To Survive

8: PRESENT BERNA

The following morning was the anticipated wedding
of Adel Arthur and Kira Halle Appenteng and the Arthurs
and Appentengs couldn't wait for this great union as well
as all their loved ones. The morning was supposed to be a
happy one for Kira Halle but she looked like the living dead
and Joella didn't understand why she looked like that.
Kira Halle was in her bridal robe as she sat in front of
the mirror having her hair styled by the hairstylist. Rhema
entered the room already clothed for her daughter's
wedding. A mother-of-the-bride look indeed.
"There is something wrong with Kira Halle and she
doesn't want to tell me." Rhema smiled.
"It's wedding blues. It happens. It happened to me too.
You feel like you've had the worst nightmare because
you're imagining the things that might go wrong but then
when you see your man up there your smile just returns
and you enjoy your day to the fullest." a tear dropped down
Kira Halle's eyes.
"That doesn't look like wedding blues to me," Joella
said. Rhema got closer to Kira Halle as she wiped away
her tears.
"Hey, Kira. Calm down, everything will be alright."
"You think so?" it was the way she asked the question
that made Rhema know that something was wrong. And
indeed, it was beyond blues.
*
Manuel and Ananda chose to spend the day at the
hospital with Lola. They brought food for Richmond and Trina as well as a change of clothes.
"Trying to be nice to me doesn't change the fact that
you also knew about this," Richmond said to Manuel as he
passed him a cup of coffee, "I knew you hated me back
then because of my failed relationship with Sabella and
your desire to have her but I didn't know you hated me this
much."
*
When Sedem walked out of her bedroom, Clifford
was pleased with the way she looked. She was in different
shades of green kente sewn into a lovely gown with a
simple sweep. Her black hair was curled to fit a lob and
her skin looked fine in the green. Green did suit her.
Someone knocked on their door and it was Kay. He walked
in and was stunned by the way Sedem looked too.
"Good morning to you. You look amazing."
"Thank you. What brings you here?"
"I came to pick the both of you up." Clifford winked at
Sedem and she smiled. She knew exactly what that wink
meant.
*
The Evergreen Chapel was filled with friends and
loved ones and some were just there for the fun of gossip.
Aaron and Macey were present as well as the entire
Ampate family. The Bequin brothers were present too.
"You look beautiful Mum Juanita."
"You and your flattery, Benjamin." she smiled at him.
Therod turned to the Bequin brothers who were sitting
behind them.
"Sabella informed me about Trina's daughter
yesterday. After the wedding, I'll pass by. I hear her
condition is a matter of life and death."
"Then we'll go with you," Emmanuel suggested.
"Plus the info that Richmond is the father of Trina's
daughter."
"Let's not even talk about that. Trina didn't do well
with this at all."
"And she tried to blame my daughter." Juanita came
in.
"Let's just hope that that girl survives otherwise
Trina's life will be a living hell."
*
They all didn't notice it much apart from Terrence
who knew the issue itself. He helped Adel to put on his
charcoal tuxedo and could still see the funeral expression
all over. No one could be so less saddened about getting
married. William got closer and helped Adel put on his
necktie. He patted him softly on the cheeks.
"If she's the right woman for you then marry her. If
your heart tells you otherwise don't trap yourself in that
prison called marriage. It's deadly." Birgitta walked in with
Saffron and Padi.
"You look handsome," Birgitta said and kissed her
son on the cheeks. He smiled and then moved to go and hug Saffron.
"Happy birthday to you, baby girl."
"I think you should change that title to a young
woman." everyone laughed.
*
Kerron and Kari stood down the stairs waiting for the
bride to descend so that they would make their way to the
chapel.
"I sometimes wished I had a daughter for the
pleasure of days like this."
"I'm glad I had a daughter for today's pleasure,"
Kerron replied and they both laughed. Rhema climbed
down the stairs first.
