Chapter 42—The Big Day

The morning sun had risen appropriately in the sky, adding to the celebratory mood already hung up in the air around the church compound. The church was built tall and was painted white. It had three narrowed stained-glass windows at each side and a tiny black cross at the top of the roof.

The church bells rang monotonically, signaling the commencement of the wedding ceremony. Both Korede’s and Mide’s families, friends as well as other well-wishers and guests alike began arriving one after the other, all fashionably dressed as they pulled up in their luxurious vehicles and walked through wide-open doors of the church where they were welcomed by the soothing and harmonious symphonies from the church choir.

Behind the church was a smaller house where Korede and her friends occupied for the meantime. It served as an accommodation for preachers and other ministers who were on visits, but the bishop had made an exception; it wasn’t time for the bride to be revealed yet.

They had arrived much later than they planned due to the great detail they took in their make-ups and other adornments, only to find out that Mide wasn’t present yet. Then they decided that a great way to pass the time was by taking photos of themselves in their bridal attire.

About thirty-something photos later, Korede had retired to a chair but even as her friends carried on with their poses, they occasionally batted a wary eye at her.

On the surface, Korede looked fine. But underneath the make-up and extended lashes, they couldn't figure out what was truly on her mind.

She had returned to Esther's house an hour after midnight with an impassive expression on her face. She claimed she was fine, but it was clear she had been crying, and after much probing from the three of them, she revealed what David had told her about Mide, and how he had insisted on her getting married to Mide right before he asked her to leave.

The news of David's behavior seemed odd to them, especially Fatima who knew for sure that David loved her as much as she did. Still, she maintained that she was fine. If anything, David had made her decision easy for her and her friends were willing to stick by her no matter what decision she made.

And now they were in the church, all set for the big day and waiting for the arrival of the groom.

Fatima who was holding the phone camera for Tracy and Esther glanced at her again. She had her legs crossed and was staring at nothing in particular.

"Babe, oya smile."

Korede held her chin up and struck a quick pose again as Fatima clicked away.

"To be honest, you look more like a model than the bride-to-be…And I guess I wasn't prettier than the bride after all."

They all laughed.

"Thanks," Korede answered and drifted back to silence again as she watched them giggle at each other's jokes.

Just then, they heard a tap on the door.

"Come in," Tracy bellowed.

The door swung open, and Korede's parents entered. Baami was dressed in a purple Agbada attire while Maami wore a blouse and a clothing material which she tied from her stomach down to her ankles, still of the same color and as glamorous as Baami's.

"Good morning, mummy and daddy." The three friends beamed in unison. Korede rose to her feet immediately.

"Mummy, daddy," she said in a kneeling gesture.

"Good afternoon," Maami and Baami replied.

"Wow, you girls are looking so beautiful!" Baami exclaimed. He moved in to hug his daughter. "You, most of all."

Korede flushed red. “Thanks, Daddy/"

"We just came to tell you how proud we are of you," Maami chirped. "Today marks a big moment in your life, and we only wish you happiness from now henceforth."

Baami continued. "We pray that God almighty bless your union."

"Amen," Korede and her friends replied in unison.

"Your marriage is blessed with children."

"Amen,"

"There shall be no cause for sorrow."

"Amen."

Baami and Maami went on to say a few more prayers and blessed the marriage before they decided to take their leave.

"Ah, but mummy and daddy, won't you pray for us too?" Fatima cried, making a puppy-like face. All her friends gaped in shock.

Baami chuckled. "Oh, why not?" he answered.

"Wow, I must say I am surprised!" Tracy gasped. "I always thought your mission today was to catch the bouquet at the reception. So you can actually admit you need prayers too?" she teased.

Korede and Esther laughed, but Fatima chose to ignore them.

"Please, go ahead, sir," she said, then went down on her knees.

She wasn't surprised when Tracy and Esther went down beside her, and neither was Korede. Regardless, Baami blessed them too. "Okay, I think it's time for us to get back to the church," Baami finally said after the prayer. "Your cousins and friends are already waiting for you inside the church. Everyone is waiting for you."

"So is Mide's family," Maami added. "Where is he now?"

"He's on his way," Korede answered blankly.

Just before Baami could respond, they heard another tap on the door. This time, it was Naomi.

"Hi," she said, staring at Korede.

Korede's heart immediately jumped for joy at seeing her. On her way back from David's house, she had sent her a text, apologizing for how she reacted at the salon. When she got no reply, she thought Naomi had completely ignored her and might not be coming to the wedding after all. She didn't say a word but responded with a smile.

"Hey, Naomi. What's up?" Fatima beamed at her.

"I'm fine."

"Dear, let's get back now," Baami said. Taking his wife's arm, they went out of the room.

An awkward silence loomed between the two sisters, and Esther quickly sensed they needed some time alone.

"Hey, girls, why don't we head out too?" she suggested. Tracy and Fatima nodded in agreement, and together, they all exited the room.

Now that they were alone, Naomi came closer. "I saw your text."

Korede still didn't respond.

"Listen, Korede, I should be the one to apologize—"

Korede stunned her to silence with a sharp embrace. She still didn't speak, but Naomi could hear her sniffle.

"Please don't cry. You'll spoil your makeup," Naomi urged.

Korede chuckled. "I'm not…at least not now."

Naomi laughed. Then, she hugged Korede tighter. "You're strong, big sis. And I admire that. I'm sorry for—"

"It's okay, Naomi."

"No, please hear me out," Naomi replied. "From the beginning, I was trying to influence your decision and make you leave Mide and get back with David."

She released herself from Korede's embrace and looked her in the eye.

"I was the one who told David you were getting married. and I also urged him to win you back," she explained. "But then, he made me realize that I should have been honest with you from the beginning."

"Oh, wow.”

Korede never thought she'd hear David's name for the rest of the day, and at that moment, the memory of last night flashed in her head, even as she told herself that David was now a thing of the past. Thinking about him made her hurt.

"I realize now that I should have gone with the truth and should have been supportive of whatever decision you made," Naomi continued. "I'm really sorry for that."

Korede sighed and formed a weak smile. "That's okay, Naomi. Like I said in my text, I too am sorry for lashing out at you when I should I've listened…I was trying to avoid my feelings about David back then."

She stopped. Even saying David's name made her more hurt.

"And how about now?" Naomi asked. "Do you still feel the same for him?"

"It doesn't matter now. He told me to marry Mide," Korede replied.

"What? That seems strange., Naomi muttered.

"Yeah, but as I said, it doesn't matter," Korede said absently. "Today is my wedding day, and it's time to leave David as a thing of the past."

Naomi studied her sister's sincere eyes with intent. For the first time since the breakup, she truly seemed to mean what she said, and although Naomi couldn't understand why David said what he said, she was willing to stick by her sister to the end.

"Okay, I'm happy as long as you're happy." Her lips stretched into a smile.

Korede's face lit up. "Thank you."

Almost immediately, Tracy barged into the room. "Babe, Mide, and his friends are here!"