Chapter 44—I’ll Keep Chasing after You

“Are you ready?” Korede heard her dad ask. If she was being honest, she wasn’t sure. It seemed like the whole was beginning to spin so fast that she was going to throw up. They were standing in front of the church. Tracy and Fatima had gone back into the church Esther remained behind as her chief bridesmaid. Standing up front was the flower girl in the person of Korede’s distant niece, all dressed in white and holding a woven basket filled with different colors of petals.

The scene was set, the people were present and so was the groom. Yet Korede wished she could be anywhere—anywhere but here. So why was she still here?

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to be walking you up the aisle,” he continued before she could answer.

As she studied her father’s glittering expression, Korede could see why she could not bring herself to leave. Everyone was looking forward to this special day of joy—her friends, family, parents, including members of Mide’s family, especially Chief Otunba, who she had grown fond of—and she didn’t want to let them down. Above all, she didn't want to be the runaway bride who would bring disgrace and shame to her family—not today.

“Yes, dad, I am,” she answered with a smile. Her only prayer was that she gets through the church ceremony without having to hurl upon the altar.

She inhaled and exhaled then wrapped her arms around her father. With the flower girl leading upfront while Esther was holding her dress from behind, they walked into the church.

Everyone immediately got up in a standing ovation as the choir sung a special hymn number, lifting their spirits. Korede looked around to see the eyes glued on her, people she knew and those she didn't recognize alike.

They all wore warm faces as her father led her on while her niece tossed flower petals frantically in the air ahead of them. Her sudden irritation dawned on her as she walked on. Everyone was happy, everyone except her.

Then she finally looked upfront to see Mide.

Korede exhaled again. Mide wore his perfect smile as well as he wore his finely made tuxedo, as if nothing had happened the night before. She hadn’t gotten the chance to confront him about David yet. She didn't think they would get the chance to until the reception.

Still, he was as handsome as ever and had Iceman behind him as his best man. Her eyes for some reason glanced to the left and caught Chief Otunba and Aunty Bukky smiling directly at her. Aunty Bukky's smile was obviously fake, but the chief's was exactly like her father's, and that seemed to break her even more.

She sucked the air back in again. Okay, time to get married Korede. But not for you anymore, this time it's for the people.

Her father finally walked her to the altar and after releasing her to the priest, he walked back to the front row where he joined his wife and other family members.

The choir stopped singing as Korede took her position opposite Mide while Esther remained behind her.

The priest, dressed in a white robe and a black rosary, pushed the tip of his eyeglasses up the bridge of his nose before he began.

"Brethren, we are gathered here this morning to commit the union of our dear brother, Olamide Otunba, and our beloved sister, Korede Aboyegi, under the eyes of our Lord and blessed savior, Jesus Christ…" were all Chief Otunba could hear from the priest before Aunty Bukky leaned closer to speak to him.

"They sure do look beautiful together, don't they?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Chief Otunba shifted his gaze from the priest to Korede but didn't say anything.

"Especially Korede," Aunty Bukky continued as if reading his thoughts. "That gown is completely astonishing. Her sister did a wonderful job. Once again, I'm impressed."

Knowing there was a tendency of his sister picking an offensive approach if he didn't reply, he said, "So am I."

"You know, everything just seems perfect, and you know who it's all thanks to…Who knows what today might have turned out to be if I hadn't stepped in when I did?" He could feel every shred of pride in her voice, and it irritated him. "And judging by the faces of the important people gathered here, I did a good job."

Chief Otunba looked over his shoulder to see some guests seated in the first and second row on the left side of the church where he sat. The greater part of them where CEOs and business moguls he had crossed paths with when he lived in Nigeria and still kept in contact with even after he left. Others were close associates he regarded as friends, like his Chief Editor and the state's Minister of Transportation, who were seated close to him.

They all wore warm smiles on their faces, and for that, he was pleased.

"Yes, you did." He nodded. "Thank you, Bukola," he said as sincerely as he could.

Aunty Bukky smiled, and together, they returned their attention to the priest. He gave a short sermon on the essence of marriage and how both the man and his wife should be each other's pillar in their journey on earth, being faithful till the end.

Immediately after the short digress, he called for the wedding rings. A small lad from Mide's family, probably younger than their flower girl and dressed in a suit, had the rings in his hands. The whole congregation watched in pure delight as he strode from his seat to deliver the rings at the altar.

"Now, before we continue," the priest said after he'd retrieved the rings. "Is there anyone who has a reason why these two shouldn't be joined together in holy matrimony? Let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

The whole congregation went silent as everyone turned their necks to see if anyone would raise their hand or stand up as the priest as requested, but there was none.

"Since there are none, it's time for the bride and groom to say their vows. Can we have the groom?" He motioned to Mide.

"Oh, me. Okay," Mide said, then cleared his throat. With his smile still as radiant as ever, he shifted his gaze back to Korede. "Korede Aboyegi. How you stumbled into my life was nothing short of a miracle. This past year has been the happiest of my life, and it's all because of you. You're strong, beautiful, sweet, and compassionate…the very best part of me."

