Chapter 364: The Wedding 1
The house was calr that morning.
Not silent. Not empty. Just steady.
Dayo was seated in the living room when Abisola returned from the family house. She did not sit imdiately. She stood in front of him, hands on her hips, looking at him the way only a mother could.
"So," she began, "you are still planning not to co today?"
He leaned back slightly in his seat, calm.
"I told you, Mama. I will co for the main wedding tomorrow."
Abisola narrowed her eyes a little. "They asked about you."
"I expected that."
"You know how our people are. When they hear you are around and you don’t show face, they start building stories."
He smiled faintly. "Let them build. I did not want to draw attention to what they were doing."
She watched him carefully.
"What they were doing was family."
"I know," he replied softly. "But that was their formal visit. The groom is kneeling. The bride’s family receives him. That mont should not be bent by noise. Even small noise."
Abisola studied him for a long second before nodding slowly. "Tomorrow is the wedding."
"I will be there."
She relaxed a little. "Clothes are ready. Everything has been arranged. Do not co and say you forgot sothing."
He chuckled. "I won’t."
Inside the house, Janet and Deborah were already moving around with too much excitent for that early hour. They had insisted on following Abisola earlier to see how preparations were going at the venue. They had returned buzzing with details.
"It’s big," Deborah said for the fifth ti. "Like very big."
Janet laughed. "You would think it’s a celebrity wedding."
Abisola shook her head at them but could not hide her smile. "Your cousin deserves it."
The rest of the day passed quietly. His father stepped out to et old friends after all, he had been to Nigeria more since his wedding, which was also done in Nigeria.
Janet and Deborah drifted between rooms, talking about outfits and hairstyles. Sharon remained near Dayo most of the afternoon, occasionally checking her phone, occasionally watching him as if she expected sothing unpredictable to happen.
anwhile, Dayo locked himself in the room; only he knew what he was doing.
Tomorrow ca quickly.
The wedding venue was large, decorated in rich colors that felt unmistakably Nigerian. Gold accents. Deep blues. Burgundy fabric layered with patterned aso ebi. The air slled faintly of perfu, food, and anticipation. Musicians were already tuning instrunts when Dayo arrived with his family.
The family had a reserved section near the front but slightly to the side. Prominent enough to matter. Subtle enough not to overshadow.
Dayo did not make an entrance. He walked in like any other family mber. No grand gestures. No theatrics with nose masks on to avoid too much attention, still. A few heads turned. A few whispers traveled. But he kept his expression relaxed and greeted only those directly in front of him.
Abisola squeezed his arm lightly. "After you greet elders, go and see Shade."
He nodded.
He moved toward the inner preparation area where the bride and her close circle were gathered. Laughter spilled from inside. The sound of makeup brushes and fabric shifting filled the room.
One of the bridesmaids stepped out just as he approached.
She froze for half a second.
"Ah."
He smiled politely. "Good morning."
"You... you’re Dayo.... Like JD." She said finding it hard to complete a sentence from her mouth as she felt shocked, she recognized him even with the nose masks on.
Her friend had once told her that her cousin was JD, but she didn’t believe it. Seeing Dayo here right in front of her, she found it hard to calm down.
After a bit, she calm donw aftwr getting an autograph and a few selfies.
"You are looking for Shade?" she said
"Yes."
She blinked as if she still needed a second to process, though again, that JD was here. "Wait here."
Her na was Tomiwa. She turned and disappeared back inside.
From within the room ca her voice.
"Shade. You need to co outside."
"I cannot co outside now," Shade replied. "You know how busy it is."
"It’s important."
"Everything is important today."
Tomiwa lowered her voice slightly. "Just co."
There was a pause. Then footsteps.
Shade stepped out, adjusting the edge of her gele. She was radiant in that quiet way brides often are before the ceremony begins. For a second, she did not look directly at him.
Then she did.
Her body stilled.
For a brief mont, she did not move at all. Her eyes widened, then narrowed slightly as if confirming what she was seeing was real.
"Oh my God."
She stepped forward instinctively, then stopped herself as if rembering she was in full bridal preparation.
"You actually ca."
He laughed softly. "Of course I ca."
"I thought maybe you would just appear at the reception and disappear again."
He shook his head. "I did not want to interrupt the formal visit the other day."
She exhaled slowly. "When they told
you were my cousin, I did not believe it."
"Really?" Dayo asked while smiling.
"I an, I believed it in theory. But not like this."
He smiled at her expression. "Life is strange."
She shook her head, still half in disbelief. "You know I am a fan, right?"
"I heard."
She laughed nervously. "It’s embarrassing now."
"Don’t be embarrassed. Today is your day."
She studied him carefully. "I was actually a little disappointed you did not co the other day."
He nodded. "I know. But that mont was about respect. About him kneeling. About your family receiving him. If I stood there, it would shift sothing. Even slightly. That was not fair."
She softened imdiately, hearing his reason.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
He looked at her properly then, not as a fan, not as soone reacting to his status, but as his cousin. "How are you feeling?"
"Nervous. Excited. Overwheld."
"That ans it is real."
She laughed.
Tomiwa watched the exchange with open admiration. "I told you he would co."
Shade turned back to her friend. "I still cannot believe this."
Dayo stepped slightly closer. "I have a gift for you."
Her eyes lit up again. "Now?"
"Not now."
She groaned lightly. "Why?"
"Not here dont worry its a surprise," Dayo said mysteriously.
She narrowed her eyes playfully. "You are as dramatic as your mom says."
" Hehe, alright, just be ready."
She shook her head with a smile. "Okay. I trust you."
Soone from inside called her na urgently. "Shade. We need you."
She looked back toward the room, then at him again. "You will stay?"
"I will stay."
"For the full thing?" Wanting to confirm
"For the full thing."
