The Wedding That Almost Wasn't

It was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives. Eloho and Tega were finally getting married after years of dating. The preparations had been meticulous, with every little detail carefully planned out. Eloho had found the perfect white lace dress, while Tega was set to wear a sleek, tailored suit. Their families had come together, and the small Warri church was filled with the joyful chatter of their loved ones, eagerly awaiting the couple's arrival.

But as the church doors opened and Eloho began her walk down the aisle, gasps of shock rippled through the congregation. Instead of the stunning white gown, Eloho was wearing a long, black mourning dress. Tega stood at the altar, his mouth agape, his mind racing to comprehend what was happening.

As Eloho reached him, her eyes were red from crying. "I'm so sorry, Tega," she whispered, her voice quivering. "I had no choice."

Tega gently took her hands, trying to offer comfort, but his mind was flooded with questions. "What's going on, my love?" he asked softly. "Why are you wearing black?"

Eloho took a deep breath, glancing nervously at the sea of confused faces around them. "It's... it's because of your mother," she said, the words catching in her throat.

Tega's brow furrowed in bewilderment. "My mother? What does she have to do with this?"

"She... she told me everything," Eloho replied, her grip on his hands tightening. "About you and Amaka."

Tega felt the color drain from his face. Amaka was his closest friend, the one person he had confided in about his family's financial troubles. But he had never, ever betrayed Eloho's trust. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "I would never—"

"Your mother said you've been having an affair with Amaka," Eloho interrupted, the tears now flowing freely down her cheeks. "She said you were planning to leave me for her."

The church erupted in shocked murmurs, and Tega felt his heart sink. How could his own mother do this to him? To them?

"Eloho, please, you have to believe me," Tega pleaded, desperately trying to hold back his own tears. "I would never do that to you. Amaka is just a friend, nothing more. Your mother is lying!"

Eloho shook her head, her expression a mix of heartbreak and betrayal. "I want to believe you, Tega, but... your mother showed me proof. She had photos, messages, everything."

Tega's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the situation. His mother had always disliked Eloho, constantly undermining their relationship. But to go this far, to destroy their wedding day with such a cruel lie?

"Eloho, listen to me," Tega said, gripping her hands tighter. "My mother has never liked you. She's been trying to break us apart for years. Whatever she showed you, it's all lies. I love you, and only you. There's nothing going on with Amaka, I swear."

Eloho's eyes searched his face, desperate to find the truth. But the doubt was etched in her features. "I... I don't know what to believe anymore, Tega," she said, her voice barely audible.

The church had fallen silent, the guests watching the unfolding drama with a mixture of shock and pity. Tega knew he had to do something, anything, to convince Eloho of his innocence.

"Please, Eloho," he pleaded, "don't let my mother's lies tear us apart. I love you more than anything in this world. If you can't trust me, then trust the love we've built together. All these years, it couldn't have been for nothing, right?"

Eloho's lips trembled as she fought to hold back the tears. "I want to believe you, Tega. But how can I, when your own mother is telling me otherwise?"

Tega's heart sank as he realized that his mother's betrayal had shattered the trust between him and Eloho. He had to do something, but what?

Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out from the back of the church.

"Eloho! Tega! Wait!"

Tega and Eloho turned to see Amaka hurrying down the aisle, her face flushed with panic. Reaching the altar, she stood beside them, her eyes darting between the couple.

"Amaka?" Tega said, his voice tinged with hope. "What are you doing here?"

Amaka took a deep breath, her gaze meeting Eloho's. "Eloho, I know you must be confused and hurt right now, but I need you to listen to me. Tega is telling you the truth. There is nothing going on between us, I swear it."

Eloho's eyes narrowed as she regarded Amaka, unsure of what to believe. "But your mother showed me—"

"That was all a lie!" Amaka interrupted. "Your mother-in-law-to-be forged those messages and photos. She's been trying to sabotage your relationship for years. I would never, ever betray you or Tega like that."

