ADUNNI, A QUEEN AND MORE!

I watched in total awe as she danced elegantly down the aisle.? Her’s was a gentle gyration like the dance of a peacock. The resplendent white crown on her head matched her pure-white teeth that she bared to us all in a wide smile. In the unbridled ecstasy of the moment. The long tail of her dress flowed after her strides like a calm river that follows a storm!

Adunni was a queen and more today, her big day!

There I was in the audience, with a smile so wide that my cheeks hurt.

My friend, my darling friend is getting married!

6 years ago, Adunni and I were sitting in the ETF1 hall waiting for our GST 101 lecturer. GST 101 is a general course, so the hall was packed full of students from several departments.

I, Adinnu and some coursemates were having a friendly argument about the supremacy of jollof rice over fried rice. She preferred fried rice because it has a colour that fascinated her. I went for Jollof because fried rice gets bad easily. Then out of the blues, Adunni screamed, “Your problem is that you think that roses are red even when everyone knows that violets are white!”

“Excuse me, Addy, what is violet and roses doing in this conversation? You don't have any further points to prove that fried rice…”

Before I could finish my statement, she landed a very thunderous slap on my face that silenced the loud noise in the hall. My brain was spinning 360-degrees.

Before I could recover from the shock to ask what my offence was, She removed her wig, threw it across the hall and bolted.

Some students ran after her, caught up with her and pinned her down until the school security arrived. She was later admitted to the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba.

I was allowed to go in and see her in the hospital. When I got to her room, she was calm and having a conversation with the doctor who introduced himself as Dr Gbenga Pedro. He seemed friendly and assured me that Adunni would make a full recovery. She had a psychotic breakdown.

Adunni never came back to our school. She opted for a distance learning program where she completed her studies.

2 years ago, I invited her to my wedding. She didn’t want to come as she might likely run into some of those who witnessed her episode. I understood and promised that I would send her the video recording.

But I was pleasantly surprised when she asked me to send her the address to the event. She graced my occasion! As I saw her from the platform, our eyes locked. She gave me a sweet smile and a thump up.

However, I didn’t see her at the reception. I looked around carefully to find where she sat but I failed. Maybe she went to attend to something outside, I reckoned. But I did see some old coursemates, then I understood. she had gone!. She didn't want any trigger. But I was so happy and thankful that she made it to my big day. I would call her and give her a special “thank you”. I could imagine the bravery she mustered to be there with me despite her insecurities. What a show of love and support!

Only if I knew why she left!

When we later spoke, she told me that Njide, one of our old classmates she met at my wedding said something hurtful about her. She overheard her saying to another friend that since she. Adunni cannot marry, at least she is coming to support those who can. “Who would marry a “mad” person?” she said and they laughed!”

I was livid! I would reach out to Njide on the phone right away and call her to order.

I did, but Njide didn’t make any attempt at apology. She said to me “I SAID WHAT I SAID!”

I gave up!

So today, I am sitting in this beautiful wedding hall full of happy faces, looking at my dearest friend in all her glory and splendour, flanked by her loving father,? walking majestically into the waiting arms of her supportive and handsome soon-to-be husband, Dr Gbenga Pedro!

PS: Mental health challenges are no jokes. Insensitive and careless talks can make the road to recovery longer and the journey tougher!