The Choose One

chapter 2: The Choose One

Just as I wasn't sure of what was going on so were my friends, my relatives and a lot of others who came for the supposed traditional wedding.

Dancing is my thing especially when the music is my kind of music. But I just couldn't release myself to dance and I couldn't fake it either because I just couldn't pretend.

The bride is supposed to be alive ( lively and active) but my actions were directly opposite to the whole celebration. I just couldn't explain at that moment what was going through my mind as I was second-guessing what was going to become of me after that moment. I obviously couldn't wrap my head around it. I kept having this feeling like there was something I should know that no one was telling me.

It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life since it was my wedding but unfortunately not. I had questions that were not answered.

The atmosphere was engrossed by sweet music, I was listening to the beautiful sounds but I couldn't feel the melody. I kept draggíng my foot and pulling myself to the Center of the ceremony like a sheep that was led to the slaughter.

"What in the name of tradition is going on here? I need answers, if not for anything but for the sake of being the bride. I shouldn't be left in the dark. Someone needs to tell me something." I kept wondering in my head inconsistently.

I was lost in the thought of this mystery, I was caught up in confúsion but I couldn't find a solution. In trying to avoid further distractions that may lead to mental commotion, I whispered to one of my sisters to call on my dad's attention, but jubilation wouldn't let him focus his attention in my direction. So I resolved to face whatever was coming.

I danced to the middle and took my seat or should I say we danced to the middle and took our seats. Because the people were referring to me as bride and groom although I wasn't seeing the supposed groom.

I know you may want to ask if I was getting married to someone I didn't know or if there was no relationship like courtship or dating.

My dear, the thing is, my ancestors believed that when an intending couple meets physically it could spark up a physical attraction that may lead to premarital séxual communion. They strongly believed that any family that's built on the foundation of ímmórality would only produce offspring that are good for nothing but weak links. So to avoid any séxual attractions, the couple don't get to see themselves until their wedding night.

So here is how it works according to our tradition...

A man sees a lady he has an interest in, he tells his family about his intention, his family prepares a special visit to the lady's family secretly behind closed doors, and when both families agree, every marital rite will be performed. So The only thing the lady gets to hear is her wedding date and on the wedding day, about an hour before the occasion the lady will be told who her husband will be then at the occasion, they'll come together and dance to the middle of the event where the village Priest will perform some martial rituals for the two to become one.

That was how it was supposed to be. Meaning I was supposed to know who my husband was going to be at least an hour before the occasion, but my case was different which was why I was confused

The amazing thing was, I didn't know what the elders were celebrating, they seemed to be excited about the wedding more than I the bride. But they weren't explaining anything to me.

I overheard some of the elders saying

"Tamar'kumeh Likum hann'I" which means "She's the chosen one"

I became even more confused because that was the same thing my father said that night when I told him and my mum about the dream I had.

The moment I took my seat in the middle of the event something mysterious happened that amazed everyone who was there.