Chapter 84

Goriola’s POV

"You may kiss the bride."

This time around, we were the one receiving the claps, cheers, and sweet smiles appearing on faces sited in the church. I lifted the white veil up, and there she was looking stunning than ever before. Her prettiest smile made me more hungrier for her lips I was told to kiss. I bent my head slowly tasting the delicious small lips. They were the sweetest. Soft, and yummy, and I didn't know how many seconds our lips were locked together. The cheers were getting too much so I guess they were telling me to stop. I moved back confessing the three words again in a whisper. "I love you." Then she responded with a sweet smile.

I couldn't believe this day was ever going to come. I knew I was going to one day get married, but never knew it was going to be this early. I felt so fulfilled, happy, alive, and grateful. I was grateful I met a girl like Jadesola. I was grateful we didn't just meet but she was part of my life, and was going to be for the rest of my life. I felt like the luckiest guy on earth marrying the woman I love and wish to spend the rest of my life with. While she was saying her vow, she had a little tear that successfully roll down her cheek. That tear showed how much she poured her heart in those words. It was the best moment for me, and a memory that will last for a lifetime.

That day, I promised not just to be her husband, but a loving husband. A man who will always be there for his wife, children, and family all together. A man who is ready to build a home where God lives, and would never let his pride get the best of him or make him far away from his wife. A man who will give out his listening ears, and forgive numerous times because no one is perfect and I knew she was always going to offend me whether I liked it or not.

One major thing I learnt from the marriage counselor was... Love is not a feeling but mere attraction. Love is commitment. Putting your focus on your partner. When she's physically beautiful or not, when she's attractive or not, when she's supportive or not, when she gives you attention or not. As a man who loves his family, and knows marriage is full of imperfections won't ever give himself a reason or excuses to do what could break his home, break his spouse, or destroy him completely.

Now I understood why Mom insisted we see a marriage counselor. I learnt so much I never knew about marriage, and hope to become a better man, father, and husband to my wife, and children.

ONE YEAR LATER

Adams Jadesola Coker

Marriage had been sweet, and challenging. After I was done with law school, the stress reduced for me, and it created enough time for me to spend with my husband and daughter, Arabella. We lived as one family, and I couldn't contain the joy on Arabella's face, and attitude towards us. I felt like her dream became a reality with

the way she jumped around the house and excitedly called me mom, and called Gori Dad. She was happy to the fullest!

I walked into the popular show anchored by Favour, the celebrity presenter. She had been on my dm, with emails just to have me on the show ever since I dropped a book I personally called my life history. They call it MEETING

WITH THE PRESIDENT'S SON. I sat where I was told to, giving Favour a smile of... Girl, I'm ready. Let's get this over!

"Whao!" Favour shook her head at me saying... At last! She smiled at me. "I'm glad to finally have you on the show.

And I'm kind of shy because you are married to my crush. Awwn... You look so fresh. How did you feel on your wedding day." She smiled sheepishly at me.

I chuckled slowly before returning my little smile back at her. "Thank you Favour. His vow were actually funny. I felt like that was some lyrics to a song." I laughed at the flashback that came to my mind.

'I'm standing here to declare my love for you. Baby, all I seek and find is in you. See, if I'm to choose over and over again, fall in love over and over again, I will choose you. To be sincere, girl I'm down for you, and I will do almost anything for you. I want you to know no girl can take this guy away from you. Babe, I'm yours today, and forever more. I love you babe.

Favour laughed. "Mr Gori must have really listened to some songs to deliver such a beautiful vow." I chuckled quietly at her comment, nodding my head before replying. "That was the sweetest vow ever!" But of course, he later said the one expected him.

Favour laughed loudly this time. "So true. So, coming back to you, I fell in love with you when I read your book. So tell us, you wrote Meeting with the President's son. Why?" She asked smiling at me.

I smiled back before resulting into a little chuckle. "Thank you for having me on the show as well. I started a foundation six months ago called STC meaning support the child. But then, I want everyone to really look into my story to see what my foundation means because if we all want to see people rise, whether those who are passionate about their dreams, or have made one or two mistakes, the number one key is support! While I was going through my setback, what pushed me, and motivated me was the support of my family, and friends. And not just that," I shifted a little from my seat to feel a little more comfortable.

