Ghost wedding
Episode 9
Sonia and Steve met to discuss, after they discovered family members were beginning to observe their activities.
“Baby, they’ve noticed something. I think we have been acting too rash on them, which is not supposed to be so”. Steve told Sonia.
“Yes, you are right. My mum and brother seem to have known what’s on ground, especially Henry my brother. But I will be calm and act normal this time, until after the wedding. Most times, I don’t even know when I displ@ysuch acts”.
“Me too, I do it ignorantly and have to call myself to order henceforth”.
– The Next Day –
The wedding is fast approaching, preparations were intensified. All was set, the D-day awaits everyone.
“The meaning of the dream I had is what I am yet to un-derstand”. Sonia’s mom said to herself as she drove to work. “A lot has happened lately, I’ve had many similar dreams. Sonia’s strange attitude worries me, she doesn’t act like my daughter that I used to know anymore. So many strange things about her and it is giving me serious cause for concern”. She ruminated while she drove. “I nee-d to see pastor Biodun, I’ve really got to talk to someone spiritual”. She decided, and after work, she drove to pastor Biodun’s office.
“You are welcome ma’am”. Pastor Biodun’s secretary greeted. “plea-se have a sit, the pastor is with someone inside”.
“Thank you Abimbola”. She responded while she sat.
After a few minutes, Abimbola asked her to go in.
“Welcome Mrs Ezeife, how is your family”. Pastor Biodun greeted pointing to a seat opposite his. “plea-se, sit down”.
“Thank you pastor”. She responded as she sat. “I’m here to see you for something very important daddy”. She added.
“Alright sister Ezeife, I’m here for you people”. Said pastor Biodun.
“It is about my daughter Sonia”. Mrs Ezeife said adjusting her sitting position.
“What about her? I hope all is well? Because it is ba-rely two weeks to her wedding and we are eargly anticipating that day”. Pastor Biodun said smiling.
“It is something serious sir, my daughter have been acting strange since she returned from a short trip she made with her fiance Steve. She no longer acts like my daughter, so many strange things about her”. She said in all seriousness.
“Pastor Biodun, also adjusted himself and clears his throat. “You see Mrs Ezeife, human beings sometimes are like chameleons. We change from our original self at one point or another, but remains who we are”.
“I know that daddy, but this is a totally different change I’m talking about here. My daughter behaves most times like a spirit”. Pastor Biodun was moved by her statement and further adjusted himself and paid more attention. “Yes daddy, I know what I’m saying. I am a mother and I know what I’ve seen or experienced since she c@m£ back”. Initially, it was my son Henry who sees and hears things, even before the journey. He strongly kicked against it, saying he had series of dreams and I’ll feelings about her journey. But eventually they traveled and c@m£ back, but so many strange things have happened”. Mrs Ezeife added.
Pastor Biodun sighed de-eply and spoke softly. “Hmmmmm! Mrs Ezeife. Are you sure of what you are saying? Sounds strange indeed, but what are exactly the things you’ve been seeing and noticing?”. Asked Pastor Biodun.
She folded her arms around her che-st as she narrated. “Daddy, sometimes, you will wonder if Sonia is appearing and disappearing. This moment she’s not in her room, even when you are sure you’ve been to her room severally to check on her. The next moment, she comes out from her room. It is indeed scary daddy, the other, I wanted her to help me out in the kitchen. I got to her room and found her slee-ping, I was so sure I woke her up and went straight back to the kitchen. To my utmost dismay, she was in the kitchen by the time I got there. My son Henry will tell you more scary things he has observed and seen”. Mrs Ezeife narrated.
Pastor Biodun took a de-ep breath and relaxed on his seat. “I think all these happenings could be out of mere imagination, but be it as it may. We will pray over it, I will arrange for a day we all will fast and pray before the wedding. All we nee-d to do is pray and avert whatsoever it is. Everyone will have to be p@rt of this fasting and prayer, including Sonia and her fiance”.
“Okay daddy, that will be fine sir. I will inform everyone in the house, also Steve will be informed”. She replied.
“Lovely, plea-se inform everyone, including her fiance’s family members. Let’s make it a prayer for the two families”. Added Pastor Biodun.
Mrs Ezeife left after her discussion with the pastor, they agreed that the fasting and prayer hold the next three days and it will be a Saturday, when everyone supposedly should be home. The prayers would hold at Steve’s house, because of his father’s pres£nce. Steve and Sonia were told about the prayers and were asked to ensure they were around.
