.
“You…..”
She couldn’t finish.
He stepped closer but kept a respectful distance.
“I know you said you needed time,” he began softly. “And I meant it when I said I would give it to you.”
His voice was steady but thick.
“I learned something.”
She blinked through tears.
“I learned that love is not noise, it’s not possession. It's a choice.”
He swallowed. “I choose you in your healing. I choose you in your silence. I choose you when you pull away. I choose you when you’re afraid.”
Her shoulders began to shake.
“I don’t want a perfect woman,” he continued. “I want you. The one who feels deeply. The one who forgives slowly but forgives fully.”
He stepped closer now.
“You asked for time. I gave you time. Today, I’m not asking you to date me.”
He lowered himself slowly to one knee.
Her breath caught. “Before God and man, knowing that I have been called to do ministry,I’m asking you to build a life and home with me.”
“I want us to train children in the way of God, to serve God and make his kingdom proud. I want to conquer the world for Jesus and win souls to him with you by my side as my partner.”
He opened the ring box.
“Valerie Osereme Osagie… My Hard but Soft Queen, will you marry me?”
The world felt suspended. She stared at him.
Memories flooded her mind—His patience, her fear, his persistence, the way he held her hand in Benin, the way he never mocked her broken places.
“You really chose me,” she whispered.
“Every day,” he replied immediately.
“Jesus…” she whispered.
Purity looked up at her with his eyes full and heart open.
She sobbed loud and deep with ugly tears running down her eyes.
“Yes.” It was barely audible.
He blinked. “Yes?”
She nodded, crying.
“Yes. I will.”
He slid the ring onto her finger then stood up.
“SHE SAID YES!!!!!
He pulled her into his arms and she clung to him like an anchor and home. Applause erupted from behind the curtains.
Tammy ran out crying. Daniel and Joel followed.
Valerie gasped. “You all knew?”
Tammy laughed through tears. “Of course!”
Valerie hugged her tightly. “You wicked girl.”
Tammy whispered in her ear, “You deserve this.”
Purity held Valerie’s face gently.
“No more running.”
She shook her head softly.
“No more fear.”
The sun dipped slightly lower in the sky. Blue and white danced in the wind around them.
And for the first time in a long time, Valerie felt safe in love.
The rooftop had almost emptied. Joel and Daniel were finally stacking chairs. Tammy lingered just long enough to squeeze Valerie one more time before claiming she had an “early morning.”
Soon it was just the staff clearing candles and them.
Valerie sat curled slightly into Purity’s side, her engagement ring catching the soft glow from the fairy lights.
“I don’t want this night to end,” she murmured.
He tilted his head toward her. “It doesn’t have to.”
Okurrrrr…. Now you can play the song🥹🥹🥹🥹. Let me let you enjoyyyyy.
Right on cue, he clicked on his phone and of the remaining speakers crackled softly. Then music filled the air.
It was a Kotrell love song. His voice came smooth and intimate, like he was singing into someone’s ear.
Valerie froze slightly.
“You planned this too?” she asked.
Purity gave her a sheepish half-smile. “Maybe.”
Kotrell’s voice flowed through the quiet terrace, velvet and vulnerable:
“I feel safe here in your arms
There's no judgement for my scars
And my home is where you are
'Cause you choose me as I am…”
Valerie’s chest tightened instantly. She turned slowly to look at him.
“Purity…”
He stood up gently and extended his hand.
“May I have this dance, fiancée?”
Her stomach flipped.
Fiancée.
She placed her hand in his.
He pulled her up slowly, deliberately, like he was aware this moment needed softness.
They moved toward the center of the rooftop, under the arch where the candles were still flickering low.
His right hand rested respectfully at the small of her back. Her left hand slid up to his shoulder. Their fingers intertwined with the other.
And they began to sway. Like their bodies remembered each other’s rhythm.
Kotrell’s voice deepened into the next line:
“Love e no dey sweet like this
When you're not here with me
All of my six senses agree with your energy
All of my weaknesses
All of my inside gist
You know me well
And you hold me well.”
