MARRIAGE MADE IN HÊLL

MARRIAGE MADE IN HÊLL I opened my eyes that Saturday morning to see a ceiling I didn't recognize. As I struggled to shake off the remnants of sleep, I realized with a jolt of confusion that I was in a strange room. A wide bedroom, beautifully decorated, with soft, golden light spilling in through the windows and casting a warm glow over the plush furnishings. Quickly, I sat up, my mind foggy and disoriented. Memories of the previous night began to trickle back into my consciousness. I remembered going to bed in the lodge with my roommates, Rita and Ebere, after our night out at the club. But this...this wasn't our lounge. The furniture, the walls, everything was foreign. “Where am I?”. I muttered to myself I threw off the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed, my heart racing with anticipation. My eyes scanned the room frantically, searching for any clue that might explain this bizarre and frightening situation. But there was nothing – no note, no message, no hint of what had brought me to this strange and foreboding place. As I scanned the room, my eyes fell on a door. Quietly, I slid down from the bed, my heart racing as my bare feet felt the cold tiles and started walking slowly towards it. But as I walked past the dressing mirror, my eyes inadvertently caught a glimpse of my reflection. I froze, my feet rooted to the spot, and slowly moved back to take a closer look.. This story belongs to Joy Ifunanya. God, how did I gain all this weight? What is happening to me? I wondered, staring at my reflection in dismay. I had a slim and toned physique that I was proud of. I could slip into any dress or outfit and feel confident and beautiful. But now, as I gazed at my reflection, I saw a completely different person staring back at me…a Shadow of myself. My once-slim waistline had expanded, and my b00b?... God! Just then, the door opened, and a cute little girl of about six years old ran in. She retreated behind me and held me on the waist, trying to use me as a shield from something. Before I could react, an older girl, a teenager, ran in behind her. When she saw that the little girl was hiding behind me, she stood by the door, a frown on her face. "Madam, good morning, ma," She greeted. "Madam? Me madam?" I muttered under my breath. And ofcourse, she didn't hear me. "Nicky, give me that key!" She commanded, staring angrily at the little girl who was still holding me. "I'm not with any key!" The little girl replied, tightening her grasp on me. "Madam, it's a lie. Tell her to open her palm" The older girl said. "Mummy, I'm not lying" The little girl said, her voice trembling from behind me. "Mummy? Me? Madam? Mummy? How?" I muttered again, feeling a sense of desperation. This story belongs to Joy Ifunanya. But the two didn't seem to hear me as they were engaged in a heated argument. As they shouted, my head was reeling, trying to wrap my hands around the situation. At one point, I couldn't hold it anymore. "Hello!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. They stopped talking abruptly, observing a moment of silence. "What is going on here?" I asked, breaking the silence. "Okay, ma. Nicky locked my room, and ran away with the key," The older girl complained. "Mummy, it's a lie! I didn't lock her room" The little girl defended. I gently pulled her out from behind me. "Please, who are you people? And where is this?" I asked. The two exchanged confused glances, obviously puzzled by my question. "Ma?" The older one muttered, confusion etched on her face. "I mean, where am I? I don't recognize this place," I asked again, my voice growing louder. "Ah ah!" The little girl exclaimed. "Madam, you're at home," The older girl explained. "Home? Which home? I don't live here" I said, feeling a sense of panic. "Mummy, please, stop this. You're making me scared," The little girl said, her eyes welling up with tears. "Please, who are you people?" I pressed further. "Mum, I'm Nicole, your daughter," The little girl said, pulling me down to take a closer look at her. As she did, a bunch of keys fell off her hand onto the floor. The other quickly picked it up with a silent sigh. But the child was no longer interested in the key. She seemed so concerned about me. “It's me, mum. Look at me”. She pleaded,. still pulling me down to herself. As I stared into her eyes, fear seized me. I broke free from her and ran out through the open door, not knowing where I was going or what I would find. As I ran down the long corridor, I saw a little boy of about three years old walking around, náked and holding something that looked like a piece of broken clay or something. I didn't care what it was; all I cared about was finding a way out of that mystery house. "Mama." I overheard the little boy mutter as I brushed past him. I saw a flight of stairs and descended them quickly. The stairs led to a magnificent living room. Standing in the center, I looked around, trying to take in everything at once. I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw a door hiding behind a thick curtain. I knew that must be the exit. I started running towards it. But before I could reach the door, something else caught my attention, freezing me in my tracks👉Hanging on the wall just close to the door, was a beautifully crafted frame. I moved nearer, my curiosity piqued, to see what was on the frame. As I peered at the photograph, my eyes widened in shock. There I saw my beautiful self, dressed in a stunning wedding gown and crown, beaming with joy. It looked like I was having the most beautiful moment of my life. "Me? What is going on here? When did I get married?" I asked myself, my voice trembling with confusion and alarm. But then, my heart sank like a stone in a deep ocean as I shifted my gaze to the man standing beside me in the photograph. He was the groom, my supposed husband. The sight of him made my bl00d run cold. Old, short, and fãt, with a protruded belly that seemed to strain against his shirt, his face was a m£ss of wrinkles and folds, his eyes beady and unkind, his smile?...he was...he was in fact…..the μgliest man that ever walked the face of the earth….. What is happening to me?😭😭 Shåre for the next episode. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