CH 04|| wedding Night

Even after the engagement ceremony, my groom and I never spoke willingly to each other by any means. Everything seemed forced. In fact, everything was forced.

Then came our white wedding which scared me half way to death. Preparations were totally in his mother's control. The only time I even had a say is whenever she wants an additional opinion to what she chooses to be part of the ceremony. It made me wonder how living with her would be.

Let me spare you the details of the ceremony as there are more things to talk about.

During the exchange of vows, we looked each other in the eyes and spoke which of course was unwilling. It was so hard looking into his eyes. Still not enough, then came the kissing part.

"You may now kiss the bride." said the priest monotonously.

"Heck no! " I said under my breath which he may have heard or not.

Immediately I said that, my groom whose name I'm yet to stick with flicked his eyes to me causing me to take a huge gulp down my throat. I stared back until he lifted his hands to unveil my face.

He folded my veil and uncovered my face, ready to plant a kiss. I held my breath. Looking down at my lips, a shudder ran down my spine. I had never been kissed on the lips before. At least not as long as I can remember.

Placing his right hand on my waist, he leaned down with his eyes drawing to a close.

I shivered. Was I supposed to lift my head? What's all this?

Fluttering my eyelids shut, I let my lips get caught in his lips. The first touch was soft and peaceful but too quick to evoke an emotion for me. It was as light as a feather which made it more scary as to what kind of person he was.

I trembled in fear as people cheered, clapped, took many shots of us and worse - there were a lot of camera men taking footage.

Idiot, don't you know that was my first kiss!? I expected my first kiss to be with the man I love not you and not like this. Not so quick and insulting.

I asked myself how it was so easy for him to do that and at that instant I feared because many thoughts ran through my head.

"He is so emotionless, he could destroy my future with a snap of his fingers" I sighed as I cried within me.

I was forced to put on a smile throughout the whole show which was so unbearable. We took pictures with our family, friends, unknown foes - just saying but who knows.

On getting home after the reception, I trembled since he and I were in the same vehicle with a trail of cars behind us and one in front. The look on his face throughout our stay together was frightening. He absolutely showed no expression. It would have been better if I had a clue on how he felt but this one, nothing.

His look was expensive and carried with it many emotions but he sealed them all too easily sending a shiver down my spine. What if he hates me and would make me pay for destroying his precious life?

Although I was small by figure, I wouldn't let anyone bully me.

We got to an estate where I suppose we are going to stay. The convoy led to a really inviting house. It was such a sight to behold. Ribbons blocked the entrance to the house but it was cut and the house was blessed. Funny right? They must have really planned this out so well. Still again a banquet was held for us.

"Why do rich people love partying so much?" I rhetorically asked myself.

By that time, tiredness was written all over my face but I don't know what drew me to notice the faces my groom held. His eyes were tired, the upper eyelids almost covering the lower one.

After the celebrations, everyone went home except our parents who by now were close, blessed us and left us alone to enjoy our first wedding night.

I felt so irritated at the thought of it. I went inside our decorated bedroom. The room's atmosphere felt so romantic with the smell of burning incense and flowers scattered all over our bed. I was so disgusted and scared at the thought of what happened in church today.

"If he was able to kiss without pressure then he can do more." I said with a heavy heart.

I walked speedily into our bathroom and locked myself inside. On remembering that I had nothing to change into, I slipped out carefully to get my night outfit quickly from my bag.

Thanks to God, he did not come in yet. I went back inside, took a bath and changed but still did not come out because I was too scared.

I sat on the floor with my knees hugging my chest and thoughts running through my mind.

When I finally mustered up the courage to come out, I was shocked and my heart skipped multiple times as I saw him sitting up on our bed. Some of the rose petals fell off of the bed, creating black silhouettes on the floor beneath the bed.

He wore sweats and a muscle top but as if he knew I was coming out, did not even turn instead kept fiddling with his phone. I stood there not knowing what next to do.

"So you are finally out of the bathroom?" he spoke to me willingly for the first time, his voice so manly as his father. That shocked me, my senses on high alert.

"Why did you spend hours in there, didn't it ever occur to you that someone might want to use it? " he asked in a detached tone. He didn't sound harsh but I wasn't stupid to say he liked me either.

I felt a lump in my throat as I replied

"I'm sorry I didn't know-" I said but he cut me off.

"It's okay, I've done that in another room." He said, squinting a bit at me.

"By the way, what's your name? " He asked, his face brightening.

"Eddy.... You can call me Eddy " I said proudly.

"Like the courage. Sorry for not saying anything during the whole time, I didn't feel it was necessary."

I felt insulted at that statement he made but I just shrugged it off.

"Sorry to ask, how old are you?"

"Must you ask?" I murmured to myself.

"Huh?" He asked, my heart pounding louder.

"Yeah, I'm 19 " I replied, trying to divert attention.

"Sure?" Was he deaf?

Why did he ask such an annoying question?

"Sure." I replied again, my intonation rising a bit.

"Sorry if it sounds silly but you look like a 17 year old or less." He said, tilting his head backwards. I knew he would say that. Was I going to argue? No.

"I'm Chris, still an undergraduate and I'm 23 but I'll soon be 24 by the end of the year. I know you school in UNIUYO, mum told me. I school at UNILAG, see the distance?"

I mean what does he expect me to do?

"Yeah." I replied.

"So what to do ( pushing his lips towards his teeth while still closed). Why still standing, c'mon join me " He brought down his legs and sat up.

" N-no thanks...I-I mean.." I ran out of words.

He sprang to his feet. " I understand. Don't misjudge me, I never wanted this marriage one bit so don't worry, I won't touch you."

I was more than shocked and embarrassed too. He opened the door and stopped halfway, then turned around and said:

"Though, I must admit, you looked fabulous and cute in your wedding outfit today so I can say I am proud that at least I married a really beautiful lady." He said with a slight smile then walked out, closing the door behind him.

A lump rose in my throat and I felt my stomach churn whilst founding myself sobbing as many thoughts crowded my mind.

I felt so cursed, not minding if this was a sacrifice, I cried my eyes out that moment.

I groped for my phone inside my purse as all those acrimonious feelings left me, leaving me with mild sadness and tears.

I thought about calling my friends to tell them about my predicament but then I stopped myself knowing full well why I shouldn't.

"I'm screwed, I'm so screwed. Damn!" I swore.

Just lying on my bed, I thought of life as a married teenager. God knows how I slept off in my world of thoughts.

……..