The sun was setting over Lusaka, casting a warm, golden glow on the outdoor wedding reception. You, the bride, were radiant in your wedding gown, basking in the joy of finally marrying the man of your dreams. The journey to this day had been long and winding, filled with trials and tribulations, but here you were, at the finish line.
Your new husband, John, stood beside you, beaming with pride as he clinked glasses with guests and accepted hearty congratulations. As the evening progressed, the laughter and music grew louder, and you found yourself momentarily lost in a reverie about the past.
It wasn't long ago that you were navigating the murky waters of the Lusaka dating scene. You met a slew of wrong men – the ones who ghosted you, the ones who were too clingy, the ones who thought they were God's gift to women. You even dated a guy who insisted on wearing socks with sandals to every date. It was a nightmare.
As you reminisced about those tumultuous days, a sudden wave of indignation washed over you. Where had John been when you were suffering through all those terrible dates? Why hadn't he shown up sooner to save you from the parade of Mr. Wrongs?
Without thinking, you turned to your husband, who was mid-laugh with one of his groomsmen, and delivered a swift, but not-so-gentle, slap to his cheek. The entire reception fell silent, and all eyes turned to the bride who had just slapped her new husband at their own wedding.
John, his cheek reddening, looked at you with wide eyes, utterly bewildered. "What was that for?" he stammered, rubbing his face.
You crossed your arms and glared at him. "That's for coming into my life so late! Where were you when I was dating all those wrong men? Do you have any idea what I went through?"
A nervous chuckle rippled through the crowd. Your friends, who had heard you vent about your dating woes many times before, began to smirk and nudge each other. John, still taken aback, managed a sheepish smile.
"I'm sorry," he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I didn't realize I was supposed to be here sooner. Can I make it up to you with the rest of our lives together?"
The crowd erupted in laughter and applause, and you felt your indignation melt away. John's sincere, if somewhat bemused, expression softened your heart. You couldn't stay mad at him, especially not today.
You sighed dramatically, giving him a playful shove. "Alright, I'll let it slide this time. But only because you're really good at making breakfast."
The DJ, sensing the tension lift, cranked up the music, and the guests resumed their merriment. You and John were soon swept up in the dance floor, twirling and laughing under the twinkling lights.
As the night wore on, you found yourself sharing stories with your friends and family, recounting the bizarre dates and awkward encounters that had led you to this moment. John, ever the good sport, joined in, adding his own humorous commentary and making everyone laugh.
"Remember the guy who took you to that terrible karaoke bar and sang off-key all night?" one of your bridesmaids asked, giggling.
You rolled your eyes. "How could I forget? He dedicated 'Endless Love' to me, and it felt like an endless torture!"
John shook his head, grinning. "I promise, no karaoke on our honeymoon. Unless you really want to."
The evening was a whirlwind of laughter, dancing, and heartfelt toasts. As the reception drew to a close, you and John stood hand in hand, watching the guests depart. You felt a profound sense of gratitude for the journey that had brought you here, despite all its bumps and detours.
Finally, as the last of the guests trickled away, you turned to John and kissed him gently on the cheek, the same spot where you had slapped him earlier. "Thank you for being worth the wait," you whispered.
John wrapped his arms around you and smiled. "And thank you for reminding me never to be late for anything important ever again."
The two of you laughed together, the sound carrying into the night, a joyful echo of the love and humor that would define your life together. And as you left the reception hand in hand, you couldn't help but feel that every wrong turn had led you exactly where you were meant to be – right there, with him.
