HER

15. Dates and Plans

"So when are you guys thinking of for the wedding? " Richard's mother piped up

"I was thinking maybe... After graduation" Rahmat's mother chimed

Ah fuck. Richard mouthed and Rahmat laughed

"I was thinking maybe December" Mrs Johns continued, "The weather is cool but not rainy. Perfect"

"Let them decide for themselves, love" Mr Johns said, "What do you think? Rahmat?"

"August" she said looking up from her plate.

"August is too close. That's just a month away" Mrs Johns said

"A month and a half", his father chimed

"People will think that you are pregnant" Rahmat's mother retorted.

"Let people think what they want" Rahmat replied

"August is the rainy season" His mother continued

"August is fine mother" Richard piped up, We'll have it during the August break. No rains"

Rahmat's dad just sat there not speaking. Just following the conversation with his eyes. Richard still believed the man hated him. Rahmat didn't believe him. Of course she didn't.

"I called Camilla Mfon-Rose... " His mother began.

"The party planner? " Richard asked

"Events coordinator" his mother countered

"Whatever" He said

"She said she could squeeze a spot for you if you can meet her on Saturday"

"This Saturday?" Richard said looking over at Rahmat. "We have something else planned for Saturday"

"The whole of Saturday? She wants to meet by eleven thirty."

"We'll meet her" Rahmat said holding his hand under the table.

The rest of the evening went by as quickly as it could and soon enough it was the weekend and he found himself sitting in front of the party planner... Sorry, events coordinator, talking about his wedding. He cared about the wedding much more than he cared about a lot of the things in his life. The wedding made Rahmat happy and he was happy when Rahmat was happy. He groaned when he noticed how sappy he sounded.

They'd decided to have three ceremonies, two traditional weddings, one Hausa and one Yoruba and one church wedding. For convenience the traditional weddings would be done on the same day, and the church wedding on a Saturday. It surprised him when Rahmat's dad had agreed to a church wedding.
They'd decided on a lot of things before hand. His parents wanted a large, grand wedding but Rahmat didn't want that and neither did he. Who wanted a wedding with a thousand people that barely knew?
They'd decided on 500 people, just to please their parents.
He had only two close friends at the moment and Rahmat had three and a few cousins, and because of that he was against the whole bridesmaids, groomsmen, thing.

Rahmat agreed to let it go. But Richard could see that she was really disappointed. So he called B, and Wesley, his stoner friends. And his cousin Mide, who he hadn't spoken to in years.
Whatever made Rahmat happy.

His mother wanted green, Rahmat wanted blush. Obviously, he went with blush too. Whatever made Rahmat happy.

They narrowed the venues down to three for the wedding reception, the Dome, the banquet hall at Eko and The pavilion.
Rahmat went for The Dome, only because she wanted The pavilion for their traditional wedding. Richard didn't know what he wanted, they could be getting married in a barn for all he cared as far as Rahmat was happy. He was happy.