Next day is the traditional wedding. Everything is going as planned until Teni sits next to me. I try to chase him off, but he won’t budge. A few times, he tries to take my hand, and I knock him off. He’s irritated that I don’t care about him. Nkem must have noticed the exchanges between us. She comes over to pull me away without acknowledging Teni. Someone had left the wedding party seat, and I take my new seat next to Nkem. I can feel Teni’s frown on me, but I ignore it, taking pictures and sending them to Daniel.
I’m tired by the time the evening is over. I cling to Nkem’s hand as we walk past Teni’s scorching eyes.
“Ignore him. He’s oozing of jealousy. He thought you would crawl back to him, but you have Daniel,” she says with a wide grin.
“That I do and I love him, and I’m scared to tell him.”
“You will in time. I’m just glad that you have someone that appreciates you, and not one that’s always jealous of everything you do.”
“Thank you, Nkem,” I say.
“Come on, you don’t need to thank me.”
We make it to my room and hug goodnight. I lock the door and take a quick shower. My phone rings as I’m getting in bed.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Princess. Are you okay?”
“Yes, just partied too much and I’m tired.”
“No pain, right?” he asks, concerned.
“No, but I will take some meds just to avoid that.”
“Okay. Go to bed and we will talk tomorrow. And I love the pictures, by the way.”
“Thanks, talk later.” I hang up, take the meds and sleep off.
The wedding ceremony goes off without a hitch, but the reception was a whole different ball altogether. It seems the invited guests had tripled in size. I know they had planned for double the invited guests, but triple threw the wedding planner into a frenzy because seating suddenly became a premium.
I’m seated at the same table with Teni and a few friends. I would like to change seats, but I can’t afford to lose mine. He’s soon right next to me, which annoys me. He has traded places to be next to me.
“Can we talk?” he says, whispering too close to me.
My disdain for his proximity is immediate. I scoot my chair a few times to put space between us, and each time I do, he moves closer. I exhale my frustration and turn to face him. His smug smile upsets me, then I realize I’m giving him exactly what he wants, so I smile back.
“I don’t want to talk to you; I just want to enjoy this wedding. So, stop talking to me. Lots of single ladies here; go and charm one or two or three of them.”
“But I want you.” He says.
I hiss in response and keep my focus on the MC. His hands land on my thigh. I knock it off and turn a scowl on him.
“Touch me again and I will break your fucking nose,” I say with a stiff smile.
He knows not to mess with me in that area. He gets up and leaves. I turn to Sola, one of the bride’s friends, asking what the MC said that’s so funny. She tells me and I laugh too. Nkem sends me a text to come over and help. The bride is feeling dizzy. I set my phone down.
“Hey, Sola, can you please watch my purse and drink? Nkem needs my help.”
“Sure, go ahead.” She says.
I leave and go to help Nkem. It turns out the corset was too tight and she just needed some air, water and flat shoes, then she’s back on the dance floor.
“Are you okay over there?” Nkem asks soon as the bride is back to herself again.
“Yes. I just told Teni I would break his nose if he laid a hand on me again.”
She gives me a high five.
