Entranced 18+

Thirty Five

Ijeoma exchanged another glance with Ada before they both looked at Aria who sniffed, trying to wipe at her face. The make up artist sighed for the fourth time, Ada glanced at her again and she shrugged. They'd just finished Kachi and Aria's private traditional marriage and now they were back in the hotel to dress up for the white wedding. Aria had been all smiles as their families blessed their marriage and it confused Ijeoma why the woman was sobbing now. Was it the stress? She'd been surprised when Zubby had told her they were having the traditional and white wedding on the same day and wondered how they'd manage to do everything. Maybe the stress was finally getting to her?

"Maybe she's stressed?" Ijeoma whispered to Ada who narrowed her eyes.

"Or is it something else?" Ada stood up, supporting her tiny bump as she made her way to Aria and the make up artist. It had been about two weeks since she'd seen the ladies and she'd been pleasantly surprised to see Ada's new baby bump and the woman was rocking it well. Pregnancy really suited her, the woman was practicing glowing. "Can you excuse us?" Ada said to the make up artist who looked relieved to be out of their space.

Ada waited for the door to shut after the make up artist before taking a seat in front of Aria. "Babe, you okay?"

Aria nodded but still sniffled and wiped at her face. Her make up was already ruined. Ijeoma got up and picked up the makeup wipes then started cleaning the black streaks on Aria's face. "It's been an overwhelming day for you, we understand how you might be feeling."

"Yeah," Ada intoned. "It's your freaking wedding day, babe. You shouldn't be crying at all, even though they're happy tears."

Aria shook her head. "I'm not sure I can do this."

"Why?" Ijeoma grabbed more wipes. At this point, she felt Aria needed to wash her face and restart the entire makeup. "You love Kachi and have been looking forward to this day for the longest."

"Besides, the earlier you marry him, the earlier you can start on that football team of kids." Ada grinned and something she must have said was wrong because Aria burst into tears.

"I have to talk to him. I don't want to trap him in this marriage without telling him everything," Aria sobbed.

"You're already married," Ada stated, her brows narrowed at her friend. "Traditional marriages are still marriages."

"You know what I mean. It's not too late to call of the wedding."

"Wait. You want to call off the wedding? Why?" Ijeoma grabbed the seat on the other side of Aria.

"I don't, I want to marry him but he may not want to marry me anymore. He deserves to know the truth."

"Should I call Zubby? He's with Kachi now."

"Yes, tell him to come here."

"Bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding," Ada intoned.

"Stop it, you know that's just superstition," Ijeoma chided and dialed. Zubby answered on the first ring and her heart fluttered. She turned away from the girls so they'd not see the goofy smile on her face. It had been that way for two weeks now, just thinking about him made her smile and her heart race increased. It was usually followed by a wave of guilt but lately, the guilt was lessening and Ijeoma didn't know what to think about that. In fact, she avoided thinking about it.

"Miss me already?" Zubby teased, causing her to roll her eyes. But it was true, she'd missed him.

"Not really. Is Kachi there?"

"Yes, what's wrong?"

"Can you tell him to get here? Aria needs to speak with him and it's very important." She turned to face the women, seeing Ada had taken over the job of cleaning Aria's makeup.