See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;  In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. --Deuteronomy 30:15‭-‬16 (KJV)

β

Fola had just gotten to the church venue with a few of the other aso-ebi ladies. They had been taking care of some last minute changes that the bride had ordered. A spectator would have been glad to just take a pick out of the beauties standing like runway models beside the car they just alighted from. They were like a vision in their varying styles of the same lilac lace material as they chatted loudly, hurrying to make it into the venue.

Fola had chosen to sew a fitted slightly-off-the-shoulder ankle-length long gown with a side slit that ended at her left knee, with three-quarter sleeves. Her gele was artistically tied, and she wore silver strapped sandals, purse and earrings. She gave off the sophisticated accomplished lady look with her mild make-up and purple press-on nails.

As they moved like super heroes in slow motion, she heard the faint calling of a name she was too familiar with.

No, it can't be.

As soon as she saw the back view, she knew it was him and she did the opposite of what she had resolved. She hid herself between the other ladies and scurried off along with them. She hadn't even waited to see the one who called him and she was fine with it. Or so she thought.

Fola wasn't sure if he had seen her and she definitely hadn't waited to find out. She also knew he wouldn't not see her before the entire wedding ended, unless she left the venue.

How does he even know about this wedding?

As soon as they found seats in the auditorium, she tapped Ami who was seated beside her. The couple had been joined and were signing the marriage registry.

"Does Bola's hubby work in the food industry too?"

"No, he doesn't. And what do you mean by 'too'?" Her friend asked with raised brows.

"Oh, well. I just thought I saw someone I knew and I can't possibly pin how he must be related to either the bride or groom."

"Well, he could be a classmate."

Fola would have been pale if she had lighter skin. "Classmate? Did Uzor attend the university in Ife?"

"Yes, he did! That's true. I should have told you that and he even studied Chemistry too."

Fola had nothing to say as her mind ran amok with various thoughts. That means some classmates of Godswill are here, some of whom may recognize me.

If this wasn't the worst coincidence of the century, she didn't know what was. Fola placed her head in her hands, being careful not to smudge her make-up.

What did I do to deserve this? Abba, maybe You can stop any of us from seeing each other? Uhn, please. She pleaded with all in her. With a final plea towards the heavens, she sat still as she watched Bola dance back to the couple seats with her groom.

********

Definitely not who I thought. I'm so far gone that I'm hearing her voice when she isn't here.

"Oh my goodness! I can't believe it's you, Godswill," the owner of the voice spoke up as she stretched out her arms for what he knew was a hug. He considered sidestepping her and giving her a handshake. But I'm not petty.

In Jesus' name. He added after a bit.

"Yes, it's good to see you, Ewa. It's been what? Almost eleven years," he replied as he hugged her briefly.

"I know right!"

What he didn't understand was why she was gushing so much, and ecstatic like they had been buddies in school. They hadn't been. In fact, he had steered clear of her almost throughout school till she got the message that he wasn't interested in anything she had to offer.

Before he could say Robinson Crusoe, she had placed her hand in the crook of his elbow and was moving them in the direction of the auditorium.

I am a gentleman. I am a gentleman. He repeated silently to himself. He looked up to see that the church wedding activities had been completed and it was time for pictures with the bride and groom. He mentally facepalmed and gave Ewa the meanest side-eye he could muster, not that she could see it as she had a Cheshire grin on her face as if she had just won the lottery, but he could at least try.

It was like his classmates were awaiting his presence, because as soon as he showed up, they began to shout his name, hailing him. Maybe it was because of Ewa who was now clinging to his arm like her life depended on it, or because his classmates were just a set of clowns. He turned to face them and used that opportunity to reclaim his right arm from Ewa, as he raised his two arms up in response to the hailing.

Maybe, just maybe if he had turned a bit to the right, he'd have seen the one person he had wanted to see for weeks. But he hadn't.

*********

What is that?

Anyone listening in to Fola's thoughts would have thought she was referring to a non-living thing. Fola had seen the way some lady was clinging to Godswill's arm and she wasn't impressed.

