Everyone talked about how the wedding was the event of the year. The venue was a giant hall near the waterfront. Long red carpets covered the entrance. Cameras flashed everywhere. Guests walked in with glittering clothes and sunglasses. Big politicians and business moguls sat at the front. Inside, Adora stood before the mirror in her hotel room, her white gown sparkling like ice.
Her best friend, U adjusted her veil. You look stunning, Chik will fall in love all over again. Adora smiled weakly. I hope so. But in her heart, she still carried fear. No pregnancy, no answers, and a man who refused to get tested. Chik stood at the altar looking around the decorated hall. He wore a white abada with gold embroidery, his shoes polished like glass. He kept checking his watch.
Kunnel came to stand beside him. Why are you restless? I’m waiting for someone. Chik said, “Who?” He didn’t answer. Then suddenly his eyes caught movement near the entrance. A black Rolls-Royce pulled up. The back door opened slowly. outstepped and gozy. She wore the yellow gown like a queen, her face calm, her steps sure, and beside her walked three small boys dressed like angels.
The hall went silent. People gasped. Phones cameout. Who is that? Wait, is that his ex-wife? She has triplets. The whispers spread like wildfire. Chik couldn’t breathe. He grabbed Kunnel’s hand. Tell me I’m dreaming. Cunnel blinked. Bro, she has children. Chik stepped down from the altar, walking forward like someone in a trance.
N Goi walked slowly, gracefully, holding her son’s hands. Her eyes met his, but they didn’t shake. She smiled, a soft, simple smile. The crowd parted as she walked to her seat, the front row. The seat chike had reserved for her. She sat down quietly. Her boys climbed onto her lap and whispered, “Mommy, we made it.” She nodded and kissed their heads.
Adora entered the hall shortly after, her veil over her face. She noticed the silence. She noticed the faces. She noticed Chik standing stiff at the front, his eyes frozen. She reached the altar and whispered, “What’s going on?” Chik couldn’t speak. The pastor cleared his throat, “Shall we begin?” But Chik wasn’t listening.
His eyes were still on on the children. On the truth. Back in her seat, Amaka whispered, “Do you want to leave now?” Goi shook her head. “No, we’ll stay till the end.” Her voice was calm. Her heart was calm. She wasn’t here to destroy anything. She was here to be seen, to be heard. Without a word, the wedding hall had gone from loud to quiet in just a few minutes.
All the music, all the camera flashes, and all the laughter had paused. The guests didn’t know whether to sit still or turn around. Some held their phones midair, mouths slightly open, while others simply stared at the woman who just walked in like the wind had changed direction. Nosei sat at the front, exactly where Chike had planned for her to sit, but not the way he had imagined.
She wasn’t weeping in shame. She wasn’t looking bitter or defeated. She sat with calm pride, dressed in yellow, glowing like sunrise. On each side of her sat her sons, triplets, boys with smooth brown skin and wide, curious eyes. Their shirts were white, tucked neatly into yellow shorts.
One of them had a toy car in his hand. The other two were whispering to each other and smiling. The crowd still couldn’t believe it. “That’s Gozi,” a woman in green lace whispered behind her fan. She has children, the man beside her asked. They look like her and they look like. Shish? Someone else said, “Let’s see how it ends.
” At the front, the pastor coughed again. “Shall we begin the ceremony?” Chik was standing beside Adera, but he wasn’t listening. His mind was far. Adora leaned closer. Her voice was soft, but sharp. Who is that woman with those boys? Chike blinked. That’s that’s Gozy. Adora’s brows furrowed. Your ex-wife. He nodded slowly.
