(JERRY'S POV)
The date for the family introduction was getting closer, and I could feel the excitement building inside me. This was no longer just an idea we had talked about. It was becoming a reality.
I woke up early that morning and immediately called my uncle as I began putting luggages inside my traveling bag.
Popo....popo..
Oh.. finally!
"Good morning, Uncle."
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV)
"Good morning, Jerry."
"How are the preparations going?"
(JERRY'S POV)
"They are going well."
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV)
"Have you spoken with Rosie's family?"
(JERRY'S POV)
"Yes. We have been in contact."
I smiled.
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV)
"That's good." "But Jerry, we have to make sure everything is properly arranged before we travel." "We don't want to arrive there unprepared."
(JERRY'S POV)
"Of course, Uncle." Everything is going into places. Just a bit concerned!
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV)
About what? as I was curious to know.
(JERRY'S POV)
It's about the demands of Rosie stepbrother. He's demanded that we pay him for Rosie school bills and to also buy him an Italian shoe.
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV)
Okay! Have you spoken to your dad about it?
(JERRY'S POV)
No! Just my mum..
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV)
It's okay. It's not written anywhere in the traditional list that the groom must pay for the bride's school bill and buying of Italian shoe. It's just a way for him to exploit money from you. So all you need to do, outside the traditional marriage list, you should also have some cash for him since he is the father now.
You got the point am making right?
(JERRY'S POV)
Yes Uncle!
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV)
Your focus should be on the; The clothes, the drinks, the food, the gifts, and most importantly, The items required for the traditional introduction which is the marriage list.
Everything had to be properly organized.
(JERRY'S POV)
I took out a notebook and began writing down everything he mentioned.
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV)
"Don't forget the wine," he reminded me.
(JERRY'S POV)
"I won't."
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV )
"And make sure the people accompanying us know the date and time."
(JERRY'S POV)
"I'll do that."
After the call ended, I looked at the list in front of me. There was still plenty to do. But instead of feeling overwhelmed, I felt happy.
I was preparing to marry the woman I loved.
(ROSIE'S POV)
Still on the bed as the birds where chirping. The thought creeped in. I snapped out immediately as I heard my phone ringing out loudly..
Popo...popo...
Po.po...!
Oh! My mum
(ROSIE'S MUM POV)
"Rosie."
(ROSIE'S POV)
"Yes, Mum."
(ROSIE'S MUM POV)
"Have you spoken with Jerry?"
(ROSIE'S POV)
"Yes." Mum.
..we spoke last night.
(ROSIE'S MUM POV)
"Good. We need to discuss about the introduction."
(ROSIE'S POV)
Hearing about the introduction, I sat up properly. "Okay, Mum." As I responded to list.
(JERRY'S MUM POV)
"We need to make sure everything is ready before Jerry's family arrives."
(ROSIE'S POV)
"I understand."
(ROSIE'S MUM POV)
"Have you spoken with your stepbrother?"
(ROSIE'S POV)
I became quiet and responded reluctantly "No, Mum."
(ROSIE'S MUM POV)
"You need to know what he plans to do."
(ROSIE'S POV)
I sighed!.
"Mum, I don't want any problems."
(ROSIE'S MUM POV)
"Neither do I."
"I just want everything to go peacefully."
(ROSIE'S POV)
"It will, if everyone behaves themselves."
Her words made me think of Jerry's earlier conversation with my stepbrother.
I still hadn't forgotten the demands he had made.
* The school fees.
* The Italian shoe.
I wondered what else he might ask for during the introduction. Anyways I didn't want to spend my days worrying about it.
This was supposed to be one of the happiest moments of my life. So I ended the call as I have to prepare for my journey.
(JERRY'S POV)
That afternoon, my work at the office has been so demanding. The pressure was really much from the Managing director. A week ago she had a meeting with the marketing team. She stated all her expectations and right now, we are putting in all the best we can but she seems not satisfied..... I think it's time to send her an email in regards to my upcoming wedding and also taking an excuse for a week to round up everything in regards to my wedding. .
Later that afternoon afternoon, I was able to sent her my email. I also had a thought from my colleagues on how I had a car, young and about to get married.. how does that have to do with my work as I thought within and neglected those eavesdropping.
**
So news about my wedding has gone viral. Some colleagues came to congratulate me as well. While that was going on, I got a letter from the secretary..so I excuse myself to my office,and open the letter....
Oh! No... A sack letter!
This can't be as I weep bitterly. I'm about to get married and this is happening? With all my efforts of rebranding the company, creating a Google landmark, oh my God!
**"
So I packed my stuff and drove out. I need to call mum right now as I thought within..
Popo ...popo...
Popo..
Hey mum !
Miguor Ma as I greeted in our dialect.
(JERRY'S MUM POV)
Vwredo my son! How are you doing?
(JERRY'S POV)
Not very well.
(JERRY'S MUM POV)
What happened? And why are you crying? Please talk to me...
(JERRY'S POV)
I just got a sacked letter from the office now. With all my efforts, just like that ma. How I'm I going to cope? As I'm getting married.
(JERRY'S MUM POV)
Hush!!
It's okay. You have to stronger now. Rosie needs you. Please don't tell her about the job for now because of her wellbeing and our unborn child. Everything will be fine okay!
(JERRY'S POV)
Alright!
(JERRY'S MUM POV)
Good.