The church erupted in murmurs as Amaka's words sank in. Tega felt a glimmer of hope, but he could see the uncertainty still lingering in Eloho's eyes.

"How do I know you're not just covering for Tega?" Eloho asked, her voice laced with skepticism.

Amaka shook her head emphatically. "Eloho, you've known me for years. You know I would never lie to you, especially about something this serious. Tega is my best friend, but you are the one he loves. I would never do anything to hurt either of you."

Eloho's gaze shifted to Tega, her eyes searching his for any sign of deception. Tega held her gaze, silently pleading with her to believe him, to believe in them.

"Eloho," Amaka continued, "I know this is a lot to take in, but please, you have to trust us. Your mother-in-law is the one who's been lying to you. She's the one who's trying to tear us apart."

The church was silent, the guests holding their breath as they waited for Eloho's response. Tega felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest. This was it – their last chance to salvage their relationship.

Eloho took a deep, shuddering breath. "I... I want to believe you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Both of you." She turned to Tega, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Tega, I love you so much. I want to trust you, but..."

Tega squeezed her hands gently, his own eyes pleading with her. "Eloho, please. You have to believe me. I would never, ever betray you. My mother is the one who's been lying, not me. I love you, and only you."

For a long, tense moment, Eloho remained silent, her gaze moving between Tega and Amaka. Then, slowly, a small smile began to tug at the corners of her lips.

"Okay," she said, her voice steadier now. "I believe you. Both of you."

Tega felt a wave of relief wash over him as he pulled Eloho into a tight embrace, his eyes closing as he held her close. The church erupted in cheers and applause, the guests' earlier shock and confusion giving way to joy and celebration.

As they pulled apart, Tega turned to Amaka, his eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Amaka. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

Amaka smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to, Tega. I'm just glad I was able to help set the record straight. You two deserve to be happy together."

Eloho reached out and pulled Amaka into a hug, tears of joy streaming down her face. "Thank you, Amaka. Thank you for being such a good friend."

The three of them stood there, united in their triumph over the malicious schemes of Tega's mother. They knew that the road ahead would not be easy – confronting Tega's mother would be a difficult and emotional task. But in that moment, they were filled with the unwavering belief that their love and trust in one another would see them through.

As the wedding ceremony resumed, Eloho and Tega exchanged their vows, their voices brimming with the certainty that their bond was unbreakable. And when they sealed their union with a passionate kiss, the church erupted in thunderous applause, the guests celebrating the triumph of love over deceit.

In the days and weeks that followed, Tega and Eloho worked tirelessly to confront his mother and expose her lies. It was a difficult and emotional process, as they learned that Tega's mother had actually been keeping a dark secret from him all these years.

Years ago, when Tega was in college, he had taken a DNA test out of curiosity. To his shock, the results revealed that his father was not his biological father. When he confronted his mother, she had confessed that she had had an affair, and Tega's father had left them, taking all the family's money with him.

Tega's mother had never forgiven him for this revelation, and her hatred had only grown over the years. She had deliberately targeted Eloho, seeing her as a threat to the fragile financial stability of the family. The forged photos and messages were her final, desperate attempt to destroy Tega's happiness.

Though the truth was painful, Tega and Eloho were grateful to have Amaka's unwavering support. With her help, they were able to confront Tega's mother and force her to confess her crimes. Shamed and defeated, she had no choice but to accept the reality of their relationship.

The scars of that fateful wedding day would never fully heal, but Eloho and Tega's love only grew stronger. They built a life together, filled with laughter, adventure, and the unwavering belief that their bond was unbreakable. And as they gazed into each other's eyes, they knew that their journey, though rocky at times, had only made their love more profound.

In the end, the darkness that had threatened to tear them apart had only served to illuminate the true depth of their connection. And as they looked towards the future, they knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them side by side, united in their love and trust.