ABUSED
Episode 40
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Today is the most beautiful day of my life, I could barely sleep all through the night. It feels surreal how my life has turned around for good.
There’s something about forgiveness; it’s refreshes one spirit and free one of burdens carried for years. You feel light internally have been released of the weight. Though we can’t truly forget totally but we can be free totally from the pains.
My life has been a spring of joy after everything was settled. The glow on mother’s face, the joy in our house and the peace in our heart is unquantifiable. I can’t trade it for anything🥰
Mr Udok left to meet with his wife after spending few days in Lagos. Our new business outlet project is going on perfectly well. The expansion is massive and booming.
Ella is coping fine with the help of the nurse and mother. Life can be beautiful if only we let off the heavy weight on us and embrace peace.
Maxwell’s family and ours made preparations for the wedding days after the reconcilation. It was an exhausting period for the both family.
We had the introduction and dowry payment last two weeks. A mix tribal wedding, you can imagine how beautiful it was. My father for Calabar, mother Yoruba and Maxwell Igbo – It was colourful the Yoruba- Igbo way. Church wedding date was fixed three days later.
It was a happy occasion for us, Adaora was quiet all through. Ella of course was all smiles during the whole event☺️.
Mother’s divorce was finalized after the introduction. She is bouncing back every day to her cheerful self.
Life is a complicated beauty! After all the ugliness God has turned my ashes into beauty.
This week has been hectic on us, thank goodness for event planners, it made things easy for us.
Mother, Ella and I went shopping few days ago, they were there to help me pick my wedding dress. It’s exhausting but fun.
Mr Udok flew in with his wife two days ago; she is a beautiful woman and gentle in speech. She thanked mother for everything and also asked mother to pray for her, which she readily did. They both contributed towards our wedding including Fr. Anthony who was excited at the turn of events.
Today is the big day for us; we are finally going to tie the knot and become one. I feel excited and nervous at the same time.
I ran to Ella’s room, it’s just 3am. I was surprised to see her awake
” Our bride can’t wait to be with the groom I see”
” And you? What’s keeping you up? ”
I noticed she held a piece of paper and a dairy
” Let me have a look” I said walking towards her
She quickly hid it behind her
” No! Ruth, you are too nosy”
” Seriously?”
” LoL. It’s personal”
I’m glad the house is full, Ella’s siblings are around to grace the occasion.
” I feel nervous Ella”
” LoL. You feel excited”
” Funny but I feel the two😩”
” It’s normal dear. Maxwell is a great guy”
” I know”
” Ruth, I am honestly happy for you. I’m grateful I am a witness to this day”
I smiled, held her hands and squeezed it lightly
The door creaks open, it’s mother
” You both are awake”
” Yes” Ella said
She joined us on the bed
” Ruth, I am so grateful for this day. My child, your home is blessed”
” Amen”
” There’s no perfect home but there’s a perfect God who can make your home perfect in Him. Whatever issues that will arise between you and Maxwell will be settled peaceful. Love shall surround you both”
” Amen”
The door opened, it’s Linda
” I thought I was the only who is awake. ” She said and jumped on
We giggled
” Sister Ruth, I am happy for you. I pray to get married too soon. It’s a beautiful thing”
” Then you better watch out well’ Ella opined
We laughed😆😅😁
” Linda dear, you will find yours” mother said
” Sure”
We were having a lovely time together, soon Ella’s room turned to a fellowship ground as her other siblings joined us. They all wished me well and prayed for me.
I didn’t know when I started crying, Oliver’s words were touching when as he spoke concerning how unique we were as a family.
I was missing my family already.
” It’s ok. It’s morning Ruth, don’t ruin this beautiful day” Ella bellowed
We all laughed.
” Sis Ruth go get ready. Me the maid of honor I am in the mood to party” Linda
” I hope you don’t party away your time overseas” Ella queried
” Hahn aunty, all works and no play makes jack…’
” Are you Jack?” Oliver asked
” Abi o” mother
” Leave the poor girl alone” I teased
” Please, today is part day” Ella’s youngest brother yelled
” Yes o🥳😍😍” we all chorused
We left to our various rooms to prepare for the beautiful day.
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I walked through the stairs speedily, I heard my phone ring – it’s Maxwell. I feel giddy with pleasure. We spoke for almost twenty minutes; I was giggling like a child who was given her favorite candy all through the call.
I took my bath as soon as the call ended; I don’t know why I took eternity to get out of the bathroom. I did spend a lot of time in the tub pondering on the goodness of God and the life ahead of me.