– Three Days After –
It was three days after Mrs Ezeife visited Pastor Biodun, and it was the day for prayers. Pastor Biodun arrived Mrs Ezeife’s house, from where they were supposed to take off to Steve’s house. Everyone was re-ady, except for Sonia who locked herself up in her room and refused to open the door even after several knocks.
“Sonia love, remember today is the day for prayers. Steve and his people are waiting, we are all re-ady. Pastor Biodun is here, plea-se we have to get going. Her mom called from outside Sonia’s room.
“Mummy, I’m having running stomach. You people can go, if I am strong enough before you round up, I will join you there. Since the prayers will last until evening”. Sonia responded from her room.
After several persuasions from both her mother, the pastor and Henry, she didn’t oblige. The they left her and went to Steve’s house for the prayers.
– Steve’s House –
It was similar scenario when they got to Steve’s house, he had gone out when everyone gathered for the prayers. When he was called on phone, he told them he had gone to attend to something important.
The prayers was held and Pastor Biodun left, but things remained the same.
One week to the wedding, calm returned, Steve and Sonia were calm. They acted normal and preparations intensified, everyone believed the prayers had worked. The wedding is by the corner, Abigail had got her bridesmaid dress👗 and Henry his bestman suit 🕴. All is set for the wedding, everyone awaits the D-day.
Episode 10
There was calm from Sonia and Steve until the day of the wedding. One day to the wedding (Eve of the wedding), Sonia and Steve summoned every member of their families together. The meeting held in Sonia’s house, Steve’s dad, Mum, Abigail and brother all were around to honor the invitation. Sonia and Steve told everyone it was a very important gathering and that everyone must be around.
Henry and his mum welcomed everyone to their ap@rtment and food was served to all, it was a happy moment as everyone ate and drank in excitement. Except Steve and Sonia, who told them they agreed not to eat anything on the eve of the wedding.
Mr Uche, Steve’s father; after he had finished eating stood up to speak. He cleared his throat and in a joyous mood spoke.
“I am glad for this union tonight”. He said and paused a little, shook his head and continued. “It is unfortunate that Mr Ezeife is not here to witness this day, but I’m sure wherever he is will be happy as well. May his kind soul continue to rest in peace”. He said as everyone echoed amen and then he continued. “I don’t know the reason my son Stephen and his fiancee summoned us here, but whatever it is, we shall be hearing in few minutes time. But I want to say this before they tell us why they called us together, tomorrow is the wedding and every arrangement has been concluded. My friends from all over the world had arrived, I want to make sure my son has a wedding that he and his wife will live to remember the rest of their lives. The governor will be s£nding his deputy, he told me he won’t be able to come and his gift is here with me”. He brou-ght out a cheque from his pocket and held it as he continued.
“Here with me is a cheque for five million naira, he asked me to give it to Steve and Sonia. But I shall be giving it to you guys tomorrow during the reception, just so I should let you know about it”. He put back the cheque in his pocket and continued. “It will be a day to remember for both families, the togetherness Sonia and Steve brou-ght to us will continue to unite us in everything we do”. He turned to Steve and Sonia, who sat a little away from others and spoke. “I want you guys to tell us the reason for this gathering, I can see excitement in both of you. Even though your facial expressions doesn’t show it, I un-derstand the feelings both of you are having at the moment. plea-se, tell us the reason for this gathering”. He concluded and sat down.
Everyone applauded Mr Uche as Steve stood up to speak.
“I want to say a big thank you to you dad for your efforts so far in the arrangements for our wedding. You have been solidly behind us in this from day one of it until today., silver and gold we don’t have to give you. But from the depth of our hearts, we say thank you sir. And to everyone of us here. Members of my family and that of my fiance, we have been together all these years in love and harmony because of my relationsh!pwith Sonia. It has been a journey so far that is worth the while, and I’m sad this journey will end tomorrow”. He said as everyone murmured, then Mr Uche spoke briefly to address the murmuring.
“Allow him to continue, that he said it will end tomorrow doesn’t mean it will end in the physical. What I un-derstand is that they will now be living together and not with us anymore. plea-se, continue my son”. He said as Steve continued.
