Eli's wife

Sena sat down next to Eli. She really didn't want to sit there but she had no choice. Her parents were watching her very closely. She faked a smile when Eli's father asked if she was fine. She nodded and took a sip of her drink. She looked around and saw her sister chatting with her father. It looked like everyone except her was having a good time. "Are you ok?" Eli will ask her from time to time. She would either say yes or nod. She never imagined her wedding reception like this. It wasn't the decorations, the food or the number of guests that was different. Those were far more elegant than she imagined. It was her groom, Eli.

Sena had known Eli since they were kids. They had been family friends since she could remember. He used to be very small for his age and Sena and all the other kids made fun of him but time changed all that. He had grown up to be a tall and very good looking man. 'Akiti', that's what Sena used to call him. She never imagined marrying him, ever.

"Let's welcome the couple to have the first dance?" The MC of the reception said and the crowd started cheering. Eli took one last gulp of wine and stood up. He took Sena's hand and helped her off to the dance floor. Her full wedding gown sweeping the tiled floor. The DJ played a slow love song. "I hope I don't step on your toes." Eli whispered into Sena's ear. She looked at him sternly. She caught him smiling and she smiled too. He took her hands and put them around his neck and put his hands on her waist. They moved left and right, slowly. Sena really wished the song would end. "My feet hurt." she lied to Eli. He nodded and led her off the dance floor.

Sena glanced at the gift table. It was overflowing with gifts. So many that the book for signing names was full and the names were just written on the gifts. She glanced at a table filled with her friends. Pat was sitting there too. The person she always dreamed will be her maid of honour. She glanced at Afi, Eli's sister who was her maid of honour. For the whole ceremony they had barely spoken. The dance floor was open to everyone now. The floor was filled in no time.

After all the many fake smiles and thanking guests for coming Sena poured herself a whole glass of red wine and went to stand at the back of the tent. There was a beautiful view of the beach at night there. She sat down on a bench and began to cry. She took out her phone from a little clutch she was holding. She saw messages and a lot of missed calls. She looked for a particular one and found it. It was from Charles. She met him a few months ago and took a liking into him. He seemed different. He seemed to like her for who she was and not her money or her status in society. He wasn't intimidated by it too. The message said, ' hey I called you a couple of times today. Wanted to pass by.' Sena managed a smile.

To be continued...

The kiss goodbye

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time. I grabbed my bag and went downstairs. My best friend was watching TV with my mum. I noticed her eyes move away from the TV to me and got up so we could leave. “You are really looking extra fly today.” She said when we were in the car. I smiled and winked at her. “I plan on turning heads.” I said and we both laughed. The laughter didn’t do much. I could still feel the butterflies in my stomach. This was going to be a little hard for me but I knew I could do it. 

When we got to the house, a lot of people were leaving. It didn’t take us long to find a place to park. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Lisa asked. I nodded and we got out of the car. There were children running everywhere. “Jas!” A lady called. I turned around and it was Esi, Fiifi’s sister. I smiled and walked to her. We hugged and she smiled at me. “Wow, it’s been so long, you look great. I heard about your model agency. Congratulations.” She said beaming with smiles. “Thank you, this is…” I said turning around to see Lisa. “This is Lisa, my friend, she’s a model too. We missed the wedding but I just had to come and see Fiifi and give him this.” I said holding the present up. She smiled at Lisa and looked around. “Oh, the gift table is all the way over there. I could take it there for you.” She offered. I nodded and handed it over to her. “Let me get you two a place to sit.” She added and we followed her. 

This was not as difficult as I thought but I hadn’t seen Fiifi yet. I stretched my neck as much as possible to steal a glimpse of the newly wedded couple. I really wanted to avoid his parents though. Then I saw him, they were dancing. He had his hand around her waist as they slow danced. All of a sudden the butterflies started flying in every direction. Esi was walking way now, because we had a place to sit. Lisa sat down and turned to look at me but I was frozen, I couldn’t sit. Just then Fiifi turned and our eyes met. I don’t know how to describe how I felt but it wasn’t pleasant. I turned around sharply and run off in my heels! “Jasmine!” Lisa called after me. There were tears in my eyes. She caught up with me on the verandah. “Hey, do you want us to leave?” She asked putting her hand on my shoulder. “I thought I had gotten over him. My coming here was to prove it but look at me.” I said, wiping my tears with a tissue. “I will never find another guy like Fiifi. I blew it!” I added. She sat me down on a chair and said. “Jasmine, Fiifi is not the only man in the world. You broke up because he didn’t understand you, that’s not your fault. You being here is brave enough, show him how strong you are. Show him the Jasmine Asigri we all know and fear. Oh and if it’s any consolation at all, the bride isn’t even half as pretty as you.” I giggled. My tears had stopped oozing out. I turned around and hugged Lisa. Those were all I wanted to hear, especially the last sentence. 

I walked up to Fiifi and his bride. “Jasmine, wow thanks for coming. I thought you said you couldn’t make it.” He said. I smiled. “Yea, well I had some stuff to do so I rescheduled my flight. Congratulations!” I said with a genuine smile. “Anyways I really have to run. I got you something special though, hope you like it.” I said and turned but he held my hand. “Thank you.” He said and hugged me. That took me by surprise and at that very moment, it felt like he sucked out all my feelings for him. For some reason right after the hug I saw him in a different way. Not Fiifi the cool guy I used to date and still loved but Fiifi the man whose love existed only in my past. 

“How did it go?” Lisa asked, opening the door for me to get into the car. “Very well, I just kissed the love I had for him goodbye. It’s gone, never to be heard of again.” I said feeling much better now. “Nice, so does that mean I can give Leonard your number?” Lisa asked as we drove off. “Leonard from your neighbourhood? That sounds like a plan.” I replied and Lisa screamed with joy. “Oh you will really like him. Did I tell you he paints in his free time? He’s such a nice guy...” She went on and on….