“IN LOVE WITH MY BROTHER’S FRIEND”
Episode 14
The wedding day dawns bright and sunny. Remi looked dapper in his suit, while Shalewa looked angelic in her wedding dress. Emeka and Babs served as best men Kemi was maid of honour.
During the procession, as they approached the groom, she quickly glanced at Babs, he looked so handsome, that it broke Kemi’s heart that she had to give him up. He was looking straight ahead she took a lingering look at him because it was the only time, she’d allow herself to do so.
The service was particularly difficult for both of them as they longed to be the ones exchanging vows. Recalling their conversation from the day before, Kemi experienced a fresh wave of sorrow. She wasn’t sure how she would endure the day, but endure it she must.
Throughout the service, she sensed his gaze on her but deliberately chose to ignore it. She believed it was for the best. Derin’s eyes were also on her, but she brushed it aside. The conversation with Remi and Babs the day before had brought the reality of the impending marriage to the forefront. The complexity of their situation cast a shadow over their emotions, and it seemed that external forces determined to keep them apart had prevailed.
Kemi decided to make the most of the remaining holiday.
Upon returning home, she resolved to rededicate her life to Jesus. It was time to embrace life again; she realized she had unconsciously put her life on hold. Reflecting on the events that transpired during her visit, she recognised the need to move on and find someone to share her life with.
The reception, a lavish affair adorned with flowers and celebration, was beautiful and there was a lot to eat and drink. Kemi did her best to enjoy the festivities, putting on a brave face. The laughter, music, and celebration surround her, but her thoughts occasionally drift back to Babs and their impending goodbyes. She pushes aside her thoughts, determined to make this day memorable for the newlyweds. The couples were set to depart for their honeymoon the following day.
Babs and Kemi avoided each other, completely cutting off contact. Kemi also attempted to steer clear of Babs’ parents, although it felt awkward. These were people who had known her since childhood, yet they seemed to harbour reservations about her suitability for their son.
Eventually, Babs’ mother sought out Kemi, apologising and explaining that their actions were taken in the best interest of the church. She then prayed with Kemi, expressing hopes that she would find a suitable husband of her own.
The following day, everyone went their separate ways. After bidding her brother and Shalewa farewell, Kemi returned home with her parents. Babs, Derin, and their parents departed early to attend their respective church services.
Kemi dedicated the remainder of her holiday to being with her parents and Moyo. Her mother, sensing the sadness in her eyes, gently probed until Kemi opened up. Seeing her daughter’s pain, she spoke reassuringly, “Kemi, my beautiful daughter, I didn’t realize you were going through all of this. But let me tell you, love is a beautiful and complex thing. You will love again, trust me. Just open your heart and let love find you.”
into
Kemi took solace in her mother’s comforting words, and in the days that followed, she found herself drawing strength from her words. Determined to heal and move forward, she decided to plunge herself into positive activities during the remaining days of her holiday.
Spending quality time with her family and friends, Kemi rediscovered the joy of simple pleasures. The laughter of loved ones, the warmth of shared moments, and being in the company of those who love her gradually started to mend the wounds in her heart.
returned
When it was time to return to New York, she bid her family and friends goodbye and returned to resume her life. When she returned to New York she went back to church and became committed in church.
She reached out to Leke whom she felt she owed an apology. “What do you want?” Leke was hostile.
“Can we talk?” she asked.
“I don’t think we have anything to say to each other. Because your crush has abandoned you, you are now coming back to me. I have moved on, I suggest you do so too.”
“First of all, I didn’t come here to ask you to take me back. I came to apologize for how things ended between us. I’m sorry; you deserve better. I’ve always been in love with Babs, and he’s the reason I haven’t been able to commit to any relationship. But all that is behind me now. I’ve decided to move on. So, I wish you the best because, even though you’re crazy, you’re a good guy.”
With that, Kemi left, and Leke didn’t try to stop her.
Back in Nigeria, preparations for Babs’s wedding to Derin were in full swing, and everything was nearly set for the big day. Babs had come to terms with his fate, accepting that Kemi was now a part of his past. However, the void he felt lingered, and as the wedding day approached, he found himself praying to God for guidance.
Two weeks before the wedding, Abiodun called Remi and urged him to check his phone for a video he had sent. Opening the video, Remi was shocked by its contents.
He immediately called Abiodun, asking, “Where did you get this?”
“When we met her at the resort, all the signs were there, so I did a little digging, and this is what I came up with.”
“This is crazy.”
“It’s a crazy world, right?”
Remi, perplexed, questioned, “Why did you do it?”
Abiodun sighed on the other end of the line. “I did it because I couldn’t ignore the signs. Something felt off, and I needed to know the truth. I didn’t want Bas mortgaging out his whole life for an illusion. What Kemi and Babs share is priceless, it’s the kind of love that only a few people get to experience.
Secondly, I owe you a debt of gratitude. If you hadn’t stepped in when my ex tried to take everything from me, I don’t know what would have become of me.
“Then I guess we are even,” Remi responded and ended the call.
The seriousness of the situation hung heavily in the air as Remi contemplated the next steps. He knew that revealing this information could alter the course of Babs’s life, and the timing was far from ideal.
, ”
After much thought, Remi thought, “I have to tell him. He deserves to know.”
Jumie Nath
About to happen