The sun rose slowly over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the family home as the wedding day approached. Simi stood at her bedroom window, looking out at the bright colours of the morning sky. The beauty of the day seemed almost surreal, given the turmoil that had consumed her heart and mind in recent weeks. Today was supposed to be a celebration, but instead, she felt a growing sense of dread. The house was buzzing with activity; laughter and chatter echoed through the halls as family members and friends rushed to finish preparations. The scent of fresh flowers permeated the air, mixing with the aroma of breakfast being prepared in the kitchen. However, beneath the festive atmosphere was an undercurrent of tension that Simi could not ignore. "Mom!" Temi's voice rang out from downstairs, breaking Simi's reverie. "I cannot find my shoes!"
Simi turned away from the window, a smile tugging on her lips despite her anxiety. "I will help you!" she replied, forcing herself to set aside her worries for the time being. As Simi walked downstairs, she felt a knot form in her stomach. Today was supposed to be a fresh start, but it felt more like the end—a jumble of secrets and unresolved conflicts that threatened to destabilize everything. Abosede bustled around the living room, adjusting decorations and making sure everything was in place. Her face brightened as she saw Simi. "Oh, here you are!" she exclaimed. "You look stunning!" before wrapping her arms around Simi in a warm embrace.
"Thank you, Mom," Simi said softly. Her heart was filled with love for her mother, but it was also heavy with uncertainty. "Did you see Temi?" "She is in her room," Abosede explained. Her eyes were bright with excitement. "She cannot wait to see you in that dress!" Simi smiled at the thought of Temi's enthusiasm, which reminded her of why this day was so important. When she entered Temi's room, she discovered her daughter sitting on the floor, surrounded by toys and scattered shoes.
"Mommy!" Temi exclaimed, her face lit up when she saw Simi. "Look at my dress! I am going to be the flower girl!" Simi knelt by Temi, admiring the delicate dress that twirled around her daughter's petite figure. "You look gorgeous!" Temi laughed. Her enthusiasm was contagious. "Could I help you get ready?" "Well, of course!" Simi said, grinning as she took Temi's hands. "Let's find your shoes first." As they searched for Temi's shoes together, Simi felt a fleeting moment of joy amidst the chaos; this was what family was about—supporting each other through every moment. Once they found Temi's shoes tucked beneath a pile of toys, Simi helped her put them on before heading back downstairs to prepare for her fitting. As she stepped into her wedding dress—a stunning creation that blended traditional elements with modern flair—Simi felt a mix of emotions wash over her. The fabric hugged her curves perfectly, and she couldn't help but admire herself in the mirror. But as soon as she caught sight of Gbolahan's reflection behind her, that sense of pride quickly faded. He stood at the doorway, his expression unreadable as he took in his daughter's appearance.
"You look beautiful," he said finally, a hint of pride in his voice. "Thanks," Simi replied, her heart racing as she prepared for their conversation. "I wanted to talk to you about something." Gbolahan raised an eyebrow, a flicker of concern crossing his features. "What is it?" "I know today is important for our family," Simi began, fighting against the uncertainty creeping into her voice. "But I need you to understand that I want this wedding to reflect who I am—not just what everyone expects." Gbolahan crossed his arms, a defensive posture that made Simi's heart sink. "What do you mean by that?" "I mean I want my choices to matter," Simi said firmly, the resolve building within her once more. "I don't want to feel like I'm being forced into something I don't want." Gbolahan frowned, his expression hardening slightly. "You're making this personal! This is about family honour! You have responsibilities!" "I understand that," Simi replied, fighting against the frustration bubbling within herself once more. "But my happiness matters too! If we're going to be a family, we need honesty—no more secrets or hidden agendas." Gbolahan opened his mouth to respond but paused, considering her words carefully. "Simi… this is not just about you anymore; it affects everyone." Simi felt tears prick at her eyes; how could he not see how much this affected her? "I can't live my life according to someone else's expectations," she said softly. Just then, Abosede entered the room, her presence breaking the tension slightly. "Is everything alright?" "We're just having a discussion," Gbolahan said curtly, a hint of irritation evident in his tone. Simi exchanged glances with Abosede, who looked concerned but remained silent. She knew this was a pivotal moment; if they didn't address these issues now, they might never have another chance. "I love you both," Simi said quietly, a hint of desperation creeping into her voice. "But I need you to understand that I can't go through with this wedding if it means sacrificing who I am." Abosede stepped forward, taking Simi's hands in hers. "You deserve happiness, my dear," she said softly. "But you also have to consider your father's feelings." Gbolahan nodded slowly, his expression softening slightly as he looked between them. "I don't want you to feel trapped," he admitted reluctantly. "But this is important for our family." The weight of his words hung heavily in the air; Simi felt torn between love for her family and desire for autonomy. "I understand that," she said quietly, fighting against the tears threatening to spill over her cheeks once again, feeling overwhelmed by everything happening around them all right now. Just then, Temi burst into the room again, a bright smile on her face as she held up another drawing—this time depicting a bright sun shining down on flowers blooming in vibrant colours. "Look what I made!" Temi exclaimed excitedly, a beaming smile on her face. Simi couldn't help but smile back at Temi's enthusiasm; it was clear that despite any underlying tensions or fears surrounding their family dynamics—love still thrived within their little unit. "That's beautiful!" Simi praised, bending down to admire Temi's work. "You're such a talented artist." Temi giggled excitedly; it was clear that despite any underlying tensions or fears surrounding their family dynamics—love still thrived within their little unit. As they gathered around together once more, Simi felt renewed determination rising within herself; perhaps there was still hope for their family amidst all these changes. But just as they began discussing plans for their art party later that evening, Simi suddenly felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her once more. What if Gbolahan refused to listen? What if he insisted on going through with the wedding arrangements without considering how she truly felt? As if sensing her distress, Abosede stepped closer and placed a reassuring hand on Simi's shoulder. "We'll figure this out together," she said gently. With those words echoing in her mind, Simi knew that whatever happened next would require courage and strength from all sides—and perhaps even some sacrifices along the way. As they prepared for the ceremony later that day, Simi felt a mix of excitement and anxiety; today would be either the end or the beginning—an opportunity to prioritize love over obligation.