Sorry. Who's that?

Fola was walking as slowly as possible as if she was the bride of the day, while trying to figure out the vaguely-familiar face now standing desolately beside Godswill, and Ami had obviously had enough with her.

"I don't remember giving birth to or having a child as grown as you, Fola," Ami said with her brows squished into sine waves.

"Fola?"

"Uhn." She turned finally to face her friend.

"What are you staring at?" Ami searched around.

"Nothing nothing. Let's wait till it's our turn to take the pictures." She grabbed her friend's hands and dragged her to a corner. She peered around the corner like a spy on a covert mission.

"Are you part of a black ops team?"

"What? Why?"

"Why are you behaving like you were sent here to spy on someone?"

Fola shook her head. "You and Vwede will get along swimmingly. You're so alike."

"Vwede, your bestie?"

Fola laughed. "Why did you call her my bestie?"

"Well, since you got here, you have been going on and on about her and even had a video call with her, as if you were gone to Mars and won't see her for ages." Ami rolled her eyes. "Is that enough reason?"

Fola laughed loudly this time. If she were truly a spy, she would have blown the mission. "Yes, it is. Why do you sound upset though?"

"Upset? Me? I don't know what you are talking about."

"Yeah, right. You don't."

They both continued to wait till the aso-ebí ladies were called and they stepped out of their hiding place.

Fola looked left and right, and left again.

"We are not crossing the road, you know."

Coast clear!

"Okay, okay. Let's go."

**********

"Uzor, my man! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you," Godswill greeted.

"Thank you, bro. It's so good to see you again. Let me—."

"Excuse me, brother. I need to take the couple with the aso-ebí ladies," the photographer interrupted.

"Okay. No problem."

As the said aso-ebí ladies moved forward, Godswill caught the flash of a face he knew too well. I hope it's not that I'm now seeing open visions of Fola. If not, I have it really b—

"Fola, move closer now."

"I have moved now. Are you happy now?"

He was so sure that was her voice and laughter. He turned in that direction, and their eyes inadvertently met. He watched as she blinked once, twice, then thrice. He couldn't even begin to imagine what must be going through her head because he was also stomped for what to think.

How is she here?

"Bros, please shift," the photographer spoke up again. This time, with frustration in his voice.

"I'm sorry," he said, with his eyes still on Fola, who had turned her eyes away from him. His eyes were glued to her till Ewa and another old classmate of his called for his attention.

"Godswill Godswill! Ahn ahn, you didn't even change, at least physically. I'd have still recognized you at an instant if I met you on the road," the classmate said as they did the bro handshake.

Godswill chuckled. "I could say the same about you, you know." He made a show of his eyes staring at his friend's abdominal region. "Well, except for the super pack you're now sporting eh. How have you been, Dipo?"

The trio roared in laughter. "Abeg, leave my tummy alone. It's a sign of good living.
I've been good o. Family has been good too. We thank God. You?"

"I'm glad to hear it. Fine too."

He had not finished speaking when Ewa tried to clamp onto his arm again. She narrowly missed him and he was happy. "And I'm sure you are still single too."

He had seen her moving inch by inch towards his side so he could pre-empt her move. He just ensured he did it in a not-too-obvious way and so she wouldn't fall as a result. Besides, he didn't want Fola to see her holding onto him. He turned to look in her direction again and saw that she was gone.

Is she going to avoid me here too? I'm obviously not going to let that happen.

Godswill made a move to pick his phone and call her, but the photographer called for all classmates of the groom and he had to go.

I'll look for her at the reception.

*********

Yep! He's seen me. No way I can avoid him now.

"Why are you so jumpy, you this girl?" Ami snapped at her.

Fola jumped again before she tried her best puppy dog look on her friend.

"It's not working."

"Okay." She relented and sat properly in the car driving then down to the reception venue.

I think I should focus my energy on knowing what to do when I come face-to-face with him. Yeah, that's it.

"Let's be on our way to the reception. Bola is done taking the pictures."

