Teniola woke up feeling tired due to the stress she went through yesterday trying to ensure her traditional wedding preparation was going as planned. Every effort to make her sit and relax at home failed and her mom only warned her not to complain of tiredness on her big day.
"My head hurts badly. I should have listened to Mom yesterday," She muttered, turning to see if her friends were still in the bedroom, but she was alone.
"Where did they go or did I wake up late?" She reached for her phone immediately to check the time and was relieved to see that it wasn't even 7am.
"I can still rest for a few hours," She thought and lay on the bed again, closing her eyes, but instead of sleeping off, she thought about the traditional wedding and was beaming with so much joy.
"Finally, I am off the market. Everyone would now refer to me as Mrs. Oyekunle," Teniola whispered, grinning from ear to ear under the blanket. She revisited the memories of how she met the love of her life and how far they've come to the point of getting married, everything made her happy.
About thirty minutes had passed when she heard unfamiliar voices behind her window, so she threw off the blanket and got out of bed. She made her way to the window to see what was happening and saw different sizes of pots stacked on top of each other, big cooking burners and other cooking utensils.
"The caterers are around already," She shut the curtain and went to the bathroom for a few minutes to freshen up before going outside to join her family and friends who were there to assist with the preparation.
"Good morning mummy," She knelt before her mom and the elderly ones who were present. They prayed for her and she went to greet her friends also. She went around to see how the preparation was going and was satisfied. Some caterers were already dealing with the slaughtered cow while the rest were busy with the other tasks. The canopies were standing already and the lady who was contracted for the decoration had arrived too.
"Shouldn't you still be resting?" Teniola's mum said immediately she saw her daughter dusting a chair to sit on.
"Mum, I have rested enough. I am actually fine," She replied.
"But your eyes are still swollen," She left her seat to have a good look at Teniola's face.
"Mom, that's a sign that I have slept too much. Don't worry about me, and it's you who needs the rest more because as the bride's mother, you must look gorgeous. You've stressed yourself more than I have in the past few days," Teniola replied, hugging her mom tight.
"It's my responsibility to go through all the stress for your sake, and I trust your father would have done more if he was here. I wish he was here, but I know he is watching and smiling in heaven today," Her voice cracked slightly, and her eyes were teary.
Tears gently rolled down her cheeks as she stared at Teniola with mixed emotions. The murmur and whisper in the compound stopped as they observed an unplanned minute of silence for Teniola's late father, who passed away a few years ago.
"I miss him too," Teniola burst into tears and hugged her mom again. They got too emotional and returned inside the house with a few friends and family who tried comforting them while others supervised the preparation happening outside.
While they were inside, Teniola noticed the weather was changing so she stepped outside. The sight of the dark and thick cloud got her worried.
She immediately went to get her phone in the bedroom and called Babatunde, her husband-to-be. His line wasn't going through, so she went to check the weather forecast, and what she saw only added to her fear.
"Heavy shower? It was bright and clear some minutes ago. Why today of all days?" Teniola muttered, pacing around the room.
She dialled Babatunde's number again and it went through this time.
"Tunde did you see the weather?" She asked immediately after he picked up.
"Yes, but it doesn't change anything. Preparation is going on smoothly here and we should be there by 2pm," Babatunde replied.
"The rain would disrupt everything. Our dresses, guests and every other thing," Teniola stuttered and went silent.
"Babe, it won't. Regardless of what the weather looks like, today would be perfect and beautiful," Babatunde assured but she didn't utter a word.
"Are you there?" He asked.
"Yes, I can't wait to see you and hope it doesn't rain," She replied and the call ended. Teniola returned outside and kept praying in her heart. The preparation didn't stop as everyone assured Teniola that it wouldn't rain but she couldn't get rid of the fear.
A few minutes past 12pm, everywhere had become dark and a loud thunder roared from heaven. It was so terrifying that people ran for safety. It was accompanied by strong wind that almost blew off the canopy before it started pouring heavily. The preparation stopped and Teniola was heartbroken watching her big day disrupted by the rain.
She pretended to be fine but deep down, she wasn't. She went back to her room with some friends who were brainstorming on what was next, and she called Babatunde again.
"Babe, I am on my way with a few friends already. Others will join us soon," Babatunde said immediately after he picked up the call.
"It's pouring heavily here right now. I can't even think," Teniola replied.
"I know, babe and that's why I am coming there. Don't sweat it, okay? Babatunde replied, and the call ended a few minutes later.
He arrived some minutes later and Teniola was happy to see him. They hugged and went to discuss in her bedroom after he had greeted everyone present.
"What do we do now?" Teniola stuttered immediately after shutting her bedroom door.
"Nothing, let's just do it indoors. My family and yours, with the few friends around," Babatunde replied.
"Here is small and everyone can't fit in," Teniola replied and was growing restless.
"I know we sent out numerous invitations but they will understand. We don't have power over the weather or did you pee in the river as a kid?" Babatunde asked, reaching for Teniola's hands.
"Pee in the river? What does that have to do with the rain?" She asked curiously.
"Mom always said people who pee in the river always experience heavy downpour on their big days," Babatunde said jokingly, and Teniola just couldn't hold back the laughter.
"So you believe in those superstitions," Teniola asked, still laughing, and they both hugged each other.
"Let's just do it indoors," Babatunde whispered into her ears.
"I trust your judgement and you have the final say, my king," She knelt slightly and it was Babatunde turn to laugh uncontrollably.
They went out of the room laughing about the superstition and everyone wondered what was happening.
"Attention everyone," Teniola cleared her throat.
"The event will be held indoors, so please let's manage the space and just have fun," She announced, and everyone nodded in understanding. They swung into action, adjusting to the new plan.
The caterers had already moved a canopy to protect their cooking while the living room was decorated. The remaining canopies were arranged at the entrance of the living room for those who couldn't find space inside.
Teniola and Babatunde also went to prepare before their other guests started arriving. The event started, and the living room was filled to the brim as predicted. Friends and family came to celebrate the union despite the weather.
Everything went according to the plan, and Teniola felt like the happiest person on earth with how smooth the traditional wedding went.
Later that night, she told her husband it couldn't have been better than this as she looked around at the smiling faces of their loved ones and the joyful atmosphere in the living room despite the drama that had happened earlier.
Babatunde was speechless and he just stared at his beautiful wife. He felt really happy and pulled her closer, wrapping his hands around her. They whispered sweet words as they kissed and everything felt perfect with Teniola feeling grateful for how things turned out.