End of days

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

"This weekend hopefully, I will ask Rayford to check with everyone to know if they are free on Sunday. You will be free on that day right?"

"Yes now, even if I had something planned out, I'm so canceling it"

"Thank you, I will also be needing your help with the planning"

"No wahala, sha know my services are not for free"

The next day, after Rayford closed from work, he decided to visit his parents. Ever since they came to pray for him and Jane, he hasn't seen them.

His parents were at the balcony receiving fresh air, his father was reading a newspaper while his mother was reading her Bible. "Look who we have here" his mother said looking up from the bible she was reading.

"Good evening mummy and daddy" he prostrated in greeting.

"Good evening my dear, have your seat" his mother said.

"We heard you were in Jamaica over the weekend?" His father asked as he put down the news paper he was reading.

"Yes Dad, I came back yesterday, how have you both been?"

"We have been good, just your father who has been acting stubborn"

"Ronke please not now, the boy just came. At least offer him something to eat"

"Which one is not now? Am I lying? Or haven't you been acting stubborn?"

As they started arguing, Rayford knew he came visiting on the wrong day. He hated coming in between his parents' argument because it always ended up backfiring as they always used him to settle.

"Your father has refused taking his BP medications, please ask him why he won't take his medications?"

"Of course I take my medications, your mother just like to blow things out of proportion" his father mumbled as he picked up his newspaper.

"Dad, if you are taking your medications, then why is mom saying you are not taking them?"

"Your father always likes to choose which drug to take, sometimes he takes half of the medication, sometimes he doesn't even take them at all"

"Woman will you allow me to talk? I'm right here you know?"

Rayford had to seriously resist the urge to laugh, seeing his parents fight over trivial issues always made him laugh. But he wouldn't dare laugh in their presence to avoid his mother's wrath, so he would have to wait until he was out of there. He couldn't help but picture himself and Jane doing this after thirty three years of marriage.

"Whenever we go to the doctor's office, your mother will start talking for me, are you the one that is sick? is it your sickness? Since you are the one telling the doctor what is wrong with me, then you should be the one to take the drugs"

"I'm doing that because, if I don't tell him, you will tell him you are fine when in the actual sense you aren't"

"Ronke I'm fine and you can't tell me otherwise"

His mother who looked like she could burst with anger turned to Rayford.

"Come you sitting down there smiling, when are you going to get married?"

How did they get here? Weren't they just talking about his father?

_____________

It has really been a busy week for Jane, from her resuming work at her new job as Michael's assistant, to planning a get-together for Rayford's friends and family. The whole stress of running around to get the things they needed to prepare the food on that day is making her regret her not listening to Rayford when he asked to allow the housekeeper handle it.

''Babe I think you should just allow Martha handle this, since you will be at work throughout the week'' Rayford told Jane over the phone.

''I can't ask her to do that, Sunday is usually her off day, and she uses that time to see her grand children''

''but we will be paying her for the extra work, besides it's in the contract she signed to always show up for things like this''

''I still insist on doing this myself, I can't stress someone else with my issues''

''oh God, you are so stubborn'' Rayford Muttered under his breath.

''what did you say?''

''nothing, just let me know if you need anything'' Rayford knew better than to repeat himself if he doesn't want trouble.

It was on a Saturday afternoon, Jane and Amaka went to the market to get the last items they will be needing for the get-together the next day.

"If planning a little get-together is this stressful, I wonder how I would be able to cope with planning my wedding"

"And I presume you are thinking of planning it by yourself?"

"Yes of course, I'm going to plan it. Thank God I have you to help me so it's going to be a lot easier"

"You and who? Who are you planning to kill?"

"I don't understand?" Jane looked confused.

"Who do you think you are marrying? In case you have forgotten, let me refresh your memory; it's Rayford Ademola, so you know what that means? people with class will be in attendance, many of them. Haven't you heard of wedding planners before?"

''we are actually planning on inviting just few people''

''even at that, you still can't plan it yourself Jane, please get a wedding planner''

Jane knew Amaka was right, sometimes she just gets carried away and forgets who is dating. Definitely planning the wedding herself will mean her setting herself up. "Well I guess you are right, I will have to let the wedding planners handle it"

The next day by noon, Jane and Amaka had finished up with the cooking and setting up of Rayford's living room for the little party, all thanks to Rayford who had to come in and assist them in finishing up with the cooking and making sure things were ready before everyone started to arrive.

''thanks so much for helping out'' Jane hugged Rayford after they were done with the arrangements.

''no need thanking me, it's our party remember? I'm supposed to help you out. Most especially since you have refused to let the housekeeper handle it''

''I love you''

''And you''

"Oya o madam come and get dressed, and put on your rock" Amaka said, referring to Jane's engagement ring. ''the guests will soon start arriving'' Amaka said from upstairs.

''I think you should go and answer Amaka'' Rayford said in between kisses. ''mmm... one more'' she kissed him again, and as she turned to leave, Rayford drew her back ''another one for the road''

Dele was the first person to arrive, and the moment he saw Amaka, he tried conversing with her.

"Dele not now please, I'm here to help my friend. Let's not make it about us"

"Alright fine, have lunch with me please"

"Dele I can't, I'm sorry"

"What of dinner? Or just a walk in the park? But please Amaka let's just see and talk about this. I know you won't allow me to come to your place, so please go out with me"

"Okay fine, lunch then"

"Great, when?"

"I will communicate the date to you, now please leave me alone let me concentrate on helping my friend"

As Dele and Amaka were talking, Ming and her husband Michael walked in with their son in a stroller. Shortly Leah Rose came, in the company of her husband.

Jane was saying her hellos to all of them when Rayford's parents walked in. She immediately went to greet them.

"Hello Jane my darling, how are you?" Rayford's mother raised her when she knelt down to greet them. "I'm fine ma"

"You haven't been to my place ever since I invited you and your friend over, it's been months now"

"I'm sorry ma, we will be there to visit you soon"

"It's no problem dear, where is my son? Oh that's him over there" she left with her husband to go say hello to Rayford.

"Alright everyone, thank you all for coming. Before we get started I and my sweetheart, have something to tell you guys" Rayford announced to the house as he held Jane by his right hand side.

"We are getting married!" the room erupted in happy screams as everyone stood up to congratulate them, the women wowing and awwing over Jane's ring, while the men patted Rayford on the back for taking such a bold step.

"So when is the wedding?" Leah Rose asked cheerfully.

"In two months" Rayford replied.

"Two months? Why so soon?" Ming asked not looking too happy with the time of the wedding.

"What's wrong with us getting married in two months time? Or is two months not enough time for you to sew whatever dress you want to wear for the wedding?"

"That's too short a time now, I need time to prepare, it's not every time one of your best brothers get married"

"Ming it's not your wedding, no need to prepare so much, and I think two months is long enough to prepare for a wedding" their mother said, everyone laughed at her comment because they all knew if she had her way, she would ask them to get married that instant to avoid Rayford from changing his mind.