From this day forward… Part 1

Tokunbo planted a kiss on his wife’s lips and swept her up into his arms just before they entered the hotel lobby.

His wife.

Mrs Atinuke Williams.

They had waited for two years, three months and twenty two days for this day: To become husband and wife.

They had both decided to abstain from sex till they got married in line with the scriptures. A decision which didn’t pose as a challenge at first, but as their relationship progressed, it became increasingly difficult, especially after they got engaged. They both took courage from the bible verse in Hebrews 13:4 – ‘Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled’. They kept themselves by adhering to some strict boundaries.

The hotel staff smiled at the new couple and wished them congratulatory messages after handing them the electronic keycard to their honeymoon suite.

Earlier In the day, they had been joined in holy matrimony in a very small ceremony in the presence of family and friends. Tokunbo was transfixed the moment he set his eyes on Atinuke as she walked down the aisle with her father. He had never seen her look so beautiful. Tears had welled up in his eyes as he recited the words that came from his heart:

‘My dearest Atinuke, my heartbeat, soul mate and best friend. I bless God for that beautiful day He brought you into my life. I promise you today in the presence of God Almighty and everyone gathered here to love you with all that I am and all that I have. To hold your hands as we go through life together and never leave you. To lead as God intends, to be faithful to you and be a shoulder for you to lean on when the going gets tough. I promise to love you from this day onwards till death parts us’

Tears flowed down Atinuke’s cheeks as she said her vows:

‘Tokunbo Jolayemi Williams, my TJ, I pledge to you this day my love and fidelity for you. I promise to be a helpmate for you, to honour you and care for you. I vow to submit to you as the head of our home as Christ is the head of the church. I look forward to growing old with you my darling TJ, to have kids with you and a home filled with joy and laughter.

They had a small reception in a 5 star restaurant afterwards. They had opted to have a small wedding, much to the resistance and disappointment of their families instead of the usual Nigerian carnival-style weddings.

Tokunbo’s heart raced to match the excitement flowing through his body. He was finally going to see all those curves that her clothes had hidden so well. He inserted the keycard into the key slot and the light didn’t turn green. He did it again but it remained red.

‘TJ, calm down’ his wife teased as she took the card from his hands and inserted it in. He had obviously inserted it the wrong way. The green light ushered them into a ‘cosy romantic haven’ as described on the hotel’s website. Atinuke could now see why it was so expensive. She had argued about it being too exorbitant when Tokunbo told her the price and had suggested they booked somewhere cheaper. It’s not like there was a rule which says newlyweds had to stay in honeymoon suite. But Tokunbo had insisted on booking the room because he wanted their wedding night to be very memorable.

Tokunbo placed his wife delicately on the cosy bed and immediately stooped to take off his socks and shoes. Who knew taking off socks and shoes could take so long.

‘TJ, I need to use the toilet’

‘Really? Or is someone shy?’ he teased and leaned to give her a kiss.

‘TJ I’m serious jor, after all that wine we drank at the wedding’ she got up and walked towards the bathroom.

‘Sha make it fast cos this man can’t wait’ he replied impatiently as his eyes travelled the length of her body and lingered on her feminine curves.

After what seemed like eternity, Atinuke stepped out of the bathroom and Tokunbo winked as he mouthed ’finally’.

He deposited tender kisses on his lips, eyes, and nose and finally on her lips again. He felt her stiffen.

‘I’ll be gentle, Tinu.’ He kissed her neck and his lips began to travel down her body-

‘Tokunbo, I’m… I’m not a virgin’ Atinuke whispered.

Tokunbo continued to plant kisses all over her body, he was too engrossed in the moment.

‘Did you hear me?’

He stopped.

He felt a wave of cold water all over his body as he registered what he just heard. He pushed his body from her and sank to his knees at the foot of the bed. He couldn’t believe what he just heard. It had to be a joke; they had talked about this before.

Tinu was a virgin.

The look on her face told him otherwise.

‘Tokunbo, I’m soooo sorry’

Thanks for reading. Part 2 would be up next Friday. Please leave a comment and share!
Xoxo.

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Tagged: faith, family, forgiveness, heartbreak, love, marriage, relationship