Epilogue
****
Wedding bells!!!
As usual, I was in a frenzy to put everything in place.
Tana was right after all, concerning a possible proposal after the grand opening. I certainly did not see it coming but I'm happy today is the big day.
So, let me give the low down on how the proposal went. That night, we went for a celebratory dinner at a fancy restaurant for just close family and friends and while we were having dinner some romantic music came on and the groom popped out of nowhere professing his love with a long epistle and finally went down on one knee with a big rock and said.
"Tana, will you marry me?"
Tana being so extra first had finish her glass of water before turning to her him and screamed a 'Yes' so Ioud even the heavens heard. We partied for the rest of the night, it was beautiful. That was just a month ago. Seems like Tunji was planning the wedding long before the proposal, slyly getting her to admit her choices for the wedding party when they were going through a rough patch. Hats off to him for pulling off such a stunt.
Hold up, you thought it was me getting married? Sorry to burst your bubble but the mister hasn't even hinted at a wedding for the longest time. Anyhow, it had been about six months since we started dating and I wasn't in a rush. I guess?
"Umm Lola?" Laila called worriedly.
"Is there a problem?" I asked mirroring her expression.
"Tana is panicking, she needs you."
"Ugh." I grunted dramatically.
"Can someone tell her she's already married to this dude. Their traditional wedding was two days ago, then they had a civil marriage sometime last week and today is just the church wedding, why on earth is she panicking?" I yelled, marching towards the bride's room.
"Well smarty pants, I'm panicking because today we're gonna seal the deal, no going back!" She yelled back in the same tone.
"Huh?" I gave her a wry look, not convinced at all.
Her eyes ran over the place, apparently in thought.
"Or maybe, I'm just hungry? I mean, the baby's hungry." She pouted. I couldn't help but laugh, she liked pulling the pregnant card on me every single time. I couldn't wait for her to have the baby already.
"I got you covered." I said rolling my eyes and fighting back a smile, pulling out a pack of jollof rice, filled with chicken parts and fried plantains.
She squealed clapping her hands like a child.
"Oh Lola, you're the best!" She moaned after the first bite.
"I know."
"Titilola, you know we'd be living anytime from now, and you're giving this one food." Tana's mum came in and scolded me.
"Mummy leave her o, your daughter and grand child would have starved if not for her and her good conscience." Tana countered in between mouthfuls.
"No problem, just don't make us go late because from what I heard, your husband is already tensed."
"Awwww." All the ladies in the room cooed. We were about twelve ladies in the bridal train and you can imagine how crowded the room was with all the rose gold colours of our body con, mono strap dresses made by yours truly, blurring your sight.
Tana's customised dress which was my wedding gift to her, was one of the hardest things I've had to work on in a short span of time and with the way the business was booming along with me being the maid of honour to pregnant Tana, I had to hire new hands to help out before the stress could overwhelm me.
She aimed for something different which happened to be, a petal mist coloured, glittery long sleeved ball gown with a long veil.
Her groom was surely going to be wearing a burgundy coloured suit and grooms men would also be in rose gold like us the bridesmaids, but with a touch of burgundy.
In all, Tana was going to have a colourful wedding and nothing was going to change it.
****
Why does this have to happen all the time?
"Deep breaths, okay? No crying, you promised."
She nodded quickly.
Here I was, calming a bride down again. It seemed like these sort of things were my job. Who's going to help me stay calm on my wedding day? Just who?
The sound of the orchestra did well to alert us. It was time.
"Go in there and make me proud girl." I pointed straight at church's entrance, I sounded like a high school football coach. We fist bumped and with that I went in.
She sure made me proud. Their vows were the cutest thing you'd ever hear. Even the priest was laughing at how cute she sounded.
The almighty Tunji was a big cry baby after. In all, the wedding was a success and we were soon at the reception ground.
"Hey." A certain gentleman amongst the groomsmen called out to me. I turned to him and gave him a short reply.
"You look ravishing my dear, can I know your name?" His igbo accent sounded terrible, what a turn off.
I snorted in an unladylike manner.
"You know, if you tried flirting with me like that, I would never have said yes to you." I said, honestly.
"Well it's a good thing I didn't. Hmm?" He teased, wrapping his arms around my waist. My arms were around his neck in the next second and before I knew it his lips were on mine.
"Heyyyy!" Tana yelled startling all of us. We were currently outside the hall, waiting to go in, in pairs of course with our different dance routines. And with being the maid of honour, I was to go in with my partner, just before the bride and groom.
"Babe, what is it?" Tunji asked worriedly.
"No other PDA is allowed please. The only couple you shall know today is me and my husband, every other person is single. The only people who should be found kissing are my husband and I, okay???" She said hands akimbo with a supposed menacing scowl on her face, which was actually cute.
"Awww babe, you look so cute." Tunji teased, pinching her cheeks. We all laughed, cause that was the truth.
"You're supposed to be on my side." She whined.
"Don't mind them. They can't steal our spot light. Oya come to daddy." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and I almost gagged when I saw her bite on her lower lip seductively.
"My eyes are covered with the Blood." I said, palming my eyes and turning away from them. David just laughed even more.
"Don't mind them they're just jealous." I heard Tana say. I just shook my head at her.
Soon it was time to go in, I couldn't help but marvel at the decor, it was so chic and classy.
I don't think I've danced that much in a long time.
I was just so happy that all that drama was in the past.
I know challenges would always come but I would always overcome because I have people who genuinely love and care for me, people I love equally as much and most of all, I have God who loves me unconditionally and is always there for me.
This was all I needed, no rush, no ticking clock, just enjoying the moment.
Well, this is me. I'm Titilola Gregg and this is my story.
****
THIS IS WHERE WE SAY GOODBYE TO THIS STORY, THANK YOU ALL FOR GOING ON THIS JOURNEY WITH ME, THERE'S ALWAYS MORE TO COME, SO WATCH THIS SPACE, BUT FOR NOW, GOODBYE AND STAY SAFE. ❤️