Well, it’s been a wonderful reunion with our Dolphyne people. Time to bring it to a sweet end…
Every praise is to our God, every word of worship with one accord,
Every praise, every praise is to our God…
It was time for offering in Triumphant Chapel, and as the choir joyfully sang Hezekiah Walker’s “Every Praise”, the aura of joy was tangibly present, as many of the congregants were on their feet singing along and dancing to the song. Whether they were moving to the front to drop their envelopes in the offertory baskets or had already done so, people were busily rejoicing and giving God the praise the song declared belongs to Him.
The most notable among the dancing congregants were the two newlyweds seated at the front.
Mr. and Mrs. Sedudzi.
Both dressed in white, nobody else looked happier than the two, who both waved their handkerchiefs and moved their bodies with glee as the choir sang.
And why not? By the grace of God, they had had an amazing weekend, and were now officially husband and wife.
As the choir ended their song and everyone took their seats, Pastor Lois walked over to the podium. “Halleluyah!” she called. The congregation having responded, she started. “We thank God for a wonderful service. So yesterday… yesterday was simply magnificent, wasn’t it?”
The congregation cheered loudly in agreement.
“What a beautiful ceremony it was! We witnessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sedudzi yesterday, and this morning, they are here, looking so spectacular… dazzling… resplendent… radiant… see, I’m out of words to describe how they’re looking. Please, the latest Mr. and Mrs. in town, kindly join me here.”
Edem and Diamond got up and duly walked over to the podium, smiling as they joined the pastor. She turned to the congregation. “See why I used all those adjectives? They’re just glowing with the glory of the Lord, aren’t they?”
The congregation cheered in agreement.
“And I’m sure the glory of the Lord manifested in a very powerful way last night…if you know what I mean…”
The couple and the congregation laughed at Pastor Lois’ mischievous innuendo.
“Haha! That’s just by the way. Please, if there’s something to say to us, please go ahead.”
The congregation agreed as Pastor Lois gave the mic to Edem to speak. He cleared his throat.
“Hallelujah! Well, I remember the first time I met Diamond. My dog actually nearly attacked her and Serwaah that fateful day, and I managed to stop her before anything happened. I remember she wasn’t very happy with me after it happened, and she literally was ready to just walk away. I didn’t expect that that little ‘accident’, if I can put it that way, would lead me to the woman I’d call my wife.
“Yesterday was just the realization of a dream I had kept in my heart since the day I fell for her, and I’m so grateful to everyone who made it possible. From our families and friends to everyone here. Reverend Ocran, Pastor Lois… everyone at Triumphant Chapel who made this dream a beautiful reality. My wife and I are eternally grateful for all you have done for us. And I can assure you that we will certainly visit every now and then. Thank you so much, and God bless you!”
***
2 pm in the afternoon, and the Dolphyne residence was holding a lunch.
Under the cheese tents, the Dolphyne family and some select friends and loved ones were seated as they dined and reminisced over the weekend’s events. Memories had been made as they witnessed Edem and Diamond become man and wife, and they were worth recounting in this relaxed atmosphere.
With his wife in the house, Edem was busily chatting with Chief Tay, Jackson and Jason, the latter of who was the only single man in the convo.
“But chale, if you catch that stage eh, the way your priorities dey change,” Chief Tay told Jason. “From the time me then Mary marry, wey she born last year no, the way my eye clear. That be when I really sit up see sey manhood be serious matter. But chale, ibi beautiful thing, I no go lie.”
“No doubt,” Jackson agreed. “Being a husband and a father really be special thing. I still dey enjoy life here and there, but chale, Selasi then Lorlornyo be my major priority.”
Jason nodded. “Chale, this really be inspiring stuff.”
“Oh yeah. This stage of life be sweet waaa. Forget the negative s**t niggas go tell you about marriage. Ibi nonsense. That dema Berbatov lifestyle be inferior kraaa to this.”
Edem looked confused. “Ah, Berbatov? Why Berbatov?”
“Simple. Coz ibi sexy player lifestyle,” Chief Tay replied.
“Ahhhhh, Chief!” the guys laughed.
“But I dey lie? Then them dey take sexy skills dey confuse the small girls. Chale, inobi worth it.”
