Captivating Beauty

Marriage

Chapter Two

Strangers

Mr Echezona sat on his special sit in his parlour assessing the visitors one after the other as he waits for his wife to arrive with the kola nut. His eyeballs dangles from left to right, as it flashes on the faces of his visitors, as well as also trying to know the reason why he is suddenly feeling cold on a sunny day.

This is kola nut, he said. I present it to you.

The plate of the kola nut was passed around to the visitors as the custom demands.

He continued, as we eat, may we eat health, life and happiness and shares the kola nut to his visitors.

He cleared his voice, now we can talk. To what do I owe this visit?

We have come from the land in the seas and waters, to inquire about the beautiful flower in this household which my brother here, intend to pluck.The eldest said pointing towards the brother.

Chudy entered with a smile which faded within a short while. How come am having this sense of cold in me he said to himself. He immediately had fast eye contact with the father to inquire if everything is ok.

Mr Echezona is a smart and courageous man, he is taking his time to read the situation in order to ascertain his next move.

I do not have a tree of flowers he said.

I mean your daughter, she is the one my brother here wants to marry.

Goose pimples bulges out of Chudy's skin like though he was immersed in a pool of ice. I have never seen a man who speaks with such boldness, as though he was programmed. It will be nice to have them as in-laws, but the problem here is, I don't know how exactly am feeling about them. By the way why is this place this cold. Chudy kept questioning himself.

You are welcome once again. He turned towards the youngest who want to marry his daughter. what is your name my son?

Jazz he answered.

Jazz, have you met with my daughter?

Not yet he answered.

So tell me, how did you get know about my daughter?

I got words from travellers and her description got me interested.

I think is time to call my daughter inn, I am her father but she has to make the choice herself.

Ego my daughter, this young man here has come to ask for your hand in marriage, what do you think, are we accepting them or not?

Everyone was so surprised that, for the first time, Ego showed signs of excitement when asked this question. She was dumbfounded, and couldn't believe it. Wow this is the kind of man I will like to spend the rest of my life with she said to herself.

She keeps on smiling as she looks towards the direction of the man she loves. Her heart beats faster as she imagines how it is going to look like when they finally get down. Her mouth started getting watery, her n*****s tickles.

Ego! Ego!! Ego!! the father called trying get her mind back.

Eee eeh, yes father I will marry him, she said after realizing how mute she has been for a while.

All can see the beaming smiles on the faces of the visitors immediately they heard her response.

Everyone was surprised except for Nekky who already knew how in love she is with the stranger.

Chudy who seems to understand the father very well, could see signs of disappointment written all over him. Chudy's situation is mixed with both confusion and happiness because he thinks it will be kind of nice to have such personality as in-laws. But his fright lies on the fact that non of them know the strangers or where they come from.

Let me have a word with my daughter outside, Mr Echezona said to the visitors.

What is wrong with you Ego, of all the men who want your hand in marriage, why did you decide to choose the one you don't know. Or do you know these men?

Actually dad No, but can't you see my mood, it seemed we ve known each other for years. I can feel the affection and connection when ever he looks at me. Dad, I don't think I need any other person other than this man, and if you love me, you should let me marry him please. She speaks with tears covering her eyes.

It ok, I understand you. Mr Echezona loves his daughter so much that he can't stand to see her cry.

You know all I wanted for you is nothing but the best, i can't describe my feelings in all this but I hope it will turn out to be good for you my daughter. He said as he patted her back signaling for them to go inside.

My in-laws, he acknowledged for the first time. You are highly welcome. He said with a more brighter look on his face. You seems to have found favour in the sight of my daughter, and for that reason, I have no option than to give her to you in marriage. Here is the copy of the list of items that must be provided before she can finally be us. So I suggest you take the copy home, prepare yourself and come back with the items when you are ready.

I am ready to pay for what so ever that is required of me right here and now. I can't wait to be with my wife.

Are you saying you are going to clear all the items in the list today? Mr Echezona asked.

He answered with a nod.

Alright then, I'll Quickly send words to my brothers, and also inform the town crier to pass the information to the people. Here in Ugwu, we don't give out our daughter's in marriage without passing the information to the people he said.

Within a short while, all arrangements for the marriage were met with the help of Chudy and his friends and some extended family members. People kept trouping into Mr Echezona's compound from different part of the village to witness the union and also to see the stranger Ego believes is better than all the men in the village.

The celebration comensed late in the evening because of the preparation delay, there where enough to eat, and much to drink and left over to take home.

These people are really rich said by group of persons to the other.

These men are really handsome, how I wish one of them will just ask for my hand in marriage a lady said to her friend sitting next to her.

Will you shut up, the friend cut in. mimicking what she said in an awkward manner. I just hope she made the right choice, in marriage you don't eat handsomeness and you have to look beyond the physical appearance when you make a choice the second lady said.

Ok ma'am the first lady said in an unserious tune.

People keep coming inn and going out, dancing, drinking and making merry without considering the increased darkness as the strange in-laws demand for their wife and about to leave.

My in-laws, as you can see, the time is far spent and when ever we are having a celebration of this magnitude, the people of Ugwu don't mind celebrating till the next day. I think you people should sleep over and continue your journey tomorrow Mr Echezona suggested.

We do not have the intention of passing the night here, we should leave at once the eldest of the strangers said.

Ego happily left with the husband as she bid everyone farewell.

As they leave, people could notice feelings of discomfort on the faces of her family members as though they have lost her.

Ego was surprised to see that a man was already at the sea side with a boat waiting for them. How come he was left here all alone for that long without food? He tried to ask her husband about the boat man's welfare but didn't get any reply.

What is is happening, could it be that these people don't talk to themselves? They are always mean, they didn't even talk to the boat man when we arrived, my husband who was acting like he really wanted me could not even initiate a discussion with me. Even when I try to, he keeps mute. The journey just started am already feeling lonely, I just wander how long the journey will last for. how will I cope with this kind of silence. I wished I noticed this on time. Nekky told me all that glitters are not gold. I hope am not about to learn by experience.