26/06/2023
🔞📜
Episode 2-3
🏪🔞Forbidden desire🔞🏪
🌠 Episode 2🌠
(From the writer’s point of view)
It was a bright Saturday morning at Saint Andrew’s Parish. The church was filled with lots of wedding guests. Ranging from family members, friends, colleagues and well-wishers who were all present to witness the holy matrimony of the newest couple in town. In persons of Nathan age 30 and Daniella age 26.
Nathan saw Daniella for the first time in a supermarket and fell in love with her at first sight. And after exchanging contacts, they both began talking on the phone and texting each other until Daniella finally gave in to Nathan’s relationship proposal after 2 whole months of constant love profession from Nathan.
And all through their years of dating, Daniella had not for once regretted her decision of accepting to date Nathan. And that’s because Nathan was a cool, considerate, caring, and kind-hearted young man, who was ready to go out of his way to please his woman. And because of his sweet personality, Daniella didn’t think it twice to say yes when he finally asked her to marry him after 3 years of dating.
At exactly 11 am, the officiating priest after a short sermon summoned the couple to stand before the altar where they stood facing each other with gladness in their hearts.
Then facing the congregation, the Priest asked,
“If any one of you have or know of any reason why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, then speak up now or forever hold your peace,” He said.
Hearing this, some of the guests started murmuring and looking over their shoulders.
And when no one stepped forward, the priest then proceeded with the marriage rites. He handed a booklet containing the marriage vow to the bride who held it in her left hand. Then with her right hand raised, she began.
“Today, in the presence of God, our friends, families, and well-wishers who are currently present to witness this union, I Daniella Gozie take you Nathan Igwe to be my lawfully wedded husband. Giving you everything I am and everything I will grow to be. I promise to be true to you in good times, in sickness and in health. I promise to love and honour you all the days of my life. And I vow to be your truest friend. I promise to share your hopes and dreams while working to help you achieve the goals you hold dear. I promise to always be right by your side and to listen patiently with an open heart. I pledge to you my fidelity, honesty, submission, compassion and forgiveness. I vow to love you always, no matter what the future holds. I will be your most loyal confidant and friend, and your loving wife because you are my heart and my soul now and forever. This I solemnly vow” She said smiling helplessly.
Hearing this, the crowd applauded in great excitement. Then handing the booklet to Nathan, he also vowed.
“Today, in the presence of God, our friends, families, and well-wishers who are currently present to witness this union, I Nathan Igwe take you Daniella Gozie to be my lawfully wedded wife. Giving you everything I am and everything I will grow to be. I promise to be true to you in good times, in sickness and in health. I promise to love and honour you all the days of my life. And I vow to be your truest friend. I promise to share your hopes and dreams while working to help you achieve the goals you hold dear. I promise to always be right by your side and to listen patiently with an open heart. I pledge to you my fidelity, honesty, loyalty, compassion and forgiveness. I vow to love you always, no matter what the future holds. I will be your most loyal confidant and friend, and your loving husband because you are my heart and my soul now and forever. This I solemnly vow” He said.
After a round of applause from the congregation, the priest then proceeded to bless the couple. Then joining their hands together, he asked,
“Do you Daniella Gozie take Nathan Igwe to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?” He asked.
Then with an affirmative nod and a charming smile, Daniella responded,
“Yes, I do,” She said smiling brightly at Nathan who couldn’t stop blushing from ear to ear.
Then turning to Nathan, the priest asked the same question and Nathaniel responded,
“Yes, I do”
After hearing their responses, the priest then motioned the ring bearer to step forward. Then taking the rings from the ring bearer, the priest blessed them and handed one to Daniella who held Nathan’s left hand and with a smile on her face, she began.
“I give you this ring today as a sign of my love and faithfulness. In the name of the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen,” She said slipping the ring into Nathan’s finger. And he equally did the same.
Then with a bright smile, the priest said,
“With the power bestowed on me, I hereby pronounce you man and wife. Congratulations. You may kiss your bride” He said.
Then without further ado, Nathan slowly unveiled his beautiful bride and pulled her into a kiss which got the entire congregation clapping, taking pictures and videos in excitement.