“True mohm. But chale, as you talk am, na Berbatov be some player ooo. Herh! Opana get skills!”
“Ma guy, forget C-Ro and Messi sef! See, everybody else dey play football, but that guy, na he dey have sex with football!”
“Herh! Chief, you’re out of order!” Edem laughed, pushing him away as Jackson and Jason roared with laughter.
***
Speaking of football conversations, there was one at the table where Oscar, Toby, Kwame and Shamima sat.
And it was about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
As far as the brothers were concerned, the results of the previously ended World Cup had settled the debate once and for all.
Kwame, however, was not having it one bit.
“He’s the GOAT for the where?” he scoffed. “So now, you people know that winning a World Cup is essential to the argument. Please, please, please, spare me! If he hadn’t won, you’d still be making noise that he’s the GOAT and he doesn’t need it to cement his legacy.”
“Ah, but he doesn’t!” Oscar argued. “This is just the icing on the cake for him. He’s done more than enough to prove he’s football’s greatest ever. Who again can score 91 goals in one calendar year? Tell me, who?”
“Make you no mind am!” Toby added. “Boss, the truth is the truth. Lionel Messi is the undisputed GOAT. And CR7 is not. Period.”
Kwame snorted. “Whatever. After FIFA made it so damn easy for him…”
“Really, Kwame? Really?” Shamima questioned, rolling her eyes. “I’d have believed it if the final actually ended 2-0 with the French playing that garbage. But chale, they pushed them to the limits. That was nowhere near an easy win for Argentina. Not by a long shot. There’s a reason why we’ll consider that final the greatest World Cup final for a long time to come.”
“Still, the road to the final was full of kululu. And as for the media, eh. The way they deliberately painted CR7 black was so nauseating…”
“But Kwame, he’s the only one to blame for that,” Oscar interjected. “We all know it’s mainly because of that interview with Piers Morgan.”
“True,” Shamima agreed. “The fact that he went and talked s**t about ETH was just a no-no. like, if you get beef sef, know when and where to speak. Na in the middle of busy season, and you drop a bomb like that diɛɛ, why? That thing, C-Ro never ever force.”
“Please, as far as I’m concerned, he can do whatever he wants. He’s bigger than Manchester United, bigger than ETH, bigger than everyone else!”
Toby sighed and did the facepalm as his girlfriend, a staunch Manchester United fan, protested vehemently. “Bro, if even Mr. Daniel Kwadwo Dolphyne criticized his actions, then you should know he did the wrong thing.”
“Toby, don’t mind him. It’s just denial. Eventually he’ll admit Messi is the greatest. Na even Daddy has accepted that,” Oscar stated, a smirk on his face.
“Oh really? Let me confirm,” Kwame suggested, a sly grin on his face before standing up to call Daniel.
“Hey hey hey, Kwame, sit down! Don’t put me in trouble!” Oscar begged. “I beg, I dey lie. You tell the man that Messi is greater, and he’ll lock you out of the house!”
They all laughed. There was a greater chance of fish walking on the sand than Daniel ever admitting that Messi was better than Ronaldo.
***
“Ei, these toddlers and their attention span!” Akinyi laughed as Selasi’s two year old son walked away from the table, his mind off the chips he had walked to his mother to ask for.
Selasi shook her head. “Hm! These little ones. That’s their life. This boy can be fighting with one of his cousins over plantain chips. Jackson will go and take the chips and try to share it between them, and they’ll just walk away as if they don’t care about the chips. These kids, eh.”
“Hmm, it’s not easy dealing with these ones. They’re a fulltime job,” Maabena commented. “Motherhood diɛɛ, if you don’t have a proper support system, it’ll be tough.”
“Oh yeah. And if you do, it can be such a reliever,” Selasi added. “Starting with your husband. Having a hands on husband like Jackson, eh… such a blessing. Aki, see, if there’s anything you should pray for in a husband, it’s one who makes sure your life is as comfy as possible during that period of pregnancy and after birth. Coz how Jackson cared for me during those periods… that’s when I saw that this man really loves me.”
“Co-sign, Queen Cee, co-sign,” Maabena agreed. “The way Patrick has been caring for me ever since we got the test results, it’s like I’m an egg. He always tells me that my welfare is top priority, so chale, anything I need biaa, he’ll do it. And I know it’ll be like this even after I’ve given birth.”
