Awurade ee, W’ahene so ooo,

Awurade ee, Wo tumi so ooo,

Yesu eeee, whan na ɔne wo sɛ,

Obiara ni hɔ bi oo, wiase nyinaa yɛ wo dea…

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and the date was 30th November.

The day of Deladem and Olivia’s wedding.

As the sun hung high in the sky, its hot rays casting a golden glow over the compound adorned with colourful décor, family members and friends of the couple, dressed in their finest traditional attire, were gathered, excited as the sounds of MOGmusic’s local praise medley boomed, signaling the entrance of the groom.

From the far end of the compound, the groom train emerged. A visibly pregnant Nana Asor led the line, followed by Becky and Clarence. The man of the moment, dancing his head off, was followed by Bruce and some of his colleagues from Velvet FM. Their outfits shimmering in shades of gold and royal blue, they were a vision of coordinated elegance.

“Ahhh, Didayy-Didayy! Didday-Didday!”

The cheers and adulations were unrelenting as the train made their way to the gathering. The joy was tangible all around, and as everyone sang along to the song, nobody could deny that this was going to be one amazing day.

***

“Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude and joy! Indeed, this is the day you have made, and we are glad and we rejoice in it! Indeed O God, You the Giver of good gifts, this is Your doing, and it is marvelous in our sight!”

The ceremony had gone to plan as expected. Olivia and her bridesmaids made their entry, and as expected, her family head had had asked if she wanted her family to accept the dowry brought forward by the Fugah family, to which she eagerly replied in the positive. Now she and Deladem had exchanged vows, and as they knelt before the men of God present, holding hands, one of them stepped forward to pray for them.

Of course, it couldn’t be anyone else but Bishop Gordon.

“We lift up Deladem and Olivia, Your children, whom You have brought together in holy matrimony, according to Your divine plan. Father, You said in Your Word that the two shall become one flesh. We thank You for this union. In the name of Jesus, we speak Your abundant blessings upon them. May their home be a sanctuary of peace, love, and joy! May they grow together in faith, supporting and uplifting each other as they walk the path You have laid before them!”

“I decree and I declare that this union shall be unshakable! No weapon formed against them shall prosper, and every tongue that rises up against this marriage, we condemn in the name of Jesus! I come against every plan of the enemy to disrupt their harmony, and I declare that their plans shall not stand or come to pass.  I decree that wisdom will guide them in every decision, that grace will cover their shortcomings, and that divine provision will overflow in their lives! Lord, I call forth blessings over their family and generations yet unborn. May their children rise up to be mighty in the land! May their legacy shine as a beacon of righteousness and love for You. Father, let their marriage be a testimony to Your glory, drawing others to Your light!”

“In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I declare: Deladem and Olivia, you are blessed! Your marriage is blessed! Your future is blessed! And what is blessed cannot be cursed! In the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ! And the people of God shall say…”

The crowd erupted in a thunderous “Amen!”

Cheers and ululations filled the air as Bishop Gordon stepped back, smiling warmly at the couple, who now stood, hands clasped, beaming with joy.

***

Deladem and Olivia sat side by side at their ornately decorated table, their hands still intertwined as they watched the lively dancefloor. The reception was ongoing, and the vibes were simply magnificent, with everyone enjoying the music on deck. The DJ really understood the assignment.

The sounds of King Paluta’s ‘Makoma’ echoed, and the screams of excitement were almost deafening. As the couple observed with delight, they watched their groomsmen and ladies.

“Ei, Livi, see Asor!” Deladem gasped, nodding in the direction of their friend. Her six-month baby bump was certainly no hindrance as she laughed and danced up close with Bruce, who was just as animated, egging her on.

Olivia saw her and chuckled. “Ei, Asor isn’t easy oo!”

“At all. See the twerking she dey do. Herh, does she want to make our niece dizzy inside there or what?”

Olivia rolled her eyes playfully, smacking Deladem lightly on the shoulder. “Herh, Dela, leave her alone, wai! Nothing will happen to the baby. Let her enjoy herself, na she deserves it! Didn’t she say she’s meant the dance floor?”

Deladem held his hands up in surrender. “Okay ooo, if you say so, my lovely wife. I’ll not inflict any vawulence on her, although she’ll deserve it.”

Olivia laughed. “Ah, Dela!”

“Am I lying? Who likes vawulence more than her? She who sows unwarranted vawulence, shall reap unwarranted vawulence. Simple.”

Olivia continued to laugh. “You’re crazy, Dela. And that’s why you’re my husband.”

As the two grinned at each other, the DJ switched to another banger: Lomo Lomo by Kidi.

Olivia immediately grabbed her husband’s hand and rose to her feet. “Ei, Dela, this one diɛɛ, we must dance!”

***

“Chale, it’s serious oo! Every evening biaa, by 6, then you’ll hear her… ‘Herh, Kwabraa!! Brɛ mi Star baako!’ And from the sound of things, she doesn’t use an opener. I’m sure she uses her teeth, coz the ‘krɛ’ you’ll hear diɛɛ…”

Two months had passed, and the Fugah couple had moved into their new home. A lovely, humble bungalow within a gated community, its essence was one of joy and simplicity. That lovely Sunday afternoon, the squad, minus Becky who was still on her way, were seated in the living room with the couple, listening to Olivia’s tale of one of their new neighbours.