"You married a sexy good woman," Kari whispered to
his son as they watched Rhema. She straightened her
black hair and it fell beautifully behind her tucked behind
her ears to reveal the pearl earrings she had on. It was a
dark cream gown of Egyptian cotton that defined the
assets of her body. It was a one-shoulder sleeve and the
gown had a court train with a side split to reveal part of
her fine legs and block heels she was wearing. She walked
down gracefully to her husband's side.
"The mother of the bride looks gorgeous."
"Wait till you see the bride," she pegged him on the
cheeks before turning to stare up the stairs where Kira
Halle and Joella were now descending. Kerron cried tears
of joy at the sight of his daughter.
Everything would have been splendid if Kira Halle
smiled but she was too beautiful for them to realize her
missing smile. She wore a simple flannel white gown with
a choker necklace. The gown had a bateau neckline and
long enough to cover her toes making it hard to determine
the type of heel she had on. The gown's extension had a
chapel train and her veil was a cathedral veil. She walked
to her father's side and he hugged her and she couldn't
help but cry too. Hers was for a different reason.
"Hey, you're ruining the make-up," Rhema said to her but
she cried even more. Kari pulled the veil off her face.
"Hey, calm down. What's wrong?" she wished she
could tell them but she didn't have the words to do so.
12 HOURS AGO
Joella and Kira Halle were now getting home after
Kira Halle requested that they go home and take a rest for
her big day. They met Adel at the entrance of the
Appenteng mansion.
"This is a bad omen. You can wait for tomorrow. The
groom is not supposed to meet the bride a night before the
wedding." Joella teased.
"I need to speak to you, Kira Halle." it was his
seriousness that made Kira Halle know that something
was wrong. She stood from the car and walked over to his
side while Joella drove in.
"What's wrong?"
"I feel like I'd sin towards you in front of God if I don't
inform you of this."
"You're scaring me. What is going on?"
"You're not the only one I love. I've fallen in love with
Ally Halle too. You're a perfect woman. Every man's desire
but I can't hurt you this way." she slapped him.
"So you want me to call off the wedding and enjoy
disgrace, right? I always knew that woman was a problem
but I didn't know it was this big. Listen to me, Adel, we can
work things out. I love you." she cried.
"I might not be able to reciprocate that." she stood
still and wiped off her tears before she replied.
"Then you are supposed to for the sake of our child..."
"What did you say?"
"Yes, I'm in my first trimester and it's your child."
PRESENTLY
Kay entered the chapel with Sedem and her son and
they sat by the side of Noah and Dayana soon after
that Sabella entered the chapel with her daughters. They
took their seats by Kay's side too.
"You look stunning, Sedem," Sabella said.
"Thank you and you look young," Sabella giggled. Kay
received a phone call and he excused himself to go and
answer it.
"Clifford, your woman turned 18 today," Alessia
teased referring to Saffron. The older ladies laughed. The
Arthurs arrived around that time too and Alessia's smile
broadened. She walked out herself to go and help Padi in.
She spotted Saffron.
"Happy birthday dear."
"Thank you, Alessia. I hope to be attending your
wedding next," Alessia smiled and her gaze landed on Padi
who blushed.
"That might be soon," she responded and Birgitta
smiled. She wasn't the best fan of Padi and Alessia's
relationship but she was glad that Alessia could put a
smile on the face of her son and she was content with that.
William walked over to the other side with his son, Adel.
"How do we do this procession thing? It's the bride
that does the perfect procession but all we have to do is to
just walk in." Terrence said and Alessia giggled.
"It's quite simple. We handle the front to the left so
Dad goes in with Saffron, I go in with Alessia, and Mum comes
in with Adel and you come in with who the fuck is
available," they all laughed at Terrence after Padi had
spoken. Alessia turned to Adel.
"Good luck with your marriage."
"He needs it," Terrence replied. He stretched his
hand toward Alessia, "I'm Terrence."
"Alessia, Padi's girlfriend." it was the throaty laugh
that came from William that made all of them laugh. The
bridal procession of cars came in next. Adel turned to look
at the cars.