"I want parents to know that if there is a case of unintended pregnancy from any of their teens, what the child need is support and not to be pushed aside. Cases of depressed people all around is as a result of not getting support when they need it, and because of that, they find it somewhere else, and result into something else which

might end up destroying their lives. But when scolded, and lectured to know what they've done is not the best option for them, they should be encouraged to get back to their feet, and pursue their dreams without allowing anyone or anything make them feel less of themselves."

Favour nodded. "Hmmm So true."

"I got here as a result of support from my mom, my dad, cousins, and friends. And support doesn't just end there.

If out of four friends, two are doing fine, those two are expected to support the other two with something they can, and not just watch because when they support them, gradually they are coming up too. After writing my story, and learning so much from it, I feel like the only one way people can rise is by having people supporting one another. If poverty and wealth represents a person, and we have like ten persons, what do you think will happen if the two wealthy persons come out to support at least three, and just like that, the three goes out as well to support the ones they can. Don't you think poverty will reduce? But no, we all love to cast blames, and injure a wounded soul again because we believe he put himself in such situation. What do you think would have happened if I have just being left alone? Seriously, lack of support causes a lot."

"Hmm " The presenter shook her head.

"Also, we shouldn't wait until things fall apart. As parents, guidance, teachers, we should educate the little ones, students, and the children what life, sex, drugs, career, future, and a lot of things are all about, to be careful at how they make decisions, and live their lives. Let us put aside the thoughts of some of them will not listen, and let's keep educating them all because there are certain ones who will listen and walk through that path. By doing that, we are guiding them closer to their future so as not to encounter hindrances."

"In summary, I wrote the book to show the practical aspect of what support really is, and other lessons. I don't think I would have become a lawyer if I had not been supported, and encouraged and trusted again. When I was pregnant at sixteen, I felt like my whole world came crashing. And apart from the support I mentioned, I want everyone to really never give up on themselves. With situations around us, our dreams sometimes seem impossible, but today, I want everyone watching me to know, it becomes a reality to those who never give up!"

"Your mistake might not be unintended pregnancy. It might be something worse, or something different, but after all these, and you still meet someone who believes in you, please, it's your work to never disappoint them, and never fall victim of the same mistake again."

"Whao! I hope this won't be interpreted otherwise, but sis I've got to let you know I love, love, love you so much.

Now I know that if all I have is two hundred naira, I can buy a spaghetti to support a family by providing food on their table. Buy sandals to give to some students whose tattered sandals can make you slap the sellers if they are wasting time."

I couldn't swallow the laughter causing her to laugh too. "Well Favour, you might not know, but that slap can land you somewhere dangerous."

She burst into laughter. "But someone will comman support me too nau."

I shook my head at her, and I guess she understood this is Nigeria. Both of us erupted a load of laughter at the same time. Her face turned suddenly serious again. "Aside the whole joke, I've learnt so much from the book, and from what you've said today. I love what your foundation is doing, and I've realized from you today that I don't

have to start a foundation before I can be of support to someone. Just like your friend in your book, I can be another Kemi Falade who will support my friend, and be there for her when things don't seem to go well. And not just to my friends, but I can also be a friend, a sister, and a teacher to educate someone, support someone who doesn't have things going well for him or her, and not add to the pain because I don't know what options he or she chose from. Thank you so much sis Jadesola."

I gave her a look of whao! I was impressed with her summary. "Thank you for having me Favour." I smiled at her.

She winked and smiled back at me."I heard you are having a talk at the youth conference going next week."

"Yes," I nodded.

"I guess you actually studied law for this."

I laughed. "They say I talk too much, but I guess God rebranded my passion for talking into this. Studying law actually boosted my confidence, and has really exposed and influenced me positively. I am more than ready to meet and give them my heart talk."

"What topic were you given?"

"Are you going my way?" I said, getting a curious look from Favour. I laughed. "Have been told to ask the question and speak as the spirit leads."

She chuckled for some seconds, and stopped. "I really would have to watch that. Hmm... Who is actually going my way?"

We both bursted out laughing as the show finally came to an end.