Chioma

thirteen

   The worried faces of everyone in our family home left me puzzled. 'What happened?' I asked myself as I got closer to the front door. "Ah! Mama! She's back" a lady on a purple blouse screamed. Everyone's attention was drawn to me "nwam! Where did you go?" Mama asked in a worried tone as she walked towards me. "Uhmmmm! I..I..I went to see a..a friend" I lied as I stammered. But was it really a lie? Ogechi is a friend. so that technically wasn't a lie. Or was it? "You should have told us" pointed out one of the umuada. "I'm sorry" I said apologetically not really directing it to anyone particularly. "No problem. We were just looking for you to begin your makeover session" responded another lady also on a purple blouse. Then it hit me. Those on purple were the makeover professionals. "Follow me" she added. I followed her like a sheep being led to the slaughter. She took me behind the house. There was a reserved area with chairs, tables and huge umbrellas. There were boxes set on the table "sit down" she said directing me to one of the chairs. Chief Odogwu had gone all out "have you had your bath?" Another lady asked. I nodded in reply. "I've got the weavon... Hold on ladies! Is this the lady getting married or her younger sister?" a young man also on purple asked as he chewed some gum between his words. I could hear the silencing voices of the ladies "sh sh sh" they echoed silently. "Oh" he said again "I'm sorry young lady. It's just that I expected someone way older" "Austin!!!!" Screamed the ladies in unison "ahan! Free me jhor! I was just stating a fact nah" he said defensively "Austin! It's not everything you see that you must say" cautioned the lady who had brought me there. "Azhin ehn! Everytime cho cho cho" added another lady "okay okay! I've heard" replied Austin with a little bit of an attitude. "I'm sorry" he apologized. Finally! But it didn't seem he wanted to apologize anyways.
   Austin started with my hair. He made cornrows and began to place the weavon on my head. It was a bit painful. "Austin it's fine oh" stated one of the ladies. "Of course nah. It's kinky curly crotchet braids long deep! What do you expect?" He replied. "It's fine but you need to hasten up a little" replied the lady again. "Deborah don't rush me oh" Austin stated rather playfully as he chewed his gum. The chewing was getting really unbearable. "Oya oh! I'm done" announced Austin. "Wow! This looks amazing! Austin! Why don't you make my hair like this?" "You don't bring as much as Chief Odogwu brings nah. Money for hand, back for ground". "Hey Chioma! You look amazing" said one of the ladies. "Wanna take a look?" I nodded in reply just before she handed me the fan shaped mirror. I looked really amazing. I loved the way the hair made my face pop. "Okay dear it's time for the makeup. Just hold still". It lasted over an hour and thirty minutes. I loved the makeup; it was simple but still added to my beauty. "Okay dear! You have your attire right?" I nodded in reply. I really wasn't in the mood to talk. "Go get it" she instructed. Speed walking into our room, I quickly scanned every corner of the room before I could spot the attire. I grabbed it and walked back to the makeover professionals as swiftly as I could. "Austin oh! Oya go" instructed Ruby playfully; another makeover professional. "Ahan! Wetin? Wetin happen?" Responded Austin in a confused tone. "You no dey see say she wan wear clothe? Your eye no dey see well? Go jhor" added Deborah. "Whatever" replied Austin while chewing his gum before giving us the privacy we needed. I still wondered why he was still chewing that gum.
   "You're all set dear" announced Deborah. "Thank you" I replied "you're welcome dear. Plus, we were just in time. Ruby! Let's go check on the other ladies". Stated Deborah enthusiastically. I didn't really know what was up but I felt an unusual sense of uncertainty. Maybe I wasn't ready. Of course I wasn't ready! Which seventeen year old girl would ever be ready to get married to a man old enough to be her grandfather? " OMA darling, go to your room and wait for us. The guests are already arriving " commanded Austin with less of an attitude this time.
                            
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"Testing testing 1-2 yoooo 1-2 brrrrrr 1-2" the MC was really getting on my nerves. "DJ turn down the music" instructed the MC. "Are you ready guyz?" "Yes!!!!!!" Echoed the guests. "Okay people. I love the enthusiasm here. We can't be here without Chukwu. Chukwuokike has kept us to see this wonderful day. Let us bow our heads and pray for the success of this event as we welcome one our chief host to lead us in prayer" he said before giving the mic to Uncle Obinna. Uncle Obinna took off his red cap before starting his really long prayer. Guess the MC got tired of waiting cause he walked up to Uncle Obinna and whispered into his ear before collecting the Mic. "Chukwu has answered our prayers". " Respect needs to be given to the right persons. Let's welcome the groom, the agu himself, Chief Odogwu the first of his kind and his family with a round of thunderous applause". "We welcome the guests on the Hugh table. We also await the arrival of His Royal highness, and her Royal Majesty of our great community"

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  As we've broken the kola which is the symbol of Peace, we welcome Peace and love to this event and our homes. "Are you ready??" "Yes!!!!!" "No! No! No! That wasn't enough. If you're excited, let me hear scream 'I'm excited' " "I'm excited!!!" "So now. Are you ready???" "Yes!!!!!!!!". " yes people. It's time to welcome our beautiful bride. The flower that has made our pockets dance. The Damsel that has moved her way to our hearts. The gorgeous and wonderful maiden who is the reason we are here today. DJ play some cool music"

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I danced my way to Mazi Amadi who poured a full glass of palm wine and handed it over to me after saying some few words and giving some instructions. I danced my way to Chief Odogwu who drank all the content of the glass cup before handing it over to me filled a bundle of a thousand naira notes.  I took the cup back to Nazi Amadi

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"Mama! Don't worry. I'll be fine" I tried to comfort Mama once again before joining Chief Odogwu in his jeep. "Mama! Don't worry. Chief will get me a phone and I'll call you" "Nwa m! Are you sure?" "No mama. But I believe he will. Just take care of yourself and see that Papa's burial goes well" "I'll. Just make sure you take care of yourself. You didn't pack your clothes; what would you wear when you get there?" "Mama! Chief instructed that I pick nothing. He said he will take care of my clothing" "okay my dear. Stay safe" "I'll mama" "let's pray"