"This is our cue to enter," Padi said. He took the lead
with Alessia who held his hand as he supported the other
part with the crotch. Everyone turned to them with
admiration. William and Saffron followed after them before Birgitta and Terrence walked in with the groom.
Adel and Terrence stood in front facing the congregation.
The priest was there with his fixed smile. Terrence spotted
Ally Halle remembered her immediately as the girl
from the nightclub that Eli spoke to. He pointed her to Adel
but didn't make it too obvious for those in the
congregation to notice but then their eyes met making
Adel's insides shiver.
"What's her name? You must know her for she's
amongst your guests." the sight of Ally Halle in there made
him suddenly uncomfortable. He didn't want to get
married but now that his child was on the way he had no
option. He had signed a contract for a loveless life.
"She's Alessia's sister, Ally Halle." Nicole rushed in at
that moment and sat next to the Amoyaws. Alessia was
seated by Padi's side so Nicole took Alessia's seat next to
Ally Halle. She would have held Ally Halle's hands if Ally
Halle hadn't locked contact with the groom. She turned to
Sabella who had also noticed and then kept mute. Kay
walked in soon and took his seat after his long phone call.
"There the bride comes," Sedem announced and they
all turned their necks. The melodies of the organs began
soon and the entire congregation was up standing. Kari
was walking down the aisle with Rhema by his side. Her
beauty was stunning for a forty-six-year-old woman.
Amusement flickered in everyone's eyes at the sight of
the two. When they got closer Kari gave a noticeable wink
to Juanita and she blushed.
"Looks like I'll be having a new grandfather soon,"
Thelma stated and those around let out a compressed laugh. Juanita laughed shyly too.
"You're planning a marriage for your grandmother
already." Macey smiled at her.
"Yeah, just like I wish you were married to my father."
that one came out straight and smooth and Therod turned
to Thelma with his eyes wide open. Berna let out a fake
cough and smiled which made Sabella laugh, "What? Don't
look at me like that. It's every child's wish to see their
parents married. Let me wish that too."
"I wished the same for myself when I was your age
but my parents never got together. They just moved on
and the man I love hates me, I just wish the best for you.
Don't follow in my legacy. We Tengey's have bad love
stories." Macey said to her daughter and held her cheeks.
"That makes me feel like a child, mother."
"You are still my baby." the warmth in her smile was
loved by Therod and her eyes traced to meet his.
The adorable flower girl walked in throwing artificial
petals down the aisle. The joy of motherhood flickered on
the faces of the women.
"My daughter needs to be this beautiful or else I'm
not having her." Noah turned to his daughter.
"The last time I checked you don't even have a
boyfriend. Baby girl please limit your dreams, they are
beyond your reach." Sadat let out a thin laugh that made
several others turn in his direction. The bride and her father
walked in next and Alessia felt like clapping already. She
found Kira Halle to be looking quite stunning although simple. Her cathedral-long veil was held from behind by
Joella who wore a simple dark-cream dress, the same colour
as Rhema's. Kira Halle's entire focus was on Adel who
took turns staring at her and Ally Halle which broke her
even more. They walked over till they got to his side and
then she held his hand and stared at him, both wondering
if this was their best option. Everyone took their seats
soon and the marriage ceremony began.
*
Barbara came over to the side of Trina and Richmond
and everyone else stood. "How is she doing?"
"She's stabilized now but I'll keep an extra eye on her.
She's still in a coma though."
"When will she wake up from the coma?"
"I hope she can." was Barbara's simple answer.
*
The Sarkodies were present at the wedding too.
Lawrencia was not going to miss the wedding of Kerron's
daughter for anything plus she had her son being a close
friend of William's son, Padi. The priest turned to Adel with
a smile.
"Adel Arthur, do you take this woman to be your wife,
to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, to honor
her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in
health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall
live?" Adel stared into Kira Halle's face. Could he take her
in as his wife? He had to...for the sake of his unborn child
but could he love Kira Halle as much as she loved him? No.
