A ghost or not? 1

[Ceremony hall]

Have you seen the son in-law of the Cliffords? He's so handsome, a lady drooled.

Of course how can anyone miss that. I hear he's a prince from Tai, another lady commented.

Tai is so far away, the first lady commented with a slight frown.

Tai is rocky and can be fremd but i hear it is a beautiful place to live. They say the night sky view is magnificent over there. It's far but i will be happy to live there with a handsome prince, the second lady giggled.

Indeed!

Agnes and Ayonadu walked to the drawing room where was quiet.

Look you have to do it, Ayonadu said.

Do what? she responded giving him a slight glare, knowing what he meant.

Ibitein won't hate you for a silly mistake on her husband.

In other words?

Oh come on. Please..

What silly mistake? She asked

Ronald suggested that we--

Wait Ronald made a suggestion?

Yes he-

And you took it, Ronald just want to see us flop. No interest at all.

Yeah but it's a wise suggestion, Ayonadu assured.

Let me hear it then.

Okay we invite Calvin to join ibitein in the kitchen and then we make-- you make the stupid mistake. Nobody will suspect since we will be the only ones in the kitchen.

Hmm i will have hold other eggs in a plate.

Exactly so it won't look as if you planned to splash him with an egg.

We're planning to splash an egg on him, Agnes pointed out.

I know, Ayonadu nodded with a slight chuckled.

It's good. I will have to give Ronald an applaud.

I was surprised myself.

I just hope he doesn't read through me, Agnes said in a slight worried tune.

Trust me it will work.

He seem to know a lot,

Ronald?

Calvin.

He won't see this coming

I hope so.

You wanted to say something

Yeah um-- it's ibitein

What about her?

Earlier she seemed off and worried about something but she didn't say what. She only said "she was scared and anxious".

I don't know why i feel like she's regretting.

Ayonadu was quite for a moment. I don't know what to say about that. It's her choice. I will wait for her until the day she realizes her mistake.

Ayo she's married and there's no way she will be with you. Agnes said touching his shoulder.

I know. I was just hoping it happens like that, he said hold back the tear that threatened to fall. He exhaled.

Agnes didn't know how to console her cousin. She felt a sting of pain knowing how much he loved ibitein.

I hope the gods will hear our secret prayers, she said in a whisper. I met Mira, she blurted.

You what? You went to Mira? The same mermaid who almost killed you.

"She didn't almost kill me" she's my friend. I-- we were playing as children then and you misunderstood.

Oh please, she wanted you to marry her brother.

A silly joke, Agnes chuckled slightly. I'm serious. I went there to ask about him and his kin. After i heard it from ibitein i went home but you weren't there so i went alone. It turned out Mira didn't want to say anything to me. More like she was keeping a vital information from me.

Ah.., he sighed. If i told you i don't understand i would be lying. He exhaled deeply. I went to Heba to seek for help too.

Heba? You went to Biri to see Heba the witch?

Stop whining. Heba isn't as powerful as a mermaid.

I will take that as a compliment, Agnes chuckled. What did he say?

He didn't say anything either.

Oh.. i have a strong feeling the reason they do not speak to us is because it might be true. We have to hurry to identify him if he's a ghost or not.

Ayonadu nodded in agreement. You go to the ceremony room and bring him while i head to the kitchen.

Why should i go bring him, Agnes protested. You're a man, you should--

And you're a woman. You will suit him, especially when you've already spoken to him before. And he gifted you, Ayonadu said with a knowing smile.

You're foolish, she said with a chuckle.

I know, he chuckled back.

[Ceremony hall]

Congratulations my son, Abigail said to Calvin.

Thank you mama. I'm glad to be a son in-law of such prestigious family.

We're pleased to have you, she smiled slightly.

There was something Calvin notice about Abigail, she had a gentler and calmer personality than that of her daughter. Her eyes looked almost lost but a little hope lingered. She was beautiful even in her prime. On a closer look she had sad eyes. But why? he wondered.

If he could see her soul and hear her thoughts, he should know she didn't approve of the marriage.

