Feeling so great, Valor and Alice traveled to and fro, planning for their marriage. They met each other’s parents for further activity. Valor had paid the bride price and gave the necessary things the family had requested. He printed and shared his wedding card with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and former colleagues. Yet Valor is not happy, his anger is kindled with Mboutidem, she is begging Valor for something impossible, “please Valor marry me, every day I dream about you, I miss you, remember the old times we spent together, and you suddenly turn away. Look at me now, I’ve been waiting for you, you loved me that was why you bought me a gold necklace with the note saying, “my love for you will never fade” please, it is never too late.” Valor held his peace, considering her words and how tempting they were, bringing up their old times and making sense with them because of her selfish reason. Valor understood this temptation and shouted “No” he warned her never to come near him and his family ever again. Valor’s voice was too loud that anyone passing by would stop by to see what was happening. He lowered his voice realizing the people around.
He said to her, “please I beg you, stop disturbing my life, if it is money you need, tell me and I will give you. Just stay away from my life.”
She replied, “why are you pretending not to have feelings for me.” He raged, “get out, I swear the next time you come here again, I will kill you.” “I rather die in your hands than living this way.” Valor was moved by what she said and forcefully pushed her away. He kept pushing her until a point where he decided to change his direction to the hospital. Valor was grieved by his words and action. He drank some water, relaxed before getting back to his patients.
***
When Valor got home, he explained everything happened to Richard. He marveled at Valor’s story and decided to take it upon himself. His anger became much greater than that of Valor. He said, “What nonsense, who does she think she is? Where was she all this while? Valor replied, “I don’t know.” “If she finds her legs in your office again, I want you to beat her without care.”
“what if I’m arrested for assault,” valor asked. Richard replied, “except that, but I want you to do to her something that will make her run from your life. valor listened to the wicked and terrible advice Richard gave to him, he considered it, his occupation, his future. He suggested, “I think I should go visit my friend Caleb. Richard asked why, he replied, his wife is a lawyer, maybe she could help with wise information. Richard asked, “do you think it’s a good idea?” Valor answered, “I suppose it is because I don’t want to do something that will affect me badly or get me arrested.” “Okay then, go there when you are not busy tomorrow.”
#Caleb’s_office
Valor was chanced to meet Caleb concerning the issue. He believed his wife would give him some quality information, but Caleb did not accept the fact of seeking his wife. He said to valor “my friend, you don’t need a lawyer in this kind of matter, I don’t know how they were trained but I tell you, they are strict. They have no form of craftiness. This is a relationship trauma and it’s not something they can handle. Let me share my story, When I got my wife pregnant, she almost sued me for refusing to marry her. Even though with my craftiness I know I would have won.” “How and why?” “It’s because we never had an agreement to get married, but I accepted her because she made me jealous of her wisdom.” Valor nodded to the words of Caleb. “I just want you to relax, eat and enjoy yourself, prepare for the wedding. You have just two weeks to do that. Listen, you cannot do everything for yourself or try to solve your problems alone, it’s good to share your problems. You’ve done your part by letting me know what’s on the ground. By the power bestowed on me, I can assure you to rely on me throughout the ceremony. “What are you going to do sir?” Valor asked. “I don’t know yet, I’m going to figure it out. You know one thing; I have full backup. I work for the Government commissioner, politicians and so many prominent people across the state. That’s why I said you have nothing to fear. Valor was however convinced with Caleb’s assurance, he said, I’m grateful for your concern but I don’t want her to get hurt.” ”No, she won’t get hurt. Just give me information about her and everything will be taken care of.”
***
Valor is happy with his wife during the wedding. He stood in front of the altar with Alice about to take the vows. The Pastor asked, “in this wedlock of the lovers before the altar, if there is any opposition, speak or forever remain silent.” The whole congratulations were silent, the Pastor was about to continue, a voice came from the congregation,” wait!” The whole congregation turned to see who it was and behold it was Mbuotidem, she continued, “Valor, you said you will marry me.” The whole congregation burst into laughter, Valor looked at his mother, she was laughing. He turned to his uncle, he was also laughing, Alice was also laughing, the Pastor was also laughing. He turned to Mbuotidem, she was smiling, and walked out of the church. He pursued her but she was too fast. At last, Valor woke up from his mares, his heartbeat had increased. “It’s not real, just a dream,” he said.
