JUDY

Judy gazed outside the window as the rain poured heavily. She was getting married in a week's time, and her mind wandered off to the first time she met Akin.

They say love finds you when you least expect it. When you are tired of going through the same patterns with people in life. When all hope is gone, and now it's you and your little space you have bread a safe haven.

The party was full of strangers. People she wasn't well acquinted with and she felt the nurging impluse to grab he lous vouitte purse and head back home. To her this was unbearable. Being in the presence of people was something she found hard to stomach, and the wine in her glass was not helping at all.

'Please serve me something more strong.' she asked a waiter who kept making rounds near her table.

'And make it a double shot'

'Shots' were not her thing but tonight was the night she was set to break the rules. Cursing the person behind the company party, Judy skillfully raised her glass to her mouth and took a clean shot of the whisky that had a smoky taste. Her face flushed and turned red in an instant. That was it, she made a decision to leave.

And then she saw him. The tall, dark, and handsome man sat across her table. His gaze met hers and a broad smile filled his face.

His name was Akin, and he was from Nigeria. He had just relocated to Kenya and was still settling in. He spoke with much vigor and in high spirits that got Judy to forget how bored to death she had been.

That is how they met. total strangers with a common interest. Akin was her type from day one, and on that day something snapped in her. She couldn't deny her heart what it wanted. He made things smooth, their feelings tangled and intereset matched.

And now here she was, looking outside her large window thinking of her written vows for him. Her friend Tamima had openly told her to write her heart down on paper but she brushed off that suggestion. Her sentiments were better off coming from her mouth. No rehearsals were needed. How he made her feel was out of this world and the thought of being his wife lingered in her mind making her jubilant.

'I can't wait to walk down the aisle,' she had openly admitted to Akin the day he went on his knees seeking out her hand for marriage.

It caught her off-guard, and she didn't hold back the tears that ran down her round cheeks. The ring sat flawlessly on her finger and brought back memorable moments.

Tomorrow will be her long-awaited day and she was in a blissful mood. Not even the rains that were pouring day in and day out could stop their wedding day. Her wedding gown was dripping with sophistication and grace. And the first time she fitted in it, she looked elegant in it, it was a simple but perfectly fitted gown that looked as though it were designed just for her.

Life happens fast, and some things happen unplanned. This is the same Judy who had made a decision to stay clear of all men. The same woman who had her heart broken into pieces countless times. The same woman who went stiff when love was mentioned in her presence. The same woman who dreaded being told 'I love you'. The same woman who thought she wasn't good enough. The same woman who had tried, and tried but to more disappointments.

She felt euphoric, Akin made her whole. All those fears were best kept behind her. She embraced her feminine energy and was her authentic self when it came to openly displaying the feelings he aroused within her.

Tamima who could attest to her bad ordeals with the men before was glad her friend and best friend was finally tying the note. She had two kids and a down-to-earth man who would do anything for her. He would move mountains if need be so as to see his family whole and living their best life.

'I am happy for you bestie' Tamima whispered softly and Judy turned to hug her one true friend.