Ezeabata In A Golden Marriage

CHAPTER 15

"Wow! What a beautiful set up for this birthday party. This mum and dad must have spent a fortune to have this party organised in the honour of their son." Echeta observes

"Am loving it too especially, the play in colours. Oh! Over there is a bouncing castle and some clowns, yee...py!" Muses Heaven with excitement, clapping her hands, she inhales the breath of fresh air around the party arena while Cheta locks up the car, she exhales, then says

"I really feel great being here, it's like a feeling i had when i had my birthday celebrations as a kid. Sweet memories indeed" remembers Heaven

"Sounds like someone wishes to re live her childhood again. Look at you beaming and glowing like you're the seven year old, we came for his birthday party" laughs Cheta as he reaches for Heaven's right hand walking by her side.
Suddenly Heaven's glowing countenance dissipates as she quickly wears a worried look. She squeezes Echeta's hand pulling him back, the latter stops almost stumbling as Heaven pulls his hand, he follows her asking what the problem is as she walks them back to where they packed the car.

"What's going on sweet, did you see someone?" He questions, looking around, he checks for familiar faces and didn't see any

"We are doing something wrong here, Never show up at a party empty handed especially not at a birthday party of a seven year old child whose memory is still shaping up. He might remember in future, when he is all grown up" Heaven says to Echeta whispering, almost snooping around with her eyes in a manner showing  that, she is making it impossible for any passer by to hear her, or avoiding  the attention of guests. Which is Typical of an African woman in her situation

"Oh that! You scared me there a bit. You and you're dramatic ways of communicating a problem sweet" Chuckles Cheta shaking his head full of smiles

"I didn't want us to rubb...ish our res...pect by tar...nishing our image" stammers Heaven still looking around

"Relax, it's not that deep. What to do now though, seeing we can't go get a gift without running late phew!" Sighs Cheta and thinking for a while, he says

"Monetary gift i think, will not be a bad idea seeing the parents spent alot to put up a huge party as this and might still have some balances to clear after the celebrations" Suggests Echeta as he justifies his suggestion by looking around to affirm what he is saying

"Not a bad idea" supports Heaven

With that they re-enter their car to sought that out. They pulled out a white envelope from the bundle of envelopes they use for sunday offerings in church and put in it, twenty thousand naira. While Cheta inscribes on the envelope bearing the cash gift 'To Sopuruchukwu with love' Heaven being a sweet tooth brought out a box of untouched chocolate she had earlier ordered that day at her office, wanting to impress, to makes the gift attractive and nicely looking for the celebrant, she unties the beautiful white ribbon on the box of chocolate, she places the cash gift on it after taking it from her husband, She then ties back the white ribbon neatly and tightly to hold the cash gift firm on the box, they put it in the colourful nylon that the box of chocolate came in, they made their way back to the party venue with a feeling of fulfilment and a sense of responsibility.
Getting into the venue they heard the MC of the occasion calling on pastor Chiebido for opening prayers after which the pastor sighted them and walked up to them to receive them.

"How are my favorite couple doing today?" He says as he shook hands with Echeta

"Good evening pastor" they both greeted almost at same time as they stood with pastor.

"A very goodevening to you both, God bless you. I hope you didn't find it too difficult to locate this place?" Asks pastor

"Not at all sir" says Echeta while Heaven looks around really loving the set ups for the party, dabbling into a world of imagination, she thought to herself how nice it will be for Cheta and her to have something like this organised someday, for children of their own.

"Okay then. let's get started first by me, introducing you both to our hosts and our dear celebrant yeah?" Requests pastor Chiebido

"That will suffice" Echeta says as he reaches for Heaven's hand, the latter grabs his hand while they made their way with pastor to meet the Egwuatus. Pastor Chiebido smiles as his eyes catches Echeta's hand reaching out for Heaven's hand, he says

"Am loving this 'hand thing'. It's remarkable you know, it got my attention and stuck with me after the first counseling session i had with you in my office. It's not every time i meet couples who impress me or one i learn something from despite being the teacher. It connotes and communicates something to me." Notices pastor Chiebido

"Do you mind sir if i ask you what the  'hand thing' as you call it, speaks to you"  Heaven laughs as she looks at Echeta, their eyes locks, both laughing, like she was confirming if her lover would want to know the answer to her question too

"Indeed it's commendable i must say, should be encouraged among couples in fact i have started introducing it little by little in my marriage. For me it depicts oneness, unism, a will to make it work, love, friendship then agreement to weather the storm together no matter what. Little wonder the bible says in Amos 3:3 'Can two walk except they agree?' Interprets pastor

"Waoh all that sir?!" Asks Cheta

"All that and much more!" Agrees Heaven as she adds
"Nicely said sir" she applauses clapping her hands a bit.

"What does it mean to you?" Inquires pastor from Chukwuechetam (Echeta's full name meaning God has me in remembrance)

"Well for me sir really it's a reflex action which am use to since i met Heaven but am glad to know that it means this much to anyone that notes it that way. Really am flattered sir" he says smiling sheepishly towards Heaven like saying in meekness, thanks for bringing that one out in me and Heaven looks away, a bit shy too. There was a little silence as they slowly approach the door to the living room of the Egwuatus, pastor clears his throat to bring them back to where they were and says

"By the way that is why i call you my favorite couple, you must n't mess it up God willing and helping you" encourages pastor in admonition to mr and mrs Oluakachukwu(Echeta's surname)

"Amen!" they echo lifting their hands in the air agreeing to the prayers

With that, they opened the door to the living room and sat down. After a few mintues, they were joined by the celebrant and his parents and introductions were made as greetings and pleasantries were exchanged.

"Thanks so much sir and ma for having us in your home. Echeta and i really appreciate it." States Heaven

"There is nothing to it Heaven, rather we appreciate pastor for considering our home today, a good enough place for you and Cheta to have your counseling. May it all work out for your good and advancement in Jesus name!" Prays the celebrant's mother

"Amen and amen" they all said

"Thanks for your kindness really" adds Cheta as he walks over to Sopuruchukwu's seat to meet his acquintance. He utters words of prayer over him after a little friendly conversation with him, he gave him their gift and walks back to his seat. Sopuru (abbreviated from Sopuruchukwu) turns to his parents, handing the gift over to his mum then both thanked Cheta and Heaven and insisted they didn't have to but they too insisted it was a pleasure.

"Okay now back to the business of the day. We leave you now so you can go back and tend to your guests while I  go find us a spot for the counseling of today. Once again we appreciate you daddy and mummy. Sopuru have a great party son!" Says pastor

"Let us know if you need anything at all" says mr Egwuatu

"Not to worry, you have done enough already" argues pastor. They all laugh and pastor excuses himself with Cheta and Heaven.

Outside pastor locates a spot where kids are more. So they sat down to pray and begin the counseling after which pastor gave each of them paper and pen, he instructs them to quietly observe the children and write down their observations separately. That they both did while pastor waited for them to complete their assignment, as an educator, he jots down his own observations too, looking at the kids intensely for the purpose of comparisons and questioning with the couple.