The church was filled with jovial attendees. Few were sitting, and the rest were standing, trying to get a glimpse of the occurrences. The majority of the congregation had not received the card invitations. They seem not to mind as long as there were free meals.
Drops of sweat trickled down Boaz’s forehead. He did not bow to the temptation of unbuttoning the official shirt under his tuxedo, but kept on checking his wristwatch often. The vicar looked his way. Even with a restless groom, he kept on preaching.
“What God has put together, let no man put asunder,” his hoarse voice tore the silence.
The crowd shouted some ‘amens’. Boaz clicked. Eva, his bride, glanced at him. His face looked as if he had licked a lemon.
“He is taking forever!” Boaz whispered loud enough for Eva to hear. She smiled seductively. “You have eaten the whole cow; what is left is just the tail!”
Boaz squeezed her left thigh. Eva chuckled. She understood why his newlywed husband was eager to retire to their home. Isn’t it just yesterday when he was onto her? “Darling, please let me.” He had knelt and pleaded with her then.
“I can’t.” She chortled out.
“Haven’t I paid the bride price?”
Eva ignored his question. “For a man to fix his wedding plans and follow through with them, it shows that he is serious. What more should I do to prove myself?”
“Mama told me to wait until we wed.” Eva looked into his eyes. They were pleading.
Boaz took her palm into his and placed it on top of the zip on his trouser. The bulk she felt sent a tickling electric shock down her spine. She jumped a bit, and withdrew her hand quickly, like a thunderbolt. He noticed the effect his action had on her.
“Aki Eva, you’re hurting me.” He spoke softly.
“Our bodies are the temple of God.”
“We are almost married; God will understand nawe.”
“Please, is it written that you should not put God to the test?” I did not give it to you for the last three years, so you should know me by now.”
Boaz gave up.
Although he knew that he was fighting a losing battle, he did it anyway. Eva tapped her husband on the shoulder. The vicar had just ended the parting prayer, but he had not realized it.
“I do not care about the photo session. I just want us to go home,” Boaz said with a smile.
“The wedding is for the bride, so we will do as per my desire.” Eva grinned.
Boaz’s face wrinkled because of the scorching anger inside him. “Why can’t she get it?” he pondered. The next two hours of the photoshoot took forever. The groom’s cheeks swelled and threatened to burst. Eva could not stop smiling. She did not even hide it. What Boaz did not know is that she seemed to enjoy this whole ordeal. She loved the fact that she had strong powers over him.
Out of nowhere, Eva’s face also became a hot pink.
“Mrs Boaz, is all well?” Her husband forgot his situation and inquired.
“I wish my blood brother was here instead of my cousins.”
“God’s plan has no fault.”
“It’s not that I did not have one; it’s just that he went to play one day and never came back.”
“Hush,” Boaz said as he took his wife onto his six-pack chest.
By the time they got to the house, darkness had already enveloped the earth. The bridal convoy marched to a Lingala wedding song until the couple got into their house. On the ground was a red carpet path that had a mixture of red and white roses at the sides. The crowd stopped at the entrance as the two entered.
The room smelled of strawberries. Eva’s eyes popped with joy at the sight of lilies on the bed that was covered with snow-white linen. On the feet side were white towels that had been carved into two doves that were on each other’s lips.
Boaz held her waist with his right hand and pushed it towards his chest. His hot breath made her knees tremble. Eva looked at the ground.
“The clever hare has now been tamed.” He spoke into her left ear and then licked her earlobe.
Eva blushed.
Boaz slowly made her sit on the bed. He took his hand behind his back and magically handed her a red rose. Eva took it to her nose.
“Damn! This guy has got moves.” She spoke to herself.
“Kiss me,” Boaz commanded. She hesitated. It wasn’t until he turned off the light that Eva responded. Boaz unzipped the white gown she had. Her scent drove him nuts. Just as he was about to penetrate her, Eva held his active hand.
“It’s my first time,” she said.
“I know.”
With each thrust, Eva kept on tossing her husband’s hand away.
“Eva, please,” Boaz groaned.
His plea made her numb, and he entered her. She let out a painful cry. “A blunt injection!” Eva cursed and withdrew her body. Boaz turned on the light from the socket next to their bed. The bright light shone all over the room. She turned her face toward her husband. Curiosity had taken the better part of her. She had never seen the nakedness of a mature man. Now that the opportunity had presented itself, she thought it wise to take advantage of it.
That was when her eyes met the birthmark on his thigh. A scar from a burn. The only thing that would help identify her long-lost brother. Eva lost her breath.
Read – You Knew – A Short Story by Juliet Ikegwuonu, Nigeria
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