“Complicated”
Episode 3
Adetola stood in the centre of the room, utterly shocked. He initially thought it was a joke, but the serious expressions on his parents’ faces and the nodding agreement of Ore’s parents indicated otherwise. He turned to look at Ore, who was unable to meet his gaze, still processing the bombshell that had just been dropped.
“No way, Dad,” Tola protested. “I agreed to this arrangement partly because the marriage is with Darasimi, but there’s no way you can force me to marry her sister. We have nothing in common, I will not do it.”
With those words, he stormed out of the house. The parents watched him leave, making no move to stop him.
Ore then confronted her parents. “How can you do this? Agreeing to replace me for Dara—Dad, who does that? You can’t make such a decision without consulting me first.”
“You talk as if you have many options. When have you ever brought a man home?” her mother retorted sharply.
Despite the sting of her mother’s words, Ore persisted. “Even so, you should have discussed it with me. You can’t just marry me off to a man who clearly despises me.”
“That’s our decision, and you have to abide by it,” her father declared firmly.
“Dad, Mum?” Ore pleaded, seeking some understanding.
“You have to do whatever your father says,” her mother reiterated.
The Ayegbajejes then stood up. “Don’t worry about our son; he will come around. We’ll take our leave now,” they assured as Ore’s parents escorted them out.
Ore, feeling overwhelmed by the unfolding events, retreated to her room. “This cannot be happening,” she thought, grappling with the reality of the situation.
She was set to marry the man she had once admired, but who had treated her disdainfully all her life. Overwhelmed, she contemplated running away but quickly realized she had nowhere to go where her father wouldn’t find her. Instead, she turned to prayer.
Kneeling, Ore began to pray for divine guidance. As she closed her eyes, memories flooded her mind, taking her back to their school days. She remembered the courage it had taken to approach Adetola, hoping he would speak to his girlfriend who had been bullying her. When she asked him for a moment of his time, his response was dismissive and cold.
“What could you possibly want to talk to me about?” he had said sharply.
“Please, it won’t take a few minutes,” she stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
His friends were there, snickering and mocking her.
“I don’t have time to talk to you and don’t you ever stop me again to ask for a chat. Come on, guys, let’s go.” He had brushed her off completely, never once giving her any attention. Later, when she returned home for the holidays and they met at events and parties, he only acknowledged her friend Dara and never said a word to her. It was as if he despised her.
Ore sighed deeply and continued her prayer. It wasn’t long before her mother entered the room and found her on her knees.
“What are you doing?” her mother asked.
“Nothing, Mum,” she lied, knowing well that praying was forbidden in their home where idol worship was the norm.
“Look, it’s not as bad as you think. This deal with the Ayegbajejes is very important to your father. We need to keep the business in the family. Don’t worry, if things don’t work out, you can leave after two years, but you must bear him a son. That son will be the link between our families,” her mother explained.
“Two years, Mum? And what if I can’t have a child, or specifically a son?”
“It’s in your best interest that you do,” her mother coldly replied.
“Why is it that you never stand up for me, but you will do anything for Darasimi?”
“Because you are my eldest daughter, and I need you to be strong. You’re too weak, always lacking confidence. Now get ready, we are going hunting for a wedding dress.”
Ore couldn’t hold back her tears as she realized that her dreams, aspirations, and freedom were being sacrificed for her sister’s happiness and the prosperity of their family business. She was tired of being unappreciated at home, a sentiment that extended to her professional life as well. Despite her qualifications and experience, which suited her for the CEO position, her father had passed her over in favour of her younger brother, simply because he was a man. Instead, she was relegated to a mundane job that didn’t even require her to use her intellect.
Later that day, Ore’s mother dragged her from one bridal shop to another in search of the perfect wedding dress. After hours of trying on various gowns, her mother selected one she deemed ideal for Ore. Ore hated the dress, but her opinion seemed inconsequential, as usual.
The following day, Sunday, Ore left her house under the pretence of going to the gym but instead drove to her friend Temi’s place. Temi was already waiting for her. Ore changed into her Sunday attire, and together, they headed to church. Attending church was something Ore had to do in secrecy due to her family’s strict adherence to traditional worship, a tradition that spanned generations.
During the drive, Ore confided in Temi about the soap opera her life had become. Temi expressed sympathy, but there was little she could do to change Ore’s situation.
After the church service, Ore spoke with the pastor, sharing her predicament. The pastor prayed for her, assuring her of God’s presence and support. He expressed a conviction that the path she was about to embark on would be challenging but necessary for her self-discovery. He encouraged her not to lose faith but to continue praying and trusting in God’s plan for her life.
Throughout the week, frantic last-minute wedding preparations took place. Ore was left in the dark about whether Adetola would actually attend the wedding; there was no communication between them. To her surprise, she found him at the registry on the wedding day, his parents apparently having persuaded him to come.
The ceremony itself was brief. Olu, tall and impeccably dressed, presented himself with an air of authority yet remained emotionally detached. He was polite but distant, his expression giving away nothing of his thoughts or feelings towards Ore, the woman he was marrying.
The ceremony was a blur to Ore, with the words of commitment and union sounding like distant echoes. She played her part, repeating vows that felt hollow, promising to cherish a man who had openly shown his disdain for her. Throughout the ceremony, he never once looked at her. When the court official suggested they kiss, Tola shot him a sharp look, prompting a quick move to the next item on the agenda.
At the reception, while guests drank and celebrated, Ore was enveloped in misery. She mechanically moved through the motions, her smile a carefully maintained facade. Adetola, on the other hand, played the role of the consummate businessman, engaging eagerly in conversations about future plans and potential deals—interests he never extended towards his new wife. Ore wondered what leverage his parents held over him to coerce him into this arranged marriage.
As the guests thinned out, a deep sense of isolation washed over Ore. She was now officially married, tied to a man who regarded her as merely a necessary inconvenience. The reality of her new life began to weigh heavily on her as they prepared to leave for Tola’s home—a place she had never been, a place that was now supposed to be her home.
Thanks for reading,
Tbc
Jumie Naths
