ADUKE….
Chapter 16
Ben happened to be a very lovely person,he loved me so much,he took me to his family,and they received me with open hands and love,I also brought him to see Baami and maami and they liked him so much,who wouldn’t like Ben anyways,he was a lively jolly good fellow,,,he had lived most of his years abroad,he comes home every now and then though,he actually came this time to get married and settle in Nigeria,he would only be going on vacation with his family as he had said…
I only noticed that a particular number was calling him,and most times he ignores the call,other times he picks up and ask the caller to stop calling him…
I had to ask him who the person was one day,and he told him it was his ex girlfriend who was calling him and begging them to get back..
Why did you break up with her,I had asked him…
I actually caught her in bed with my best friend in a house I was paying the bills…she said she wanted to leave on her own and didn’t want to live with her parents anymore,I obliged and rented a well furnished and nice apartment for her,I came back to Nigeria without informing her, hoping to surprise her, instead, I was the one welcomed with a surprise when I saw her in bed with a my best friend,I almost died of shock,and now that she knows I have found someone,she is desperate, begging to come back,who does that,he narrated..
Hmmmm,, it’s so unfortunate,I said.
Oh come oh,don’t let that bother you, she’d stop calling when she’s tired…
Ben and I continued dating untill one evening,he called me anxiously like he was in pain, asking me to come over and help him,I was confused and wondered what the problem was,I took a taxi cab and rushed to his house,only for me to be welcome with a beautiful decoration,while he was on one of his kneels asking me to be his wife…I was happy and jumped on him saying yes happily….qQ
I went home and informed maami and Baami that Ben had proposed,they were so happy for me,Ben was every woman’s dream, loving, caring and so peaceful.At some point I actually wanted to tell him the truth about me,but then I remembered what that had cost me, Mike and Williams,I didn’t want to take that risk yet a again,hence I kept mute…
A date was fixed for our formal introduction,it was a beautiful celebration,Ben had come with his parents, siblings,some kins men and friends,while my family welcomed them with open hands.the traditional marriage list was handed over to him and his family,a date was then fixed for both our traditional and white wedding.
Planning for a wedding is no easy task at all,but thank God I had maami,she was the one here and there,she was very happy I was getting married,you see my daughter,I told you that prophet is very powerful,you see Ben has come,and everything is going smoothly,the first phase is done,and the wedding is a success already,she happily told me.
Oh maami,not again, please let’s leave this prophet thing, he’s fake and I still maintain my stand,I am getting married because it’s God’s will, not because any prophet did whatever,I said…
But I was wasting my time,as maami had already concluded the prophet was the brain behind everything…
On the day before our traditional wedding,Ben called me,and asked,honey is there anything i need to know about you, someone had told me there is something you aren’t telling me,but of course I told the person that isn’t possible….so honey I want to hear from you,he asked…
At this point I didn’t know what to do or say, indeed,there was something I needed to tell him,but then,I had passed through that road of honesty and sincerity twice but needed up been hurt, should I open up to Ben,what if he disappears like Mike and Williams,oh no no no,I can’t deal with that, invites had been sent,maami and other women were busy boiling tomatoes and making other preparations for tomorrow,no no I can’t afford not to get married tomorrow,I decided to conceal the secret…
Honey,who could you say that,I mean there isn’t anything you need to know about me that you don’t already know i said,but dying of guilt…
He hugged me tightly,I believe you,I know you wouldn’t keep anything away from me,don’t mind the idiot,he said…..
As i hugged him in return,my heart was beating so fast,I am looking at Ben in the eyes and lying to him,,,am sorry Ben,I can’t afford to lose you,I am very very sorry,I said within me…….
Soon it was the break of dawn,the women who had come to pass the night at our place,woke up early and were busy cooking,they had alot to do, everyone in the house was busy,some relatives of both my maternal and paternal side were already,our house has never been that busy, there was glow in maami’s eyes,she was very happy,if not happier than the bride.she was the chief supervisor,she was everywhere, trying to make everything perfect,my husband to be Ben was calling every now and then,to make sure everything was going on well from my end….
Baami entered the room where I was getting dressed,and excused everyone…
Omomi,he began,that was the first time Baami was addressing me like that,my daughter,my beloved child,I know I haven’t been the best of fathers to you,I haven’t been there when you needed me,but you have never cease to make your mother and I proud,I am sorry my daughter,for all I have done,for being a worthless father,I am sorry….
Oh those words were the best wedding present I could asked of Baami,I hugged him tightly crying profusely like a child…
Omomi please don’t cry,it’s your day,and all I want you to be is to be happy, please,you have a beautiful life ahead of you,your wedding shall be a blessing,you shall have children both male and female,infact,you shall become Iya beji,I bless you as your father,and so shall it be……
My traditional wedding was a success,it was beautiful,my Bride price was paid and I had become Mrs Ben traditionally..oh I was happy..
The following day was the white wedding and the main day invitees were expected to be around,,the Women had began their preparations of the food as usual, everything was going fine, except Ben wasn’t calling me to know how things were going on my end as he did the previous day,but I waved it off thinking he was busy from his end too…
I was beautifully dressed in my flowing white gown,my maid of honor and little bride with me,my sister, my friend Joyce,who was heavily pregnant by my side, entered a car with me,while my parents and other bridal train followed in other cars,we were heading to church to be joined in holy matrimony…
Getting to church,I couldn’t believe the surprise that awaited me……
Written by
Rejoice Igbinovia Aluyi
