ISBN 978-047-852-3
It was the biggest party I had ever attended. As I looked down from the window of the hotel unto the garden where my wedding reception was taking place, everything looked beautiful; the weather, the environment, the people, the food drinks and anything you can think about. I felt like screaming halleluiah to the Almighty God. He made all these beautiful things!

Indeed my day must be part of those days he created for his pleasure. I stepped into the waiting evening sunshine. It was just right for a happy bride. My chief bridesmaid was right behind, holding on to my gown. She had been at it since we left the church. But I wanted the gown to flow on the ground, it made me feel like one who had just secured her freedom. But she would not hear of it, so I left her to do what she wanted to do.

Still retaining that smile on my face, I began to look round the big garden, searching for the most important person in my life. He had made this possible. His friends were all over the garden, all looking handsome, dressed in their best. Then I spotted him in the midst of them. He had seen me at the same time that I saw him. He began to smile beckoning on me to join him but I was not ready yet. I wanted to see everyone and everything on my own so, I waved at him to go on discussing. He blew me a kiss from that distance and turned back to his friends, but occasionally I caught him staring at me.

The dancers were fascinating, coupled with their colourful attire, but the church groups were more noticeable, as they were all over the place as if trying to remind someone they were in charge and it was their own show. My eyes fell on my pastor and his lovely wife. They were in the midst of some other guest. Then I saw my in-laws, a nice family in every ramification. They had a different attire from everyone. You could not but notice them as you stepped into the garden. Who will blame them? It’s their son’s day and it’s his money that is flowing. You may wonder why? But it’s the truth of the matter. I contributed nothing to this wedding except my presence and smiles. Don’t blame me, you would soon come to find out why.

I was just beginning to relax when my gaze fell on a group of people gathered somewhere at the entrance of the garden. Why hadn’t I noticed them before, or maybe they had just entered? But from the look of things they seemed to have been there for a while. The sweat on their faces showed they had been dancing for a long time. At that moment, the joy inside of me gave way for some feelings I could not explain, even to myself. It was a feeling of nostalgic anger, buried deep somewhere inside of me and had been waiting for an opportunity to erupt.

Esther Dennis Nwogwonuwe is a published writer, actress, film director and producer and is the CEO of Opelsey Ventures Nigeria. She can be reached at estherdennis12@yahoo.co.uk