He turned to stare at Ally Halle and all the scenes rushed
back to him.
Their enticing romance. The feel of her smooth
wonderful back. Her nipples touched his ripped chest. Her
moans gave him a quicker release. The feel of her lips
on his. Her gentle bites and how she passed her hands
roughly through his hair. How her body accepted his entry
as if he was there to stay and not a visitor. Their pleasure...
"Mr Arthur," Adel turned to the priest, "Shall I repeat? I
said, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live
together in holy matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to
comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health,
forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"
Kira Halle felt like rubbing her palms together because
they felt wet and she felt her body tremble with the shame
of Adel saying no and walking away from her. She wouldn't
be able to stand it if he did that to her.
"I-I..." he began and his voice shook. Berna sat upright
taking a closer look at what was going on. She noticed the
way that Adel stole glances at Ally Halle and she knew
instantly that that descendant of Sabella Amoyaw was the
problem just like Sabella was with Adel's father. This was
a bad way for history to repeat itself. Kari looked confused
as well as Kerron but then the words fled out of Adel's lips,
"I do."
*
Sonkor went to the hospital with Gina to check up on
Lola and the news of her being stable sounded a little
pleasing to them. No one felt more guilty than Sonkor. His
thoughts were only filled with how he knocked Lola and she rolled over his car. It wasn't his intention. The thieves
just pushed her to the road and with his speed he couldn't
avoid knocking her.
"I know you feel guilty for everything that is going on
but know that it isn't your fault," Trina assured him, and he
hugged her.
*
Everyone stood and clapped as they ushered the new
Mr and Mrs Arthur out of the chapel. Their wedding
reception plus the birthday party of Saffron Arthur was
going to take place at the Arthur residence. Their large
compound could host them all and Birgitta had done her
best in transforming the place to look its best. Saffron
moved out of the chapel happily and her parents followed
after her as well as Padi and Alessia. Clifford moved to
Saffron's side and handed her a cute box.
"What is this?"
"Your birthday gift. Happy birthday." Saffron hugged
him and whispered, "Thank you." before moving back to
the side of her parents. Kerron and his wife walked out too
around the time Sadat and Berna had also moved out with
their sons.
"When are those little ones going to get married?
When I'm 80." Kerron teased and Berna turned to him.
"Even so, I hope they'll get women they love and they
won't be grooms that stammer I do." she walked away
with Sadat, and the Appenteng couple were left on the spot.
Sabella heard that and let out a short giggle as she
by-passed the couple with her daughters and that angered Rhema.
"I wouldn't be laughing if I were you."
"Why not?" Sabella turned to her clearing her light
brown gown from the way to stare at Rhema.
"I'm just advising you not to. I hope your daughters
are not as unlucky as you are with love." Sabella smiled.
"I'll tell that to myself if I were you." Julius moved
their car to the entrance and Amoyaw ladies went to take
their seats after Kay opened the door for them. They took
their leave and Rhema turned her anger towards her
husband.
*
The reception was exquisite. The Bequin brothers
stood speaking to some of the ladies present. They hadn't
lost their touch and still had ladies turning in their direction.
Pious was present with Jana and they sat beside Sadat
and Berna.
"Was I the only one who saw an unhappy bride?"
Pious questioned. Berna turned to him.
"It wasn't just you. I saw it too. I feel as if there's
something they are not telling us but it's none of my
business. I have a lot on my plate already. My mother has
a boyfriend." she announced. Her sons laughed first and
Jana laughed too.
"Mama Gloria has a boyfriend."
"Yes, and they are in town. They couldn't make it to
the wedding because my mother claims they had to do some rounds so they'll be here instead."
