SCRIBBLES: THE BEST WOMAN - PART 3
The Best Woman- Part 3
Wow! Everyone looks so good. I thought we were all meant to look ugly today to keep all eyes on the bride and groom. No? Although, no man can compare to J. Not even my man Lance Gross. Ooo...nope, I have to be real here. Lance does look waaay better in a suit. Damn!
Aw! Little Terry looks so adorable in her little bride’s dress. All this is making me tear up slightly. God, why did this happen to me now? Ehn! What have I done wrong? What am I meant to learn from this troubling situation? I sneak a look at J to see him transfixed; tears in his eyes as he sees his bride for the first time. I can’t hate, especially in the Lord’s house so, I admit it. The girl is the very meaning of the word beautiful. Cara's thick, long, black hair was braided and put up in a sophisticated up-do upon which a tiara was placed, which secured her veil. The veil fell perfectly in front of her face and stopped just above the bouquet of lilies she was holding with her small hands. The gown is gorgeous- a fitted cream fishtail satin gown that had an ok-sized train. It’s almost worth the £10,000 she paid for it.
And the service begins.
If I did not know any better I would say I feel claustrophobic. I can’t get enough air into my lungs. Gosh this cannot be happening, they are about to say their vows! All I need to do is calm down and breathe. Being light-headed is no trip to Mc Donald's. Where is Eric when you need him? He said he’ll be here and I have scanned the congregation twice and I still can’t see any sign of him. Great! Now, I am sweating like a Christmas goat. Why now?? It’s this stupid wedding! They need to hurry up fast. Why is the reverend taking his time like this now? If there was anyone who did not want this wedding to take place it will be me and I am not saying anything especially now! I mean, they have spent over £15,000 on this thing. That would be cruel to just saunter in here and ruin the wedding, especially in this economic climate. Ha! That made me giggle. Ah! I should not have done that. My chest… those nitrate thingymabobs don’t last long do they?
“Kemi, are you ok?” Paul whispered to me.
I try and face him discreetly.“Yeah, this suit doesn't leave that much breathing space”.
He chuckled.
“You can say that again”.
J glares at us.
Oops! Silly sound waves bouncing off the walls of this spacious hall. I try to reach into my pocket to get the rings but I can’t stop my hands from shaking. Damn nerves! I eventually give him the box that he trusted me to keep this past week. A tear escapes my eyes before I was even able to think of a million thoughts to prevent me from doing the very thing I said I wouldn't do. I look towards the crowd again in search of Eric but instead my eyes fell upon my fear-stricken mother and sister. Oh this is not good. Oh thank the Lord this torture is almost over. I just need to make it to the abundant amount of oxygen that lies outside these walls. Ooo! The music has begun which means I need to put one foot in front of the other and follow the wedding party outside to take a ridiculous amount of photos. I was about to do just that when I missed my footing. Shame! This is gonna be bad. But hang on; I am not on the floor face down rather I’m in someone’s arms. I look up to see Eric carrying me outside. And behind us, the other groomsmen are carrying their partnered bridesmaid in the best way they see fit- piggybacks, fireman’s lift, carrying them with one arm like they’re a log etc. The crowd laughs at this little show and applauds our efforts. I have no idea where Eric came from but I am glad. I doubt I’d have made it back up.
“Um…Eric, the wedding party is back that way”.
“Kem, your whole suit is completely drenched with sweat”.
“Yeah, and there is such a thing as evaporation”.
“Come on don’t be stupid. You could have-”
“But I didn't. I am made a promise and I intend to keep it”.
“Urgh! You are so stubborn, Kem!”
He puts me down and gives me a once-over to calm himself down more than me. I see my family making a bee line straight for us and I give Eric a look that causes him to them that I am perfectly fine. Mum breathes a sigh of relief and my little nephew, Benjamin takes a hold of my hand and points to J who is taking profesh photos with everyone else. I try to take a deep breath and make my way over there with little Benjamin in tow. Eric, obviously, is not too far behind.
“Hey man! Congrats”.
“Heeeey Eric! It’s good to see you mate. Glad you dragged my best man-”
“Woman”, I say.
“My bad- my best woman over here”.
“I do my best to help get this show moving along as smoothly and quickly as possible”.
J looks at him, eyebrow raised in confusion.
“Ok’, I say. “Let’s get snapping”.
I make it through the photo shoot! I guess the panic attack has subsided. Thank God for that mehn! I thought it was it then. J, his bride and the rest of the wedding party head off to get ready for the reception. And as we wave them off my little Benjamin asks me why I wasn't the one in the pretty dress today. I look into his dark brown eyes and tell him that that is not how my story goes. He then asks me, “How does it go Aunty Kemi?” I smile at him and he knows what’s coming. As I race after him to do our traditional tickling-Benjamin-until-he-wets-himself game, I feel a sense of déjà vu. The last thing I hear is my Benjamin:
“Aunty Kemi!!!!”
**** **** ****
The music is going and the food is flowing.
Where is Kemi? Aunty Bimbo and Lola are not here either. I search around the room one last time as its almost time for the speeches to be made. This girl will give me a heartache oh! I knew asking her to be my best man would be risky. How long does it take to get ready? Even Cara doesn't take this long. Although, she did have a team to help her. Mehn! I don't understand how girls do it. I signal for Cara's sister to start off with her's. The crowd won't mind as it it ladies first. Ha! And Kemi is anything but a lady. Chei! The way she used to demolish a pizza was legendary. Haven't seen her do that since...what, 3rd year? Now, she's all about eating healthily. Nah, but seriously though, this is ridiculous.
Where is she?
END of PART 3
I thought that I'd end it there for now. Do not want to overwhelm your pretty eyes with too many words hehe.
A little disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. If this at all resembles your life it is purely coincidental. Although it felt like those blurbs we see before (or is it after?) a movie, I felt like I need to add that... :)
Till next time!
Luv, Mo
xx