GRUMPY AND THE PRIEST : EPISODE 21 – THE END

By Faith Lucky

FINAL EPISODE

Still holding her flowers, she struggled to run with the big gown she was putting on.
“Alvin! Alvin!” She called after him and finally caught up with him.

He stopped walking and turned to face her.
But he wasn’t looking the way she had expected him to look.

“Alvin?” She called again and couldn’t think of what next to say.

She tried going on her knees, but he stopped her, lifting her up just before she touched the floor.

“There’s no need for that, Nina” he said.
“You mustn’t ruin your sparkling dress. You still have a wedding to attend”.

Nina flinched at his words.
“I’m…I’m sorry” she muttered helplessly.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about because I perfectly understand.

You have an obligation to perform and although you had detested it before, you’ve gotten to fall in love with it now.

“Maybe, we were never meant to be. Perhaps, the only role you had in my life was just to secure my happiness.

“Because of you, I was able to take a stand and embrace my passion. If you hadn’t been persistent enough, I’d have died a lonely sad man.

“We all get to meet different people for different purposes in our life. And I think you’ve just done your purpose.
“So, thank you Nina, for making me see the light and fighting for what I want.

“Although you were the first girl I ever got to love, I’m sure I’ll find a replacement. I just hope she has your smile.

“I’ll be leaving in the morning to Chicago. My aunt just got me enrolled in to a music school and ill be combining it with high school for now. After all, I only have a few months to round up high school.”

Hs paused and brought out a disc from his bag.

“This is the recording of your favorite song. Went through a lot of stress to make it for you. Hope you enjoy it.” He continued and handed it to her.

“By the way, thanks a lot for last night. It was you, right? It was you who called my mum and directed her to the concert so she could hear me sing. Thanks a lot. It was really of great help.”

Nina was dumbfounded as she never expected such from Alvin.

“Alvin, I…I don’t know what to say” she floundered.

“I don’t expect you to say anything. But, I have a request.

“I know it’s odd for a bride to receive her first kss from someone else, but could I get a kss from you?” He asked and Nina chuckled and kssed him.

“Theo’s so lucky to have someone like you. I hope he gets to cherish this precious gift. “. He said.

Immediately, Nina embraced him, clutching him tight.
“Thank you Alvin. I’ll never forget this” She said in a whimpering tone.

He smiled and patted her on the back and after that, released himself from the hug.

“Hurry up Nina.” He said. “Your groom is waiting.”
They laughed and she made to leave but stopped and embraced him again.
“Bye”.
“Bye” he replied and she left, running off.

She ran back to the church and found Theo still at the alter.
He’s been waiting for her the whole time and had a strong feeling she Ws bound to return.
He felt she wouldn’t let go easily.

Even when she had ran out of the church to go after Alvin, he had been the one pleading with the congregation to exercise patience and await her. He had assured them she’d be back.

And when he saw her hoping back to the church, struggling with her wedding dress, he couldn’t help but laugh.

He waited for her to get to the alter and he stretched out his hand to her.

“I’m sorry, Theo. I had to check up on something” she said to him, panting slightly.
“I knew you’d come back” he replied and led her to the pulpit where the Reverend Father came up.

The congregation were all watching in amusement.

The father did a little prayer before commencing the marriage rites.

“Theo Sidney,” he started.
“Do you take Nina Wesley ad your lawfully wedded wife, to hold and to love and cherish forever?”

“Yes, I do”.
“And do you promise to be there for better for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”
“Yes, I do”.

“And Nina Declan Wesley, do you take Theo Sidney as your lawfully wedded husband, to hold and to love and cherish forever?”

She hesitated for a bit.
She looked around and her eyes ran into so many faces, all staring at her, waiting for her reply.

She looked back at Theo and noticed he ws very nervous. But she had no reason to be scared anymore.
Her conscience had been cleared and her wish had come to pass.

On the night of the wishing star, she had wished for Alvin to find happiness and that wish had come to pass.
He has found happiness Even without her.

“Nina?” Theo called in a whisper and Nina shook her head, trying to get back to the present.

“Yes, I do” she replied.

“And do you promise to be there for better for worst, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”
“Yes, I do”.

He gave the marriage rites to her to read out.
“I, Nina take you Theo, to be my lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish and I promise to be faithful to you till death do us part”.

Theo also did same and after that, they wore on their rings and were joined together by the priest.

“With the powers vested in me by God Almighty, I hereby pronounce you, Theo Sidney and Nina Wesley husband and wife from this day on.”

There was an outbreak of joy from the congregation as they all began clapping blissfully.

Theo was instructed to kiss her and he unveiled her face.
It really was her.

Perhaps, it all happened because of the wish he made on the night of the wishing star. He had wished for nothing to ruin the wedding.

Obviously, it worked and made him a happy man.

“Thank you, Nina; for making this day a reality” he said to her. “I love you”.
“I love you too” she replied, beaming with smiles.

“This isn’t a date, Theo” Owen said from behind.
He was standing behind Theo together with miles and Lancelot.

“You don’t have to worry. Mummy won’t scold you for kssing a lady. She knows you’re now a married boy. Oh, sorry; a married man”. Lancelot chipped in.

“Yeah. So, stop acting like a good boy and kss her. I know that’s the reason you painted your lips pink” Miles added and Theo laughed with Nina who had also been overhearing them.

“But she still needs to work on her cooking skills, though; the one you told us about. You know, our friend’s wife is also our wife.” Miles said and Nina gasped.