Unfortunate Wedding Ring

UNFORTUNATE WEDDING RING

      It was obviously a beautiful Friday. But, to Oge, the day could not be more beautiful than the awaited following day being Saturday that was expected to usher in the long awaited wedding ceremony between the lady in question and a widely celebrated bachelor in the person of Chima. The 34-year-old Oge, reckoned to be a humble and marriageable spinster, had waited patiently for the D-day she was meant to join hands with her husband-to-be, Chima right before the golden altar of Saint Mathew Catholic Church, Rumuokwoso in Rivers State, which was the designated venue for the scheduled epochal outing. She couldn’t wait for the next 24 hours as she lied in her bed in her parental home, filled with fathomless ecstasy. As she anxiously lied, she couldn’t keep her sight off the wedding gown hung in her wardrobe that was kept widely open; the unending observation brought endless smiles to her roundish face, thereby showcasing her real angelic outlook.

      Few minutes later, her mother - Mrs. Alo majestically walked into the room; it was about 7:30am. “Oge.” the elegantly looking woman called, standing closely to her.

     “Yes mum.” Oge answered, still lying in the bed.

     “You are still in the bed..?” Mrs. Alo queried, couldn’t afford to sit. “Have you forgotten we have a lot to do today?”

     “Sorry mum,” Oge said. “Just that…”

      The 61-year-old mother of four gushed out huge smile. “I understand how you feel my daughter.” She interrupted, walked to the bed and sat down. “During my time, I was more elated than you are right now.”

      Oge happened to be her first child and only daughter.

     “Really..?”

     “Yes dear.” Mrs. Alo responded, nodding. Hastily recollected the past.

     “Tell me about it.” She curiously demanded elatedly.

     “Your daddy was my dream man.” quoth Mrs. Alo. “So, I couldn’t wait for the D-day.”

      Oge was very attentive.

     “And,” she rode on. “Being the first daughter to my parents just as you are, the heat was really felt by everybody.”

      Oge dished out a dazzling smile.

     “My dear,” Mrs. Alo called. “We can’t finish everything now.” She asserted. “We have a lot to do today.”

     “Mummy nah…” Oge murmured, wanting her to continue.

     “Please, get up, get up!” Mrs. Alo urged, stood up.

      Oge equally stood up immediately, grabbed her mum. Both of them walked out of the room holding each other by the waist.

     On his part, the 36-year-old Chima who happened to be a very successful entrepreneur was as well perturbed; in fact, his was greater. But, as a young man who had tasted life so much, he knew how best to handle it. As he stepped out of his room on that Friday morning having taken his precious time to admire the white suit meant for the occasion, the moment of anxiety was conspicuously written all over his face, just exactly like Oge’s; hence, his father Mr. Agbo who was seated at the (Chima’s) house’s front balcony asked him to come over and join him. He complied accordingly, thus sat very closely with him on one of the vacant coloured plastic seats sited at the arena.

     “Son.” Mr. Agbo called tenderly.

     “Dad.”

     “Tomorrow is your day.” The octogenarian enthused.

      Chima happened to be his last child.

     “You are right, dad.”

     “By tomorrow, you would be a complete man.” The old man asserted. “And definitely, your identity would change.”

      Chima nodded calmly.

     “I and your mum can’t wait,” quoth Mr. Agbo. “Likewise you.” He added in a jiffy, paused. “In fact, the entire family and of course the whole world, would be celebrating you tomorrow.” He proudly exaggerated.

      Chima smiled, remained quiet.

     “Mind you,” he proceeded. “Don’t over labour yourself today so that you would be very fit tomorrow.”

      Chima nodded.

     “Have a good rest after today’s finishing touches.” He emphatically advised.

      The bachelor nodded as usual. “Thank you, dad.” He appreciated, stood up.

     “Good luck, son.” Mr. Agbo landed, still seated.

      Chima calmly took his leave, felt very excited, though the innermost feeling he was nurturing could best be expressed by him.

      Behold, the D-day being the following day eventually unfolded. By 10am of that fateful day, the incoming couple found themselves at the venue of the event, St. Mathew Catholic Church precisely. They were like newly and specially created creatures meant for each other; the joy on their respective faces could be observed by all and sundry, even the virtually impaired.

     At 10:30am, which was the actual time for the ceremony, the priest-in-charge, Reverend Father Ebo graciously commenced the wedding mass. In his sermon, he reminded the congregants that ‘What God has joined together, let no man put asunder’. He equally took time to expatiate the essence of the biblical citation to everyone’s understanding.

     Approximately at 11:10am, tying of the nuptial knots, which was the real reason for the mass, began in a grand style. At this point, all the photographers in the church, including paparazzi and quacks, surrounded the about to be wedded couple comprising Mr. Chima Agbo and Miss Oge Alo. Fascinatingly, they were incidentally the only couple to be wedded in the church on that very day.

     “If there’s anyone here who is against this union,” Rev. Fr. Ebo announced as tradition demanded. “He or she should say something now, or forever remain silent.”

      Before he could finish the statement, a young woman holding about 2-year-old female kid in her left hand, dashed into the magnificent church building. “Yes, this wedding will not go on.” She fiercely hinted aloud from afar.

     It wasn’t even a ‘man’ as the cleric earlier cited in the biblical quote; a woman was the person wanting to put the forbidden asunder. One may wonder: where had she been all those while when the marriage banns were being announced in the church?

     Everyone present looked at her in silent awe, whilst Chima bent his head, felt ashamed and mesmerized.

     “This man here is my husband.” The intruder claimed, pointing at Chima. “And, this is his daughter.” She added, pointing at the kid with her right hand.

      The teeming congregants were in disarray whilst the supposed incoming bride passed out.

      The officiating priest, Rev. Ebo therein called Chima as well as the ‘august visitor’ into an inner chamber for further enquiries, whereas others concentrated on the fainted Oge towards resuscitating her.

      What transpired consequently ought to be a story for another day. Or, what do you think? Think about it!

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