The Second Chance Lover

“You may now kiss the bride,” the priest said. But Lloyd did not know what to do at that point. Should he kiss someone that he does not know, someone he does not even love? At that point, he thought to himself. “What am I even doing?” Someone he barely met and did not know if she was clean enough for him. “I am sorry I cannot kiss her, that's an impossible task,” Llyod said, hoping that the priest would understand. “I don't understand, why can't you kiss your wife? You want to marry her, or don't you?” Priest Howeb asked. He was rather surprised that the man standing in front of him and the guest was refusing to kiss the woman he had just professed to love in the church, right at the altar. “Yes, I want to marry her, but she was the one that insisted on this church thing, not I,” Llyod replied with every inch of seriousness in his voice. “Excuse me, Father, Can I have a word with my husband please?” Anita asked, looking rather frustrated. “Have we sorted out our kissing problem?” Priest Howeb asked, his voice nearly above a whisper as the congregation watched on, not understanding the little drama that was going on. She turned to Llyod as if to say, what is wrong with you? “Llyod between you and me, we understand what we are doing here. But the others didn't, and we took a vow of secrecy. So instead of embarrassing me in front of my parents, I would rather pick up that mic and tell the world our little secret,” Anita said. Llyod looked devastated, “she is even giving me orders,” he thought. “Okay, fine, but don't open your mouth. We will kiss with sealed lips. Have you heard?” Llyod said as he made his way to his former position where the priest was standing waiting for them. In a short while, the wedding was over, and they were about to leave. “Get into the car!” Llyod approached Anita, who seemed to be struggling with her wedding gown. “I am your wife and this is supposed to be our wedding day, so act nice, I can still walk out of this, remember!” Anita replied. “We are going to the Star Hotels. My mother wants to see us before she leaves. It is our tradition,” Lloyd said. “It’s fine,” Anita replied. When they got to the hotel, Anita noticed that everything in the hotel was manly and this was not what she was expecting. She quickly brought it to Lloyd's attention. “My things are not here, or didn't you get something for me as you promised?” “It’s a good thing you noticed, you see there is some smartness in that brain of yours after all,” Llyod replied. Anita could not understand why Lloyd was angry, this was supposed to be her day and she had begged him to make it worth her while, but here was a man who was supposed to be her husband dishing her impolite words. “I can't wait for your mother. I want to know where my things are, and I want to leave,” Anita said. With some sort of shock, Lloyd replied, “What do you mean that you want to leave? The marriage is not blessed until my mother blesses it.” “I see, what marriage please?” Anita asked with so much disdain in her voice. The door suddenly opened and there stood Mrs. Rebecca Jefferson, who everyone but Llyod calls Becca. “Maa! You didn't knock!” Screamed Llyod as his mother stood at the entrance of the room smiling at both of them, not knowing what was going on. “I didn't want you to think I am one of them waiters or room service,” Becca said, smiling. “Maa, we could have been naked,” replied Llyod, who was not having it. Trying to play nice in the presence of his mother. “Okay Lloyd, come off it. No one goes naked without closing the doors,” Becca said. Then turning towards Anita, she smiled. “How are you, my beautiful princess? Congratulations my dear.” “Thank you ma, that was the nicest thing someone has said to me today. You are far too kind,” Anita said. “I have told you the name is Becca. Please don't make me feel my age, I am not that old,” Becca said. Okay ma… um, I mean Becca,” Anita replied. “You see it is not that hard,” Becca said. After the blessing rites were done by Becca. She decided it was time to go. “There are so many things about us, you need to learn, but give it time,” Becca said, giving Anita a little hug by the side. “And this is one of them, dear.” Becca stood at the doorway of the newlyweds' room, her eyes warm with affection. She raised her hands in a blessing over the couple. "Sleep well, my dear," she said kindly. "I'll be in the opposite room if you need anything." Llyod was shocked to hear that his mother was in the opposite room. Why would his mother do such a thing? Why would she be in the same hotel as theirs? Anita smiled politely, but she could feel the tension radiating from Lloyd. As soon as Becca left and the door clicked shut behind them, Lloyd's expression darkened. "Why are you smiling ?" Lloyd asked, his voice strained. "Do you know that you can no longer leave?" Anita nodded, a mix of confusion and concern on her face. "Yes," she whispered. Lloyd sighed deeply, frustration evident in his every movement. "I had booked a separate room for you," he explained, running a hand through his hair. "I wanted to give you your space and time. But now... if you leave, my mother will know. She’ll see you’re not here, and it will cause even more trouble." Anita's heart ached at Lloyd's words, understanding the predicament they were in. "What do we do?" she asked softly. “You will stay here for tonight, but we have to set the rules because I don't want surprises,” Lloyd said. “What surprises?” Asked Anita, “Aren't we married?” “Are we?” Replied Llyod. “What are your rules? Kindly state them,” Anita said. "You'll sleep on the bed," he instructed quietly, "while I take the floor." Anita looked at him, surprised. "But, Lloyd …" ".... No arguments," he interrupted gently but firmly. "You’ll wear my clothes, but you mustn’t snore or make any noise. I like my room quiet and sane when I am sleeping.” “Is there anything else?” Asked Anita, trying to remove the wedding gown. “Nothing, for now, thank you.” “Thank you too,” Anita said as she dashed for the bathroom. Anita wondered what she had gotten herself into. She could not define the personality of Llyod her husband and this troubled her. She could only hope that she had not gotten involved with a violent man.