STOLEN PARADISE

CHAPTER TEN

"I'm getting married today!" Funmi exclaimed with a blank face. From Tuesday to Friday, she had to finalise her outfits, the wedding décor, move her things into Antonio's house and of course get her hair done. Kemi was all in and running around for her day to be perfect but the bride was breaking inside with her heart singing like a broken record just one line,

I can't marry Antonio Babalola!!!

Who was she kidding? Herself!

She got down on her knees and recited Psalm 23 because her heart was too heavy to say anything sensible to God at the moment. As she got up from the recital, she said "the Grace" and stretched herself. A sigh escaped her lips and she finally said,

"Father, into your hands I commit my life and marriage." She couldn't bear to say anything else. Her life was about to change and there was nothing she could do about it. She looked at the clock by her bedside and decided to go back to sleep.

Just five more minutes.

She had moved into her parent's home the day after the engagement party to reduce her going back and forth from her own house and her parents'. Just as her eyes began to close, she heard her name being screamed.

It was Kemi with her three bridesmaids.

Oh dear God, help me today.

"Get up! You are never late for anything so today won't be any different," Kemi said hysterically like the moon was about to collide with the sun and burst into a mighty explosion that would exterminate them all.

Funmi smiled and got up.

"Chill Kemi, there is always a first time for everything."

"You lie! Not today of all days," Kemi replied defiantly.

Funmi walked to her bathroom to prepare for her "big day."

Kemi looked at the wedding dress hanging on the wall and sighed. She felt sad too that her best friend would be marrying a guy who might never love her.

Oh well, we will leave it all for God.

Meanwhile, Funmilola cried bitterly in her bathroom while her friends were celebrating outside. Her heart ached as she dread the hell that would make up her marriage with Antonio and the fact that she does not love him. If he could raise his hands against her, what else was he capable of?

Abba, I leave it all to you.

*************************

All his phones were switched off. He didn't want to risk hearing Sharon's voice and call the wedding off. All he was doing was for his father's health and the marriage is only on paper. The marriage that would grant freedom h longed for.

"You are cheerful Toni," his Best Man, Hassan Abdullah said in curiosity as he knew about Sharon.

"I'm just looking forward to signing the marriage contract and I will become a free man." Antonio replied ecstatically.

Hassan was shocked.

"Free? This looks more like a terrible obligation to me. Once you are tied, you are tied for a long time like a Billy Goat to a tree in an evil forest."

Antonio smiled brightly as he fixes his tie by the mirror in his room.

"My bro, I'm not obliged to be there for her emotionally just maybe financially but otherwise I'm as good as single!!!" Excitement was written all over his face and those who were not aware of the conditions of the marriage would mistake it for love.