"Some rounds indeed." Pious teased. As if planned
Gloria walked in with a gent that Sadat and Berna
presumed to be her boyfriend, Kenneth. Jana stared with
her mouth ajar. She wore an inner white tank top with a
mini white silk velvet skirt and there was a dark-violet
straight dress that touched her heels made of see-through
chiffon. The way she walked with her earrings dangling
like they had no purpose. She walked in sling backs and
carried it off simply and Jana couldn't even walk in her
wedge sandals. She got straight to their table.
"Hello lovelies." she kissed her grandsons on the
cheeks before turning to the adults on the table. She
instructed Kenneth to get closer and Berna knew it was
time for her to speak. "Let me introduce you all to Kenneth,
my darling boyfriend." even Berna looked older than the
guy even though she was the youngest among the four.
He stretched his hand to greet them and Berna turned to
her mother.
"Mama, you can give birth to this guy. He'd have even
been my little brother..."
"But did I give birth to him?"
"No but..."
"But shut up." it was that feistiness of hers that
remained unchanged. Berna simply walked away.
*
"Congratulations on the marriage of
your granddaughter," Juanita said to Kari. He smiled.
"I couldn't have been any prouder." he kissed her
hand and then walked to the side of his son.
"He must have been such a gentleman in his younger
days."
"He still is, Thelma," Juanita responded.
"He's such a good catch, isn't he?" Thelma came in
again.
"Won't you stop already? I'm too old for this."
"That beauty of yours needs a man because it doesn't
look like it is wearing off anytime soon." Juanita laughed.
"The truth is that if I would have gotten married again
or even fallen in love I'd have done that years ago and not
now." Sabella moved to their table and tapped Therod. He
stood up and followed her.
"Those two and how they speak."
"It's the power of blood," Macey replied gently.
*
The two walked to a corner that didn't have guests
around, "What's the problem?" Therod questioned.
"Nutifafa Costa told me to meet him tonight."
"Have you informed the detective?"
"No Police involved. He has eyes all around and the
the best thing to do is to go and meet him..."
"Without informing anyone."
"Don't you think enough people have been in danger? It was Isaac that met Jana at the cemetery when she went
to see her daughter's grave and he told her that Nutifafa
wanted to meet me. I'll go there with Julius."
"Your safety matters to me."
"Just as much as everyone else does to me so I'm
not risking it. It's an open space so he won't be able to do
anything to me but I want you to keep a close eye on
everyone while I'm gone. He's capable of all." Therod
breathed in heavily.
"Okay, but when you return you'll inform the detective.
We need to get Nutifafa Costa arrested if you want your
peace."
"Don't talk about things that I'm not offered."
*
Eli had made sure that he was not going to be
present for Adel and Kira Halle's wedding. It brought back
memories but then he attended the reception of the
couple to prove to himself that he was indeed over Kira
Halle and that was Ally Halle's reason for attending the
wedding too, to lie to herself that she was over Adel. She
moved to the fresh drinks table and got herself a cup of
sobolo. Eli spotted her and was surprised she was there.
"You again," he said and she turned to him. He
pointed at the sobolo, "Please don't pour that on me. This
is a wedding."
"As if I care."
"I can tell you love attention."
"On the contrary," she replied and took a sip. Eli got
himself a cup of it too.
"Let's start on a clean slate." she turned to him.
"Start what?"
"Our friendship." she laughed.
"I don't befriend idiots and flirts," she said and began
to walk away but then he held her hand and she turned to
he was tempted to pour the drink on his white shirt.
"I'm sorry if I ever offended you. So my name is Eli
Duncan and you?" she looked at him for a while before she
replied.
"Ally Halle," she said and walked away. Adel and Kira
Halle walked in soon and everyone stood and applauded
the new couple. They had thin smiles drawn on their faces
as they walked in and took the seats and the DJ began
with his music taking over from the instrumentalists
present. Kira Halle had taken her veil off and her hair was
held in a pretty chignon. She turned to Adel after they had
taken their seats and everything was going on just as
planned.
"This was supposed to be the happiest day of my
life."
"I tried," he replied frankly.
"I know and that's the part that hurts."