Mended Wings
Episode 12
No one could be more excited than Ella was, not only because it was a beautiful day with the sun shining effortlessly and birds chirpingwith glee, but also because it was her day, the day she was giving herhand in marriage to Joel Mason. What more joy could she have?
She turned her head, allowing her eyes to wander briefly from one corner to the other, and smiled. How could so many people turn up for her wedding? she wondered. The church was full to its capacity. Perhaps because she wore a double cap in the church, first as the assistant head of ushering department and second as the sisters’ coordinator for the
youth, or because she was getting married to the newly ordained pastor whom everyone loved. Either way, the day was beautiful. She smiled as
she consented to marry Joel who in turn picked the ring on The Bible and slid it on her finger. If anyone cared to measure, her joy would overflow the measure.
The program ended shortly after the new couple exchanged their
vows, signed their marriage certificate, and danced in thanksgiving to God.
Reception was even more splendid than she foresaw. She glanced
at the right side of the hall and there they were gathered, gifts of various types and sizes, more than could be packed in one vehicle.
“God is amazing,” she said under her breath. Only God could
have done such a beautiful thing, she thought. Was she that good to have received all those gifts on her wedding? That couldn’t be the reason. It was a sign of heaven’s blessing on her marriage. Thank God she married Joel. She smiled at her thoughts. If her wedding were rated, it would be listed among the top ones. She couldn’t have wished for more. Her dress, his suit, accessories, and all they used were imported from overseas. She’d had her dream
wedding. Now she’d look forward to having her dream marriage. All she knew was that she’d gotten the best, nothing could be better.
A driver drove Joel and Ella to their new home in Verdi Estate
after the ceremony that introduced them to the world as a couple. Although Ella had wanted them to have their honeymoon in a posh hotel outside the city or at least anywhere special and different
from Joel’s house which would serve as their home, but Joel had insisted having the honeymoon in the house. He’d told her that lodging at hotels
for honeymoon wasn’t the best for them as Christians.
“How could we start our married life on a defiled public bed?” he had asked. And He’d finished it off by telling her they’d make no difference if they did what secular people did. Even though she had wanted to repudiate his opinion, she couldn’t, after all, she knew of no verse of the scripture to corroborate her own opinion. She’d agreed not only because it was no case but also because she wanted to prove to him she’d be a submissive wife.
Joel alighted from the car and held the door open for his new
bride. “Careful,” he said as Ella hopped off the car. They walked hand?in-hand into the house leaving the driver outside to sort out himself.
After a short prayer, Ella beckoned on Joel to assist her pull off her dress to which he obliged.
“Should we bath together?” Ella said after much hesitation, as Joel unbuttoned her dress.
Joel smiled. “I don’t want to bath yet. You go first Okay,” she said. So, men could also be shy, she thought and smiled. Ella stepped into the bathroom and took enough time to have a
refreshing bath. She walked out and towelled her body. She rummaged her box and brought out a set of lingerie she’d bought specifically for her honeymoon. She picked the pink one, wore it, and covered her hair
with a cap. She stood before the dressing mirror and smiled at her reflection. She couldn’t fathom where all her timidity flew to, perhaps her wedding ring had imprisoned it. She applied a light makeup, checked
her reflection again, and was satisfied with what she saw in the mirror.
Although she was tired, she was determined to stay strong. She’d
promised never to deny her husband of her body and she wouldn’t tonight. After all, it was her first night as Joel’s bride. She walked out of the room, content with her look. She had to make a strong impression, she thought.
Joel sat on the chair watching a church programme on the
television. She slowly approached him, goose pimples all over her.
“Sweetheart, why don’t you bath now so we could eat and retire for the night?”
Joel turned his head to face Ella and froze. He stared at her. He’d never seen her like that. She was wearing a fitting pink polka dotted lingerie, which barely covered her hips; her face rid of the garb of heavy makeup, and her smile the type he never had seen. He coughed. “U-uh uh. I’ll go now.” He rose from his seat. “By the way, you are beautiful.”
Ella responded with a broad smile and a nod. Words just wouldn’t escape her mouth. She went into the kitchen, brought out their dinner from the fridge, and heated it before taking it to the table. Joel joined her shortly after the table was set. They prayed and ate in silence, their eyes exchanging unsaid words. The atmosphere was heavy with
emotions. She couldn’t wait to finish her food and be in the arms of the one she loved.
Ella cleared the table as soon as they finished eating and joined Joel in the sitting room. She sat beside him, staring at the television, waiting for him to place her head on his chest. Wasn’t that how r0mance
started in the books she’d read? When she saw that he did nothing, she moved closer and positioned her head on his chest. How she wished his
chest were bare, she’d have fondled the hair on it, but now that it was covered in a vest, she knew there was nothing she could do than wait for
him to make the first move.
Ella’s smell and touch sent chills down Joel’s spine. He clumsily f0ndled with her nape. “Er uh. I think we should go to bed now. It’s been a hectic day,” he said.
She nodded and stood up. They went into the bedroom and lay on the bed.
“Let’s pray,” he said. He prayed on and on, and by the time he was through, Ella was fast asleep.
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