There I was seated at my desk. Today was just like any other day, I guess. Work was going smoothly until a call interrupted my dealings. I picked up the call only to hear a familiar voice from the receiver. My face quickly lit up in a smile.
”Abigail, is that you? Long time no see. How have you been?” I asked her in one breadth.
She chuckled in her usual manner and replied ”Yes Becky, it's me in the flesh. I'm doing great”.
”What about you and your family? Hope you guys are good?”
”Yes, we are all doing fine. Thank you dear. So what's up? This one you called me this afternoon. Is there any gist for me?” I inquired happily.
”Yes oooo. Your girl is getting married and I want you to be there. You cannot say no okay”.
”Wow! This is excellent news. So you will leave our single girls club right?”
”Let me start saying congratulations from now. I will be there life and direct okay. Just forward the necessary details to me and the invitation. I wish you all the best dear”.
”Awwn, thanks a lot. I knew I could count on you. I will forward all the details to your WhatsApp. Thank you for the good wishes. See you soon”.
And with that, she hung up the call. I stared at my phone for a long while, replaying the conversation in my head. It was surreal to me. ”Abby is finally getting married”. This is good news.
I continued with my work so as to meet up with the target of the day but my heart was filled with joy already because of the news I received.
Abigail and I had been friends for almost a decade. We met at a private school where we both worked and we hit it off immediately as it seemed like we both understood each other. Abigail proved to be a lovely soul as she was very tolerating and kind. She had virtues that I admire in people.
Even when we both left the private school for better paying jobs in different cities, we still kept in touch. Hearing about her good news gladdened my heart a lot and I made a mental note to prepare for the wedding.
I got that call in February of this year and the wedding was slated for August of this same year. All that was needed for the wedding was in place. I got the shoes, I got the dress, hair and make-up was on point to make me ready.
The D-Day finally arrived and I left my residential area in Badagry, boarded a commercial vehicle that would take me down to mile 2 and from there, I boarded another bus to get to the wedding venue at Idid-araba. The journey took approximately three hours and twenty minutes from my residence to the wedding venue but it didn't feel that long to me as I was beaming with overflowing joy in my heart
The wedding commenced as I arrived. I had to show my entry card to the bouncers in front of the wedding hall for admission. It was a strictly by invitation event and I must confess that the event was so orderly.
I watched Abigail take her vows joyfully with her husband. I watched them kiss publicly as man and wife. I also watched her dance into the reception venue and she was all smiles, just as a favoured bride should be.
When it was time for the menu, we (the guests) queued up at the buffet table and began to serve ourselves with our desired food of choice. I went for jollof rice, fried rice, moi-moi and a large chunk of beef. Drinks were served as well and the merriment continued. Soon it was time for all the guests to present their gifts to the new couple and when it got to my turn, I was overwhelmed with happiness.
I congratulated the couple, especially Abby, on the success of her wedding before taking my leave since I had a long journey to embark. I told her that I would give her a call, to which she nodded. I left the reception venue with my heart swelling with joy and my hands carrying some souvenirs.
Although it took five hours to get back home due to traffic, I felt like the sacrifice was worth it. This joyful event will not be forgotten in a hurry.
Thank you all for reading.
Images used are mine.