Chapter 9

"Toluwalase what are you doing? Don't ruin my dress please." Similoluwa yelled.

"You need to be calming down Similoluwa," I said calmly.

"She should be careful with my dress. Look at the way she manhandled my dress."

"It's your big day baby girl. Don't stress yourself out. You just need to stay calm and let these people do their thing."

"They should not come and spoil my day for me, I deserve the best."

"And that is what you are going to get, nothing but the best."

The house was full and everyone was going up and down in preparation for the traditional marriage. It was elaborate as it could be and Similoluwa's aunties were the happiest that day. Marriage is a beautiful thing but when its foundation is faulty there is nothing meaningful to build. As happy as Similoluwa was that day, I wasn't happy for her because I knew that a dog will always go back to his vomit and that's the case with Paul. Paul is a womanizer and woman-beater. He has beaten Similoluwa many times before and after it all, they still come back together. 

"Hey! Is this not Patricia?", Auntie Bisola asked in amazement.

"Yes, it is me ma. Good afternoon." I tried to bend down and greet her.

"Don't do that, my dear. Omo dada. You are doing well. How many months gone?" She asked excitedly.

"Eight months ma."

"O kare. Nice one. Good girl. Please make sure you relax and don't stress yourself too much. Pregnancy is delicate, don't stress the innocent baby."

"I will do just as you say ma. Thank you ma."

Coming to Nigeria was a bonus for Mama Funmi and Laide because we stayed over at their place and they even paid for our trip. As much as I love Nigeria, I love South Africa too and there is no how I would travel that my caring sisters-in-law would not know. Kelita and Christy are the sweetest people I could pray for. They had promised to even come over to the States once I was put to bed but now that I am in Nigeria there is no how I would not get to South Africa.

"Hello, my pretty sweetie pie. When are you planning on coming I need to know the date to put in for your flight." Kelita said sweetly.

"Kelly baby, we are not even done with the wedding now. Don't worry, in two weeks I will be there because Tayo is leaving on Monday."

"Yeah. He told me but at least you are coming."

"Yes, I am coming and I can't wait to see you."

"I can't wait to see you too."

"I have to go now. I am not feeling too well."

"Oh no, sorry. Is it fever?"

"My body is just reacting somehow but I will be fine."

"Please take care of yourself and don't stress yourself too much. Is Tayo not there with you?"

"He is not with me right now. He said he would come back for me."

"That's not the right thing to do and I will tell Gogo to scold him for that. He supposes to be around you always."

"Stop being too extra Kelita. The guy is trying and he cannot be following my shadow now but not to worry, I have called him to come pick me up already."

"That's good. As long as you and the baby are fine, I am good."

"We will be fine. I love you."

"I love you too. Don't miss me too much, I will call you tomorrow. I have a date."

"You should go and get an outfit then because you have a lot of talking to do tomorrow."

"I will give you all the gist tomorrow. Talk to you later, bye."

"Bye-bye."

The main wedding was even more elaborate than the traditional wedding. Similoluwa was all dressed and I couldn't stop beholding her beauty. My friend was a very beautiful woman and I couldn't express all the joy within me because of the man she was getting married to.

"You look absolutely beautiful Similoluwa." I almost cried.

"Please don't make me cry. It's a beautiful day."

"Yeah, it is a beautiful day with the touch of a beautiful bride."

"My head is swelling, I will cry o."

"Don't cry. Don't ruin your makeup. Similoluwa is a princess soon to be a queen." I quickly cleaned my eyes before tears could gush out. "I wish nothing but a blissful marriage. Everything concerning you will be prosperous. You will fulfill the mandate that God has created for marriage, you will have children girls and boys alike. Your marriage is healed from infirmities in Jesus' name"

"Amen. Amen in Jesus' name."

I wasn't able to be Similoluwa's maid of honor but my own was even more than the role of the maid of honor. I was only a few distance from the bride and whenever anybody comes to inform the bride of anything, it has to come through me first. Just an hour after we got to the reception a lady came to give me an update.

"Auntie Pat." She came running all sweaty. "A lady is outside making a scene." The lady whispered as Similoluwa looked back at me suspiciously.

"A scene? Who is she?", I asked curiously.

"She claimed she is pregnant for the groom." I was destabilized the moment I heard that news that I stood up angrily.

"Pregnant for who?" I yelled.

"Auntie Pat, calm down." The lady tried to calm me down.

"You this son of a bitch! Why must you always mess up everything?" I moved closer to him and slapped him. Before I knew it my water broke and Tayo quickly ran to my rescue.

"Patricia, what is going on?" Similoluwa asked calmly with tears and the moment I saw her my heart was broken the more. 

"He is not worth your tears Similoluwa", I cried as Similoluwa cried.

"My water! My water!", I groaned as Similoluwa fainted.

It was the most terrible day of my life and that will be last. My friend is married to an infidel. How I wished the lady had come earlier but Paul made the day my friend was supposed to see as the happiest day the most terrible nightmare she had ever had.

"It's a girl. Your baby is a girl." The nurse gave my baby to me to hold.

"A girl." I could not explain the feeling I had, sadness mixed with happiness but I held my baby closer to my chest in tears.

"Where is my husband?" I asked curiously.

"He went home to get some stuff for you. He will soon be back." She replied.

We were still talking when Laide rushed into my ward.

"Patricia!" She sat beside me. "I am sorry about what happened but even in your sadness comes this bundle of joy, I will like to name her Happiness." Laide held my hand and squeezed it softly.

"She is a bundle of joy." I put on a smile. "Where is Similoluwa? How is she?" I asked curiously.

"She is in the Intensive care unit. She has not woken since she fainted after the incident."

"And what did the doctor say about her condition?"

"He said she will be fine and that she is on a sedative."

"I hope she will be fine. I don't know what can happen if she wakes up. But I wish she call it quits with Paul and uphold her sanity."

"That guy is a bastard I swear. That wedding was a terrible nightmare."

"Where is he right now?"

"I don't know, Auntie Bisola and Auntie Mary chased him away from the hospital yesterday."