by Oluwatosin Fatoyinbo

I thought about it and asked myself one tangible reason why the wedding should not hold. I found none. After all, I was getting married to the man I loved. I tried to catch the excitement bug and soon I got better.

– Read Episode 1 of the compelling story HERE.

– Read Episode 2 of the compelling story HERE.

– Read Episode 3 of the compelling story HERE.

– Read Episode 4 of the compelling story HERE.

– Read Episode 5 of the compelling story HERE

Life is what happens to you while you are busy routing it in another direction. Whatever life brings our way is for a reason, a lesson. Kick yourself for the error, learn from it and then move on. Dad was disappointed at my pregnancy because he felt it was disgraceful that his daughter was put in the family way without being wedded. He insisted he wouldn’t shift his ground. His daughter would not have a child out of wedlock. He had a long discussion with Gboye. I had no idea what they spoke about, all I knew was Gboye came out from Dad’s study saying we should walk down the aisle.

I could not understand the whole change in perspective, just the night before he had maintained he was not ready for marriage. He stopped short of saying I should abort the baby. I was not going to abort the baby no matter what. We both knew that. He was all apologetic about us having sex but I told him to forget it. He should have apologized after the few minutes escapade and not at the moment when the consequential effect became obvious. Besides, I couldn’t bear to see him sad, so we came to a conclusion: we will keep the baby. I wasn’t sure I wanted to marry but I also was scared of the stigma that accompanies childbirth out of wedlock. We agreed we will simply keep the baby and get married when we felt ready.

Upon informing Dad the next morning, he refused vehemently making it clear such would only happen if he had gone to the world beyond but so long as he lived, his ‘baby’ would not give birth to her baby without an official ring on her hand. After a long heated argument, dad asked me to leave the men to discuss man to man. I had no choice but to leave. Whatever argument he put forward, Gboye bought it. They agreed without my consent. They even picked the date. I was irritated at such disregard for my opinion. I screamed at Gboye, I mourned at Dad but none listened to me. They brokered a deal and I was the subject of the contract; a pawn in the hands of the two most important people in my life.

Dad approached the Pastor of our Church to inform him about the decision. Pastor Israel loved me very much. He had always been one of my favorite people since Mum died. He always had kind words for me. Dad was also well respected in church. He was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and had contributed Millions of Naira to various church projects. His companies also employed many people in the Church. The decision to have us marry in church should not have been a big deal. Surprisingly, Pastor Israel said he could not conduct the wedding. He said a wrong precedent will be laid if we were wedded without acknowledging our error. He spoke extensively about us rededicating ourselves back to God and then bearing the consequences of our action. I felt that was too harsh. Dad was very furious and felt Pastor was an ingrate. Pastor pleaded with Dad not to make us marry when it was not yet time, Dad shouted him down and stormed out of his office. Eventually, we found another church to conduct the wedding.
In the build-up to the wedding, Gboye was very excited. I wasn’t that excited. The event of the happenings leading to the wedding had taken away my enthusiasm. I felt though that I had no choice. I remembered the conversation I had with Gboye three nights before the wedding.

‘Baby, are you ok? You still look sad. How do you want me to feel when you are like this? He asked
‘I’m sorry Darling; my mind is just not at rest. I want to be happy but I can’t ward off this skeptical feeling’
‘I know. I also have my fears’ He moaned. He came and sat by the couch where I laid, fondly touched my stomach and continued ‘You are carrying our baby. You can’t afford to be sad. We want a happy baby right? I nodded my head to indicate my consent.
‘There is also that worrying part that you have refused to tell me why you went behind my back and agreed to the marriage proposal with Dad’ I said in an accusing tone.
‘Baby, the wisdom of the fathers is often wiser than ours, Dad convinced me it was in our best interest especially that of this precious sweetheart in your womb. I couldn’t but agree.’
I thought about it and asked myself one tangible reason why the wedding should not hold. I found none. After all, I was getting married to the man I loved. I tried to catch the excitement bug and soon I got better.

We had the traditional wedding on Friday. It was a huge success as Dad spared no resources. By Saturday morning, there were butterflies in my tummy.

The bridal house contracted by Dad and recommended by me were at work applying the last touch on my hair when Gboye’s best friend Nonso rushed in to inform us that Gboye had been kidnapped on their way to church. I grabbed him by his jacket, screamed and lost track of my environment as a huge lull overpowered me.

To be continued….

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Oluwatosin Fatoyinbo is a Christ-follower..simple.. friendly.. music lover..writer..arsenal fan..Lawyer in equity..curator at http://paarapo.com. He Tweets from @tosinfat