The Butterflies... Episode 13

Hello lovelies. Welcome  the last episode of 'the butterflies'. I want to thank you all for following the series. Your constant feedbacks on BBM, Facebook and even on the blog, has kept me going. Thanks again. Do enjoy the read and please, let me know what you think via your comments.

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It had not been a smooth journey. She could attest to that but there was no going back on this beautiful new journey she was now on. All of a sudden, life had a new meaning, everything was worth it in the end; there was a joy that radiated on her that she couldn’t even hide; it was magical – this was magical…

***

“Funmi… Funmi…”

Tofunmi’s mother couldn’t help but laugh out. She had not seen her daughter glow like this in a long time. She remembered the last time she saw this innocent, happy; no, joyful look on her daughter’s face. It was on her first trip to trans-amusement park. She and her husband had promised the girls something unusual if they came top in their classes and the girls had denied themselves sleep as young as they were to come out tops in their class. Mr. and Mrs. Badmus had no other choice than to gather part of the money they had saved up for the Christmas celebration to take the girls out to the park that year. It was satisfying just watching the girls run around and catch their fun with their other friends; some that they knew before and others that they made at the park. It was this same look Tofunmi had on as she stared endlessly at the several dresses that filled the room and didn’t realize her mother had been calling. She was lost for words and choice…

“Tof… Mummy has been calling you for some time now…” Ibinabo said as she patted Tofunmi’s back to bring her back to consciousness….

“Maami… can’t you see what I’m seeing?” Tofunmi said with so much awe in her voice, and as if she was trying to push the tears that were trying to make their way down her cheeks back. This was too unbelievable for her. She had received a call from Blu seams couture, a bridal boutique asking her to come for her wedding dress fitting. She didn’t have to stress herself much before she could place who was behind this whole arrangement. It was none other than her soon-to-be husband. How blessed was she? Tofunmi smiled to herself. She couldn’t have asked for a better man. He was everything and more she hadn’t been looking for.

It had been 8months since she started dating Temiye Benson officially and since they both knew where they were headed, there was no point wasting unnecessary time. In those 8months, Tofunmi had learnt to go past the wall she had built around her heart; well, it wasn’t so difficult getting the wall off with a personality as sweet as Temiye’s. They had talked about virtually everything, including Ayomide, since his father had taken responsibility and was entitled to visiting him once in a while. It was a fierce battle, as Temiye felt Tofunmi could do without Dapo totally and had asked that she told him off straight away; no more visits, no more financial support and so on. They had scaled through the hurdle as Tofunmi explained that it was more complicated than that.

Ibinabo had hurried down from school to spend the weekend after Tofunmi had gisted her of Temiye’s marriage proposal 4months into their relationship. She was so excited for her friend that she told her to pause on the full details after the first few lines Tofunmi dropped; she wanted to scream in her presence, see the ring, hug her friend and most importantly, be with her friend for the weekend since it had been a long while they saw each other. It was the most romantic story Ibinabo had ever heard. She liked the fact that it was a proposal planned together with Tofunmi’s mum and sister and it was just something intimate; not the usual proposal done publicly. She knew for sure that wedding plans would kick off almost immediately and Ibinabo could not be more excited for her dear friend.

And true to her thoughts, the wedding plans had kicked off almost immediately. Travelling down from school had become a norm for Ibinabo; well, almost. She had literally turned the Badmus’ to a family friend. She knew she had to be there for Tofunmi especially since Tade was in Lagos. It was on one of her trips to Ibadan, that Ibinabo had accompanied Tofunmi and her mum to blu seams boutique.

“You have to choose one…” Tofunmi’s mum smiled on. She loved the fact that her daughter was involving her in stuffs like this; choosing a wedding dress was mostly done by the girl and her friends.

Tofunmi turned to the lady that was showing them around the boutique…

“This is amazing; all the dresses here... I don’t know which one to choose… ”

The attendant who was all smiles took her time to show Tofunmi round till she was able to pick three dresses to try on, and after several hours they left the bridal boutique with a classy mermaid wedding dress.

Ibinabo kept grinning from ear to ear as she turned herself to the official photographer of the whole day, taking pictures of both mum and daughter.

