Engaged and Overwhelmed
1017 Words
The morning after the proposal, sunlight slipped through the curtains, painting soft golden streaks across Ada's bedroom.
She opened her eyes slowly, smiling before she even remembered why.
Then she felt it.
The ring.
She lifted her left hand, and the diamond sparkled in the morning light.
A wide grin spread across her face.
"I'm engaged," she whispered to herself.
She laughed, burying her face in her pillow.
"I'm actually engaged."
A gentle knock came at her door.
"Ada?" her mother called. "Are you awake?"
"Yes, Mum."
"Come downstairs. We have visitors."
Visitors?
Ada frowned. It was barely nine o'clock.
After getting dressed, she hurried downstairs, only to stop halfway down the staircase.
Dara was sitting comfortably in the living room, sipping a cup of tea as though she belonged there.
"You!" Ada exclaimed.
Dara looked up and smiled.
"There she is. The future Mrs..."
Ada quickly covered her friend's mouth.
"Don't start."
Dara laughed as Ada pulled her into a hug.
"I still can't believe you said yes."
"I still can't believe he asked."
The two friends giggled like schoolgirls until Ada's mother cleared her throat with an amused smile.
"You two have been laughing since yesterday."
"We have a good reason," Dara replied.
Ada's phone buzzed.
Then buzzed again.
And again.
She frowned and reached for it.
Thirty-seven unread messages.
Twelve missed calls.
The family group chat had exploded overnight.
Congratulations poured in from cousins, aunties, uncles, old classmates, church members, neighbours, and even people she hadn't spoken to in years.
Another message arrived.
When is the wedding?
Before Ada could answer, another one followed.
Have you picked a date?
Then another.
How many people are you inviting?
She slowly lowered the phone.
Her smile faded just enough for Dara to notice.
"What is it?"
Ada let out a small sigh.
"I think everyone has already started planning our wedding..."
Before Dara could reply, Ada's phone rang again.
She looked at the screen.
It was Tobi.
She answered immediately.
"Good morning, fiancé."
There was silence on the other end.
Then Tobi sighed dramatically.
"Please tell me your phone hasn't stopped ringing either."
Ada laughed.
"So it's happening to you too?"
"You have no idea."
She smiled, already knowing exactly what he meant.
The happiest "yes" of their lives had lasted less than twenty-four hours.
Now, reality had come knocking.
Ada walked into the kitchen with her phone still pressed to her ear.
"So... how bad is it?" she asked, trying not to laugh.
On the other end, Tobi let out another dramatic sigh.
"My aunt called at six this morning."
Ada winced.
"Six?"
"She said she didn't want to wake me."
Ada laughed.
"That's exactly what she did."
"I know."
He paused before adding, "She has already suggested three wedding venues."
Ada blinked.
"...Already?"
"And according to my uncle, we should invite everyone from our hometown."
"Everyone?"
"His exact words were, 'If they can breathe, they should be invited.'"
Ada covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing out loud.
"Oh, Tobi."
"I'm scared."
"No, you're not."
"I'm a little scared."
She smiled, leaning against the kitchen counter.
"It'll be fine."
"I hope you're right."
Before either of them could say another word, another call came through.
Ada pulled the phone away from her ear and glanced at the screen.
"Mum is calling me."
Tobi laughed.
"Mine's been calling every ten minutes."
"Should we call each other back later?"
"Definitely."
"Okay."
"And Ada?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
Her smile softened.
"I love you too."
She ended the call and answered her mother's.
"Ada, where are you?" her mother asked.
"In the kitchen."
"Come to the living room. Your father wants to speak with you."
Her heart skipped a beat.
"I'll be there."
Taking a deep breath, Ada slipped her phone into her pocket and walked toward the living room.
Her father looked up from the newspaper as she entered.
He smiled — a calm, proud smile she had seen only a handful of times.
"Come and sit."
She obeyed quietly.
He reached across the table and gently held her hand, his eyes resting on the engagement ring.
"It's beautiful."
"Thank you, Dad."
"I'm happy for you."
Those four words warmed her heart.
"But..." he continued with a chuckle, "...I hope the two of you know what comes next."
Ada laughed nervously.
"I think we're beginning to."
Her father smiled knowingly.
"Marriage is between two people. A wedding, however... has a way of involving Everyone."
For some reason, she had a feeling he wasn't exaggerating.
Ada smiled, but her father's words lingered in her mind.
"A wedding has a way of involving everyone."
She didn't fully understand what he meant.
Not yet.
A knock at the gate interrupted the quiet conversation.
Her mother peeked through the window and sighed with a smile.
"I think they're here."
"Who?" Ada asked.
Her mother went to open the gate, and moments later the front door swung open.
"Ada!"
Three of her aunties walked in, each carrying something in their hands. One held a box of pastries, another a bouquet of flowers, and the third walked straight toward Ada with her arms wide open.
"Our bride-to-be!"
Ada barely had time to stand before she was wrapped in a hug.
"Congratulations, my dear!"
"We're so happy for you!"
"When is the introduction?"
Ada blinked.
"The... introduction?"
"Yes!" one aunt replied excitedly. "The families have to meet properly. There's so much to plan."
Another aunt nodded.
"And don't wait too long. Good news shouldn't sleep."
Ada forced a polite smile.
"I... I'll talk to Tobi."
"Good girl," the eldest aunt said. "And make sure you don't choose your wedding date during the rainy season."
"No," another interrupted, "December weddings are better."
"But December is expensive."
"What about November?"
"I still think December is best."
Within seconds, the three women were debating dates as if the wedding had already been scheduled.
Ada quietly looked toward her father.
He simply smiled and whispered,
"Now you understand."
Ada couldn't help laughing.
She understood perfectly.
And somehow... she had a feeling this was only the beginning.
- Writer
