The ring bearer [Writer's contest]

‘He must be handsome’. ‘And if he isn’t?’ ‘We’d scrap him out’. ‘Really?’ ‘Yes, really’. The spouses’ words kept playing in his head. He had eavesdropped while they were conversing in the eatery- his mum’s eatery. He just got back from school and was asked to gather around plates from the tables. He had heard them talk about their upcoming wedding and who the ring bearer would be. He had heard them argued about getting a handsome and smart little boy. What he didn’t grab was the age limit and the ring bearer’s job at the wedding. ‘Is it just to hold the rings?’ he thought.

Niyi is a smart little boy, one that loves adventures but never had the opportunity. He likes to explore but remains stuck in his mum’s business. The last born that never leaves his mother’s bosom. ‘I’m 10 years old. I should be able to do this’ he gave his final conclusion after so much thoughts on it. ‘I will beg Aunty Amanda when she passes by tomorrow. I will tell her how much I have always loved to attend a wedding. I will tell her how much I love her and long to be beside her. I will tell her to convince my mum to go with her. I will ask her to beg her fiancé. I am handsome and smart, if that’s all they need. I’ve got all it takes to be a ring bearer’. He took a last glance at the reflection he had been talking to on the mirror and dashed out.

Days passed, weeks cycled by and Niyi counted in hours. Aunty Amanda had considered him and his mum had permitted it. He couldn’t stop staring at his newly bought suit and shoe. All he could think and dream of was that day. He couldn’t be happier. His face was always full of unending smiles.

The long awaited day in Niyi’s life came. ‘Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God almighty...’ he hummed along, joyously, as they followed the aisle that led to the altar. The joy of holding the ring formed butterflies in his belly and when it was finally handed to him, he grabbed it like it would slip. Anxiety had caused him lots of sleepless nights and that day was the day to show it all worth it. He couldn’t contain the joy.

The time for the exchange of rings came and he walked majestically to hand the ring over. He tiptoed back to his seat, gently, with a cheek full of laughter. He watched as the groom repeated the pastor’s words and tried to fix the ring into Aunty Amanda’s finger. He quietly observed the little confusion and delay. Everyone in the congregation sought to know what went wrong and why it was taking so long a time.

He knew. He knew it would never fit into her finger. He had bitten the ring and deformed it. With giggles, he whispered into the little bride’s ear... ‘Next time, she will know how to treat little boys in her neighbourhood. Aunty Amanda is wicked. I hate her! And that’s my present to her this day’. It was a dream come true and they both laughed.

NAME: OLUWATOSIN FAITH KOLAWOLE