Getting Married

Part 1

Still wondering how Simi, my old college chum caught such a fat-cat who could afford a Ford Edge in this economic downturn.I was about to hop a danfo when a voice called with a sibilant sound. I stood still waiting for the fellow to show up, then the car reversed and stopped right before me. I looked away thinking it was a lift. Lo and behold, it was Simi and her husband -a family life I'd always imagined and wanted.

While I was busy admiring the interior features of the vehicle as we descended the round slope at Anthony heading Maryland, Simi asked if I would accompany them to the cinema. Since it was Friday I replied, 'W-e-l-l, it's ok' trying as much as possible to control that burning enthusiasm, then she offered me a packet of Wavers Stick with an apple beverage.

Aside merriment, we had an intense conversation that evoked memories of college life. A wave of nostalgia swept over us as we reminisced about our five-and-six life, especially that bond of sisterhood that helped conquer college pseudo-love. We couldn't stop tittering as we reflected on those childish antics and the practical jokes at the college cafeteria., but the nudging and giggling during class was something we wouldn't like to remember save those naughty behaviours that often occurred naturally in Biology classes, especially those lewd comments during Reproduction.

Although Simi and I were inseparable, we had our individual differences. Our beliefs and perception of life were clearly opposite . To her, life is fun and a woman is at liberty to determine which is good for her- love or money. Now what astounds me is that she has, in spite of her crude creeds, found true love and she's happily married. One could easily feel that mutual love between her and her husband- the honies and sweeties were just...too much! None but God can give one such a classy, opulent and loving significant other.

Sometimes I wonder why virtuous ladies don't meet good men other than libertines and morally contaminated men whose intentions are mainly to have, to use and to destroy. Although Simi was a good girl before we left college, she started living a rotten life at the tail end of our years in college. She had an affair with two student teachers before we finally vacated the hostel and her streetwise tone the day we met clearly showed that she had been leading an immoral life since we parted.

Unlike her, I've lived all my life embracing morality and decency, yet all I've got are a bunch of perverts and lechers who simply vanish after an ineffectual effort to flirt with me, though I'm not a virgin. I got violated one dark night when I sheltered a male friend during a downpour. It’s the saddest day of my life.

* * *

A fortnight ago, Simi invited me for a picnic on the beach where I met two of her other friends with whom I ambled along the squishy coast. We took a jaunt to the confluence of the sea and the lagoon where we took exciting photos and videos. It was as though we had met before. But as interesting as the whole thing was, something inexplicable happened when we finally returned to the snack bar. Simi's husband looked at me fondly with such countenance too serious to be ordinary.

Two days later, he called asking me to join his family for dinner. On arrival, he was the only one I was joining for dinner. 'I'm sorry your friend isn't present,' he said contritely. 'I'm afraid I won't be able to stay,' I said scornfully, then he held me by the wrist as I turned to leave. I didn't know when I gave him audience. First, he regaled me with tales of his trips to the United States and emphasised how he felt the day I accompanied them to the cinema, then he sighed and started the purpose for which he'd invited me.