Chapter 3

                 The wedding bell

         “Do I have to wear this?” Roslyn complaint, Bella insisted she wear the six inches heels she bought for her as a wedding gift. She was happy to receive her first wedding gift from her sister, but she isn’t one to wear heels. She pondered why her sister decides to get her heels. “Yes Roslyn, it compliments your dress. Just wear it and stop complaining, we’re getting late”. Said Bella; glancing at her wristwatch for the second time. Roslyn reluctantly slips on the heels. “Where is mother?” Roslyn questioned, looking at Bella through the mirror. “Down stairs, making sure everythin’ is set. Where is David taking ya for your honeymoon?” “There will be no honeymoon”. Roslyn reiterated, a frown passed over Bella’s face, “b—but why? David is financially buoyant enough to take ya to any part of the world ya want”, Roslyn shrugged her shoulder nonchalantly. “He said he’ll be busy after the wedding.” Bella stares at Roslyn confusingly, but Roslyn doesn’t seem to be bothered. “Aren’t ya bothered?” Bella couldn’t resist the urge to ask, “I’m not, I’ll rather stay back home and get acquainted with the family”. Bella hummed at her sister’s response, she was marveled at her sister’s matured mind, and she thought her sister is the brave and matured one in their relationship. “Is time”, Bella informed Roslyn. The two tardily walked out of the room side by side, with Roslyn holding her sister for support. “Oh dear, ya look elegant and beautiful”, Mrs. Williams’ eyes brightened the moment her gaze fell on her daughter. Roslyn faint a smile, her cheeks flushed. “Well, thank you.” “Welcome dear, your beauty will sure captivate the young man’s attention”, she continues. “Can we go now mother, we’re getting late”, Mrs. William nodded her head rapidly. She was a happy camper to have her first daughter married, but it also saddened her because she would miss her daughter. Roslyn would no longer stay with them, she wouldn’t see her daughter’s face everyday like she used to, but everything works for good to them who believe.

       Finally, the familiar song echoes in Roslyn's ears, “God please take the lead”. She prayed inwardly. She squeezed her eyes shut and inhaled deeply. Roslyn became nervous because in no time all eyes will be on her. She watched nervously as the usher opened the church doors for them to walk in. “ready?” Roslyn heard her father’s manly voice beside her. She slowly nodded her head; her legs trembled inside the six inches heels, her father intertwined his arms with hers, she sigh feeling more relax and less nervous. They walked down the sheer aisle runner with blue silk petals on it; Roslyn shows one of her sly smile, as they continue to walk down the church aisle. “Nervous?” she heard Bella’s muffled voice from behind. Roslyn silently nodded her head in response, “don’t worry, you’re doing a great job” said Bella. They finally got to the altar; she stood closed to David, waiting for the preacher to begin. David fakes a smile her way and averted his gaze to the preacher without saying a single word to her; any normal person could have at least compliment his soon to be wife but not David. She knows he was forced to marry her, but the least he could do was to pretend to the crowd, but then she knew they can’t pretend to God. The preacher begins the wedding service in no time; he read a few verses from the scripture, he read the final chapter from the book of mark, he also speaks of God’s love for man and advice man to love his wife the same way God loves the church. 

