Teresa sat in front of the dressing mirror. Her face was fully laced with makeup and she didn't recognize the stranger sitting in front of her. Her mother stood behind her. Her hands were placed on Teresa's shoulders.
“You look beautiful, my love. Effortlessly beautiful.” Her mother beamed at her reflection.
Did she now? She only looked effortlessly beautiful because of the makeup on her face; nothing else. Her bridesmaids were bustling around the room, applying more makeup, tying corsets, struggling with heels or taking snaps. They were more excited for her wedding day, than she, the bride. It was just as well. They helped mask the melancholy she was feeling. She couldn't help feeling that the day was too perfect, it made her uneasy. The caterers had arrived on time. The cake was perfect. There was no missing shoes or dresses. Everyone was where they were meant to be. She had spoken to Kelvin, her husband to be, earlier. He was also beaming, clearly excited to get married to her. He had expressed his excitement and delight at getting to see her finally and having her by his side for the rest of his life. It wasn't like Teresa wasn't happy to be getting married to this wonderful, handsome hunk of a man. He had been courting her for a year. Their relationship was perfect in the sense that they trusted each other wholly. They communicated clearly with one another and never let issues fester. And it had been easy. Kelvin's parents loved her and her mum loved Kelvin in return. It was the perfect Nigerian marriage. So, why couldn't she erase this weird feeling from her heart.
“Smile now. Why do you look resigned?” Her best friend, Sola said as she grabbed a lipstick from the dressing table.
“Don't mind me. Wedding jitters.” Teresa replied, as she plastered a tight smile on her face.
“What's there to be jittery about, Teresa? Don't jinx this day for us, please.” Her mum retorted as she pulled Teresa to face her. “This wedding is going to be perfect. Kelvin loves you and you love him back. It's clear. Everything is perfect, there's no mishap. So put on your best smile and let today be the best day of your life. Do you hear me, Tete?” Her mum asked as she held Teresa's cheeks tenderly, so as not to smudge her makeup.
“Yes, Mama.” Teresa felt reassured after listening to her mum and so she shoved the melancholic feelings deep down. Everything was perfect.
Teresa had finally arrived at the wedding hall. The guests were already sitted and the hall was full to brimming. Kelvin was waiting for her by the altar and her dearest Uncle Tobi was by the door, waiting to lead her down the aisle. He was representing her dad who had died seven years ago. Bless his soul. She hoped he was up there, happy to watch this wonderful day hold. She stepped out elegantly, all smiles, her previous worries forgotten. It was her day. She wasn't going to ruin it for herself. Uncle Tobi hurried to her side, his grin so wide, it almost reached his ears.
“You look wonderful, Tete. I'm happy to be experiencing this wonderful day with you.” He said in his gruff voice which endeared him to her.
“Thanks, Uncle Tobi.” He offered his arm and she slipped her hand in his, her best friend holding the hem of her gown as they walked towards the church. The renowned hymn, “Here Comes The bride” started playing as she stepped into the church and everybody rose. All around, she saw smiles and happiness radiating from faces but the one who truly caught her attention was the man standing by the altar. He looked awestruck, his eyes alight with wonder at the lovely angel walking down the aisle. He rubbed his hands together nervously as she threw a smile at him. She got to the altar and there was this silent communication of love between them as the priest started reading the vows aloud. They took their holy vows and then came the question that almost all couples feared.
In his baritone voice, the priest asked, “If there is anyone here who objects to this marriage, speak or forever remain silent.” Kelvin could see the apprehension mirrored in Teresa's eyes. The church was silent, then someone said, “I object.” Murmurs started spreading as people tried to locate the source of the voice. Teresa’s heart raced as she envisioned her wedding in ruins. She knew it was too perfect.
“Step forward.” The priest ordered. A man stood up from the last pew. He was tall and lanky, his face fully bearded. He had sunglasses on which he removed and put in his pocket. Kelvin's eyes lit up in recognition. It was his best friend, Tega who had been out of the country for years.
“My guy, how will you want to marry, you won't even let somebody know? Anyhow, we will catch up later. I was just kidding. I can't object to this.” Tega concluded as he grinned. Some people hissed, while some exhaled in relief. That was a crude joke Tega had performed and Kelvin couldn't wait to berate him for it.
The priest shook his head in annoyance, then turned to the couple. “In the absence of any meaningful objections, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The priest said with a smile on his face and Kelvin turned to face his wife. He held her waist tenderly and pulled her close before lowering his head for a kiss that made the church ring out in applause and cheers.
This was the moment Teresa had been waiting for. Their wedding night. They had both promised each other to wait till their wedding night before proceeding with any act of sexual intimacy. Teresa was comfortable with this promise because she had been raised on the knowledge that premarital sex was not safe and was against the commandments of God. Same as Kelvin.
Kelvin stepped out of the bathroom, rubbing his towel on his head to dry the water in his hair. He looked at Teresa lying on the bed in her lingerie and he could feel no stirring in his loins. He had desire for her but he couldn't feel anything. He wondered how he would break the news to her that he was impotent. He lay beside her and saw the desire in her eyes. She laid a hand on his bare chest and started toying with the hair on his chest, before pulling close to him. He sat upright abruptly.
“Teresa, I have to tell you something.” He said as he stood up and started pacing the length of their bedroom.
“What is it, Kelvin? Can't it wait?” She asked, her voice husky.
“No, it can't, Teresa. I'm sorry I didn't tell you this throughout the time we were courting. I love you so much and I couldn't think of losing you. I didn't know if you would stay when i told you.”
“Kelvin? What are you trying to say?” Teresa's mind ran through the options. What was the thing?
“I cannot have sex. I am impotent. I can't give you children.” He blurted out in a rush. Now, that the truth had been let out, the silence spread and yawned between them. Teresa was so silent, Kelvin had to turn to look her in the face. She just sat there, staring at him blankly.
“Teresa, please, say something.” He pleaded.
Teresa looked at Kelvin. This was the moment that changed everything. The moment that turned Kelvin into a familiar stranger. How he could keep this from her throughout their courting stage, how he could lie to her, was not something she could decipher. He knew that the one thing she wanted most in the world apart from him was a child of her own. He knew it but he had kept hiding his condition from her. She knew that if he had told her early, she would never have left him. She would have reassured him that they could work through everything together. Their love was stronger than that. But, instead he had trapped her in this marriage before revealing his secret. The saddest thing was that he hadn't trusted her enough to talk to her and her heart broke. The perfect day had turned into an imperfect night. And it would probably remain imperfect for the entirety of their marriage.
She lifted the duvet over herself before saying in a low voice. “Kelvin, let's just sleep, please.”