Some of the younger people in the congregation made an ‘awww’ sound. Mide paused to chuckle, then continued immediately, drowning out the noise. "I vow to be patient, humble, loving, and always a little mysterious." He chuckled again. "Always giving you a reason to believe that we have another miracle together around each corner." He moved on to take a ring from the priest's palm, then took Korede's left hand afterward. Maintaining a steady gaze, he slipped it down her ring finger and spoke. "I give this ring as a sign of my love and my promise to be by your side through brightest of days and the darkest of nights, for the rest of our days."

The congregation gave a clapping ovation at his words but were soon motioned to keep quiet by the priest. "Now, let's hear the bride's."

Korede's heart fluttered immediately, but not in a good way. She felt tired of lying, but what she was about to do was lie. How could she say her vows when she wasn't sure she meant any of the words?

"Mide, I-I…" She seemed to run out of breath as she tried to collect her words together. She exhaled and opened her mouth to speak again. "I'm sorry—"

Before she could finish her words, a loud voice echoed throughout the church. "Korede, wait!"

Everyone turned their heads towards the entrance of the church, all gaping in shock at the sight of David.

Korede's heart skipped a bit on seeing him. He was panting heavily like he had run all the way, but he still kept his eye on her.

"What is he doing here?" Iceman whispered harshly to Mide's ear.

"I don't know," Mide answered, trying not to show the anger that burned in him.

Everyone had the same question in their mind, but only Korede was brave enough to direct it at David. "David, what are you doing here?"

After straightening himself, David slowly began to step away from the entrance. "Korede, please listen to me. Don't do this," he begged as he edged closer. "I'm so sorry for all I have done, for all the pain I have caused you. I tried to do the same thing again last night by pushing you away when all I should have done is have faith in the love we have for each other."

The whole congregation gasped in shock.

"Yes, I said it. I love you, Korede, and I'm not scared anymore to go wherever that love takes us…And I know you love me too. That's what you wanted to tell me last night, right?" David didn't wait for her to speak; he could see the answer in her eyes. "So please. Don't do this. Don't throw your happiness away because of my mistake."

David's final words left only three people in the congregation smiling: Naomi, Fatima, and Korede's mother. Everyone else was stunned and looked to Korede for her response.

Iceman, on the other hand, was growing impatient.

"Mide, this guy has said enough!" he muttered. "Let me bundle him outside and take care of him. It seems that the one he had outside wasn't enough."

"No, don't worry. I'll take care of it," Mide countered. He harrumphed again and walked over to Korede. "Babe, what is he talking about? You were with him last night?"

He held her hand firmly, and Korede was thrown aback by his question. But then, she didn't panic. She found her opening for her confrontation.

"Why did you want to marry me?"

Mide fell into an awkward silence. Then, he chuckled. "What do you mean? I'm marrying you because I love you."

"Don't lie to me, Mide. You wanted this so bad that you planned it with your aunt—not because you loved me."

"What?" Mide grew angry. "So now, you are going to take his words over mine?" He gesticulated in anger.

"No," Korede answered. "That's because he didn't tell me about you planning this with your aunt. But you did, and that proved that my suspicions were true."

Mide felt a chill shiver wash down his spine. She had caught him, and there was no way out.

"Then why did you do all of this?" Korede continued. "If it wasn't for me, then there must be some important reason, right?"

Mide's eyes glanced at his dad, and unfortunately for him, Korede's followed.

"Oh, I get it now. You were marrying me for your dad," she exclaimed, and the whole crowd went into an uproar as people started casting puzzled stares all around.

Chief Otunba's expression was a mix of confusion and disappointment, which Mide knew all too well. "Korede, please don't leave me," he pleaded. "I wasn't lying about you being the best part of me. I need you—"

"I'm sorry, Mide, but I can't," she cut him off. She kept a steady gaze on him as she pulled off the ring he had put on her finger, then placed it gently back on his palm. "Goodbye, Mide," she said and turned away from the altar.

Her eyes first met with David, who smiled sheepishly at her, then shifted to the right, where her family and friends were now on their feet cheering her on with smiles and applauses. Esther hugged her tightly, then kissed her on her cheek before she went down to join Tracy and Fatima.

It brought Korede much joy that they were all on her side, but then, it dawned on her that the other side of the congregation might not be happy with the drama she and Mide and David had displayed.

Ultimately, she only cared about Chief Otunba's reaction. He was staring back at her when she mouthed the words, 'I'm sorry,' and he gave a slight nod in response.

She came down from the altar immediately afterward. She picked up her dress and ran towards David. She was bursting with so much emotion that she didn't know what to do next.

As their eyes locked into one another, she considered her options. Maybe I should kiss him or hug him…Or maybe an ‘I love you’ will do.

David had grabbed her hand while she contemplated, and together, they both ran out of the church to David's car. For some reason, they laughed along the way, and by the time, they got to the car, they were breathing heavily.

Korede placed her hands on her bosom to catch her breath before she spoke. "So, what now?"