Married At Nineteen

Chapter Forty-one

There I was in front of my mirror, my left thigh pressed against the dresser and staring down at the glimmering piece of hollow jewel swirling around my index finger by voluntary motions.

It was less frightful when I never thought about the symbol of our union but seeing it drugged me with intense fear - One of the reasons I couldn't wear it out.

The silver scintillated as I swiveled it around my index until I stopped. Taking it off, I held it up at eye level. Against the light, the band assumed the shape of a black ring, standing out circular. INFINITY. ETERNAL. FOREVER.

Yet some marriages break like it is its expiration time, its debris all scattered around the crumbling remains. Could I let that happen? Could I?

Stretching out my left fingers out, each few inches apart, I slowly slipped the ring onto my ring finger. It blended well with my skin contrast, the over polished surface as clear as a new mirror except for the uppermost part of it designed with diamond stones in an orderly fashion. It was… Beautiful.

I drove the engagement band down it as well, its diamond-encrusted wall matching that of the former. Wriggling my fingers, a smile tugged at the corner of my lip but a light frown immediately replaced it.

I turned around, picking up the small bag that contained my toiletries and moved towards the bed where the others were. On the bed, lay a medium sized plastic shelled suitcase.

Dragging the heavy load carefully from the bed, I dropped it by my side, drawing out the handle. I took the rest of my packages with me out of my room and outside.

My heart did a hundred miles sprint when our eyes met, an involuntary action I wasn't getting any close to controlling. He made his way to my side, taking the hugest luggage with him to the boot of the awaiting vehicle. A vehicle I hadn't seen him drive before. But seeing an unidentified driver in the driver's seat, I guessed it was an uber.

I helped him stock my stuff into the vehicle before we got into it. You might be thinking where we were going. Well we were invited by my parents-in-law to spend my three weeks break in Lagos with them.

Partly, I was happy that I would spend some time with them, get to know them but partly I was scared of the unknown. What if they find some kind of huge fault in me? Nevertheless, I was glad Chris was coming along.

It didn't take long before we arrived at the airport, my lips pulling into a smile as I stared in awe at the huge complex. The project was finally completed. I felt Chris' hand taking mine in his; our fingers intersecting, warmth crawling onto my cheeks. I glanced at him from my side, spotting a smile on his face as he passed me a quick look.

"Let's get ready to be scolded." He joked as we moved. I knew he was referring to his mother and he couldn't be more right.

When we made it safely to our destination, Chris immediately called his mother because he knew she would be the most worried and less busy than his father.

We took an uber home, the familiarity of the surroundings seeming fresh in my mind. All stored memory regarding it all pushed to the front. I had great days here, only a few sad moments.

I turned my gaze to my side and spotted Chris' face digged into his phone. I stared down at the screen, my eyes landing on a message he just sent but with a flash, he left the contact to another. He seemed concentrated on whatever he was doing.

It didn't take a long time before we reached home, my heart pacing in excitement and a little fear. Mrs Gracia was already outside the mansion waiting for us as the car slowed to a halt across from her. Her smile was as wide and warm as her arms as we stepped out of the vehicle. Chris towered over her but I was just her height when she hugged us both.