Let's Elope

Something Borrowed, Something Broken

The closer the wedding came, the busier both families became.

Ada had stopped asking who was coming over because someone was always coming over.

One aunt arrived with fabrics.

Another came with gele samples.

Someone else insisted on checking the souvenir boxes — for the third time.

The house was a whirlwind of laughter, conversations and constant movement.

Ada slipped quietly into the dining room, hoping to steal five peaceful minutes with a cup of tea.

No sooner had she taken the first sip than Dara walked in.

"There you are."

Ada looked up.

"I've been looking for you."

"I've been hiding."

Dara laughed.

"I can see that."

Ada sighed dramatically.

"I miss silence."

"Silence?" Dara repeated.

"You mean the thing that disappeared the day Tobi proposed?"

Ada couldn't help laughing.

"Exactly."

Before either of them could say another word, Ada's mother called from the hallway.

"Ada!"

"Coming!"

She followed the sound of her mother's voice into the sitting room.

Her mother was seated beside Auntie Amaka, while Chika was helping stack neatly wrapped gift boxes against the wall.

"There you are," her mother said.

"We need your opinion."

"My opinion?"

Auntie Amaka lifted a small velvet box onto her lap.

"Your grandmother asked us to give this to you today."

Ada's smile faded into curiosity.

"Grandma?"

Her mother nodded.

"She said every bride in our family has worn it on her wedding day."

Carefully, Ada opened the box.

Inside lay a delicate silver bracelet, its tiny blue stones catching the afternoon sunlight.

For a moment, she couldn't speak.

"It's beautiful."

"It belonged to your grandmother," her mother said softly.

"And before her, it belonged to your great-grandmother."

Ada looked up in surprise.

"So... it's been in the family for years?"

Her mother smiled.

"For generations."

Ada gently lifted the bracelet from the box, holding it as though it might disappear.

"I can't believe she's trusting me with this."

"She says it's your turn now. Keep it safe until your wedding morning — that's when you're supposed to wear it for the first time. It's tradition."

Ada nodded, holding the box close.

"I'll take good care of it."

"I know you will," her mother replied.

Just then, Chika leaned over for a closer look.

"So this is the famous family bracelet."

Ada nodded proudly.

"It is."

He whistled softly.

"No pressure, Sis."

She laughed.

"Thanks for the encouragement."

"You've got this."

Meanwhile...

Across town, Tobi stood in front of his bedroom mirror for what felt like the hundredth time.

Femi was sprawled across the bed, lazily scrolling through his phone.

"You've been staring at yourself for five minutes."

"I'm checking the fit."

"You're wearing jeans and a T-shirt."

"I know."

"So... what exactly are you checking?"

Tobi sighed.

"I don't know."

Femi chuckled.

"You're nervous."

"I'm not."

"You've rearranged your wardrobe twice."

"I was organizing."

"You ironed your wedding suit again."

"It had creases."

"It was already hanging."

Tobi opened his mouth to argue...

...then closed it again.

Femi grinned triumphantly.

"I knew it."

Tobi laughed and threw a pillow at him.

"Get out."

"I'm your best man."

"Not my business."

Femi folded his arms proudly.

"I accepted it months ago. So you're stuck with me till your wedding."

Tobi shook his head, unable to stop smiling.

Sometimes he wondered if Femi had ever taken anything seriously.

Then his phone buzzed.

Ada ❤️

His smile came instantly.

He answered.

"Hi, beautiful."

"Hi."

"How's your side of the world?"

Ada laughed.

"Busy."

"Same here."

"You'll never guess what Grandma gave me today..."

She looked down at the bracelet resting safely in its velvet box.

"It's something I'll treasure forever."

Tobi smiled.

"I can't wait to hear all about it."

And for the next few minutes, the wedding disappeared from their minds.

It was just Ada...

And Tobi...

Talking the way they always had.

After the call had ended, Ada settled onto the edge of her bed with the velvet box resting on her lap.

She opened it once more.

The tiny blue stones shimmered as the evening sun filtered through her curtains.

A gentle knock sounded on the door.

"Come in."

Dara stepped inside carrying two mugs of hot chocolate.

"I thought you could use this."

Ada smiled.

"You're becoming my favourite person."

"I thought I already was."

"You have competition."

"Oh?"

"My grandmother."

Dara laughed as she sat beside her.

"So... this is the famous bracelet?"

Ada nodded and carefully handed her the box.

Dara admired it without touching.

"It's beautiful."

"It belonged to my great-grandmother first."

Dara looked up.

"Seriously?"

Ada nodded.

"Then my grandmother wore it."

"And now..."

"It's my turn."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

"You know," Dara said softly, "that's more special than buying something new."

"I think so too."

Ada hesitated, then whispered.

"...Can I try it? Just for a second? Mum said wedding morning, but..."

Dara grinned.

"You've been holding that box like it might run away. Try it."

Carefully, Ada fastened the bracelet around her wrist.

It fit perfectly.

She lifted her hand, turning it gently in the light.

"What do you think?"

Dara smiled.

"I think your grandmother has excellent taste."

Ada laughed.

At that exact moment, Chika poked his head through the half-open door.

"There you are!"

"What?"

"Mum says dinner is ready."

He noticed the bracelet.

"Oh..."

He walked into the room.

"So can I have a closer look at it?"

Ada proudly stretched out her arm.

"Don't touch."

Chika raised both hands immediately.

"I wasn't going to!"

"You were thinking about it."

"I was appreciating it from a respectful distance."

Dara burst into laughter.

"You sound just like Femi."

"I'll pretend that's a compliment."

The three of them headed downstairs together.

Halfway down the staircase, Auntie Amaka spotted the bracelet.

"My goodness!"

She hurried over.

"Ada! You've put it on?"

Ada smiled, a little guilty.

"I just wanted to see how it looked."

Auntie Amaka's expression changed instantly.

"My dear..."

She gently held Ada's wrist.

"I know it's beautiful, but remember tradition. The bride wears it for the first time on her wedding morning."

Ada looked down at the bracelet.

"Oh... you're right, Mum told me. I was just..."

Auntie Amaka smiled kindly.

"I know it's tempting, but let it wait a few more days."

Ada nodded with an understanding smile.

"All right."

She carefully unclasped it...

...but as she did —

Snap.

A tiny metallic sound echoed through the room.

Everyone froze.

The bracelet slipped from her fingers onto the carpet.

Ada's heart stopped.

"No..."

She stared at the delicate clasp lying beside the bracelet.

The clasp had broken.

Silence filled the room.