"But isn't she supposed to change into her reception dress?"

"She will. There's a changing room at the event hall."

"Okay then."

********

The reception venue was well-decorated with hues of purple, lilac and white, the colours of the day. The hall could seat about 300 to 400 people even with the kind of table and chair arrangement that was made. As was the normal custom in decorating wedding reception venues, there was a major aisle starting from the main entrance into the hall down to the stage area where the couple's seat was placed. The aisle was covered with a royal blue-coloured rug and decorated with artificial flower pots and artificial petals. Well-dressed female ushers in black gowns and purple corsages were standing at strategic points to welcome and seat the guests on the appropriate tables.

And on both sides of the hall, there were arrangements of single round tables surrounded by 6-8 chairs. Each table held a centerpiece vase, plates and cutleries for the occupants, and a bottle of wine with wine glasses. At the back of the hall, on both sides, were long tables laden with the different dishes to be served from the legendary party jollof rice, fried rice, pounded yam, amala, semovita, vegetable soup, ewedu and gbegiri, stew, pepper snail, goat meat, fried chicken, coleslaw, and desserts of ice-cream and cake.

Everyone knew Nigerians loved to party well and this was one way to show it.

As the aso-ebî ladies and men arrived at the venue, they were informed to get ready to dance with the couple into the auditorium. Godswill properly positioned himself in a way that he could find his way to Fola's side. As soon as they were done dancing, he followed behind her until she settled with her friend on one of the tables reserved for them. He followed suit, settled on the seat on her right and smiled as he waited for her to turn and notice him.

*******

Fola adjusted her dress and went to say something only to see Amiyah smiling knowingly and staring at something behind her, but she didn't know what. Her thoughts were that she had found a potential boo to take home from their friend's wedding because what was the endgame of attending a wedding without catching a potential spouse. So, her aunt always said.

That's because she met uncle at a wedding of a friend too. Fola smiled as she remembered how her aunt and uncle always fought to narrate their side of the story of how they met.

"What has your attention so much that you're ignoring me, ehn?" Fola finally asked.

The only reply she got was a nonsensical wriggling of brows. So, she turned to see for herself. And see for herself she did to come face-to-face with Godswill.

Oh my!

"H-hi, Godswill," she greeted, with a silly wave of her hand after gathering her thoughts. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Hi, Fola. Fancy seeing you here too," he replied with an amused look on his face.

They were still staring at each other quietly when Ami cleared her throat. She brought her hand forward for a handshake.

"Hi. I'm Amiyah, Fola's friend."

"And I'm Godswill. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

After a bit, Ami added, "Oh, look at that! I have to go attend to something. Keep my seat for me, would you, babes?"

"Sure," Fola replied while maintaining a death grip on Ami's skirt that was blatantly ignored.

"Let me go, babes."

"Uh? Oh, okay." Fola reluctantly let her go and sent her a glare. All these Ami ignored and cat-walked away.

"So, uh, I take it you're a friend of the bride?" Godswill finally spoke up to get her attention.

"Y-yes, I am. And you, of the groom?"

"Yeah."

After a few moments of silence, Fola finally spoke up. "I know what you want to know but can we talk later? I don't want to do this here."

Godswill gazed at her face, as if searching for something before he said, "Okay."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay. I'll be right back. I need to freshen up."

"Alright." He smiled and helped her with her chair.

"Thank you," she muttered shyly.

Fola walked away as steadily and as stately as she could from the table, all the while whispering a plea not to stumble or worse, fall flat on her face. The time to come bare was coming close and she could feel the anxiety rushing through her veins.

Stay calm. Be calm, babe.

*******

Godswill released the sigh he had been holding, and smiled a full smile. The first in a while.

At least, she's talking to me now.

He adjusted himself on his seat as he waited for Fola to return. The aroma of different types of food filled the atmosphere as trays upon trays of food where being carried to and fro within the hall. He signalled one of the waiters and asked for amala, ewedu and gbegiri for himself, and fried and jollof rice for Fola.
Silverware was clanging against ceramic plates, creating a form of background rhythm to the music being played by the DJ. Godswill wasn't used to all the types of music being played but it was mostly unavoidable if one attended events such as these.

