Jeline was filled with much excitement as she made her way to Wears Shop in Lekki one to check out a dress for her upcoming wedding scheduled to hold in three month’s time. Joy all over her as she ordered. Who wouldn’t be such elated?
At age 30 she was worried her spinsterhood had prolonged when Kelvin came around. A friend’s engagement ceremony brought her luck nine months ago and now she's due for hers in three weeks. Marbel who watched as she smiles to herself broke the silence.
Marbel: “My friend, now that you're filled with much happiness, may I know the source?”
Jeline: “Ah, What else if not my wedding? I am so excited, girlfriend. I can’t wait for the 19th to be here”.
Marbel: “What is to be excited about? I mean it is good to be excited just the way you flogging about it, one would think you are the only one to ever get married on planet”.
Jeline: “Dear", I have all reasons to be this excited. I'm sure you could understand what it is to be single at age 30 in Nigeria. No matter how successful you are, if you are not married as a lady, you become everyone's daily topic”.
Marbel: “Sure I'm aware. Hundred percent. I am 12 months older and I am yet to get married as well. I could read your lips”, replied with a punch of bitterness and jealously in her voice.
Jeline: “Babe", try get a husband. In fact, worry less, you will find one pretty soon.
Marbel: “Abeg", pack well Jor. Na me you dey preach for?
Jeline: “Hehehe jealousy”.
Indeed, Marbel was jealous of Jeline’s achievements. As childhood friends, they had grown up in the same neighborhood and had gone to the same school. While Marbel had struggled to graduate as an average student, Jeline was always topping and was always everyone's focus in the school. She ended up as a medical doctor. After graduation, Marvel had fallen in love with a car dealer who broke her heart few months after engagement. Ever since then, she had been single without any serious man coming her way. This was no big deal to her as Jeline who was her friend was also single. However, she became bitter when Jeline announced her wedding.
Marbel: “Common, Jeline, you have tried enough gowns. Just pick your choice and let us leave here please. Just the way you trying on all the gowns, one would think that you want to rent all the gowns in the shop”.
Jeline: “Please free me, I am getting married only once in a lifetime. So, allow me to pick the best dress. I want to look so beautiful on my wedding so much so that my husband will be thankful for having such a beautiful wife.
Marbel: “You know what?" I think this gown is perfect on you. It’s a Bohemian dress and mehn the material is beautiful”.
Jeline: “No, I can’t pick this one. I wand something sexy and eye-catching.
Marbel: “Oh please, men are anatural cheats". Irrespective of how good you look, a possessed man will always cheat. You may even turn 360 in bed, men will still go after other women”.
Jeline: “No, girlfriend. Not my man. He can never cheat on me. Never!”
Marbel: “I hear, abeg do quick make we go. I don dey hungry”.
Jeline: “Not until you pick a dress of your choice that you will wear as my maid of honor”.
Marbel: “Really? Me? I thought I would get my dress myself”.
Jeline: “Don’t worry, my husband will handle the bill. You just pick a sexy dress and all the accessories that you would need. I want a dashing maid of honor. Who knows, you may meet your match right there”. She winked at her.
Marbel: “Oh, you are so sweet my friend. God bless your home. She drew near and hugged her.
Marbel got home at 8:14pm armed with a bag of things she had bought from the bridal shop. “Hi, mum. Watching Twist of Fate? I will join you soon, I need to shower”.
Mama: “Welcome, my dear. Where have you been and what is that you are carrying?”
Marbel: “Oh, coming in from a bridal shop in town. We went to shop for Jeline’s wedding dress and here, she got me this as her maid of honor”.
Mama: “I see and you are excited? “
Marbel: “Well, do I have a choice?”
Mama: “Of course you have a choice. What is wrong with you this girl? A girl who is younger than you is getting married before you and instead of you to brain storm on ways of getting your own man, you are busy going with her everywhere shopping. You're shameless”.
Marbel: “What is that supposed to mean, mum. Is it my fault that no man is asking for my hand in marriage? Okay, what do you want me to do? Go on my knees and propose to any man I see on the street?”
Mama: “I don’t care how you do it. Even if it means snatching your friend’s fiance, do it. I am tired of sharing my house with an overgrown daughter”.
Marbel: “I can’t believe that you are saying this Mum. If marriage was this important to you, how comes you are not married?”
Mama: “I didn’t marry your father because he was very poor and couldn’t afford to give me the kind is life I had envisioned for you. That is why I chosed to bring you up as a single mother. When I made enough money and was ready to settle down, the stupid man had already married another woman”.
Marbel: “So, why are you forcing me to get married?”
Mama: “Times have changed, my dear. Your generation is different from mine. You need a man, if not for anything at least to answer his name and to warm your bed. Getting married is the only way I can prove to the world that I succeeded in bringing you up well as a single mother”.
Marbel: “Mum!”
Mama: “Listen to me, it is either you snatch Jeline’s fiance or you prevent that wedding from taking place. Use everything you have to achieve that. You are a woman”.
Marbel: “You know what? I really don’t have the strength for your talk this evening Mum. I need to some rest, I had a long day”.
Kelvin was on his bed day-dreaming of his honeymoon. His wedding day with Joline was few weeks away and he was looking forward to it. He couldn’t explain his feeling but the prospect of having little ones call him father was in his head.
Phone rang! “Hello, who is this?”
Caller: “My identity does not matter. I am calling in respect to Jeline, your fiance. You haven't found a wife. She is a slot who is freaky desperate because she is aged. She has nothing to offer in real womanhood. So you have enough time to ponder on it.
Kelvin: “And why do you think I should listen to, you? How real are you?”
Caller: “Why would I lie about this?”
Kelvin: “listen, whoever you are. I don't care. I have made my decision, absolutely nothing you or anyone can do to change my mind. I love Jeline. That's my answer”.
Caller: “Very well then, we shall see!" “Don’t get too excited, fool!”.
Sooner after the call, Kelvin was worried and bewildered.
Join me next time on the Wedding story.
Guess this:
Who called Kelvin? Will he cancel the wedding?