You seem like a decent man, he heard her say. I hope you treat my daughter well, she swallowed.

Calvin remained quiet for a fleeting seconds and then said. The universe will take it's course.

Uh?

She will be treated like she deserves.

Abigail nodded. Thank you, she said patting his shoulder and then left.

Lord, we'll have to leave before the sun rise, Black said.

I'm aware of that.

The little pretty one is planning something fishing.

I know.

Then what should we do lord?

Just leave her be. If she wants to know my identity then she will see for herself.

Just then Agnes approached.

Calvin! She called with a wide smile.

Pretty one, he smiled back at her.

Congratulations, she said holding his hands.

Your smile gladden my heart, he said.

Oh! she exhaled briefly. My pleasure, she said with her heart in her hand. How do you feel now that you're finally family?

I feel the same although now we can hold hands and talk like friends, he pointed out.

Agnes chuckled. Friends? Agnes said in her thought. Oh yes we can be friends.

I'm pleased.

I'm happy. Come on let's go to the kitchen, your bride is there and she's breaking her fast. I don't see you breaking your fast.

I'm fine.

But i insist. I thought we are friends now?Agnes pouted.

Very well then, he agreed.

Are you sure it's going to work? Ronald said.

If you will be quiet it will..

What are you two whispering about? Ibitein asked with a skeptical look.

Um-- we're thinking if we should give you your surprise now or later.

Oh um-- I've already had many gifts today. You should give it tomorrow on my given away, ibitein suggested with a smile.

Of course. That's the perfect time, Ronald chuckled. Ayonadu what do you think?

Uh? Um-- why are asking me? I already have my gift, he brought out a white diamond pearl necklace from his pocket.

Woah! Ronald said in shock.

Wow, ibitein said.

Man you said you wouldn't give it to her, Ronald said.

You're giving me your family's heirloom even though I'm not your bride?

It's nothing

It's your mother's.. i can not--

You deserve it, he blurted. Just take it. I will find peace knowing you accepted it. My mother will too, he added.

Ayo-- she paused and nodded. Put it around my neck then.

Ayonadu nodded and put it around her neck.

Ah, Ronald exhaled sharply. The both of you should just admit and get married instead. What's all the--

Just then Agnes and Calvin walked into the kitchen.

What did we miss? Agnes said excited.

What are you excited about? Ronald asked.

None of your business sweetheart, Agnes said.

Ayonadu gave Agnes a signal look and she shook her head indicating Calvin doesn't suspect anything.

Well if it's not our in-law who doesn't seem to lag behind in exciting beautiful ladies, Ronald said with a chuckle without a glance at anyone.

Calvin chuckled back and said. You're upset about something pretty boy?

Pretty b—

Ronald! Both ibitein and Agnes called glaring slightly at him.

What? he glanced at ibitein.

I told you to be quiet you fool, Ayonadu said in a whisper.

No you'll stay here and sought out things with my husband, ibitein said with a frown on her forward.

Now you've made her upset how do you feel? Ayonadu asked with a straight face.

Chill, the perfect opportunity, Ronald said winking at him and Ayonadu grasped.

Ibitein stood up. Talk like men and stop whining.

I'm so disappointed, Agnes said to ibitein who waved it off.

Don't worry he's just behaving like that because he will miss me. Mm-hmm what were you excited about? Don't attack me I'm just curious, she smiled.

Agnes giggled. Calvin has agreed to buy a land here and live permanently after the Iya marriage. It's a surprise, so you shouldn't let him know you know, okay?

Ibitein had a wide smile, she couldn't believe he would sacrifice everything for her.

The gods have indeed blessed me with an angel.

Indeed, Agnes nodded. Let me dish his food, Agnes suggested.

Okay go on, ibitein chuckled. After all it will take a year before you meet with you new found friend.

Oh come on, a year is not that far away. I will miss you so much.

I will miss you too. You get married so we can perform the Iya marriage together.

Oh that's a good idea , Agnes agreed.

As planned, Agnes pick a tray of food, with the native egg in her right hand, she approached Calvin who was chatting with Ronald.

And dash! The tray of food fell and she splashed the egg on him.