Why aren't there Christian DJs? I sure don't want this type of music at my wedding. He mused.

The couple were seated with their backs to each other as they played a couple game. As he continued to watch them, a hand wrapped around his forearm. He knew who it was without looking up.

Arrrghh. This lady.

"Hey, Godswill," Ewa spoke in a sultry voice. "Hope you're enjoying yourself?"

Why is she playing hostess? Is this her wedding?

"Yeah, I am." He unwrapped her fingers from his arm and she probably took that as an invitation to sit. Worse of it all, she sat on the seat Fola just vacated.

Before she could sit, he piped up, "A friend of mine is sitting there and she will be back soon."

That didn't deter her because she still sat. "I know. And I know who was there. I'll be gone before she's back."

"Okay. So, what do you want?" He asked in the gentlest tone he could muster at that point. She was getting on his nerves and he didn't like it one bit.

"Do you know who she is?"

"Who?"

"The lady that was seated with you."

"Yes. I told you she's my friend, yes?" He was loosing his last bit of patience.

"Uhm. You know she attended our school too."

He nodded. And what is your point, madam?

"She was known in our department for being the lecturers' plaything. If you know what I mean?"

Godswill stared at her and he couldn't control how hard his voice was this time. "And what do you mean?"

"She was always seen with one lecturer or another every semester. That's the only way she could have made it through school."

"And you're telling me this because?"

"I care about you. I always have. I thought all those feelings had disappeared till I saw you again," she added with watery eyes for effect. An effect that wasn't working. Instead, it made him more annoyed with her.

"I don't appreciate you talking nonsense about my friend. Besides, I don't see how her life is any of your business." He shut his eyes as he paused. "All these talk of feelings isn't going to work on me. You can excuse yourself right now, before my friend returns."

Ewa looked shocked at his response but he didn't care. He was really angry but was doing all he could to keep it together. He could see that she wanted to say more, but he turned away from her, a signal he hoped she got that he wasn't interested in any thing more she had to say.

She huffed, stood up and left.

Good riddance. He really didn't want to be seen with Ewa, and he hoped Fola stayed a few seconds more before she returned.

Alas, wishes weren't horses.

*********

Fola had just made her way back to the table when she saw the lady she recognized as the one who had been clinging to Godswill's arm earlier that day, leaving their table. Godswill had his back to her so he didn't see her. As their eyes made contact, the lady gave her a derisive once over and whispered the four-letter s word to her as she brushed past her. A word she was familiar with.

Fola was shocked and shaken, wondering who she was. She held on till she got to the table and gave a very forced smile to Godswill.

"Hey. I got you a plate of food. Is it okay with you?" He asked in that smooth voice of his. There was something else there but she couldn't place her finger on it.

"Yes, it's okay. Thank you."

They ate silently for a bit, but Fola couldn't help but notice that Godswill wasn't touching his food. Instead, he was clenching and unclenching his left hand which was on the table while his right hovered over the ewedu-gbegiri-and-stew mix.

"Is the food not okay?"

"Uh?" She watched as he tried to understand what she meant. "Oh, you mean the food?"

She nodded.

"No, no. It's okay. I just seem to have lost my appetite for it. Maybe I should get something else."

As he made to leave the table, she held his arm. "Are you okay? Did something happen while I was gone?"

He looked at her for a moment too long. Then smiled. "No, nothing happened. Just give me a minute. I will be right back."

As Godswill stood and left the table, Fola's eyes met that of the lady again, whose  table wasn't too far from theirs. She gave her an evil smile and mouthed the word again while gesturing in the direction that Godswill just walked to.

The fear and anxiety came rushing back. This time, effusing her being and making her paralysed. What she feared had finally happened. What she had been avoiding had caught up with her.

Oh, Godswill. Not you too.