The wedding party.

It was 6 pm in Lagos City, and the golden evening sun rays peeked through the glassy windows, casting a warm glow on the polished tiled floor of the grand ballroom. Balikis, the daughter of a real estate merchant, had fair skin unlike any other. Her blue eyes revealed her mixed heritage, with parents from Nigeria and England. People used to say she was the last creation of God, and He rested on the seventh day after creating her. Balikis and Olujay exchanged loving glances, they had met at university, two souls from vastly different worlds, drawn together by an unexplainable force that defied logic. Olujay, on the other hand, hailed from a prominent family of industrialists, their name alone talks about their family wealth.

They had been dating since their university days, and the time to spend the rest of their lives together was near. Olujay had already informed his family of his proposal to Balikis; they all hid in the ballroom, watching Olujay and Balikis from a distance. "Do you remember the second date we went on, Balikis?" Olujay asked. She looked into Olujay's eyes across the table. "Why would I forget? You had such a sweet way with words that swept me off my feet. And then, the unexpected words you said that shocked me were, 'I will make you my wife one day.'"

With a loving smile, Olujay went down on one knee, brought out a ring, and said, " The day has come. Make me the happiest man today by being my wife." Before he could say another word, Balikis also went down on her knees too and hugged him, whispering, "Yes, I will be your wife," with tears in her eyes.

As they embraced, their families emerged to congratulate them. It was the best proposal Balikis had imagined. They celebrated, and the wedding preparations began within a week.

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As the wedding preparations unfolded, Balikis's mother, Elizabeth, commonly as "Iya Gbogbo" or "Big Mummy," faced a dilemma. Both families had different responsibilities for the wedding preparation. What troubled her most was that the cooking responsibility was given to Olujay's family. She knew Olujay's mother had grown up outside the country, and most of her guests would be traveling to Nigeria for the wedding, while her own guests were family from the village who preferred local dishes. "Balikis, don't you think we need a Plan B for this food situation?" Iya Gbogbo asked her daughter with a worried expression on her face. Balikis frowned slightly, "But Mommy, you don't have to worry. Olujay's family has that responsibility, and we have nothing to worry about. Let's just focus on the Aso ebi clothes," Balikis replied. Iya Gbogbo said, "Okay" but still looked worried.

Secretly, she called her friend, mama Cecilia to help her get the help of Mrs. Adetokunbo, the village's most celebrated cook, whose dishes had graced the tables of different weddings for generations. Mrs. Adetokunbo, a woman of simple means but boundless cooking talent, was entrusted with the task without anyone's knowledge.

On the wedding day, the grand hall was a sight to behold, adorned with magnificent decorations and fragrant blooms. As the guests took their seats, the foreign chef unveiled his masterpieces, each dish a symphony of colors and flavors. Yet, as the villager's taste the delicacies, their expressions showed a sense of disconnect. These were dishes they were not familiar with. Only a minority of the guests were eating, while the majority continued to reject the food presented to them. It seemed like a disaster was unfolding.

It was then that Mrs. Adetokunbo emerged from behind the hall, her apron dusted with flour and her face aglow with pride. With the skill of a master artisan, she crafted a spread that celebrated the rich food heritage of the region. Hearty stews in different copper pots, their aromas mingling with the tantalizing scent of pounded yam, egusi, efo riro, and amala with ewedu. These were cultural dishes known and loved by the people of the land.

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As the villagers caught a glimpse of the familiar fare, their faces lit up with delight. They eagerly sat upright as their tables were served with a variety of familiar foods. The atmosphere transformed into one of joyous celebration, as two worlds collided in perfect harmony, united by the universal language of food.

Balikis and Olujay, hand in hand, watched as their guests indulged in the food with delight, their hearts swelling with gratitude. Their eyes met those of Balikis's mom. At that moment, they were not merely celebrating their union but also the rich cultural diversity among their guests.

Balikis stood up, walked to her mother's table, and whispered in her ear, "How did you know something like this would happen?" Her mother looked at her and smiled, saying, "Always have a Plan B for occasions like this."

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