19/12/2025
GINIKA'S BRIDESMAIDS: BOOK ONE (ARA)
CHAPTER ONE
WATCHING THE DANCING COUPLE, I had a smile on my face.
Watching my sister, Erinkan, and her new husband, Emeka, slow dance to Always & Forever made my heart glow. It almost made the discomfort I felt in the fitted corset dress worth it.
Almost.
With my hand propping my chin, I looked at them as they danced, mouthing the words of the popular song to each other, loving their love.
From the very first time she mentioned him to me, when she’d thought he was just someone to while away her time as she waited for an elusive guy she’d met on the plane, I knew there was something special about the guy. And when he dedicated She from my favourite movie, Notting Hill, to her on the radio, he completely won me over.
What a lot of people didn’t know was that I was a hopeless romantic, my tough-as-nails persona regardless. Well, a lot of people except my long-term boyfriend, Oye.
Who still hadn’t shown up yet.
Looking at my phone, I had to fight off the temptation to call him again. He had been ‘on his way’ since before we left for Church at 10am. It was now 4pm and the wedding reception was well underway, yet there still wasn’t any sign of him.Where are you? I couldn’t help but text again.
“Are you calling Oye?” came my best friend’s voice. “This one has passed be careful o. How can he not be here?”
“He’s actually not feeling too well,” I heard myself lying to Ginika. “Something he ate. He’ll soon be here.”
“Mmmm hmmm!” she grunted, not buying it. She knew me too well. Thankfully, she decided to change the topic. “Erinkan and Emeka look so good together. Gosh, such a lucky girl. Fine man with money on top!”
I gave my friend the side eye and chuckled, remembering when she’d been one of the very many people who had supported Erinkan’s brief dalliance with the very wealthy Karibi Graham-Hart. But love had won in the end, and in the wildest change of fortunes ever, Emeka had found phenomenal success first in Europe, and with interest for his work recently coming from art enthusiasts in New York, very likely in the United States as well. Back home, in the studio Erinkan had initially gotten for him in an unsuccessful attempt at a surprise gift, with all the international interest in his work, he had grown an impressive local following as well. Over the course of a year, he had gone from zero to hero…and all with his woman by his side.
“Chai, see love!” Ginika was still gushing. “See how he’s looking ather. And see how she’s looking at him! I go love o!”
I looked at her like she was crazy. “Coming from the woman engaged to a man who worships the ground she walks on!”
“Speaking of which, don’t forget the dress fittings tomorrow,” she said, reminding me of the fact I would have to wear another uncomfortable monstrosity of a gown in the not-too-distant future.
“Must it be tomorrow?” I moaned. “Won’t you let me rest after a hectic day like this?”
“Nah girl. It has to be tomorrow. Do you know how long it took to align everyone’s schedule. And I want you to meet the other bridesmaids, so no excuses.”
I rolled my eyes, wondering again why she’d insisted on pulling random bridesmaids out of a hat, instead of simply picking them from our regular pool of friends.
She took a sip of her drink. “One more thing. You and I have dinner planned with D**e and his best man tomorrow evening.”
“Yes, Ma,” I answered with an exaggerated sigh. Tired or not, the truth was I would do anything for Ginika.
“Just see how beautiful you look in a proper dress and makeup on your face,” she teased. “Don’t you like how you look? Instead of running around looking scruffy in men’s shirts and baggy jeans!”
I laughed and was about to quip that my jeans were not baggy,
when the DJ switched to Burna Boy’s Killin Dem, which the new couple started dancing to with gusto, to the thrill of everyone watching.
“I don’t believe my eyes! Erinkan dancing zanku! Your stiff sister? Now I’ve truly seen it all!” Ginika remarked, rising to her feet to get a better view.
I smiled and danced along as we watched the couple tear it down. My sister had truly come a very long way, and there was nobody but the amazing Emeka to thank for it.
“Ah, she even gbe bodied!” Ginika exclaimed. “In fact the world has ended! I hope nobody expects me to gbe bodi at my own wedding o!”
My phone buzzed with a message.
Babe, so sorry but something came up. Bad stomach. I’m so bummed to be missing Erinkan and Emeka’s wedding. Do give her my love.
I frowned as I read the text over and over again, not believing he had used the very same lie I’d told Ginika.
“Who’s that? Oye?” she asked, noticing my frown.
I put my phone away and forced a smile. “Yeah. He’s still feeling poorly and might not be able to make it after all.”
“For your sister’s wedding though?” she remarked. “Na wa o! Anyway babe, sorry to love and leave you, but I gotta roll.”I looked at her, surprised. “Not you too. Why so soon?”
She picked up her bag and blew me an air kiss. “I have to run an errand for my Mom. Don’t forget tomorrow. 2pm at the dressmaker’s studio.”
“Sure. 2pm.” I muttered as she walked away.
Without my boyfriend and best friend, I suddenly felt completely alone. Rising to my feet, I decided to join in the dancing. Looking at where the parents were seated, I was happy to see our mother and Emeka’s chatting happily on the same table. They’d hit it off like a house on fire from the very first time they met, which was a relief considering how tribalistic my mother tended to be at times. Maybe, just maybe, Emeka’s new money had softened the ground a little bit. That was a possibility. One person for whom his changed status had made all the difference had been Fiyin, our older sister, who had hated the mere mention of his name when he and Erinkan started dating, but who was now a devout member of his fan club. Thank God Emeka had taken everything in his stride, not treating her the same way she’d treated him in the beginning. Seeing them now, you wouldn’t believe they’d ever been anything but the best of friends.
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