Valerie’s breath trembled.
She leaned her head lightly against his chest.
“I feel safe,” she whispered.
His hold tightened slightly.
“That’s all I ever wanted.”
They swayed gently, the breeze lifting strands of her hair. The city lights flickered like distant stars.
“You know,” she murmured, “there was a time I thought loving you made me weak.”
His jaw tightened slightly.
“And now?”
“Now I know running made me weaker.”
He closed his eyes briefly.
Kotrell’s voice softened again:
“Cause you You
You make it easy to love Love
You make it easy to trust Trust
You make me willing to give
All of myself again
And I I
I see that I am enough
What we have here is enough for me
Away from all of the noise
I feel safe here in this love
I feel safe here in this love
I feel safe here…”
Valerie laughed softly through her tears.
“You’re crying again,” he teased gently.
“You did this,” she replied.
He leaned his forehead against hers as they continued to sway.
“I was so afraid you’d never trust me again,” he admitted quietly.
“I didn’t trust myself for a while,” she responded honestly. “I thought maybe I wasn’t enough. Maybe I was too much. Maybe I drove you away.”
He pulled back slightly, searching her face.
“Never,” he said firmly. “You were the mirror I wasn’t ready to look into. That wasn’t your fault.”
Her eyes softened. “I don’t feel like I’m begging to be chosen anymore,” she said. “That’s what’s different.”
“You’re not begging,” he whispered. “I love you so much.”
The music swelled gently.
They turned slowly, almost absentmindedly, her dress brushing against his legs. The ring glimmered each time her hand shifted against his chest.
He looked down at her like she was something fragile and fierce at the same time.
“You look at me like you still can’t believe this,” she said.
“I can’t,” he admitted. “You’re here. You said yes. You’re getting married to me.”
She smiled softly. “I’m staying because I see you and i love you.”
He swallowed. “And what do you see?”
She studied him carefully. “A man who did the work.”
His breath caught. “A man who involved accountability instead of ego.”
His throat tightened. “A man who fears God enough to fear hurting me.”
His eyes glossed over. “You don’t know how much that means,” he said quietly.
“I do,” she replied. “Because I had to do my own work too.”
Kotrell’s final verse played, softer now:
“I feel safe here in your arms
No more running from my past
I see my future right here by your side
And I say yes
Now there's no turning back because
Love e no dey sweet like this
When you're not here with me
All of my six senses agree with your energy
All of my weaknesses
All of my inside gist
You know me well
And you hold me well”
The song began to fade. But neither of them moved.
They stayed swaying even after the music softened into silence.
The city hummed below them and the candles flickered. He bent slowly and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead.
“You’re my answered prayer,” he whispered.
She pulled back slightly, looking at him with a softness that hadn’t existed in her before.
“And you’re my redeemed story.” He exhaled shakily.
She laughed gently. “You’re emotional”
“I almost lost you.”
She cupped his face. “But you didn’t, baby.”
He leaned into her palm instinctively.
“And if we ever feel like we’re drifting,” she continued softly, “we come back to this. Not the grand proposal, not the pressure. Just this.”
He nodded. “This dance.”
She smiled. “This choice.”
He kissed her hand slowly. “Mrs Nwaefuna….”
She smacked his chest lightly. “Don’t start.”
He grinned. “You like how it sounds.”
She tried to hide her smile. “Maybe.”
He leaned closer, lowering his voice playfully.
“Valerie Purity Nwaefuna.”
She burst out laughing.
“That sounds like a bank name.”
He laughed too.
They stood there a few moments longer, wrapped in each other.
Just two people who had almost let fear win but didn’t.
Babiessss!!!!!! We have come to the end of the Varity story🥹🥹. Urghhhh!!! My emotions are all over the place. I can’t even say a word. Thank you for being here with me❤️❤️
Enjoy the song here SAFE - Kotrell
