Olamide hesitated for a moment before saying, “Well, Joyce was in town, and I thought it would be nice for her to join us. She’s been wanting to reconnect.”
David’s eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and something I couldn’t quite place. He glanced at Joyce, who smiled sweetly, but her eyes held a glint of something else—something I couldn’t quite decipher.
“I hope it’s okay,” Olamide added, her tone a little too casual.
“No, it’s not okay. I only planned for a specific number of people and I definitely don’t want her at my wedding.” David replied.
David’s response hung in the air, heavy with tension. Olamide shifted uncomfortably, clearly taken aback by his firm stance. Joyce’s smile wavered, but she quickly regained her composure.
“I understand your concerns, David,” Olamide began, trying to diffuse the situation. “But perhaps it’s a chance for closure, a way to mend old wounds.”
David’s jaw clenched, his gaze never leaving Joyce. “Closure or not, this is our wedding trip. I want it to be about us, not revisiting the past.”
Joyce stepped forward, her tone surprisingly calm given the circumstances. “David, I agree. I don’t want to disrupt your wedding plans. I came because I thought it was a chance to make amends. If my presence causes any discomfort, I can leave.”
“We are good, Joyce. There is no need to make amends. Our plane is fully booked. I’m sorry” David replied as Olamide escorted a downcast Joyce out of the VIP lounge. It took a while before she returned but I didn’t mind. What mattered is that she returned without Joyce.
In a few hours, we arrived in Dubai and were checking into our hotel. David had made reservations at a luxury beachside hotel for all of us. Our wedding was to take place on the beach in that same hotel.
The luxury hotel stood tall and imposing, its golden façade sparkled in the sunlight, and the sound of waves crashing against the nearby shore added a soothing melody to the atmosphere.
As we stepped into the hotel, we were greeted by a grand lobby adorned with intricate chandeliers and plush furnishings. The receptionists welcomed us warmly, confirming our reservations.
The rooms were nothing short of breathtaking. Each one boasted panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, with floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed the golden sunlight to spill into the rooms. The décor was a harmonious blend of modern luxury and traditional Arabian charm, featuring ornate carpets, intricately carved wooden furniture, and sumptuous fabrics in rich hues.
David and Femi shared a room that was spacious and meticulously arranged, offering a private sanctuary for the groom and his best man. Ugochi, Ella, and I were ushered into the sprawling presidential suite, a haven of indulgence. The suite featured a vast living area with plush sofas, a dining table overlooking the sea, and a fully equipped kitchenette. The bedrooms were equally impressive, with king-sized beds, soft linens, and private balconies that opened to breathtaking ocean views.
That evening, after settling into our rooms and freshening up, we reconvened in the elegant dining area of the presidential suite. The table was adorned with fragrant flowers, and a feast of local delicacies awaited us. We shared stories and laughter, toasting to the beginning of our unforgettable journey, we chatted away about the wedding that was scheduled to take place in 2 days.
The night before the wedding, we had a pool party. The hotel poolside transformed into a vibrant oasis of laughter and music. The joyful atmosphere was contagious, and the energy of the gathering was palpable.
As we celebrated our impending union, I couldn’t help but be swept away by the infectious enthusiasm of our friends. David, dressed casually in swim shorts, looked carefree and happy as he mingled with our guests, his eyes always finding their way back to me, assuring me of his love and commitment.
Amidst the laughter and splashing, I caught a glimpse of someone in the distance, a face that seemed eerily familiar. My heart skipped a beat as I thought I saw a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Joyce. I rubbed my eyes, thinking it might be a trick of the light, but when I looked again, she was gone.
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I brushed off the momentary unease, chalking it up to my imagination playing tricks on me. After all, it was a crowded pool area, and it was easy to mistake one person for another, especially from a distance.
I joined the festivities, dancing with Ugochi and Ella, the rhythm of the music and the laughter of our friends washing away my momentary apprehension. The night was alive with the spirit of celebration, and I resolved to put any doubts out of my mind.
I noticed that David disappeared for a while during the party, I figured he probably went to use the bathroom or something. But after a while he had still not returned. It felt like he had been gone forever. I began to feel uneasy, I started to think that perhaps something might have happened to him even though a part of me tried to dismiss my fears. After all, what could possibly happen to him in a hotel in Dubai. The hotel was well secured with cameras everywhere. I waited a few more minutes and he still did not return, so I decided to go and check on him, perhaps he went back to his room for something.
I excused myself and informed Ugochi and Ella that I would be back shortly. I headed back inside, I had a hunch that something wasn’t right. David would never leave, knowing he’d be away for so long without telling me. When I got to the lobby, I increased my steps, running towards the lift, then suddenly I slipped and fell.
Luckily, it was not a serious fall that would put me at risk of something like placental abruption.
Placental abruption is a complication of pregnancy that happens when the placenta separates partially or completely from the uterus(womb) before delivery. The placenta is an organ that connects the growing baby to your womb during pregnancy. Some of the major things that can put a pregnant woman at risk of placental abruption is physical trauma such as a car accident or a fall, uterine fibroids, hypertension, gestational diabetes or carrying twins, triplets etc.
Pregnant women experiencing placental abruption may have symptoms such as abdominal pain, back pain, unusual uterine contractions, they may notice that the baby’s movements have reduced and some women may notice bleeding from the vagina. Placental abruption can lead to complications such as excessive blood loss for the mother or stillbirth for the baby. However, it does not always result in these complications, if the pregnant woman receives immediate medical attention.
“Are you ok ma’am?” one of the bellboys passing by asked, helping me up. “I’m fine,” I replied. “I just missed my step. Thank you.”
I continued my journey upstairs to David’s room. When I finally got there, I noticed something strange. The door was left slightly open, but what was even more strange was that I could hear a familiar female voice, it sounded like Joyce’s, but it didn’t make sense, it felt like I was hallucinating. How could I be hearing Joyce when we left her behind in Nigeria?
Curious, I opened the door, only to get the shock of my life. Joyce was there in the room stark naked standing in front of David. I could feel my head spinning, I felt like my legs were about to give way. I wasn’t sure how to react or what to make of the situation. How could this be happening less than 24 hours to my wedding?
Find out what happens next tomorrow in episode 33 #checkwithdoctoro