       Roslyn was excited; the wedding day had finally come and ended. She’s now Mrs. David and not Roslyn Williams. She stared at the most elegant building she had ever seen in her life, Roslyn knew that the Leo’s family are rich but she never knew that they are this rich, she couldn’t hide the amazement in her face when she claimed out of the brand new SUV car. Now she knows why her parents insist she marry Mr. Leo’s son, but then she felt like a gold digger, like she doesn’t belong here. The smiles on her face slowly faded away, living her with mixed emotions. Roslyn tilted her head to the side, glancing at her husband. David stretched out his arm to her, Roslyn gaze fell on his stretched arm and then his face; she slowly stretched out her arm to him. They two walked hand in hand into the gigantic, elegant building, Roslyn eyes roamed around the living room. She felt like a total stranger intruding into the Leo’s personal space; she thought of running away to her own home where she had lived and adores all her life. “I’ll head to my room now, the maid will show ya your room”, David’s voice echoed in her ears. She nodded her head in response but then ache her brow realizing what David said, “Aren’t married couples expected to be in the same room?” she asked herself rhetorically. “Are we staying in different rooms?” she asked. David nodded his head nonchalantly. “I wouldn’t like to be disturbed nor distracted when I’m working, and getting married to ya enough torture for me already”. He reiterated; his feet hurried down the stairs. Roslyn watched in amazement with her reddened checks as her new husband walked away, living her at the mercy of a maid. “Please follow me malady”, the maid whispered. Roslyn nodded her head slightly and followed the slender maid closely behind, afraid not to get lost. She wondered why the mansion has so many rooms with just a few people living inside. They both come to a halt at the front of a new, well polished door. “This is your room malady, I’ll go get the remaining bags”, the maid said, making her way down to the living room. Roslyn reluctantly turned the door knob revealing a modern magnificent bedroom; the room doesn’t describe Roslyn’s personality. They painted the three walls in a nice purple color, while the other one was all glass walls; there was a large queen size bed in the middle of the room with white elegant sofa on the left side of the bed and a gigantic walk-in closet at the far end of the room. At the other far end of the room was an aquarium with jelly fish inside. Roslyn scrutinized the entire room; she slowly made her way to the bed and sat down uncomfortably. Her gaze linger on the door, she watched the maid struggled with her enormous bag into the room. “T—Thank ya”, said Roslyn with a faint smile. The maid felt hesitant to reply, she doesn’t know how to answer her new boss; “Is there anything I can help ya with?” she looked over the scattered boxes. “Would ya mind helping me with my bags?” asked Roslyn politely, sitting up from the bed to one of her boxes, she feels physically and emotionally exhausted but she would rather have her bags arranged than to seat and think of irrelevant things. Roslyn and the maid worked meticulously in utmost silent, she got lost in her thoughts; “What will ya like for dinner malady?” said the maid breaking the pause silent between them. “Aye, anything will be fine”, she reiterated as she foraged through the last box. “Okay, I’ll leave ya now. I’ve to help Mercy at the kitchen”. Roslyn nodded her head in response, “thank ya for helping me out”, “I—it’s nothing malady. I’ll call ya when dinner is served”. She excused herself and trudge out of the room living Roslyn alone. 

         Roslyn rushed to the door and looked out. David stood at the door in his casual attire. Roslyn flushed at seeing David. She hasn’t seen him in something so casual like this before and she likes the simple David; she wished he would wear something like this more often. “I—Is there something I can help ya with?” she shuttered with her head bend low, “just checking up on ya, if ya need anything my room is opposite yours”, he said pointing at the door apposite Roslyn’s room. “Make sure ya don’t snore loud enough to disturb me”, he continues. Roslyn opened her mouth to speak but decided against it, they stare at each other for what felt like eternity. “I’ll be in my room”, he says and turned his back to her. She breathes heavily and went back inside the room. Roslyn felt unsettled; standing in the middle of a new room she would now leave the rest of her life in. She looked round the room for the second time, looking for something to keep her busy. For the meantime, Roslyn went to look in the bathroom. Everything inside the bathroom looks modern, much bigger than her owns back at home, her feet lead her into the bathroom with her eyes roaming every corner. She stood closed to the mirror looking at her reflection in the mirror and a loud sigh escaped her mouth, “I never thought that my life will change within four months”, she breathes to herself. A trifle of tears encompassed her eyes. She thought of her parents and her sister back at home. Taking deep breaths, she stumbled out of the bathroom and went to the bed, staring at nothing in particular. She misses her family already and there was nothing she can do about it. Roslyn knew she can’t go back home even if she wishes to, and that makes her sob louder than she intended. Roslyn heard a small rap on the door. “come in please’, she whispered. Tessa cracked the door; she welcomed herself into the room, standing by the door. Roslyn used the tip of her fingers to whip away the visible tears in her eyes before Tessa could notice it. “Dinner is set malady”, Tessa said. “Please call me Roslyn”, “I’m sorry malady I can’t call ya by your name, for ya are my boss’s wife and Mr. David will have my head cut off if I do so”. Roslyn stares at Tessa in amazement; she pondered how all the workers could work for a man like David. “Is he always like this?” Roslyn bargained. “Like how malady?” asked Tessa. Roslyn waved her off in dismissal. She knows the maid would never tell her what she wants to hear. She wouldn’t like to speak ill of her boss. “Well thank ya, I’ll be down in a jiffy”, the maid nodded her head in response and excused herself. 