Her nasal imitation of the neighbour’s voice and the sheer hilarity behind her facial expressions had the group in stitches.

“It’s the Kwabraa for me! Eiii!” Nana Asor gasped, already in a stitch.

“And the ‘krɛ’! Herh, Olivia, you are not correct!” Delasi added, laid back on the couch.

Deladem could only shake his head as he glanced at his glowing wife reveling in the madness of her story. “Guys, this woman, eh, I no know how she dey catch all these details. My brain dey still dey bost pass…”

The sound of a horn interrupted his speech. The squad looked outside.

“Miss OB has arrived!” he announced, a smirk on his face.

“Ahhh, the Madam herself is in the building!” Clarence added, as he got up to make his way outside and open the gate.

Two minutes later, he reentered the living room. Becky followed, dressed to kill as usual.

“Oh wow! Mr. and Mrs. Fugah, your home is beautiful ooo!” she gasped, looking around in admiration. “This is gorgeous, I love it!”

“Thank you, love! All my handiwork, you know,” Olivia responded, the familiar mischievous glint in her eyes as she ignored Deladem’s hard stare. “By the way, turn around.”

Becky stopped, confused. “What?”

Olivia made a circling motion with her finger. “Turn around, girl,” she repeated. “Coz you are looking delicious.”

“Ahh, Olivia has said it for us. Rebecca Maayaa diɛɛ, sizeless ooo!” Bruce snickered.

“Chaleee! Bodzyy mu Michael Jackson! Madam FCC!” Deladem laughed.

Becky shook her head. “Eh, please, I beg you, don’t come and give me pressure,” she insisted as she took her seat next to Delasi. “I know I look good, wai. Don’t overstress me.”

That response had everyone a bit surprised. “Ei. No mention of Margot Robbie again? You don’t want to become like her again?” Bruce asked mischievously.

Becky smirked and shook her head. “No please. Na when was the last time you heard me mention anything about her?”

“Eeeeeeeiiiiii!” everyone exclaimed dramatically. Indeed, she had dropped the joke for quite a while, and it hadn’t taken long for the squad to deduce that her relationship with Rakim had played a big factor in that.

“Eii. Chale, Clay, your boss do wonders ooo!” Deladem stated, a smirk on his face. “As he come the picture inside, Maayaa no dey do Margot Robbie skirmishes!”

“The FCC effect is FCC effecting!” Olivia joked.

Nana Asor, heavily pregnant at this point, simply shot her best friend a mock scornful look. Becky saw it and braced herself, knowing some silly comment was on its way.

“Look at you. So because some macho man is pressing your bottos, you are now behaving, eh?”

Standard nonsense from the group’s trash talker.

“Hey, hey, hey, hey, my friend, you are out of order! What is the meaning of that?” Deladem instantly descended on her. “You can’t be slandering Mrs. FCC like that, you hear. How dare you!”

“Ashock sef,” Clarence joined in. “Na even if he was pressing her bottos, is it your matter? Is it your bottos? Have they written your name on it?”

“Ask again, my guy, ask again!”

Just another lovely gathering among these friends, where you could count on Deladem and Clarence to call Nana Asor out for her silly remarks. All laughs and fun.

***

Your name is a strong tower, Jesus,

To You belong all power, Jesus,

Whenever I call Your name, You make a way,

Your name is a strong tower, Jesus…

Another joyous Sunday in Shalom Temple, as the choir led the congregation in praises. Everyone was in full voice on their feet, singing praises to the One who deserved it all.

Akpene was the one with the mic at the moment, and she was in full glow as she sang with happiness.

Bishop Gordon was on his feet, swaying to the praises. As he observed his wife, his heart swelled with a mix of emotions—pride, gratitude, and something deeper.

Peace.

He had never known this feeling in his first marriage. Of course, that had been solely his fault. He’d been consumed with making sure Kimberley “fulfilled purpose”, and the tragedy that followed as a result of that rigid and arrogant behviour had haunted him long enough.

He wasn’t joking when he made that promise to himself and to God that he wouldn’t push Akpene or try mold her into his ideal image of what a man of God’s wife should be. Indeed, he had simply focused on loving and serving her as Christ loved the Church while he led the flock entrusted to him by God. That was enough.

And now, here she was, leading praises—not because he had asked or expected it, but because she wanted to.

“Thank you, Lord,” he whispered under his breath, his hands high in praise. “You didn’t have to do this, but You did. I’m grateful.”

The music swelled, and so did his heart, full of joy and gladness.

***

WhatsApp Group: The Squad

Bruce: People! Asor’s water just broke! We’re heading to the hospital now! Pray for us! 🙏❤️

Hasn’t it been a blast seeing the squad celebrate these happy moments together? Well, we’re ending on this sweet note…