A DENT ON CUPID'S WHITE

Chapter One

Techla walked apprehensively in her flowing wedding gown to the altar where her fiance stood with the priest. Her heart beat violently against her chest. Her pulse quickened. One could read her anxiety in her footstep as she placed one unsure step in front of the other. Getting close to the altar, she looked up at her would-be husband. He was smiling at her. How dashingly handsome and smart he looked in his white designer suit which clung helplessly to his athletic body. His well trimmed afro-styled hair blended with his well carved beard to give him a boyish look. His eyes sparkled intelligently. The Gucci watch on his wrist shone in the brightness of the well lit church. He looked like a movie star. Techla couldn't help noticing how intimidatingly tall he stood against the priest. He smiled at her like one who had won a troph. Immediately, the priest put forth the ceremonial question. "Does anybody have anything for which he or she thinks this marriage should not hold? If yes, come forward or forever be silent!" Techla's heart beat faster. Yes! Yes! Yes, I have! Suddenly, she felt like a drowning woman struggling for air. She felt her hands and feet tied with an invisible rope. Earnestly, she wished someone would walk up and save her from this potential doom. How could she end up getting married to David and spending the rest of her life with him? The thought of that sent shivers down her spine. No! She would die first before she did that. She looked down at the crowd who had come to witness the union. Their faces beamed with smiles. But she knew better. They cared nothing about the marriage. What happens after today gives them no sleepless nights. But what happens today is, to them, of utmost importance. Techla didn't have to guess what their concerns were. She knew it like she knew her name. They couldn't wait to get started with the reception. Hungry wolves! She cursed under her breath. Then she remembered. They were actually not all hungry. For seated somewhere on one of the front pews was one who she knew would rather die first than have this marriage quashed. And that for a more personal reason than the food. She immediately made a reverse on her earlier assertion and searched for a more unifying adjective. They were not all hungry; but they were all a selfish set of people! The thought of that beclouded her heart. Bitter tears stung her eyes. She saw the hopelessness of her prayers. They would all rather keep mute than speak up and have their interests tampered with. Just then, the hoarse voice of the priest cut into her thought. He was repeating the same question for third time. Quite unusual. Techla felt he was giving her the last chance to save herself. She waited. A deep silence had descended on the congregation. And now, Techla could physically touch the apprehension in her heart. Yes! Yes! Yes! I have something to say! Her riotous thought screamed again and again. Then, she saw it. A sea of eyes had besieged her. David stared hard at her, his face contorted with a mixture of surprise, anxiety and anger. Techla could detect a murderous glint in his eyes. But the priest was friendly, though suppressing the surprise on his older face. She felt lost and threatened. What?! She asked no one in particular. In answer to her unspoken question, the priest asked calmly, "Young woman, you said you have something to say?" Techla's mouth dropped open in perplexity. When did she say that? "I...I...I never...I never said so!" Her eyes fluttered from priest to fiance. "Damn you! I heard you say 'Yes'! Do you think I'm deaf?!" David raved. "No, I...I said 'Next'!" Techla stammered nervously. "I...I said..." **************************************

The phone buzzed again. Techla stirred on her bed. Sleepily, she flung her hand across the fairly big bed and reached for it. But the connection went off before she could swipe the receive button. She looked at the caller ID. David. Immediately, the dream came flooding into her consciousness. She quickly sat up on the bed. What could that dream mean? Her forehead burrowed into a frown. After a few minutes of fruitless contemplation, she gave up. "Make Your vision clear to me, Lord," she prayed. She dialed the number. But instead of a buzz, that annoying female voice came up, "The subscriber you're calling is currently not available. Please, try again later." "Shut up, girl!" She hissed. "Same number that just called me is unavailable After a couple more unsuccessful trials, she threw the phone aside and began her morning devotion. Rising from her prayers, her eyes flew to the round medium sized clock hanging on the wall beside the big plasma TV. 7:35 am. What! No time! She must hurry or be locked out of the class. Her adrenaline immediately went into action. Hurriedly, she rushed into the bathroom and got ready for her 9:00 am class. Prof. Ogbuagu was not a lecturer one would dare walk into his class a minute after the time. 24-year old Techla McGeorge was a 400L Law student of Brainfield University, one of the leading private tertiary institutions in the country. Being the only girl child among two younger brothers, her father, Hon. Leo McGeorge, had insisted she studied law. A shrewd politician, he saw that as one of the strategies that would help him build more political alliances and launch him into the mainstream of politics in the country. A beautiful young lawyer as a daughter would attract suitors with high social standing. Which man of means wouldn't want a brilliant lady with such highly respected profession for his son? Any man who knows his worth in the society would want to guard his social and political status jealously. Firmly standing his ground, Techla found herself a Course contrary to her earlier wish of Theatre Arts. She knew better than counter his decision. For that would be the end of her dream of a tertiary education. At least, so he had threatened and so she had thought. And here she was studying a Course which she had earlier disliked, but which she had, over the years, found reasons enough to devote her interest in. 8:15am saw her driving out of her house in her white Toyota Camry. Picking her way through the early morning rush, she drove out of County Estate onto the major road and off she sped to school, carefully wading through the heavy traffic along white view Expressway.