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Saturday, November 27, 2010

TEMPEST!

As we sailed along the Mediterranean seas in the twilight of a peaceful eve,
We relished the gentle sensation of the winds as they rushed by, sweeping through our scalps and seeping freshness into our pores,
We relaxed on the deck of our vessel, lay on the stern, stood on the bow, admiring the wonders of nature in the pellucid waters, the vegetation stretch along the sides of the seas, completely caught up in nature's abundance, and drawn from the realities of the acquatic body,

Then suddenly, like a flood from the heavens in all intensity, the winds rose, the currents surged, the thunders roared, the lightning through the dark skies pierced, the rains poured, and our vessel trembled,
Tossed to and fro by this restless act of nature, we lost our compass, and the power to control the situation, from our hands slipped,
As we in utter frustration ran helter-skelter, striving to halt this precarious moment, our hearts fluttering, our blood boiling, and our bones quivering in apprehension,

We continued helplessly, tip-toed on the edge of a precipice, heading for a shipwreck,
The seas seemed to have been infuriated by our complacency, the currents by our withdrawal from full alert, and the waves by our continuous giggles, cackles, and chuckles,
As we battle this ordeal, in a manner of abruptness, to worsen the complications, we were launched into a fleeting moment of violent movements, drowning us into unconsciousness,
Then we woke to an island of uncertainty, surrounded by strange hills and trees of unknown identities, to wander and plod the woods of danger, till help comes.

GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL: THE CONCLUSION (PART TWO)

...Saturday, December 26, was a bright and fair day. The ceremony commenced at about 9 '0' clock in the morning. This was the happiest day in the lives of the couples and they were both gorgeously dressed in the traditional yorouba attire with their faces beaming with smiles. The marriage was done in the traditional yorouba style, and all marriage rites were observed accordingly. It was then time for the couples to dance before the guests. This was the most scintillating part of the occasion, as the couples will exhibit their native dance steps. Being natives of yorouba, Abayomi and Bisi were equally good dancers, but one must certainly out-dance the other.
   Bisi swayed her whole body from right to left in the traditional yorouba style. Abayomi also showed off much of the yorouba dance steps, but had by mistake brought in the white man's dance steps at the concluding part and was thus thrown over to the loosing side. While this was going on, guests were busy munching lumps of meat, masticating grains of rice, and gulping bottles of assorted drinks-there was enough for everyone to eat and drink. Finally, the celebration came to an end and the couples retired to their rented apartments for a recuperative night rest. Bisi had earlier gone to her mother's house for a word of advice on how to make a peaceful home and after that night, she was to stay with her mother for a week before finally joining her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Abayomi and Dr. Kunle were to travel back to London the following year. So they had enough time to put everything in place before going back. They even embarked on and completed a number of projects for their community, including a pipe borne water project and the new town market complex.
  The older year had passed and everyone was making resolutions for the New Year. For Mr. and Mrs. Abayomi, they decided not to start bearing children until a month after their white wedding. Kunle decided that he was going to set up a medical center in Britain. He had the dream of discovering helpful drugs and therapeutic measures that would greatly improve human health. At the end of January, Mr. and Mrs. Abayomi and Dr. Kunle had already finalized plans for their voyage back to Britain. They left Nigeria on Sunday evening and arrived Britain on Tuesday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Abayomi kept their vows. Their wedding ceremony was one of the biggest in London were they live.
  Barely one month after their wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Abayomi were blessed with a son whom they named Adegoke. Dr. Kunle's dreams were materialized. He established a medical center and was already working as a medical doctor. Mr. Abayomi had also started working as a Civil Engineer in one of London's reputable companies. His company built a number of roads, bridges and tunnels, and with him as the leader of the team of civil engineers they were soon able to supply ample amount of water to drought prone areas. Mrs. Abayomi continued working as a Chartered Accountant in her own firm and also made great impacts in the Accounting field. Her son was placed in the custody of a trusted daycare center, while she worked. Dreams do come through indeed, inspite of obstacles. 

GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL: THE CONCLUSION (PART ONE)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (PART ONE)
A DAY OF CELEBRATION
   On Saturday morning, Bisi and Kunle woke up at about 7:15 am, and finalized preparations. They then drove off to Abayomi's house in a cab. On getting there, they realized Abayomi had been waiting for them, so they all drove off to the airport. At about 11 '0' clock everybody was on board the plane and it soon took off. They were to get to Nigeria on Tuesday evening. The news of their intended return had reached their parents two days earlier and so everything was put in place for a welcome party holding on Tuesday evening at Mr. Ojo's house. Their parents drove off to the airport by 4:30 pm on Tuesday evening to receive their children. Their flight did not arrive until about 7:30 pm, when it finally did. This offered a great deal of relief to both parents. The three had just alighted the plane and were just emerging from the clearance zone, when their parents saw them from where they had been sitting, waiting for them. They quickly and excitedly ran to embrace and welcome their children.
     "Welcome my heroes and heroine" said Mr. Taiwo.
     "How was your flight?" Mrs. Omotola asked.
     "Fine. Except that the weather condition was pretty bad" replied Bisi.
     "Thank God you arrived safely. May Olodomare be praised" Kunle's mother added.
     "How are you dad?" Abayomi asked his father.
     "I am fine son. I can see you have now grown into a full-ledged man. Congratulations my son" he said in response.
   Both families soon drove home to commence the welcome party they had organized for their children. There at home, it was food, drinks, and dance galore, as everyone was happy to see the ones who have made the ancient Ijekun town and hamlet proud. Mr. Kwame who was now getting on in age was also at the party and was exceptionally pleased with his students.
    "Welcome home my brains" he said as he beckoned on them to come.
    "I know it wasn't easy at all, but thank God you made it. Congratulations"
    "Thank you sir" Abayomi said.
    "You were a source of inspiration to us all. Those very words of yours encouraged us greatly" he added handing over a brief case containing some money and other valuables to Mr. Kwame.
    "This is for you sir"
    "For me? Oh may God continue to bless and prosper the works of your hands" Mr. Kwame said prayerfully.
   "Amen" they all replied in one voice.
 Abayomi and Bisi had fixed a date for their marriage ceremony. It was slated for Saturday, December, 26. The wedding was going to be the biggest ceremony ever organized in Ijekun hamlet, Bisi's hometown. Invitation letters and cards were distributed throughout Ijekun town and the neighbouring towns and villages. Mr. Ojo had invited his business associates from Lagos. The venue was going to be the Ijekun market square which was about 10 acres in size. All the guests were to be served with ceramic plates and glass vessels. Canopies and chairs were made available and a traditional musical band was invited.