I came out feeling like I am on cloud nine, I danced in robes. My phone buzzed, it’s a message from Maxwell. I literally felt my head swelling as I read the sweet text. Oh! Love! What have you done to me? I’m helpless🥰🤎.
” Ruth!”
” Yes” I quickly came down from the cloud, it’s mother
” Here you go” she placed the tray containing tea and toasted bread on the table
I was a bit embarrassed by the way mother was laughing, I was looking like clown while fantasizing about my love island
” Thanks mother”
” Have something to eat my child so you don’t get lost. You need energy” she winked at me as she left.
Our house soon turned to a beehive, we were busy preparing.
The makeup artist was showcasing her talents on me.
I couldn’t recognize myself after I was all dressed and glam up. I look like a princess! I’m crushing on me.
With the help of Linda, I descended the stairs at the cheering of everyone. My wedding dress is overflowing.
Ella was looking gorgeous, mother was stunning in her navy blue lace. Ella’s siblings were all looking dope.
Oluchi and some of our staff were beautiful in their uniforms.
I feel so blessed today
” Maxwell will not withstand this beautiful. In fact we collecting additional dowry” Ella said
The house dissolved into laughter😍😆😅.
” Here you go ” Oluchi said handing me my flower, a cascading flower of white and green.
Thy joy in here is beautiful.
Mother’s siblings will join us in church, they are all lodged in a hotel.
We left to church almost an hour late.
We arrived the church premise in a grand style. All eyes were on us.
The church premise was filled with cars.
Everyone filed into the church, except for mother, Linda and Ella
” I want you both to walk me down the aisle.” I was still speaking when Mr Udok and his wife came close
” Ruth, you look stunning dear” his wife Michelle complemented
” Thanks”
” You deserve every happiness dear”
” Thanks Father…”
We smiled, I just called him father for the first time
” Thanks for the honor to grace your beautiful day” Michelle said
She hugged me, then mother.
” Ruth…” Ella called out, I looked at her and from her facial expression she wants me to allow him walked me down the aisle with mother
I asked them to and he glad accepted as mother had no objection.
I was all smiles as we walked into the church, everyone was up on their feet as we walked towards the altar.
The choristers were in tune with the lovely atmosphere as they sang beautiful
Maxwell has his eyes fixed on me as be approach the altar, we were both smiling at each other. His parents are beautiful dressed and seated amongst the congregation with their kinsmen. Adaora looks beautiful too, her husband was by her side. She looks indifferent but I cared less
Am I dreaming? So, such is possible in my life I thought as I journeyed on.
The flashes, smiles and cheers from the crowd as I got close, made me feel like a celebrity. I was stealing the whole attention😍😋.
One of the resident pastor officiated the wedding,
After not too long sermon, the marriage rites began.
” Does anyone have anything to say why this two should not be join in holy matrimony?” He bellowed
Everywhere went still, but for little murmurs from the crowd. I followed their direction, it was on Ada. She was fanning herself
The officiating priest continued with the rites, we exchanged rings after saying our vow. My eyes were filled as I read out mine, and when Maxwell read out his.
” You look beautiful dear, don’t ruin your face” he whispered which made me laugh
” By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may now kiss your bride”
We did to the cheering of the crowd as they clapped.
” It’s sealed baby” he said to me as we held hands and danced through the crowd.
We proceeded to the priest office; signed the necessary documents along with our witnesses.
We took unending pictures; everyone and his mother were out to take pictures with us. It was exhausting but we pulled through.
The reception was lively and fun. The master of ceremony had everyone laughing all through.
Everywhere was filled with joy. We were asked to dance first as couple; then with our parents.
Mother was teary as we both danced, she was blessings me and wishing me well.
I danced with father, then with my in-laws. Finally, our guest joined us on the floor spraying wads of cash on us.
It was a long happy day for us. Gifts were given, souvenirs served as the party was coming to an end.
” I have something for you both” Ella announced to us
” Maxwell don’t refuse it”
” What?’
” Tickets. ”
” Ella” I said
” To the Maldives”
” You both need time alone from this place. So, I am not taking a no”
” Ella look ..”
” Maxwell please don’t refuse this”
We looked at each other, he winked. He received it and hugged her
” What would I have done without you😩🤎?”
” I should be saying that Ruth. Don’t worry I have made sure your things are packed for the trip”
We had a swell time. It feels like a dream, and I wish not to wake up…
To be continued..