       Roslyn wondered what might run through David’s mind right now; by the somber look on his face, she knows he wasn’t delighted to share a table with her. She did not let the thought of David’s sad look bother her. Walking steadily, she shuffled her way to the dining table and silently sat down. The table was filled with different dishes, and she wondered if they were having a feast or something, but it was only her and David in the dining room. Even the maids are nowhere to be found. Roslyn glances at David, who was busy on his phone, to even notice her existence in the dining. Roslyn fidgeted and chew on her fingernails, an unpleasant habit which she does any time she was nervous or anxious. “If ya are done eating yer nails as appetizer, ya can start eating the food”, David’s voice buzzed into Roslyn’s ears and she quickly retrieved her nails from her mouth, her face flushed with embarrassment. With a quickening pulse, she silently served herself a plate of food; Roslyn opened her mouth but thought better of it. She silently said a quick prayer before eating her meal. David’s surprised himself by not saying a single word to Roslyn. He continues speaking on the phone while Roslyn ate her food. She aches her brow and straightened her back. Roslyn opened her mouth for the second time but couldn’t say a word. “How do I get his attention?” She asked herself. David glance at Roslyn and their eyes met; afraid not to annoy him, she quickly averts her gaze to the half plate of food in her front. “What is it, Roslyn?” David bargained, staring at Roslyn. “N—nothing” she shuttered, “ya are not eating yer food a—and is gettin’ cold” she continues. “Touché, I’ll suggest ya stop pretending to care”. He reiterated, “well, ya have been on your phone for the past one hour, is only proper if ya respect me as your wife” said Roslyn, being unforgivably bold. “Did ya say wife? When have ya started seeing me as ya husband?” Roslyn shrugged her shoulder sheepishly. “We got married today, right? So ya are officially my husband today and so I’ve started seeing ya as my husband the moment we exchanged vows on the alter” she said. “Ya are insane’. David venture, Roslyn swallowed the lump in her throat but remained quiet she knows better than to shut her mouth. David dropped his phone on the dining table; there was a tense silent, Roslyn watched as he served himself a plate of food. He took a spoon full to his mouth without saying a word of prayer. But Roslyn wasn’t surprised at all; she already knows what he can do.   

     Roslyn looked at the remnant of the food on the table and an inaudible sigh escaped her mouth. She knows that this will happen, so much food to waste, while some people out there find it hard to get one square meal a day. She kept staring at the table, not knowing what to do with all this food. Just then one of the maid walked in, Roslyn relieved to see Mercy a slight smile appeared on her face. “What bothers ya, malady?” Mercy asked, making her way to the table, “oh! Nothing serious deah, can I ask ya a question?” Mercy nodded her head rapidly. “What will happen to all this food?” she asked, her eyes fixed on the table. A faint smile appeared on the maid’s face, “well sometimes we give it to people on the street but other days we throw them away”, Roslyn frowned, and her head tilted to the side a little glancing at Mercy. “Why throw them away?” she asked. “We only get to go out when we’re going to the market, so we used that opportunity to reach out to people on the street”. She explained; Roslyn nodded her head in understanding. “Alright deah, is time I head to bed”, “jah, ya need it malady” said the maid as she continue to clear the table. “Sleep well, ma’am” Roslyn watched her with heavy eyes. “Good night, Mercy, sleep well too”, Roslyn said. Her feet hurried down the stairs as she makes her way to her room. Sitting down on her new bed she tried not to let the thought of Dave linger on her mind but she hates the way David treat her most times, she knows he was force to get married to her but that doesn’t mean he can treat her the way he does. “Dave wouldn’t treat me so badly”, she said to herself. Roslyn felt betrayed by her parents for the first time in her life. With wobbling legs, she moved to the glass wall, looking down at the peaceful serenity below her. And she wishes her mind would be as peaceful as the quiet night. She inhaled deeply, smelling the fresh aroma of the night breeze; a faint smile finds its way to her smooth face. Roslyn was drenched in pain and sorrow because she always dreamt of a perfect wedding night with her betrothed, but she’s stock in an empty room with her heart heavy. “I might not be happy today, but I know that the promise of tomorrow hangs in the air for me. Patience Roslyn, patience!” she said, consoling her heavy heart. Her legs trembled on the cold tiles, it exhausted already her and her eyes are burning due to lack of sleep. She lied down on her bed solemnly, her eyes closed momentarily. Roslyn allowed her mind to ponder on the word of God as she memorizes a particular chapter from the scripture. With a tender heart, she prayed to God for assistance in her new marriage; she wished she can visit David in his room and ask him to pray with her but she knows better than to stay back, Roslyn want their first night as couples to be blessed by Almighty. Roslyn lips tremble as she prays earnestly to God; she allowed the tears from her eyes fall down freely, she prayed for God to let her understand her husband and be able to make him a better husband, She prayed for God to come and cast his net in the soul of her husband to understand the importance of God’s word in his life, to be redeemed and inspired towards the things of God.