Valor had made his colleague work a double shift on his behalf. He went back to Calabar without giving a notification that he will be coming. On his arrival at his mother’s house, he met a man in the parlor that welcomed him. Valor looked at the man and wondered where he came from. He had a big tummy and wore a singlet. The man said, your mother is in the bedroom, let me call her. Valor was still confused about who he was. Immediately, his mother came. She said, “oh! my son you’re here.” She began beating about the bush, “what happened? you did not send me a message about your coming, I would have prepared something for you. The man came into the parlor trying to put on his clothes and said, “honey, let me get something from the junction, I’ll be back.” The man left them there. Valor asked his mother who the man was. She replied, sit down let me explain. Valor sat down and she started explaining, “that’s my colleague at work.” Valor asked, “what is he doing in your room?” “My son, after you left me alone, I was beginning to get tired of the house then he came and kept me company. I know you won’t understand.” Valor stood up and said, “I don’t want to understand, that’s not what I came for, I’m leaving. I came to see someone then I’m gone.” My son, who is it? Valor did not answer her. She thought he was angry with her but never knew Valor did not want to lie about where he was going to.
Valor went to meet the pastor that will be conducting the wedding ceremony. He went to discuss something important. The man of God was pleased with his coming and said to him, “Child of God, you’re blessed. You gave everything you were expected to give. I was so grateful for the large tubers of yam, the goat, and others. Valor listened to all the praises the man rendered on him until he was done. So, child of God what brought you to my office.” “Sir, I came to discuss something very important.” “And what is it?” “Sir, you know this thing that is done during wedding ceremony, that anyone opposing the marriage should speak or forever remain silent.” “Yes, I know that very well” the pastor replied. Valor continued, “I want to know what will happen if someone wants to deliberately ruin a wedding ceremony by standing up to stop the marriage. This is the house of God, no one will do such thing without a reason.” “What if someone does, will that stop the marriage from proceeding?” Valor inquired. “No, it can’t.” “How will you know; I mean why won’t it stop the marriage.” “I will know that the person is doing it deliberately.” “How would you know sir, is it written on the face?” The pastor paused for a while then said, “it is not my consent for the marriage to continue, it is the woman to decide whether to continue with the engagement. But go straight to the point, what’s the problem?” Valor explained everything that happened with Mboutidem to the pastor. The pastor had considered the situation tempting and considered it to be evil. He said, “I can’t allow that in my congregation. I will make sure the security doesn’t allow her in.” valor was not satisfied with the response the pastor gave him. He suggested something to him, “Sir, that session during the engagement that says speak or forever remain silent should be removed during the service. From my point of view, I think it will be a better idea.” “Young man, I have heard you. In your case, since You have come openly to me, I will cancel the opposition session because I hate the fact that after all the entertainment, food, and drinks have been prepared and someone from nowhere decides on her authority to destroy someone’s marriage instead of coming out early to solve their problem. As long as I’m concerned it cannot happen. Where was she before the cards were shared? I will not want you to worry about anything, everything is being put in place.” Valor began to thank the man. He removed an envelope and handed it over to him and said, “man of God this is just a token, please accept it.” “Child, you are blessed.” He shook hands with the pastor and turned to leave. At the door, Valor had an idea and went back to him and said, “Sir, I suggest this should be applied to every marriage.” “I understand, you have given me an insight. I’ll see to it, thank you very much.”
#The_wedlock
“Alas I pronounce you husband and wife now You may kiss the bride.” Valor grabbed Alice and kissed her. The ceremony was successful; he held his wife with her two feet off the ground. Richard played while Henrietta sang along. They had a wonderful time, Valor danced because everything was successful. All his fears were gone. Caleb stayed in the position to keep spreading money on the couple as they danced. The disc jockey rounded it up with Makossa, and all the women began to shake their waist. It was wonderful to see them shaking their bum with Alice joining them.
The master of ceremony called the attention of the people, “all the unmarried women should come closer. The Bride is about to give her blessing.” a lot of the ladies went closer to the Bride. Alice backed them and threw her flower over. Luckily her sister got it and began to rejoice.
After the wedding, that night Valor went to Caleb and asked, “what happened, what did you do? I feared that I would see her.” he replied, “relax. I made her be arrested for what she did not do then this evening she will be released and apologize. That’s all” Valor was so happy to hear such information. His happiness is that she was not physically hurt or assaulted. He embraced Caleb for the idea. “Easy bro, you can always count on me,” Caleb said.