So go get your things now, we have a long journey ahead of us. And put everything happening right now, into God's hands. Him alone will turn things around for our good.
(JERRY'S POV)
It's okay.
Thanks mum. As I ended the call. I need to check up on my fiancee..
Po...Po..Po..Po.
Po..Po.
Why is she not picking up her calls ugh! As I signed deeply. Home she's alright. Let me call once again.
Po..pop!
Po...Po..popo...popo!
Wao.. finally
"Hello, sweetheart."
(ROSIE'S POV )
"Hello, Jerry."
(JERRY'S POV)
"How are you?"
(ROSIE'S POV)
"I'm fine." Thank you and you?
(JERRY'S POV)
Very well!
"How are the preparations going?"
(ROSIE'S POV)
I laughed.
"My mother has already started giving me instructions."
(JERRY'S POV)
Oh! Really,
"My uncle is doing the same thing to me."
(ROSIE'S POV)
"Wao..
"What did he say?"
(JERRY'S POV)
"He said I should make sure everything is properly arranged."
(ROSIE'S POV)
"That's good." As there was a brief silence.
(JERRY'S POV)
"Rosie, are you nervous?"
(ROSIE'S POV)
"A little."
(JERRY'S POV)
"Why?"
(ROSIE'S POV)
"I don't know. It's just that everything feels so real now."
(JERRY'S POV)
I understood exactly what you meant by that.
"I feel the same way too"
(ROSIE'S POV)
"You?"
(JERRY'S POV)
"Yes."
(ROSIE'S POV)
"I thought you were always confident."
(JERRY'S POV)
"I am confident."
(ROSIE'S POV)
"Then why are you nervous?"
(JERRY'S POV)
"Because I'm about to marry the woman I've always wanted."
(ROSIE'S POV)
I became quiet for a while
"Jerry..."
(JERRY'S POV)
"Yes?"
(ROSIE'S POV)
"You're making me blush.
After ending the call, I couldn't stop smiling.
Jerry always knew how to make me feel special. I returned to the preparations. My mother had already started putting some things together.
I began making a list of the important people who needed to be informed. Everything had to be done properly.
I didn't want anything to be forgotten.
**"
(JERRY'S POV)
The next day, my uncle called everyone who would be travelling with us.
He wanted everyone to know exactly what was expected.
"We are going for a family introduction," he told them.
"It is not a party where everyone does whatever they want. We must respect the family we are visiting. I listened carefully.
He continued giving instructions. "We must arrive on time."
Everyone agreed. I felt proud listening to him.
My uncle understood the importance of the occasion. After the meeting, he called me aside.
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV)
"Jerry."
(JERRY'S POV)
"Yes, Uncle."
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV
"This is your marriage."
"So, whatever happens that day, don't allow anyone to provoke you."
(JERRY'S POV)
I immediately knew who he was talking about. Wait a minute...
"Are you referring to Rosie's stepbrother?"
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV)
"Yes."
(JERRY'S POV)
"I'll remain calm."
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV)
"Good."
**"
(ROSIE'S POV)
As the days passed, the house became busier.
There were discussions about food, clothing, drinks and the other things required for the introduction.
My mother was constantly making phone calls.
I couldn't help but smile whenever I saw her excitement.
One evening, she looked at me. And said..
(ROSIE'S MUM POV)
"You are finally leaving me."
(ROSIE'S POV)
I laughed.
"Mum, I'm not leaving you."
(ROSIE'S MUM POV)
"That's what everyone says before marriage."
We both laughed.
Then she became serious.
(ROSIE'S MUM POV)
"I just want you to be happy."
(ROSIE'S POV)
"I will be."
"Jerry is a good man."
(ROSIE'S MUM POV)
"He is."
"Then hold on to him."
(ROSIE'S POV)
I nodded.
"I will." Mum
****
(JERRY'S POV)
The final days before the introduction were approaching quickly.
I had made sure that everything on our side was ready.
I checked the clothes, checked the gifts, checked the drinks, checked the documents.
I even called my uncle again to make sure nothing had been forgotten.
"Everything is ready," he assured me.
I breathed out.
"Thank God."
Then my phone rang po..poo..pol!
It was Rosie.
"Hello?"
(ROSIE'S POV)
"Jerry."
(JERRY'S POV)
"Yes?"
(ROSIE'S POV)
"I just wanted to hear your voice."
(JERRY'S POV)
I smiled.
"Are you okay?"
(ROSIE'S POV)
"Yes."
(JERRY'S POV)
"You're nervous again."
(ROSIE'S POV)
"Maybe."
(JERRY'S POV)
I laughed.
"Don't worry. I'll be there.
"And we're going to get through this together."
(ROSIE'S POV)
"I love you."
(JERRY'S POV)
"I love you too."
(ROSIE'S POV)
That night, I lay on my bed thinking about everything.
The introduction was no longer far away.
Soon, Jerry's family would arrive. Soon, our families would sit together. Soon, the relationship between Jerry and me would become a family matter.
I prayed quietly.
"God, please let everything go well." I knew there could be disagreements. I knew there could be unexpected demands., and I knew my stepbrother could still create problems.
But I didn't want fear to take away my happiness. I wanted to enjoy every moment.
I wanted the introduction to be beautiful. And most importantly, I wanted to begin this journey with Jerry peacefully.
I closed my eyes.
The day we had been waiting for was almost here.