HE SAID NO.
Episode 4
Mrs. Robert was at Mrs. Biodun’s mini supermarket, where she sold all sorts ranging from edibles to toiletries and more, people knew her as mummy Grace. She was Mrs. Robert’s friend. Mrs. Robert ran a food store, she sold raw foodstuffs in bulk in a big shop in Lagos. They occasionally visited each other, either at home or at their shops. This time around, it was Mrs. Robert turn as sat beside Mummy Grace on a long cushion at a corner of the shop, she had been around for about an hour and it didn’t seem like it because they had so much talkings and gossippings to do.
“I love your earrings, e fine no be small, ” Mrs. Robert said looking at the glistering piece of jewelry that she wore.
“Thank you, my friend. Everyone has been asking me where I got them from, it was Grace’s husband that got it for me alongside other stuff came around last weekend,”
“Eeya, that was so nice of him. How is Grace doing, and her husband?”
“They are fine oh, in fact, ” she looked sideways before lowering her voice, “She is already carrying her second baby! she whispered, sounding excited,
” Oh my God, I’m so happy for her, congratulations my friend,” Mrs. Robert said happily as she gave her a side hug,
“Thank you, my friend, How is Amifel na?
“Amifel…, she is fine, ” Mrs. Robert said, giggling in a rather awkward manner, she knew what she was about to ask
“How far with her wedding preparations,”
“We are on it oh, we are just trying to take our time,”
“Eeya, but that her husband is a special package sha, fine and rich” mummy Grace teased,
“You can say that again, we can’t settle for less, my girl deserves a good man, ” Mrs. Robert boasted,
“Yes oh, she deserves it, not after waiting for so long, just try and hurry them up before this one disappears too,”
“Ahn Ahn, what is that supposed to mean?” Mrs. Robert, countenance changed immediately. She knew that she was talking about Amifel’s ex, she had boasted to mummy Grace about Bolaji, they had even gone to price some expensive lace materials before Bolaji disappeared into thin air, and since he left three years ago, no other suitor came for Amifel until George came to change the narrative.
“I don’t mean it like that na, I am just eager to tie gele, ” she teased as she tickled Mrs. Robert, “But really, try to hurry them up, woman dey quick old, ” she concluded in pidgin.
Mrs. Robert left her place more determined than ever to see Amifel get married to George, she always felt awkward anytime Mrs. Grace talked about her first daughter, Grace, and her husband. Grace was 3 years younger than Amifel, as if getting married and having a son wasn’t enough, she is now expecting a second baby.
“Amifel won’t turn me into a laughing stock, it is me and her!” Mrs. Robert said to herself while driving back home.
***************
Amifel went to inspect the wedding hall, a day before, she nodded at the exquisite and eye-appealing glam that the decoration team had added to the venue. It was a well-spaced hall and it must have cost a fortune. Everything seemed to be in check as different people playing different roles dropped in and out of the wedding hall. Amifel was satisfied with what she saw because she kept nodding and smiling as she walked up and down the hall with her hands akimbo. She heard her phone ring and reached out for it in her purse,
“Hello George, ” she said, as soon as she picked the call,
“How are you dear?” George asked,
“I’m fine and, how are you?”
“I’m fine too, just missing you, ”
“Awwwwn, she blushed, “I miss you too, ” she said, strolling down the hallway beaming with smiles,
“What are you up to?” He asked,
“I’m preparing for the white wedding of the Ayangbamis, I told you it’s tomorrow, ”
“Yeah yeah, I totally forgot, how is it going?”
“Fine fine, so far… You know I’m good at what I do, ” she bragged.
“Yeah right, you know, I really can’t wait for our own wedding to happen, ” he said. She wanted to say something but kept quiet instead, marriage conversations with him usually made her feel guilty “Hello babe, are you there?” He continued,
“Yeah, I’m here. I look forward to that too, ” she said,
“You sound tired, ”
“Yeah, I am. I just can’t wait for tomorrow to come and go so I can have a straight 7 hours to sleep, She dragged, hoping he won’t talk about marriage again.
” Sorry dear, ”
“Thank you, babe, ”
“I was about to ask if we could go out for lunch or dinner tomorrow, but I already have my answer already, ”
“I would have loved to, but Saturday is totally booked, but we could make it Sunday, after church, probably in the evening, she hurriedly added, she wanted to see him so badly,
“I understand babe, I understand.”
“Are you done for the day?” she asked while glancing at her wristwatch, it was some minutes past 4.
“Yeah, I’m just hanging out with some friends. I guess we’ll talk later then, ”
“I guess we’ll talk later then, I’ll call you when I get home, ”
“That would be fine, do take care. Love you!”
“Love you too,” she replied before he hung up. “He’s such a sweet soul,” She muttered as she made to take her seat on one of the decorated chairs,
She had decided to settle down with him, after all, he was a good man and everyone can testify to that. Her mum had taken her to about 3 seers who had confirmed to her that she was right on track, and when she voiced out her convictions to one of them, he claimed it was the devil that was trying to throw confusion on her path while another said God only wanted her to pray concerning an evil occurrence that might happen in the future,
“Last last, there is nothing that prayers cannot do, ” she had concluded in her heart.
She must have been lost in thought for quite some time as she suddenly noticed that the lady in charge of the ushering team standing behind her,
“So sorry, Miss Esther, I didn’t know you were here already, ” She apologized,
“No ma, I only just got here, ” Amifel dragged another seat close to her and signaled her to sit down,
“Okay so how many ladies do we have on ground, ”
She discussed at length with the lady before they parted ways. She still stayed back in the hall for about an hour and a half to oversee the work team, giving orders, and making corrections where necessary. She was a perfectionist, always wanting to give her best on her job. Blessing had promised to bring the wedding cake to the venue, first thing the next morning. She was determined to impress her clients and make their wedding a glamorous one and she silently prayed that everything would go as planned.
TBC
Written by Sodamade Olamide Tolulope.
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