         Roslyn woke up with a headache the next morning, her head whirled and ache and she passed her right hand over her temple giving it a little massage. She dismissed the feelings inside her and strolled out of her room. Standing in the narrow hallway, she contemplated whether to knock on David’s door or walk away; she stared at the door. Roslyn breathes in the crisp morning air. Having gathered herself enough courage, she walked across her room to David’s door. David heard a soft knock on the door, he hissed, feeling annoyed already by the person at the door. He hates to be disturbed, especially when he was sleeping. The door flees open and David looked perplexed when he saw Roslyn at the door. “Is there something I can help ya with, woman?” he said cordially, giving Roslyn a deadly glare. “A—ah, I’m sorry for disturbin’ your sleep, I t—thought ya are awake already”, Roslyn shuttered, she dare not look at his face. “Well, clearly ya thought wrong; ya just disturbed my beautiful sleep”. “I’m sorry”, she whispered. He shook his head repeated, turned his back and went back to his room. Roslyn did not waste more time as she shuffled her way down the stairs. She stared at the living room, having a clearer view of the room. No one seems to be close by and she wondered if that was how everyone sleeps in this household, even the workers are yet to come out from their rooms. Looking at the wall clock she realized it was just few minutes past 6:00 am, “good morning malady”, Mercy greeted the moment she entered the living room. ‘Oh deah, good morning, how did ya sleep?” Roslyn asked politely, “I slept well malady, what are ya doing up so early?” asked Mercy. “I’d enough sleep for the night, besides I wouldn’t call waking up at 6:00am early”. Roslyn said; Mercy shyly nodded her head in respond not knowing what to say again she excused herself to the kitchen. Not knowing what to do, Roslyn followed Mercy to the kitchen. She stood at the door way with her eyes wandering around the kitchen; it was her first time inside the kitchen. “Ya are not s’posed to be here malady” said Mercy, Roslyn said nothing her focused was on the kitchen, she was amazed at the design and the size of the kitchen, she has never seen such kind of kitchen in her life, she used to think that their kitchen back at home was large but seeing this makes her stunned and mesmerized. “Are ya okay?” Mercy bargained in a soft voice. Roslyn nodded her head rapidly. “Can I help in the kitchen?” Ask Roslyn, looking at Mercy pleadingly. “Aye, I wish I can say yes, but the boss will have my head cut off if I let ya”. “I’m his wife and is proper I make his meal”, Roslyn said, “jah, ya are his wife malady and that is the more reason ya are not allowed to be here”. Getting irritated Roslyn went ahead to removed the shawl she used in covering her bare arm before collecting the dirty plates to the sink. “I don’t get it, what am I s’posed to be doin’ then? Sit all day doin’ nothing?” “N—no malady”, the maid shuttered, “I d—don’t mean it that way, ya are also our boss”. Said Mercy, “what time does he always wake up?” asked Roslyn changing the topic, “Who?” “David”. Answered Roslyn, “as early as 5:00am I’m surprised he’s still on bed”, said Mercy.  “He must be tired.” 

 *****

       Roslyn felt a flutter of sadness when David trudged out of the house without eating breakfast. She has put so much effort with the maids to make something delicious for him since it was her first time cooking for her husband. Roslyn sat alone on the dining table, looking at the dishes before her. She had lost her apartheid already, and she wasn’t used to sitting alone in the dining. Staring at the table for the second time, an inaudible sigh left her mouth. She stood up on her two feet, trying her possible best to ignore the sweet fragrant smell oozing from the full plate on the table. “Is anythin’ the matter, malady?” Mercy bargained. Roslyn felt blue, and she wasn't looking forward to having any conversation at the moment. “I’m having a slight headache. I’ll be in my room”, she said, making her way to the stair. “Sorry malady, do ya need aspirin for yer headache?” asked Mercy. “No thank ya, deah, I’ll be fine. I just need to rest a little”, said Roslyn. She parades herself to her room, locking the door behind her. She clutched her shawl around her body as the breeze penetrates through the open window. Retrieving her phone from the bedside, she slowly dialed her mother’s number. “Hello mother”, her voice sank into an amorous whisper. She was feeling mushy, but she tried to sound cheerful through the phone. “Oh my deah, how are ya?” asked Roslyn mother. “How is yer husband”, she continues. “H—he is fine mother, he stepped out a few minutes ago”, she replied. Her lips tense into a slight firm line; she hurriedly used the tip of her finger to stop the tears from encompassing her eyes. “My regards to him when he returns, how is yer new home?” Roslyn thought to tell her mother the truth, she wasn’t liking it here and the way David treat her but she kicked against it, it was too early to complain, she barely spend 24hours here and it’s only proper that she bare her cross, deep down she knows God has a purpose for her in this house and one of it was to turned David into a believer. Roslyn puzzled over her thought; she doesn’t know what to tell her mother. “Isn’t bad here, mother, how pa and Bella?” she asked, changing the topic. “Aye, they’re all fine. Hope ya haven’t forgotten to always pray. It is important that ya intensified yer prayers now, my deah, ya need to ask God to be the centre of yer marriage”. “I did, mother,” answered Roslyn, whipping her eyes with the tip of her finger. “Good, good deah, May God bless yer new home”. Roslyn whispered amen. A faint smile passed her face after talking to her mother on the phone, she like the little encouragement she received from her mother and she was glad to speak to someone who cares about her.