***

Mr. Badmus was a very pleasant man and even though he hardly said much, he was not the type to joke with his family; his wife, his two daughters and his grand-son. He worked so hard to ensure that he gave his kids the best of whatever he had. Things hadn’t gone all rosy with him but with the help of his wife, he had been able to go about his fatherly duties without much hassle. He was grateful that he was alive to witness the product of his years of investment in his daughters as they had began to record different successes after going through so many challenges; especially Tofunmi.

Mr. Badmus stood up from the plastic chair he had been sitting on, with the newspaper still in his hand. He went in to see how far the painters had gone with the painting of the rooms…

“Mummy, mummy…. Come and see our new house”

Ayomide ran towards his mum as she approached the compound. He was a real happy child; always excited especially when he sensed that a party was going to take place soon. He had noticed that his mum was always coming to either pick him at school or comes home alone when his grandma comes to pick him, with an extra bag or two in her hands.

Tofunmi had begun her NYSC program in Ibadan and was posted to Methodist Grammar School where she taught English and Literature. Tofunmi had decided to stay put in Ibadan with her child even though Temiye suggested that he helped her work it to Lagos just so they could be together most of the time, but after hearing her out on the need to be with Ayomide, he allowed her to go on with her father’s moves for her to serve in Ibadan. Tofunmi loved her job; and she loved it more because the working hours enabled her to go on with her hair business alongside.

“New house?...” Tofunmi was stunned as she stepped into the house to see all the renovation going on.

“Good afternoon dad… errmm… what’s going on?” Tofunmi said after she eventually saw her dad.

“My child… welcome”. Tofunmi blushed. Her father only addressed her with “my child” anytime he was pleased with her. Mr. badmus went on to tell her it was all part of the wedding plans; the house actually needed the renovation it was getting at that time. She hugged her dad and went into her room to sort out the Invitation cards she had just brought home.

***

“I told you… The spell is working” Kuye teased Temiye as they both sat at the lunch room to chat over lunch.

“Well… I think I love this spell…” Temiye chuckled, and then went on to relay further plans for the wedding.

They discussed virtually everything as Kuye cut in once in a while to tease Temiye on how he’s been saving his millions up for the grand wedding…

“You can’t blame me now… it’s not my fault… that babe is priceless. She deserves so much more…” Temiye said with a smile.

“Guy, Is Franca coming?” Kuye asked, interrupting their discussion about other plans for the wedding.

“I really don’t know oh. It’s been a long while I heard from her. But there’s no biggie now; she can come if she wants to or if I remember to inform her…”

Temiye couldn’t be bothered about Franca at this time. Their friendship had lasted for while after their amicable break-up or whatever name could be given to what happened between them.

The two friends hurriedly finished up their lunch as they had spent most of the lunch break discussing about the plans for the wedding; after which they went to their offices to continue the day’s job.

***

… The morning seemed brighter; the air smelt fresher; the room felt larger… the big day was here. Tofunmi took one last roll on her mattress that now felt super fluffy. She was grateful, super grateful. Little did she know that Ibinabo was already awake despite the activities of the previous day.

Tofunmi couldn’t help but smile widely again as she remembered the events of the previous night.

Ibinabo in collaboration with Tade had organized a mind-blowing bridal shower for Tofunmi. She was speechless for about 20seconds after walking into the room where she was going to sleep over, and get dressed for the wedding; it was a guest house not too far from her parents’ house. Tade and Ibinabo had been able to gather Tofunmi’s closest friends from her 100level days. The four ladies – Ibinabo, Tabitha, Aisha and Tade helped her into the room after a group hug that seemed to last forever, and after wearing her sash and tiara for her. Her cousins who had arrived for the wedding were also present at the bridal shower. Tofunmi was all smiles all through as they all joked, laughed, teased, asked her weird questions, danced, ate and took lots and lots of pictures courtesy Ibinabo.

Ibinabo and Tade stayed back at the Guest House to help Tofunmi get dressed for the wedding.

“Ibi-babe… no sleep?” Tofunmi called on her friend.

“Sleep at this time? It’s almost 5.00am; was just about waking you up as the Make-up artist and hair stylist will soon be here… Good morning bride”Ibinabo replied.

In no time the three girls were up; they said a short prayer together and went one after the other to take their baths before the make-up artist arrived.

It was a one-day event but Ibinabo was prepared to make sure no one was going to be behind schedule as Mr. Badmus had instructed her to make sure Tofunmi got dressed on time and then join them at the venue where the engagement ceremony and reception was going to take place.

