One morning, I received an anonymous message asking me to steer clear from Frank or face the repercussions. I perceived it could be Chief Olusegun. Throughout that day, I was bewildered. My phone rang and it was an unknown number. I picked it, and the caller was Chief Olusegun. I wondered how he got my number at first. That was when I came to realize that he was not only cunning but manipulative as well. He threatened to make my life miserable if I did not cut off whatever it was that had to do with his son and I.
When Frank returned home from work, he had expected the usual welcome-home peck and warm embrace, but I was busy writing a letter. I intended to drop the letter for him and then travel to my hometown to see my parents. I quickly hid the letter before Frank walked into the bedroom. He asked me if I was alright and I told him I was.
Before then, we had finalized our wedding plan, printed and distributed our wedding invitation card, contracted a professional baker as well as an event decoration team, and many more.
The next morning when Frank left home, I dropped the letter on the table where he could see it before leaving for my hometown. In the letter, I told him everything he needed to know concerning my life—both the good and bad version of it. My awful experience with his father and his threat was not excluded. I also made him understand that I was now a changed person. At the end of the letter, I told him that I was sorry but that we could not continue our relationship.
My parents were happy to see me again, but my mum was the first to notice that everything was not alright with me. She persuaded me to tell her what was going on. Gabriella had once told me that no matter how reckless and wayward a daughter might have been, a true mother would always be tolerant. So, I opened up. I told my mum everything right from when Aunty Jane took me to Lagos, how Uncle Joe sexually assaulted me and denied me of my admission, how I met Frank, Gabriella, and Lady B, why I turned into a harlot, and so on till my present predicament.
To say that my mum was surprised as well as disappointed would be a mere understatement. I was not the daughter she thought I had been. Most especially, she was very angry at me for not speaking up when my uncle molested me. She concluded that she must talk to Aunty Jane about it. I couldn't stop her either because I sensed a fierce provocation in her. My father also came to know about it and he expressed his disappointment too. Nevertheless, my parents did forgive me when I asked for their forgiveness for making a mess of myself and letting them down.
Some days later, Frank came looking for me. He confessed how much he had missed me and pleaded with me to return with him after assuring me that he had confronted his father and that his father was deeply sorry for his folly. I looked at my mother and she urged me to listen to him. And I did. I followed Frank back to Lagos State.
Chief Olusegun came in person to apologize and who was I not to forgive? I forgave him and harmony was restored once more.
I got a call from Uncle Joe. I guessed he could have collected my contact number from his daughter Ruth who at then was furthering her education to a master's degree at OAU. He told me how remorseful he was, saying that the devil made him do what he did. I as well told him that I no longer bore grudges against him and that I had forgiven him a long time ago.
Frank and I got our visa prepared for our wedding shopping in Canada. At last, the long-awaited day came to be.
However, that very morning, the unexpected happened. After my cosmetologist had carried out a befitting bridal make-up on me, I was driven and led to the church auditorium where the wedding proper was to take place. I was surprised to see that Frank had not yet arrived. That was unusual—the bridegroom ought to be present before the bride. Everyone had to wait a bit longer but when his delay was becoming disturbing, I became worried.
Soon, information got to me that Frank was being kidnapped. Pandemonium broke out within the church when the congregation heard of it. Chief Olusegun and his wife came to reassure me that they were working on the issue, but that was the least I wanted to hear at that moment. Maryann and Ruth came around to hold onto me to allay my fears.
As I was later told, the kidnappers demanded a huge ransom. The police were secretly involved. With smart moves, the kidnappers were spotted and apprehended by the police while Frank was set free. The head of the gang turned out to be Nelson, Frank's erstwhile friend.
When the commotion had died down, the wedding proceeded and in a grand style. Numerous friends and well-wishers from far and beyond were present to grace the occasion. After our wedding, Frank and I booked a flight to Paris for our honeymoon. It was indeed a memorable one and we lived happily ever after.
~ THE END ~