IZIGORA

Chapter 34

Sotonye stood beside Efosa, his free hand around her slim waist. Izigora envied their relationship. No one seemed to understand Sotonye like Efosa did. It was a breath of fresh air, hearing their regular banter when he came visiting or when she was invited to hang out with them.

For most part of the 45-minute flight from Port Harcourt to Lagos, Izigora had felt like a third wheel with Efosa and Sotonye acting all lovey-dovey, although Efosa turned to check on her every now and then. Sotonye had intended to travel a day ahead but work hadn't permitted her to do so since she had taken two days off the previous week so she could attend the traditional marriage in Enugu.

The court had delivered its judgment the previous day and granted an order Nisi in her favour. This meant that by 10th of May she should be entitled to an Order Absolute dissolving her marriage. She had waited for several months, what was three more months to her? But it did feel like someone was going to tap her and she would wake up to the sad reality that she had only been dreaming.

Izigora was so close to being a free woman. Kainye had to have been following the progress of the case. She hadn't seen him since Zuby and Nnenna's traditional marriage.

Izigora heard Efosa respond to the person on the other end of his phone. 'Red Toyota Yaris? Okay, we are standing opposite the Chicken Republic.'

The Uber driver had arrived. A Toyota Yaris pulled over in front of them. A man of average height stepped out and lifted the boot so they could place their bags. When Izigora made for the front passenger door, Efosa immediately stopped her saying it was best if she sat with Sotonye.

'This one that you people are doing love-love, I don't want it to be said that I kept you apart for the entire trip,' she told him.

'Who said anything about keeping anyone apart?' Efosa teased.

Sotonye chuckled, sliding directly into the seat behind the front passenger seat and Izigora understood. 'Don't mind me,' she said to no one in particular as she opened the back passenger door and slid in behind the driver's seat adjusting the skirt of her gown. 'Just pretend I'm not here.'

Izigora had dressed for the wedding from Port Harcourt not wanting to take the chances of being caught by a delayed flight. Her dress was an off-shoulder Ankara gown tailored to hug her slim body from waist up and with an ankle length 'eight pieces' skirt. Sotonye had insisted on helping out with her makeup.

'You should look good, especially with that soon-to-be-ex of yours in attendance,' Sotonye had told her.

'I'm not going to look good for him or make him wish he had been kinder to me,' Izigora had protested.

'Who said anything about looking good for him? I need him to be as jealous as possible, wondering who the new man in your life is. But most importantly, I want you to look good for yourself. Who knows, the man whose ring would be replacing his might be at the wedding.'

Izigora had snorted. As far as Sotonye's one-track mind was concerned, there was only one man Izigora should be interested in and that man was definitely going to be at that wedding.

Thank God for Efosa's presence to deflect the topic from Izigora's non-existent love life. She couldn't wait to see Nnenna in her wedding dress. She had sent Izigora a photo of her wedding dress once it had been delivered to her. It had a plunging neckline but with just about enough stones to draw attention to the gown and not to appear too loud.

They arrived just in time to be part of the ceremony. Efosa, Sotonye and she sat at the back and watched as Zuby and Nnenna exchanged their vows. Nnenna's wedding gown fit her perfectly, emphasising the curves she didn't have, even in her dreams. Kainye sat beside his mother, representing the father of the groom and Kobi took up a similar position.