“I could remember vividly the words of king Solomon in
his famous Songs of Solomon chapter 8 verse 7 saying…,
Many waters can not quench love. Well love in it self is
the person of God.” Joseph said as he held his wine glass.
He was making the best man toast at the reception of the
marriage ceremony of James and Funmilayo…. What a
journey they had gone through during the past two
months; having to postpone the wedding due to the death
of James’ father, James’ fight and reconciliation with
Joseph which led to John being substituted as the best
man. Anyway he willingly gave the position to the one
man who should have been there all along…
“All things work together for good to them that love God
and are called according to his purpose…I can say today,
that at standing here clad in this white suit as the best
man to my best friend is a dream come through, and as
funny as it may sound, this dude here is getting married to
his childhood crush, who had a crush on me instead.” he
said grinning and winking at James, as the audience
laughed heartily…
“Anyway to save us from my so sermonised and might be
long speech, I want us to raise our glasses filled with
wine, as we toast to this lovely couples…to a successful
and fruitful marriage.” he held out his glasses as soon as
he finished saying that and soon the atmosphere was
filled with sounds of glass cups hitting each other. The
couple moved to the centre of the stage to dance, while
Joseph quickly walked up to Jadesola, who was the
bridesmaid. He asked her a for dance as the couple
rocked their body to music played by the D.J… On another
side of the stage John and Eunice were dancing
religiously…
“Hello Pastor Joseph.” Tola called out to him. He had
gone out to pick something in the car, and as he walked
through the hall, Tola noticed him…
“Hello dear…” he quickly said, offering her a hug which
she took gracefully. He had visited her when James had
told him after his encounter with her, that they were back
to being mentor and mentee. She insisted she wanted to
be under his tutelage, despite Joseph’s plea…
“Meet my elder brother, Busayo. The one aunty Jade was
talking about that day.” she said introducing him to her
brother. The guy shook him and drew him closer
whispering something into his ears. Joseph’s laughter
made Tola giggle as she guessed what her brother would
have said to him… Busayo after his discharge from the
hospital had been different, he was more playful and he
had more time for his kid sister. Also, he was seeing one
of Jadesola’s old university friend- Janet, whom she was
fond of calling “four eyes” Jadesola did the matchmaking
and the two had hit it off like they were a match made
from heaven.
Another section featured Mr and Mrs Adejola, Joseph’s
parents… The man was eating the fried and jollof rice
with speed because his wife had threatened to take his
meat if she was done with her food before him. What a
duo. Love at old age… Well Joseph had given them a big
shock when he got home and prostrated to apologise to
his father. They had both wept and in the later weeks they
became pals calling each other, with Joseph visiting
home whenever he was free…
Just then, the master of the ceremony came up to the
stage and made an announcement that it was time for
the three musketeers to have their presentation.. In a jiffy
Joseph, James and John were transformed as they
dressed like the ancient musketeers, Arthos,Porthos and
Aramis… They did a little parade and then they went
towards the direction of their spouses, picked them up
like they were motioning for a dance… The beat changed
and… just then… James and John took a toy gun that was
carved with a stick and shot at Joseph who fell down…
Everyone was perplexed they didn’t understand what was
happening. The bridesmaid Jadesola ran over to where he
was lying on the floor. While his two friends were acting
according to the script by feigning their unconcern…
Jadesola, oblivious of what the other guys were doing
decided to act along by playing the lover girl who went to
rescue her lover… Just as she got to him and held him in
his arms…, she heard one sentence on the speaker that
shocked her to the bones…
“Will you marry me Jadesola?” Joseph said as he turned
his face to her. He was holding a microphone… And in a
twinkle of an eye. He was on his knees with a box
containing a ring in his hand, while Jadesola stood there
shocked, she had not expected it. She only wanted to
play along with the script but what she was seeing was no
longer a drama. Joseph was proposing to her. She closed
her eyes as the crowd cheered her up shouting “say yes”…
And then in one breathe, she said “I love you Joseph, and
YES I want to marry you!”
THE END