🌠 Episode 3🌠
(Five years later)
Nathan had returned from work that Thursday evening only to meet his wife sobbing on the couch that was in the living room.
“Sweetheart?” Nathan called quickly dropping his suitcase and his car keys on the centre table.
Then with curiosity and concern on his face, he sat next to her and asked,
“Babe, what’s wrong? You don’t look okay. Why are you crying?” Nathan asked worriedly.
But Danielle remained silent. Then folding her arms, she looked away breaking into more tears.
Seeing her in such a condition made Nathan restless and worried sick. He quickly placed his palm on her cheek and gently turned her face towards his.
Then staring steadily into her eyes, he asked,
“My love. What is it? Why are you crying? You know how much I love and adore you don’t you? And I’m sure you are fully aware that seeing you in such a situation only breaks my heart. So please, open up to me. Tell me what exactly is going on” Nathan said pleadingly.
Then with a deep breath, Daniella wiped off her tears and began,
“Nathan. This is the fifth year of our marriage. Yet, there is nothing to show for it. For the past five years, I’ve been battling depression all because of my inability to bear a child. Nathan when exactly will this change? When exactly will I become a mother like all my friends who got married after me? I’m seriously losing it, Nathan. The side talks, the mockery, the insults and humiliation is seriously beginning to get to me. And at this point, I don’t even know what to do anymore. Like, what exactly is my offence? What wrong have I committed in time past to warrant such punishment from God?” She lamented all at once.
Nathan who was suddenly weakened by her words, didn’t know what to do or say. Rather, he slowly took off his hand from her cheek and coldly readjusted himself on the couch.
Then burying his head in his palms with a deep sigh, he said,
“I’m truly sorry Daniella. I’m truly sorry” He apologised remorsefully.
Hearing this, Daniella shook her head in disagreement and said,
“Babe, why apologise when it’s not even your fault? If there’s anyone to apologise then it should be me. Because I failed in my duty and responsibility to bear you children. I really should be ashamed of myself” Daniella said fighting back tears.
Then sitting upright, Nathan took her hands and said,
“My love, this is not your fault in any way. So please stop pushing the blames on yourself because it really breaks my heart to see you do so” Nathan said.
“Then what would you rather have me do? I am just confused…..”
Daniella was yet speaking when Nathan cupped her lips with his in a deep kiss that suddenly got her silent. Then pulling his lips away from hers, he cupped her cheeks in both palms. Then with a reassuring smile, he said,
“Babe, trust me. We will have a child of our own in due time. Okay?” Nathan asked.
Then with an affirmative nod, Daniella responded.
“Okay,” She said giving a pathetic smile.
“Now, that’s my baby girl,” Nathan said wiping her tears.
Then pulling closer, he embraced Daniella and began rubbing her back with sadness in his eyes.
Later that night, Nathan who couldn’t bring himself to sleep, quietly stepped out to have a drink with his best friend Caleb who was also his colleague and best man at his wedding five years ago.
Arriving at the bar, Caleb met Nathan staring helplessly at his cup of beer with both arms folded on the table while lost deep in thoughts.
He walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder jolting Nathan back to reality.
“Oh my God!” Nathan exclaimed with his hand on his chest. Then turning to see Caleb, he quickly composed himself.
“Oh, you are here?” He asked with a sad smile.
“Y-e-s” Caleb responded with a look of curiosity and confusion.
Seeing how Nathan reacted, Caleb couldn’t help but grab a seat for himself. Then facing Nathan, he asked,
“Nathan, is everything alright with you? I mean you look like you have a lot going on in your mind” Caleb said.
Then waving at the waiter who walked up to him, Caleb said,
“A bottle of beer, please. The same brand as his” He said pointing at Nathan’s drink.
Then with a nod, the waiter left to get his order. Then facing Nathan, Caleb continued.
“Nathan, do you mind sharing what is it that made you call me out by this time of the night?” Caleb asked leaning in with his clasped hands resting on the table.
Then without a word, Nathan reached for his cup of beer and gulped it down his throat. Then placing the cup back on the table, he began refilling it again when the waiter returned with Caleb’s order.
“Thank you,” Caleb said taking the drink from the waiter.