Wedding Day ~ Inkwell Prompt #105

Teddy Joseph

Zibha drove her beetle car along the farm path that leads to the main market on a Saturday morning, just seven days before the national elections. She loves her little car and ensures that the car is as neat as possible with a luxury interior and car sound system to keep her mind busy. This particular morning, she drove with so much ease. As Zibha reached the end of the untarred road, she slowed down to negotiate a bend linking the new road constructed by the federal government, a well-dressed young man waved her down for a lift, and Zibha obliged and parked right by his side. He hopped in and Zibha drove off.

"Thank you for offering to pick me up in your beautiful car", said Madu.

With a gentle smile, Zibha nodded in acceptance of his appreciation while the light music of Tony Braxton from the radio set made it a more calm scene for Madu and Zibha. Madu began to receive several telephone calls from different callers that he refused to take. It was at that instance that Zibha became worried and asked:

" Why aren't you taking your calls?

He just bowed his head, speechless. Madu was trying to gather words but he couldn't. As he put more effort into saying a word, beads of tears gathered around his eyelids. He wanted to speak, at least to free his mind from what he had experienced in the last few hours.

My wife is not who I think she is. Madu finally said.

Would you like to share? Zibha retorted.

Then, Madu began. He met his bride Monique about eight months ago at a trade fair set up by the local government authorities for small and medium-scale entrepreneurs. Monique, a fashion designer, was at the trade fair to display her wares to prospective customers when Madu met her at the stand and purchased some styled materials from her brand. In his deepest Illusion, Madu never for once thought he could settle with a lady for more than a month. But in the case of Monique, they spent the first two months without having any unresolved issues.

In the third month of their relationship, Madu proposed to Monique. She was four years younger than him. Madu shared the fun times he had with Monique. Something he has not been able to do with any lady. The best relationship he has had in the past lasted only for three weeks. It was something people would regard as a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing but Madu was madly in love with her. He didn't even regard the fact that people said it was "way too early" for him to propose. Monique was the kind of woman he wished to spend the rest of his life with.

The day he proposed to marry Monique, she was preparing to deliver some styled clothes to a manager of a fashion show somewhere in town when Madu bopped in on her and knelt before her with an engagement ring asking her to marry him. She looked at him and smiled with a dimple making her facial expression more affirmative.

Yes, I will marry you.

She embraced him and they hugged tightly for a moment. There was a loud round of applause from the onlookers. They were so engrossed in each other that they didn't mind the few people that took pictures of them. He was breathing heavily already and at the same time thanking God for giving him a beautiful, energetic and warm-hearted woman like her.

...and I love you.

The ending three words had said it all. Madu knew she loved him so much and would never try to lie to him or play with his heart by pretending to agree to his proposal.

They immediately began their wedding preparations. Monique was an influential woman both in the fashion and business world. Money was not also a problem for them also. They got all the support they needed from their families and their personal pockets. Their wedding was going to be one of the biggest in the town.

They had lodged in Sheyvan Hotel, one if the biggest with the most beautiful edifice. While Madu busied preparing himself with his men, Monique was with her bridesmaids. It was during this time Madu had received a phone call. He picked up and heard an unfamiliar voice.

I need you to go to Room 17B, the third floor

This was surprising to him because it was exactly his bride to be, Monique's hotel room. There was urgency in the voice of the caller and he feared that Monique might be in danger. He felt his Adam's apple go down his throat when he immediately received a text message.

Do not attempt to knock or open the door when you get there… and try to strain your ears as much as possible.

He didn't want to put fear in the mind of his friends whom were with him in the room. Madu opted to use the stairs instead of the elevator which was a short walk away.

The style of the building made it possible for him to be on the stairs and eavesdrop at the same time. He was already by Monique's room when he started to hear her voice.

I don't know what and how to tell him. How do I tell Madu that I'm having two children already…

Shock ran through Madu's veins. This was impossible. Two children he never knew about! Monique wasn't done talking

...how do I also tell him that I'm not marrying him out of love but for the fear of losing my properties to my father's heir and my step sister Rosa. I'm scared of doing this…

Tears ran down his cheeks. He couldn't wait to hear the rest of what she was saying. It was too hard for him to bear. He couldn't imagine spending the rest of his life with a liar who couldn't open up to him.

I'm still in love with Mike…but its unfortunate that he doesn't love me back and want his children. I've lied to Madu that he is my brother but this can't go on forever…

Madu didn't wait to hear the rest. He walked down the stairs to the ground floor and went out of the hotel building without saying a word to anyone. This wedding can't hold, that would be an impossible mission.

He was stranded on the road and couldn't go back to pick his wallet. It was this time a black car had parked in front of him. He got in immediately at the young driver's kind gesture

So what are you going to do now? You can't abandon your bride on your wedding day. You don't even have any idea where you are going to

Zibha asked.

He was still crying. His red eyes the evidence of his depression.

Please do me a favour by taking me anywhere to clear my head even if it costs me a hundred and one years.