The Wedding No One Will Forget (Part II)
1139 Words
The church seemed to disappear.
The choir was still singing.
Guests were still smiling.
Cameras continued to flash.
But to Tobi...
There was only Ada.
She walked gracefully beside her father, each step bringing her closer.
Her veil caught the morning light, and the silver bracelet on her wrist shimmered softly.
Tobi smiled.
Then laughed quietly to himself.
Femi glanced sideways.
"What?"
"I forgot my speech."
"You had a speech?"
"I planned one in case she looked too beautiful."
"And?"
"I forgot every word."
Femi grinned.
"Good. You would've embarrassed yourself."
Tobi chuckled, never taking his eyes off Ada.
As they reached the altar, Ada's father turned to Tobi.
For a brief moment, the two men simply looked at one another.
Then he gently placed Ada's hand into Tobi's.
"Take care of her."
Tobi answered without hesitation.
"With everything I have."
Ada's father smiled.
"I know you will."
He kissed Ada gently on the forehead before returning to his seat.
The pastor stepped forward.
"Family, friends and loved ones..."
"Today, we gather not simply to witness a wedding..."
"...but to celebrate a promise."
The church grew still.
He spoke about love.
About patience.
About choosing each other, not only on joyful days, but also on difficult ones.
Somewhere in the second row, Grandma nodded quietly.
Auntie Amaka had already reached for her handkerchief.
"I'm not crying," she whispered.
Ada's mother smiled.
"You haven't stopped crying since breakfast."
"I'm preserving moisture."
Even Ada's father laughed.
---
"May we have the rings?"
Femi proudly reached into his pocket.
Then froze.
His smile disappeared.
He checked his left pocket.
Then his right.
His jacket.
His trouser pocket.
His face changed completely.
Tobi looked at him.
"...Femi?"
"I..."
"Femi."
"I had them."
The congregation watched curiously.
Dara narrowed her eyes from across the aisle.
"What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything!"
He searched again.
Nothing.
A tiny wave of panic spread across the front of the church.
Then Chika cleared his throat.
"Looking for these?"
Everyone turned.
He held up the ring box with a mischievous grin.
Femi blinked.
"How?"
"You left it on the front seat of the car."
Femi covered his face.
"I was testing everybody."
"You failed," Dara replied.
The church erupted with laughter.
Even the pastor smiled.
"I believe we may continue."
Femi accepted the ring box with a dramatic bow.
"I'd like everyone to forget the last sixty seconds."
"No," Chika said proudly.
"I'm telling this story forever."
---
The vows began.
Tobi took Ada's hands in his.
His voice was calm.
But his eyes said everything.
"Ada..."
"From the day we met..."
"...you brought peace into places I didn't know were restless."
"You've laughed with me."
"Cried with me."
"Believed in me."
"And today..."
"I promise to keep choosing you."
"Even on ordinary Tuesdays."
The congregation laughed softly.
"Especially on ordinary Tuesdays."
Ada smiled through tears.
When it was her turn, she took a slow breath.
"Tobi..."
"I used to think love had to be loud to be real."
She smiled gently.
"You showed me that sometimes..."
"...love is simply someone choosing to stay."
Her voice trembled.
"I promise to be your home."
"To celebrate your dreams."
"To remind you to rest when you work too hard."
"And..."
She laughed.
"...to forgive you when you leave wet towels on the bed."
The church burst into laughter.
Tobi looked genuinely offended.
"I've only done that twice."
"So far," Femi whispered.
More laughter.
---
The pastor smiled warmly.
"Having declared your vows before God, your families and these witnesses..."
"...and having exchanged rings..."
"It is my honour..."
"...to pronounce you..."
"Husband and wife."
He looked at Tobi.
"You may kiss your bride."
The church exploded with applause.
Tobi looked at Ada.
"So..."
"So."
"I've been waiting all day."
"You've been waiting longer than that."
He smiled.
"True."
Very gently...
He kissed her.
Cheers echoed through the church.
Children clapped enthusiastically.
Someone whistled.
Grandma wiped another happy tear.
Auntie Amaka finally admitted,
"Fine."
"I'm crying."
---
As the newlyweds walked back down the aisle together, flower petals floated through the air.
Outside, the church grounds erupted into celebration.
Friends crowded around them with hugs and congratulations.
Photographers called out instructions.
"Bride and groom, this way!"
"Parents, please!"
"Best man!"
"Maid of honour!"
"Everybody smile!"
Femi immediately pulled the funniest serious face imaginable.
The photographer lowered his camera.
"Sir..."
"I'm smiling on the inside."
Dara elbowed him.
"Smile properly."
"I am!"
"No."
"You look like you're renewing your passport."
Everyone burst into laughter.
The photographer finally captured the perfect picture—not because everyone was posing...
But because everyone was laughing.
It would become one of Ada and Tobi's favourite wedding photographs for years to come.
The celebration...
...was only just beginning.
---
The reception hall buzzed with excitement long before the newlyweds arrived.
Crystal chandeliers reflected warm golden light across the room, while fresh flowers decorated every table. Soft music floated through the air as guests found their seats, chatting happily about the beautiful ceremony they had just witnessed.
Outside the entrance, the wedding planner smiled.
"They're here!"
Almost instantly, the DJ lowered the music.
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
His voice echoed through the hall.
"Please rise as we welcome, for the very first time..."
"...Mr. and Mrs. Tobi!"
The doors swung open.
Thunderous applause filled the room as Tobi and Ada walked in hand in hand.
Someone at the back shouted, "Kiss her again!"
The entire hall burst into laughter.
Tobi looked at Ada.
"Should we?"
Ada covered her face, laughing.
"Don't you dare."
He leaned closer anyway.
The crowd cheered louder.
"He's going to do it!"
Just before their lips met, Tobi stopped and simply kissed her forehead instead.
"Awwww!"
The guests groaned playfully.
"You tricked us!"
"I had to," Tobi replied with a grin.
"You'll get another chance," Femi called from his table.
Dara shook her head.
"Please ignore him. He's been talking all day."
"I have a reputation to maintain."
"You certainly do."
Still smiling, Ada and Tobi made their way to the beautifully decorated sweetheart table. They paused for a moment before sitting down, taking in the sight before them.
Family.
Friends.
Neighbours.
Colleagues.
People from different tribes, different backgrounds and different stages of their lives had all gathered in one place for a single reason—to celebrate love.
Ada reached beneath the table and quietly squeezed Tobi's hand.
He looked at her.
"Worth the stress?"
She smiled, her eyes shining.
"Worth every single minute."
Tobi smiled back.
"Then let the celebration begin."
As if on cue, the DJ turned up the music, and the hall came alive once more. Guests clapped to the rhythm, children danced freely between the tables, and the first course was served amid laughter, conversation, and the joyful hum of a day that none of them would ever forget.
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