TO BE CONTINUED
Copyright Lysious.

GRASS TO GRACE, A NOVEL: WEDDING BELLS RINGING

CHAPTER TEN (PART THREE)
THE GRADUATION
..The next day was Friday, and to Bisi's greatest surprise, Abayomi showed up at their house to ask her out. She knew he was certainly going to do this, but never expected it to be so soon. She however agreed considering the cordial relationship they had had for years. It was 7 pm at Kunle and Bisi's apartment on Cleveland Street. The evening was warm, but windy. Bisi had just finished doing the dishes and was about to sit down on the cream-colored leather sofa when she heard the door bell. It was Abayomi.
       "Hey, it's you. Come in" She said as she opened the door.
       "How are you? You decided to come pay us a visit today?"
       "Yes. I am very well. Everything is great. How are you?"
       "I'm good. Just finished doing the dishes. Your friend is in his room studying. Let me go and call him" Bisi said as she attempted walking toward the hallway.
       "Um, Bisi...that won't be necessary. It's you I actually came to see"
      "Oh, okay. Hope all is well?" Bisi asked pretensiously as if she didn't suspect the reason behind his wanting to see her.
     "Actually, I was wondering if we can go some place and talk. Just the two of us. There is something I'd like to tell you. I hope this is a good time?" Abayomi asked a little nervous.
    "I was just about to watch a documentary by BBC, but I think I can spare an hour or two. You know I can't tun you down" Bisi said with a smile, relieving Abayomi's nervousness.
    "I really appreciate that" he said as he sat down.
    "You look beautiful" he added. Bisi blushed and paused for a while as she turned to look at Abayomi, who at this point was wondering if he shouldn't have said that.
   "Thank you!" Bisi said with a short giggle, as he looked Abayomi in his eye. There was a certain knowing to the look they exchanged in that brief moment. It was if they both know where this is going.
  "Well, I have to go and freshen up and change into something else. Five minutes would do" she said as she went into her room. Five minutes later, she appeared, looking resplendent in a red silk sleeveless gown.
    "Can we get going now?" she said to Abayomi who was so captivated by her beauty that he stood staring, dumbfounded for a few seconds.   
  "Sure!" he said short of words. "Kunle we are leaving. Please lock the door" Bisi called out to Kunle.
  "Alright! You two have fun!" came the response from the hallway. They both drove off in Abayomi's Lexus jeep to Terra restraunt at 53 Cleveland street. Few minutes after they arrived and got a table, and chatted for a while, Abayomi decided to make his intentions known to Bisi.
  "You see Bisi, I think you are the most beautiful creature I've ever seen on two legs" He started off with a broad smile.
  "Oh please. Don't flatter me" she replied with a smile revealing her perfect dental structure with an opening in the middle. She looked more beautiful with her smiles, that leave her cheeks dimpled.
  "Nooo! It's no flattery. I mean every word of what I just said" Abayomi said expressing his honesty.
  "Thank you then" Bisi said as she reached for the glass of Pink Lady on the table, took a slow sip and then placed it back on the table covered in white linen fabric.
  "Honestly, you possess all the qualities a man would desire in a woman. I mean any man would be proud to have you as a wife" he continued as he stared into her glowing eyes, holding her hands.
   "I love you Bisi! Please marry me!" Abayomi said letting out the inner content of his heart, as he brought out a shiny black gold-plated case containing a diamond ring.
  "Marry you? I don't think I am ready for marriage now!" Bisi said but in a low voice.
  "Please Bisi, don't say no. You mean so much to me right now. I know we haven't dated and I am sorry I never mentioned this all along, I just thought this would be the right time. Please marry me and I will make you feel loved, like a real woman" Abayomi pleaded kneeling.
  "Well, Abayomi I have always admired your character. I mean your discipline, intelligence and moral chastity. The thing is, I just think this is moving too fast. But, like you said, may be this is the right time. I know I still need to know you better if we are going to be together. But I guess, having being friends all our lives, there isn't much left to know about you. So yes, I'll marry you!" Bisi replied with a radiant smile.
   "Oh thank you!" Abayomi said as he gently slid the ring down her finger. They both embraced each other and kissed briefly, before leaving the restraunt hand in hand.
    Abayomi called his parents that night and informed them of his newly found love. They were very happy with him and congratulated him for making a right choice. Bisi also informed her parents of the engagement. They two were in support of the union. It was if their marriage was God-ordained. The three decided to travel home the next weekend to see their parents after so many years, and to fix a date for the upcoming wedding. Everything was really moving fast. They bought their flight ticket, went shopping, and packed all that the journey would require. They were to leave Britain on a morning flight and so decided to make all preparations ahead of time.