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Tragic-Episode 2 (Bittersweet)

***Remember what they say about living every moment because you never know when the sky will fall, not that you expect it to fall, but life plays by its own rules. The story isn't about me, it's about her…*** ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Do you know what is scary about death taking that irreplaceable part of you? It’s how it steals it away silently, right in your very eyes, while still breathing. That is what this story is about.

Tragic _ Episode 2

Bittersweet

The night before my white wedding, mum called for a rehearsal dinner. It was a monumental night  for me - the laughter, dance, and savoury meal. Mom made sure that night was special, like *“the last supper Jesus had before he was crucified”* (chuckles)… That was the night, for the first time, in a long while, I’ve seen my mom delighted and overwhelmed with joy. I can't remember the last time I’ve seen her smile sheepishly like that over anything, not after the death of Marvelous, my little brother. I could feel the butterflies in my belly flapping in excitement, knowing I've paid my dues as her first and the only daughter by getting married.

After the whole scene that night, I left for my room. It was late, almost dawn. I was already feeling exhausted from the traditional wedding, and this? Just a night before my white nuptials? Oh, God! I can't wait for this to be over, I whisper faintly to myself with smiles as I put on my robe and bounce on the bed. I just need a few hours of rest before dawn.                                      ••••••••••••••••• Why am I having this adrenaline rush all of a sudden, all over my body? it's like the sound of DJ Neptune playing on a high pitch. What kinda feeling is this? I've never felt this way before…hmm…I could hear myself laughing out loud and snivelling at the same time. 

Suddenly, a voice rambles in my head, a voice I wish never spoke to me - *“You’re everywhere now oo, laughing, dancing and galavanting around the place -what if he calls off the wedding? what if he does not show up? what if he gets into an accident on his way to church? you shouldn’t be too excited baby girl.  Remember shit always go wrong whenever you are too excited”*  I rebuked the voice instantly, ***“I deserve to be happy. Nothing will go wrong, it’s my day and I own it. Life has taken a lot from me, it is time life compensates me for all those time I was sad and unhappy. Girl? You've made papa and mama proud. You are doing well. So stop snivelling and get some rest”***. Just to reassure my thoughts, I pick up the phone and called boo-boo, he didn't pick up, I looked up at the clock to check the time, it’s past 2 am. What am I doing, calling so late? he’d probably be sleeping. I snapped out of my insanity, glanced at my wedding dress laying on the Davenport excited while I doze off.                              •••••••••••••••••••••• Finally, it's here, the day we’ve all been waiting for. My wedding is about to begin. I can't believe my dad will be walking me down the aisle in a few hours, his little girl of yesterday oo… (giggles). But again, this negative vibe I feel through my streaks scares me to my bone cells. Could it be the wedding fever people talk about, is this the feeling? Or could it be that I'm tired because I couldn't get enough sleep? My phone intersects my thought when it suddenly rings; Ooooh, it's boo-boo calling… He must have seen my missed calls.   “Hey sunshine, I trust my baby is looking gorgeous and ready to be taken away by this noble knight?  Me: Hi, mi amor, of course, for you, I’d look my best. Sorry, I missed your calls, I was lost in the dreamland with you by my side. I laughed like one foolish teenager wey dem dey to tori for bed. In my head, “that explains why I couldn't sleep”. I reply with a few words “its okay baby, I just wanted to check up on you” nothing serious.   And then, he popped out the question that reassured me, everything is going to work out just fine ” I hope you are not having a change of mind?  I said to him, “No way! I was just about to ask you the same.  He said to me; “You know there is no way I'm changing my mind, sunshine. I've waited for this day all my life. We are stuck together baby…We both laugh. “See you at the alter sunshine, love you”! “Love you too boo, I replied.  I wore my wedding gown and clutched a bouquet of gardenia flowers. My make-up was lit, my cheeks flushed with blushes and my scarlet lipstick looking glossy. Thanks to my friends, they made everything seamless and easy. What would I have done without them? Just then, my mum walks in, I couldn't help but stare at her like a handsome groom about to take her away for the second time. She looked gorgeous than never. The straight cut Ankara style with a candlewick embroidery looks perfect on her. And the gentle gele complements the glamour. She places her hands on my head, prays for me and gave me motherly advice. Just before she leaves, we hugged like it's the last time we will be seeing each other. In that moment, I held her hands and asked in a gentle tone, “Mum, would you take a picture with me, I know we have a lot of time for pictures, I just want to capture this moment with you, right here, right now. Please, mommy. She agrees, and Tomisin took a shot of us. Perfect!

I left for the alter with my dad, the bridesmaid, some friends and relatives in one of the car. My mum, her sister and my elder brother are to join us in the other car.  We arrive at the Church and there they are, waiting for us. My boo-boo, the pastor and the guests. “The time is finally here. There is no turning back. Let’s get this over with” (whisper gently to my self). My dad held my hands and walk down the aisle with me to the alter. As I climb the alter, I look back, I could see my dad smiling and the empty seat next to him. Oh, then I realise my mom isn't here yet, what could be keeping her? Could it be the traffic? Just in nick of time, my elder brother, mom and her sister walks in. I gaze at my mum with a smile. “She is here! Okay, pastor, let’s do this…” with the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you can now kiss your bride”. I tossed my bouquet to the next lucky bride. Desmond wraps his hands through mine, walk me down and out of the Church. Just when I'm about to enter the car that will take us to the reception, I feel this coldness down my vein, something seems strange and off. The sad looks, whimpering  and chaotic voices in the air. Everyone looking worried when they are supposed to be happy, even Desmond is putting on a fake smile, I could tell from his quivering hands acting all confuse and distraught. I demand to see my mom before I get inside the car, I said. Everyone could see that, I’m hell-bent on my request. Daddy walks up to me, and from his look, I could smell fear, defeat, he tries so hard to fight the tears but lost. And then came the news, the news that changed my life forever - with the stuttering voice he manages to speak - “My beloved, your mum had slumped and died on her way to the Church”. My mum never made it to the Church.

                                      ••• I screamed like someone whose heart is being pierced with a dagger, my heart has just being ripped apart. How is that possible? That can't be true. She was doing great before we left home. I must be dreaming. I saw mum sitting right next to you , dad. I saw her, she smiled at me and echoed these  words,  “I love you”. I can't possibly be seeing a ghost. Slowly, I lapse into a coma.

(while in a coma)   I could hear Desmond crying uncontrollably, I wished we never met, I wished I never said yes, I wished I called off the wedding, I wished for so many things, maybe my mom would still be here, with us, maybe I wouldn't be the reason for everyone’s pain. The voice was right, I'm cursed. Isn't it true what they say, your wedding day should be the most joyous day of your life. In my case, it was tragic, a bittersweet memory. And I don't ever want to wake up from this coma…

Based on a true-life story Written by Ramat(Ara)