Tosin’s wedding day with Ola was fixed without her consent. Plans were ongoing as she was made to do all the family’s biddings against her wish. ‘I am your father and you must obey me or else Ephesians 6:1-3 will not be your portion; Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. [2] Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) [3] That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.’ Mr Adeleke quoted. ‘But daddy did you read verse 4? That says “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
‘If you don’t obey me, it won’t be well with you neither will you live long on earth. I did not disobey my father on the choice of your mother, so you can’t disobey me. When I married your mother, I didn’t even see her until our traditional wedding day. It was my father and mother who saw her, talked to her parents and did all the traditional rites on my behalf and today we are still together after 27 years.’
15th November was fixed for her wedding. The traditional was to take place by 7am, followed by the church wedding, both on the same day. Everything went on smoothly all on Friday as guests arrived from all over to grace the wedding ceremony. Cooking, music, eating and felicitations made up the day. The church wedding was to take place at First Baptist Church by 10am prompt.
By 9:30am, the church hall was filled to capacity as guests were all seated waiting for the arrival of the bride and the groom. At 10am, the wedding started with solemnization proceedings but the bride was yet to arrive. Tosin’s father became tensed up as he turned at every shortest interval in expectation of the arrival of his daughter. The agitation in the hall became contagious as everybody started looking worried. Where is the bride? The officiating minister asked. This is 11 and the bride is not here yet, this is an act of dishonour to God and the council of elders seated, the officiating minister said pointing to the direction of the groom and the father of the bride. ‘I give you 20 minutes grace, if your bride is not here, myself and the elders will leave this place.’
Everybody knew Rev John that he will carry out his threat. Half of the guests rushed out to make calls and brainstorm on how to get the bride in. Meanwhile the groom couldn’t leave his seat until they are joined. All attempt to get the bride failed. Tosin was nowhere to be found.
10 minutes later Rev John collected the microphone to announce “10 more minutes”. Ola became really worried, sweating profusely and uncontrollably under a well ventilated hall. Everyone who went in search of Tosin came back with no report of her whereabouts. Nobody suspected this on Friday and while the traditional wedding took place in the morning because Tosin played along. At about 5 minutes to Rev John’s ultimatum someone whispered to Ola “she just called now and she said you can be joined with her father. As for me I am with David my love. On hearing this, Ola composed himself as against the thought of his guests.”
“Your grace time is over,” Rev John came to announce. “It’s obvious this wedding cannot hold again”, he said as he carried his bible to start leaving. Ola beckoned on the Reverend, “excuse me sir let’s continue with the wedding solemnization”. Rev John looked at him strangely and asked “with who will you be joined?” Immediately Ola turned to Tosin’s chief bride maid “will you marry me?” Yes I will marry you”, she replied. “Reverend please join me and Antonia together as husband and wife.” The Reverend dropped his bible in confusion as he gazed at the congregation. Who is the man giving this lady’s hand in marriage? The Reverend asked the congregation.
A lot happened thereafter. Stay tuned for next Episode to unfold all that happened….
©Ayodele Adeoye stories
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