Teewaieff’s Beauty House, with her make-up and hair team arrived at the Guest House at exactly 6.30am to begin working on the bride. Tade had gone back home to help her mum with ensuring that other tiny details had been noted and to make sure Ayomide was set for the big day as Tofunmi had put Tade in charge of Ayomide for the whole day.

***

…I’ll love you forever

Forever, I’ll be there

‘cause you’re amazing in everyway

This is one spell I don’t want to recover from

Till death, baby, I’ll always do…

Tofunmi could no longer hold back the tears. She had rehearsed her vows severally before now and after reciting what she thought was the perfect vow to her husband, she was stunned to hear the words that came out of Temiye’s mouth. The pastor had been magnanimous enough to let them recite their own vows to each other but only after they had recited the conventional marital vows.

Ibinabo who was the chief bride’s maid, passed Tofunmi her handkerchief as she helped herself with one other handkerchief seeing that she was moved to tears herself….

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride…” The Pastor announced with a smile at the two lovebirds while the rest of the congregation cheered the couple on as Temiye lifted the veil off his beautiful wife’s face to plant a short kiss on the lips of his beautiful wife.

***

Le Chateau Events Center wore a different look from what many people that knew it were used to. It spoke class on every level. The décor, the lights, the ushers, the band, even the guests seated looked radiant…

As the couple danced in with their friends, Ibinabo gladly went about her chief bride’s maid’s duties while stylishly looking out for her boyfiend, Bode Oladele who had arrived back in the country two weeks before the wedding, having finished with his program in Germany. They barely had enough time to gist as preparations for the wedding was already in full gear at the time of his arrival, and although Ibinabo was excited that the whole ceremony was going on smoothly, she couldn’t wait to have some spare time with Bode.

Bode who had been saddled with the responsibility of being the Master of Ceremonies, courtesy Tofunmi, did a great job in making the couple and the guests as well, laugh and have a good time. It was fun all the way as Tofunmi and her husband with their family members and friends got on the dance floor to dig to beautiful tunes from the popular Sax & Sweeties Band.

“You did it man…” Kuye whispered in his friend’s ears as he went on taking pictures of his friend and his wife.

“I told you I will….” Temiye said amidst laughs.

***

Tade Badmus did her best to catch up on the events of the day as she had a lot of things to monitor including the serving of food and Ayomide’s wellbeing most importantly. She had been giving several orders to the servers employed by her mum for a while before realizing that Ayomide was not anywhere in sight. She hurriedly gave the last set of instructions to the servers and then went in search of Ayomide. She was missing on all the fun, the dance and the money spraying and now she had to worry about Ayomide’s whereabouts.

“Oh… there you are…” Tade heaved a sigh of relief as she found Ayomide sitting on the same table with his dad; her ex, and smiling happily as he ate his chicken.

“Hi. You made it to the wedding…” Tade said after catching her breath

“Yeah, I did. Big congrats to Tofunmi. I’m so happy for her…” Dapo went on.

“Do you mind?” Dapo drew out a seat for Tade to sit on.

“Thanks…” she really needed to sit as she had been on her feet almost all day. She helped herself to a glass of juice as she turned away from Dapo and towards the center of attraction; the new couple catching their fun and laughing out loud as they continued with their several dance steps.

“Dapo, thanks for coming. I’d tell her you came…” Tade said in a hurry. She knew too well than to sit longer at the same table with her ex.

“Ayo, we need to go dance now…” Tade said taking Ayomide’s hands in hers as she got up from her seat to go join her family on the dance floor.

“Can we talk?...” Dapo cut in…

“Not now please…” Tade said with all the strength she could gather, got up from the table and carried Ayomide in her arms to the dance floor.

***

Bode had taken a break from his MC job as he sat down to eat. It had been a long, exciting day. He caught his babe’s attention; she had literally been using her eyes to search for him.

“Hey bae… you did great…” she said, planting a kiss on his forehead, as she helped herself to a seat beside him.

“Thanks hun…”

 “Errmm… Baby, can we just get married already?” Bode went on.

The two lovebirds paused for a moment, looked into each other’s eyes and busted into laughter.

*the butterflies

*Faith Tunde-Yara

*Photo credit: savytrendy.wordpress.com