~TILL DEATH DO US APART
Episode 1.~
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Hellen stood in her room by the window watching the maize seedlings that had just germinated that week in her grandparents vast farm. The farm was so large that one couldn't see the far end of it. A lot of crops were grown on that farm but a large share was for maize. The farm was well stocked as it had most of the necessary equipments for a farm, that is, tractors, planter, shellers and a hammermill. There was also an irrigation system installed which enebled them to have fresh produce throughout the year.
Hellen stood there trying to see the far end of the farm though she knew quite well that what she was trying was an impossibility. She then tried to reduce the way her eyelids opened so as to leave her eyes partially closed. She then started seeing those imaginary patterns which children of her age called 'hunger patterns'. She felt a bit bored with whatever was going on. She then decided to head outside so as to pass her time.
She got to the door and lazily opened it to the sight welcome of a hot scotching sun as the sky was very clear that day. Without wearing her slippers, she decided to step on the ground barefooted. Her grandmother who was sitted under a thatched shelter which was the only source of shade on their yard was looking at her awe as she never expected her to walk barefooted on that hot ground.
"I don't think you want to come here barefooted" her grandmother said before she could step on the ground.
"Grandma, as if I can die with this" Hellen said.
"Okay, just wait and see what happens to you" her granny said.
Without arguing with her granny, she got her slippers and wore them after which she went to join her grandmother in the shade.
"It's like you are so bored. Do you miss town?" Asked grandmother.
"Yeah am bored but it's not that I really miss town." Hellen said.
"Then what is making you bored? There is a television set with a fully paid decorder. If you want books, you can go to your grandfather's library and read. There is power amd food is there, so where is the boredomness coming from?"
"Grandma, i just need someone close to me so that we can chat"
"Okay girlfriend, here I am. Let's chat"
"What about now granny?"
"Anything"
"I don't know"
"Okay, let's talk about town life. Tell me somethings you enjoy in town"
"Not that grandma."
"Mmmmm I tell you a story"
"Later grandma. Stories with this sun! Won't the Kalulu in your stories get dehydrated?" Hellen said as they both laughed.
"I have an idea which you won't say no to"
"What?!" Hellen asked.
"Go to my bedroom and bring me the small cardbox that is on the right hand side of the bed." Granny said.
Hellen quickly went there and brought what she was sent to get.
"What's in here granny?" Hellen asked.
"Just wait and see" grandmother said as she opened the cardbox.
Inside the cardbox was a photo album.
"This is the album with our wedding photos." Said granny.
"You have never mentioned it to me" Hellen said as her cute face started glowing with happiness.
"Yes that's why I have brought it out today. Come sit next to me I show you."
"But granny this is not fair. You have never shown me this album or mentioned it to me, why?" Hellen falsely complained.
"Unfortunately, i can't be sorry for not showing you this photo album."
"Like seriously?! Why?"
"Because I choose who to show and when to show it."
"Grandma are you even listening to yourself? A mere photo album?"
"My dear, this is not a mere photo album. It's something more valuable to me than this farm. It has beautiful memories of when I started a special life with your grandfather, my lovely and handsome husband" granny said.
"Handsome?"
"Yes he is so handsome. Anyway me mind but the truth of the matter is the time you will want to have a wedding hire a good photographer who will help you keep memories of your special day." Granny said.
"Okay, I get that. Now let me see what is inside that treasured album of yours" said Hellen.
"Okay here see, this was when I was being prepared at my matrons home. I was to look beautiful on that day for my husband." Said granny as she showed her the pictures in the album.
The went through the pictures until when they got to those showing them in the church.
"So how were you feeling when your father walked down the aisle with you to hand you over to your husband?" Asked Hellen.
"My dear, the anxiety and happiness was so overwhelming that I started shivering. My father could feel the shivers that she told me to calm as everything was going to be fine. It was beautiful though" granny said.
"I see. All those people looking at you only?"
"Yes that's why the anxiety comes. See here, it was when we were doing our 'I Dos'. " Said granny pointing at the picture.
"The vows?"
"Yes, it was so nice when he said the last part of the vow to me"
"Which last part?"
"TILL DEATH DO US APART"
"Oh okay. But marriages of these days end anyhow, so these phrase is meaningless" Hellen said.
"I agree with you that these days it has been rendered useless because is easier to get a divorce than to get married. But this vow is supposed to be understood and cherished. The moment people understand that it's a vow and nt just words, they will respect their marriages." Grandmother said.
"Yeah. I can't wait foe my wedding too" Hellen said.
"My dear, at your age admiring a wedding! You have just written your grade seven exams, you are still far from marriage" granny said.
"Yes, i know but Its my target so that nothing comes in my way to stop me from doing a wedding" Hellen said.
"I like that. I will be the main dancer on your wedding then" granny said as they both laughed.
"Now granny, tell me something. How did you meet with grandfather?" Asked Hellen.
"It's a long story my dear" granny said.
"We have all day, you can still narrate it" said Hellen.
Grandmother gave a deep breath in and out as she looked around the yard which had a lot chicken picking their manna.
"Okay, I will tell you but pay attention" said grandmother.
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Tbc