She nodded, visibly relieved.
"Thank you for coming."
He gave her a small nod. "Go. Before they drag you."
She laughed and disappeared back into the preparation room.
Tomiwa lingered for a second. "She really is a big fan."
"I can see that."
"She was playing your songs last week during planning."
He chuckled lightly. "Tell her I appreciate it."
Tomiwa grinned and returned inside.
Dayo stood there for a mont longer before heading back toward the main hall.
Sharon was waiting near the family section.
"So?" she asked quietly.
"She is happy."
"That is good."
After leaving Shade’s preparation room, Dayo did not return imdiately to the family section.
Instead, he asked one of the ushers quietly, "Where is the groom’s room?"
The young man looked at him twice before answering. "Ah. Sir. The groom is inside that wing."
"Thank you."
He walked toward the groom’s area without making a noise about it. The hallway was less decorated, more practical. Laughter spilled from behind one of the doors. Male voices. Teasing. Loud confidence covering wedding nerves.
He knocked lightly.
One of the groomsn opened the door.
For a second, the man just stared.
"Yes?"
"Good afternoon. I am looking for the groom."
"The groom?" the man repeated, confused.
"Yes. Tunde."
The na landed properly that ti.
"Oh. Yes. He is here."
The groomsman turned halfway into the room. "Tunde. Soone is here for you."
There was shuffling inside. Then Tunde stepped forward, adjusting the cuff of his outfit.
He looked up casually.
Then froze.
There was a flicker of disbelief in his eyes before recognition settled in.
"...Dayo?"
Dayo gave a small nod. "You must be the groom."
Tunde blinked once, then laughed under his breath as if trying to convince himself this was real.
"You are actually here."
"I told Shade I would co for the wedding."
Tunde stepped forward fully now, extending his hand. Dayo took it firmly.
"Welco," Tunde said sincerely. "I did not expect this."
"I wanted to see you before everything started properly."
Tunde shook his head slightly, still processing. "My wife is your cousin. But I am not related to you at all. Yet you ca to see ."
Dayo smiled lightly. "You are family now."
The room behind them had gone quiet. The other n were pretending not to stare after all, a superstar was here, they tried maintaining their steez and composure.
Tunde studied him more seriously now. "I have heard a lot about you. And I am a huge fan, more like my wife and , hahah."
"I heard from your wife, and I appreciate it, thanks." Dayo smilwr
Tunde laughed, sounding like a fan boy. "Nothing at all i just love your sound, how you make music."
There was a pause. A small shift from fan energy into sothing more grounded.
Dayo’s tone softened, but was serious."Take care of her."
Tunde did not joke at that.
"I will."
"She is emotional."
"I know."
"She pretends she is strong."
"I know that too."
Dayo nodded once. That was enough.
Tunde added quietly, "You do not have to worry."
"I know. But I will still say it."
That made Tunde smile.
"You are protective."
"She is my cousin."
"Haha, sure."
"I should not keep you long," Dayo said. "They will be calling you."
Tunde straightened his shoulders. "Yes. They will."
As Dayo turned to leave, Tunde called after him softly.
"It ans sothing that you are here."
Dayo glanced back. "Good."
Before leaving, he related a bit with the groomsn.
He left the groom’s room quietly, letting the door close behind him.
On his way back toward the reception hall, he spotted the MC near the stage area, reviewing the program sheet with a coordinator.
Dayo approached him calmly.
The MC turned and nearly dropped the clipboard.
"Sir."
"Relax," Dayo said quietly.
The man straightened instantly. "I did not know you were here already."
"I am not here in any official capacity."
"Yes, sir." He looked a bit tense as he recognized Dayo after all he had been told before head
Dayo lowered his voice slightly. "Later during the reception, when the couple is seated, and the first round of dancing begins, I want a small slot."
The MC’s eyes widened. "Slot?"
"Yes. Nothing dramatic. Or any announcent about who I am. Just say there is a family gift."
The MC swallowed once. "Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"What song?"
"I will handle that."
The MC nodded imdiately. "It will be done."
"No hype," Dayo added. "This is for them. Not for ."
"I understand. And I am a huge fan of Dayo."
Dayo smiled at him talker a bit with him, and stepped away before the conversation could grow bigger.
The reception hall was already filling with music and movent.
And sowhere beneath the celebration, sothing quiet and intentional had just been set in motion.
He sat down beside Abisola. The ceremony began shortly after.
It was elegant without being excessive. Traditional elents blended with modern styling. Elders gave blessings. The groom stood proud but respectful. Shade walked down the aisle steadily and glowing.
Dayo did not move from his seat except to clap when appropriate.
He did not dominate conversations.
He did not draw caras.
He simply watched.
From ti to ti, he noticed people looking at him, whispering. But he kept his attention forward.
When the vows were exchanged and applause filled the hall, he felt sothing settle in him.
This was what mattered.
The Monts.
As the ceremony ended and guests began transitioning toward the reception area, Sharon leaned slightly closer.
"You are very quiet."
"It is her day."
She studied him. "You look like you are thinking."
"I am."
"About?"
He did not answer imdiately.
He looked toward the stage where Shade and her husband were being congratulated.
"Its About timing."
Sharon followed his gaze.
"You are not going to do sothing reckless, are you?"
He smiled faintly.
"I told you. I have a gift."
She exhaled slowly. "You cannot switch it off."
"I do not try to."
The reception music began to rise.
The hall filled with movent again.
And sowhere beneath the joy, beneath the laughter, beneath the layered rhythm of Nigerian celebration, sothing else was quietly building.
Not noise.
Not spectacle.
But anticipation.
Tomorrow had co.
And the real mont had not yet arrived.
A/N: might not update for a while, I just got a new job, so still trying to fit in??
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