Post by Being Ready And Stable (BRAS) (@brashub)

NNEKA'S DIARY XXVIII

We signed the papers.
Philip and Mrs. Chucks signed as witnesses.
When the registrar stamped the document and handed us our marriage certificate, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.
This was real now.
Legal. Official. No going back.

Outside the registry, Kunle pulled me aside.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"Like I just signed my life away."
The look on his face made me laugh.
"I'm joking. I feel settled. Like I've finally arrived where I was always meant to be."

He took my hands.
"I know we have the church wedding on Saturday, but this is the moment I'll never forget."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because this is when it became real. Not the ceremony. Not the crowd. Just us, the witnesses—people that matter in our lives—and the promise."

I smiled. He kissed me, right there and then. It came as a surprise, but I liked it.
"I love you, Nneka."
"I love you too, Nkem."

He looked at me and said, "I like the sound of that. What does it mean?"
I told him he would have to pay to be taught. He said, "So long as the money won't be refunded in anger." We both laughed.

We were so engrossed with each other that we forgot people had come with us. When we turned and saw the team watching us with admiration, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.

After the registry, we went to a small restaurant nearby. Philip and Kelvin insisted on paying for everyone's meal, despite Kunle's protests.
Mrs. Chucks prayed for us—the kind of prayer that makes you feel like God is truly listening.
All through the meal, Kunle held my hand under the table.

That night, we still went our separate ways.
But he called.
"Can't sleep," he said.
"Me neither."
"Two more days."
"I know."
"Are you scared?"
I thought about it.
"No. Just eager. Like a child waiting for Christmas morning."
He laughed.
"That's exactly how I feel too."

I remember him saying goodnight several times and still asking, "Are you there?"
I can't remember when I finally drifted off to sleep.
All I remember is the sound of his voice and the thought that in two days, I would be marrying the love of my life.

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