“Thanks dad for the clarification, you are right. After the wedding, we shall be moving into our world where only the two of us will be and do things on our own as husband and wife. It has been a beautiful journey so far, and we’ve both had wonderful families full of love and un-derstanding. In our new world, you will always remain our family”. Once again, there was confusion as his comments stirred controversy. But Mr Uche would always calm the tension and anxiety in everyone. Steve continued. Tomorrow is the D-day and I urge us to be together as a family in everything that would happen, life is full of surprises. Life taught us a lesson in the journey Sonia and I embarked on, that journey changed so many things. By tomorrow, everyone will un-derstand what the journey changed. We shall make everyone un-derstand”. He concluded and turned to Sonia. “plea-se, continue”. He concluded and then Sonia stood up to speak.
She looked around the house, looked at everyone seated and then spoke softly.
“My remark will be very brief, I have got nothing much to say”. Everyone listened attentively. “Life they say is full of mystery, today you are happy and tomorrow you are sad. Tomorrow will be a day that will bring mixed feelings to everyone. Everything that has a beggining also has an end, Steve and I will be ending so many things. Like he said, we shall be moving into our world. It has been a wonderful time together as families, we love you all and will always do”. She said and sat down.
Everyone was left in confusion, but Mr Uche spoke once again to douse the tension.
“None of you should be confused with the things they said, it may sound confusing. But they are only expressing how they feel, it is not easy to leave father, mother and siblings to start a new life. All of us at one point or another had same feelings. So it shouldn’t be something new. We all have to be in a happy mood, tomorrow is a day of joy for our families. The church will be filled to capacity I’m sure”. He said and everyone cheered up.
– Wedding Day –
It is a full congregation, a church auditorium that seats about 3,000 members was filled to capacity. Canopies and chairs were arranged outside for people who couldn’t make it into the main auditorium with television screens placed at strategic points for their viewing convenience.
Andrew had arrived earlier before time and was seated three pews away from the front pew, he took a seating position where no one would disturb his movement.
First, it was the groom who danced in with his friends and bestman, then was followed by the bride who danced gloriously with her bridal train.
Everyone was seated, family, relations, friends, colleagues, neighbors and well wishees. The officiating Reverend took to the pulpit.
“We are gathered here today to witness the marriage between Sonia Ezeife and Stephen Madu as they are joined together in Holy Matrimony. If anyone or group of persons here has any reason why they would not be joined together as husband and wife, he or she should say it or forever hold their peace”. Said the officiating Reverend.
There was silence everywhere, people looked around hoping no-one stood up. Before the Reverend could say another word, Andrew stood up and walked towards the alter. There was tension everywhere and then, Sonia and Steve also recognizing him acted swiftly before he got close. Steve quic-kly spoke in a loud voice. “Dad, mum and my in-laws we are sorry it has to end this way. I’m sure you will find out the truth soon”. He held Sonia and they both disappeared.
Everyone in the church ran helter scelter, looking for a way of escape. Including the officiating reverend and others, the commotion was high. But Henry and Abigail weren’t surprised that much, because they saw it before now.
After about an hour later, calm returned after Andrew summoned the courage to gr-ab the microphone to speak as everywhere was still in great commotion. There was few people around, because most who ran away didn’t come back again.
“I have something to say that will douse the tension”. He spoke aloud as people began to return one after another, but the both families had returned and sat in great shock and no one could say a word. Andrew continued.
“I was in the vehicle on our way to a nearby state, we were involved in a fatal accident, Sonia and Steve died including others. But only about three of us survived, it was an accident that happened and those who died got burnt in the bus beyond recognition and without no way to trace their families. They were giving a mas-s burial, I can take everyone who cared to know the truth to where they were buried and the hospital we were treated. There were police reports to some of us the survivors, I was surprised when I started hearing about this wedding in the news and their pictures being displa-yed. I decided to be here to let everyone know the truth”. He concluded, Mr Uche, his wife and Sonia’s mom all sat looking greatly shocked. But Henry and Abigail sat relaxed, they had seen it all before it happened.
After Andrew was done speaking, the officiating Reverend collected the microphone, gave a word of advise to both families and then blessed them.
-Back to Life –
Steve was actually involved in an accident that took him into comma and that was all he had been seeing (dreaming about) for the two months and three weeks he was in comma, he moved for the first time. His mom and dad, including Abigail and Sonia his bethroted were all there. They called the doctor who examined him and confirmed him back to life. Everyone was happy to have him back again, he narrated what he saw all the while he was in comma and they were shocked at what he said. He was discharged after one more week after he was satisfied strong by the doctor.
His wedding proper with Sonia took place and they lived happily afterwards having children together.
THE END