“Wow, this is so beautiful to hear!” Akinyi marveled. “Definitely praying for a husband like that. Most definitely.”
***
Daniel, seated between his wife and Edem’s mother, rose to his feet as the DJ turned down the volume on the music. “Hello everybody!” he called.
The chatting lessened as everyone looked in his direction.
“Time check: 5:52 pm. I know we’re all enjoying our conversations and stuff, and don’t worry, we’ll get back to them. But I have a speech to make. Hope you all will oblige me.”
Fractured but positive responses emanated from the different tables.
“Thank you, thank you very much. After all, it’s not every day that your first baby gets married.”
That statement attracted some laughs.
“So, ladies and gentlemen, this weekend has been incredible. To say it was special would be an understatement; it was beyond special. And my heart is full of joy, it really is. Seeing my daughter Diamond as a married woman now is such a blessing, and obviously, all glory goes to our God.”
Cheers of agreement and claps followed.
“The reason for this speech is that I have to acknowledge the fact that, without you all, it wouldn’t have been as incredible as it was, and I need to appreciate you all. From the day Edem came to me and made it clear he wanted Dee’s hand in marriage, you’ve all been on board to ensure this weekend would be an absolute blast, and it was!”
More claps followed.
“So in no particular order, lemme start. Miss Shamima Osman! Wedding planner extraordinaire!”
Shamima laughed as she sat next to her boyfriend.
“Ladies and gentlemen, from the day Lari put this lady in charge of all the necessities… herh, every time I see her, she’s working. Directing the vendors on where to set up. Supervising the décor guys. Moving up and down. Chale, if there’s anyone who has worked, it’s her. Shamima, God bless you and all the guys you worked with. We totally appreciate you. To the fullest. And Toby! Please, if you know, you know. So I won’t talk.”
“Mr. Fafanyo Tay. Your MC skills? Impeccable. You made these past two days so much fun, and I couldn’t be happier with your performance. Trust me, you’re a grand MC, and you’re gonna go far in this. I have no doubts about that.
“DJ Damocles. I’m sure God knew what He was doing when He let the other guy cancel, because the jams you have given us? Solid. You’ve been fantastic, and we’re so grateful.
“The bridal team! All the groomsmen and the bridesmaids… you all really showed up for the couple from the very start. Amazing young men and women. God bless you all. Siblings and friends of the couple… y’all have been amazing. And for my children, Diamond let me in on the parting gift and I was so impressed. God bless you all.
“And now, a brief word to the couple. Edem, I still remember the first time I met you.”
Edem and Diamond started laughing. Who could forget the famous ‘lion’s den’ treatment he received at Daniel’s hands?
“See eh, I told Larissa a few days ago that I didn’t expect I’d pull that thing off so well. The way I kept my face straight and maintained that wicked dad posture… I still dunno how I did it. The way I wanted to just burst out laughing, eh… But yeah, that was a memorable day. Anyways… from the first time I met you, the impression I had was a good one, and as time went on, I was pretty much convinced that if I wanted any young man to take my daughter, it would be you.
“As I stand here, Larissa and I are absolutely delighted to have you as our son-in-law. I know you’re going to treat our daughter right, and that we’ll hear nothing but good things. Don’t forget, I am your father now. I may not be Efo Godwill, but just know that I’ll be there for you as a father should. I promise you that.
“And Diamond, you know I’ve said all that needs to be said. There’s a lot we will talk about as the years go by, but for now, we celebrate this new phase of life. A phase that many long for, but don’t attain. A phase that requires a lot of work, but is infinitely awesome once you put in that work. Mr. and Mrs. Sedudzi, may your marriage be blessed!”
Everybody joined the couple in proclaiming a big ‘Amen’.
Daniel lifted the glass next to him. “To a beautiful marriage!”
“To a beautiful marriage!”
THE END
What an eventful journey it’s been! Great to see our beloved MTD friends once again. And even better, to see Edem and Diamond become one flesh! A wonderful spinoff series, without a doubt!
Thank you for reading, and as always, continue to enjoy yourself around the State!
