THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY

When Ken and Tina arrived at his parents’ house they were met by one of the party hosts who directed them to go to the backyard that’s where the Barbeque party was being hosted. The aroma of grilled meat was very welcoming but also Tina was anxious because she was meeting the family for the first time. The backyard was filled with string lights which created a charming atmosphere and the various colors of lights turned the backyard into an outdoor oasis.

The barbeque table was beautifully decorated with glittery lights and candles that brought up a happy feeling. There was roasted meat in a foil, grilled chicken Tikka, lamb, onion, and paprika slices on skewers that were getting slowly grilled or smoked on the charcoal grill and served with sweet barbeque sauce. There was also pork, pineapple, and vegetable skewers, and people were spoiled for choices. There was an ice cream bar and tables and sits set for the guests. There was a cocktail table with fresh fruit juices, beers, wine, and spirits, cocktail drinks like cucumber and mint tequila cocktail served on the rocks, strawberry sparkling rose punch, spicy watermelon cocktail, and fresh mint and lemon ice tea for tea. There were deserts which comprised of fruits, cakes, salads, ice creams, and black coffee. The side dishes were roasted potatoes, chips and boiled corn, kebabs, samosas, and shrimp skewers. Ken and Tina were welcomed and asked to help themselves and choose whatever they wanted to eat. The roasted meat was heavenly and Tina could not get enough she had a craving especially due to its wonderful aroma.

In the backyard, they were met by Ken's brother Lewis Tina was astonished because they had met and knew he was a director and then it dawned to her how he saw him looking familiar was because of remembrance with Ken because of the genes since they were brothers. He was then introduced to his best friend Jim whom they had already met and some friends and family when they inquired to know who she was especially a guy called Jack who told Ken where he had been hiding this beautiful woman once Ken drops her Jack will be waiting, he whispered to Ken who got furious with him and told him to keep off from his woman. Ken reacted angrily keep your hands off her she’s mine and don’t you dare because I will hunt you down with an authoritative and angry voice until Tina became amazed because she had never seen this side of Ken. 

She was introduced to several family friends and later to Ken’s parents. Ken's mum a petite beautiful woman hugged Tina and said welcome to the family. Tina wanted to hesitate but Ken was quick to tell her mum you’ll scare my woman mum. No, Ken, I want grandkids and you both are going to make beautiful kids you are a beautiful couple and she looks like a dignified girl not like the bitch you were dating before”, mum please Ken said, okay welcome to the family Tina she said and feel at home. Thanks, Mrs. Kings Tina replied, No call me Stacy or Mama we are family okay mama Tina said she felt glad she could call someone mama and Stacy gave her a warm hug which made her emotional because of her warmth and she was so motherly making Tina almost shed tears. She remembered her mum whom she had missed so much and Stacy felt like a new mum making her miss her late mum more. Ken noticed she was shedding tears and hugged her assuring her all is well and she should feel at home because he knew where she was coming from her background as an orphan after losing both parents in an accident. It's alright darling you are never alone you got a family now. He winked at his mum and she excused herself and Ken took her to sit and hugged her when she started weeping he held her tightly and she said sorry your mum reminded me of my late mum because of her warmth and Ken said to her she is your mum too and Tina just held onto him she needed that assurance and for the first time since her parents passed on she felt at home, wanted and loved. It was a great feeling the loniliness gone and was embracing the new life.

For Tina attending such a party was an honor and people were friendly and especially Ken who never left her side he made her feel appreciated and needed and that made her feel loved him more. They even appeared like a married couple and wished by her lucky star that they were married. Ken took her to the other side of the compound and Tina was amazed to see people swimming, the weather was warm and the skies were clear and beautiful filled with glittering skies and stars shining making the whole party look so beautiful. There was piped music which was prayed and the people after enjoying their meals and drinks started dancing and that made the whole night more beautiful. Tina and ken sat at the corner they occasionally were interrupted by guests who came to wish them well or Ken was called by his friends or brothers from time to time but Kate had joined the party so she kept Tina company and also Stacy Ken’s mother could introduce her to friends as Ken’s girlfriend although not all people appreciated the news. There was especially one lady who snubbed Tina but she was assured by Stacy not to worry about the lady like that later after enquiring Tina learned she was Ken's ex-girlfriend's mother who had come to see the lady who made her daughter not to marry the King’s family. She made a note since the other son Lewis was not married she can as well introduce him to her daughter all she wanted is to get hold of the King’s family wealth they were billionaires and they would enjoy their life without getting worried about the expenses. Everyone knew what a greedy woman she was and had warned the King’s family about the consequences if her daughter got married to Ken. All they wanted was to get hold of the wealth not Ken's happiness.

After the delicious and mouthwatering dinner they were served, plus the wine Tina was taking and the sweet dessert she could not resist, Tina excused herself, and together with Kate, they went to the washroom. Kate had been given the duty of taking care of Tina by Ken without Tina’s knowledge since she could have protested. They went to the bathroom freshened up, applied some makeup that Kate had brought with her, and insisted that Tina needed to look beautiful despite her protest on their way back they met Sue’s mother who snubbed them especially Tina but Kate was fast to reply to her that she might as well get used to seeing Tina since she is going know where. 

Tina could not understand why the lady seemed to not like her but Kate told her to ignore bad vibes, they were not worthy. When they went back to the backyard people were gathered together and Ken's friend requested that Tina to go the place where he was standing. Tina was mesmerized and could only follow the request and Kate urged her by escorting her. So they both went and Jim took Tina’s hand and escorted her to the front. When she stood up wondering where Ken was that’s when he appeared in front of her and knelt on one knee and said, “Tina from the moment I met you and we decided to visit the jungle instead of seeing only the wild animals I discovered I had met my soulmate, I felt complete and without you, in my life, I am not complete. Please do me the honor of being my wife and let me protect you and in turn, you’ll make me the happiest man on earth. Tina could not hold back her tears and she said yes Ken put the ring on her finger and everyone clapped and the couple hugged the song you raise me was played and they danced to it and could not resist kissing one another. Ken’s father took the microphone and said that the wedding would be moved forward to August since they wanted so many grandkids to keep them company since he and his wife Stacy were getting old.

They were congratulatory messages from many of the attendants except the mother of Sue Ken's ex-girlfriend who walked out in protest and people were happy Stacy said good riddance.

People danced and eat and drank to their fill while others were swimming and dancing and Ken held on to his fiancé whom he did not want to leave even for a minute, his wife is he loved the sound of it he could not imagine how they live would be as a family and then his loneliness is over all he needed is to transfer her to come and work near her. Tina due to excitement drank more wine and was tipsy in a way Ken had to carry her to the car on their way home. Before they left his friends and family hugged them telling them congratulations Stacy was delighted he had a wedding to plan, Mr. Kings was looking forward to the future heir of the company and Ken had gotten his soulmate at last.