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He could not remember how to say, "Yes I do’ in Kiswahili!"

Bridal

He could not remember how to say, "Yes I do’ in Kiswahili!"

BRIDE: Clara Lenyasunya

GROOM: Samuel Lekalja

GUESTS: 800

DATE: May 2, 2015

CEREMONY: ACK All Saints, Maralal

RECEPTION: Yale Camel Club & Camp

BUDGET: Sh2 million

First date

Samuel: Our love story began in 2006 after we met through my cousin who was her classmate. The effect of her charming beauty was so potent that I got no rest until I found a way to hook up with her. Luckily, my cousin got me her elder sister's phone number.

Clara: When he later called my sister one evening and asked to talk to me, I refused to speak to him because I wasn't ready. I had just met him - not that I was playing hard to get.

Samuel: I did not give up. I could not afford to. I resolved to pursue her through love letters when she went back to school after the holiday. Sadly, she never replied to any of them. But little did I know that she would read and keep them for many years

Clara: To be honest, the letters were intriguing but I could not bring myself to write a reply. I feared doing so would distract me from my studies. Besides, I did not want to give in too easily.

Samuel: By the time she cleared school, I had joined the military following a successful application. Unfortunately, I lost her number and only got it a year later from her cousin who had also just joined the military. I wasted no time re-establishing my link with her.

Clara: His unwavering persistence and steely determination overwhelmed me. His advances became irresistible and I found myself submitting to them. I was completely enamored with him. My heart could no longer pretend not to like him. I was excited when he came to see me one day at the university.

Samuel: Visiting her was necessary because I had not seen her for more than five years. We had all along been communicating on phone. I was surprised when she produced two of my love letters and jokingly told me to read them to her.

Clara: We had our first date in July 2011, when he took me to a luxurious hotel in Nakuru. The experience is still stamped in my memory.

The proposal

Samuel: I was in Mombasa when I secretly shared the proposal idea with her best friend and college mate who offered to prepare dinner and invite her over. Both of them were in Nairobi and I was to meet them there that evening. With everything set, including the ring, I set off for Nairobi after calling and asking to see her on arrival. I was devastated when she said she could not make it until the following day.

Clara: At that time, I was taking care of my mother who was sick. She had come to Nairobi for treatment.

Samuel: Eventually, I convinced her to go to her friend's place but not before teasing her a little with the possibility of her not seeing me for a long time should I be sent out of the country on a military mission.

Clara: I found several of my college mates at the house when I arrived. I had no idea of what was going on. Suddenly, they shouted ‘surprise’ after which he emerged from the bedroom carrying a ring.

The drama

Samuel: Traditionally, I had to personally kill and slaughter a bull at her home on the morning of the wedding day. The bull formed part of the dowry I had paid.

Clara: My departure from home was delayed by the slaughtering of the bull. I arrived in church at around 12pm.

Samuel: I got my suit just three days to the wedding. All along, I had planned to have a military wedding but cancelled it at the last minute when it became a challenge bringing together my colleagues to form the groom's party. I reluctantly shelved my red tunic, which perfectly blended with the dresses of the bridal party.

Memorable moments

Clara: When he could not remember how to say, "Yes I do’ in Kiswahili!" I couldn't help laughing at him.

Samuel: A lot was going through my mind at that time. For a few seconds, I racked my brain for the elusive Kiswahili phrase to no avail. I simply said it in English to her amusement.

With hindsight

Clara: Always put God first in everything and surround yourself with true friends.

Samuel: Never downplay the importance of the elderly, parents, and trustworthy friends in your life. Uphold progressive tradition.

WORDS: Dennis Mbae

 

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