The Void Between Hearts ~~ongoing~~

44. THE VOWS

SATURDAY. The mood in the cathedral could be described aptly as a symphony of happy tears.

Many guests had arrived quite early, with some having flown into Nigeria the previous night, while others travelled down from other states within the country.

The cathedral is exquisitely decorated in pristine white drapes and sparkly silver linings.

At each intersection of seated guests are short pillars of flowers, comprising of fragrant fresh roses and rich honeysuckle.

In accordance with the colour of the day, most guests are dressed in shades of silver or white adding to the overwhelming ambience of the cathedral.

The priest takes the tall pulpit, his green chasuble glistening in the golden light of the huge chandelier above. Arranging his stole, he begins a short sermon on the institution of marriage.

On the outer edges of the first row are four beautiful bridesmaids, all dressed in matching custom made Adedimi Fagbenro couture silver dresses.

Boma and Chinny sit closely together on that row, adding the final adjustments to their fascinators. The girls are filled and overflowing with excitement. Beside them is little Imba, dressed in a custom made white ball gown, and rhinestoned tiara, holding the exceptional duty of flower girl.

Unlike the traditional marriage ceremony yesterday, where colour, beaded jewellery and native high-life music filled the event centre, today's pace is slower and more intense.

A few minutes following the sermon, the priest announces, "May we rise."

The doors of the cathedral are swept open and there, in a reflection of her immaculate white dress in the radiant sunlight, Mina looks every ounce more angelic than she had wished. This although is known only to the admiring congregation who make no chore of belting out amazed gasps here and there.

Amongst the guests are many family and friends, many of which Boma has never seen in real life.

To the end of the second row, in the intersection closest to the alter are Mina's foster siblings. At some point in their lives, they all lived with each other and for each other. Then in different ways, they shared the same pains and joys until Mina disappeared. To them, the story of Tee and Mina is a fairytale out of a picture frame.

To the other end of the second intersection, are a legion of co-workers. Sitting on that end is the event planner and closest friend of Mina, the renowned Lisa Busiswe. Mina had met her at a seminar she attended a few weeks after she and Boma first moved back to Nigeria. Lisa had been recently separated from her husband and so moved to Nigeria from Cape town with her daughter. For eternity, they worked on A list events together, with Mina mostly serving as the resource manager for the catering group.

Also among the guests are a majority of the Lawson kindred from the village. Being the only guests to flaunt the 'strictly western' dress code, the women are clad in silver lace blouses and heavy indian wrappers, caps nestled with decorative mirrors and feathers, and heavy coral jewellery. The men are dressed in corresponding silver indian wrappers, tailored with great detail, like regal robes meant only for high chiefs. Mina's sisters, Clara and Ibiwari are also seated amongst them, wearing smiles of gratitude and false sophistication.

The organ booms to life as the organist begins playing the hymn as selected by Mina.

'O come, to the father,
Through Jesus, his son,
Who loved he the world that he gave us his son
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin and give him the glory,
Great things he hath done.'