It’s happening in a week and I have spent a great time thinking about this in the past one month since I got this “special” invite to my ex’s wedding.

Quadri and I dated happily for three years, we were the perfect couple. We met long before we began dating, so technically, we have known each other for over six years. We went to the same university but studied different courses…

Our relationship was smooth but there was one dark cloud over our heads – our religious beliefs. I am a Christian while Quadri is a Muslim. As much as this didn’t really matter to me, it mattered greatly to my clergy parents, so much more than I thought it would.

For three years, I held on to hope that things would work but it didn’t. My parents did not agree to the union. The day I introduced Quadri to them was the saddest day of my life. I saw them like I had never seen them before.

They rejected him without uttering the words. The moment he mentioned his full names to my parents, my mom went “Oh, you’re a convert? What’s your baptismal name?” Her smile was wide yet scary.

I almost fainted, Quadri shook his head and replied that he wasn’t a convert. My mom’s wide scary smile closed like an iron door and she left the living room without another word while my dad stayed but buried his head in his large Bible that he made me bring from his room in Quadri’s presence.

Things went really bad after then, his parents also asked if I was willing to be a Muslimah… To cut it short, nothing worked from then…we found fault with each other, quarrelled often and blamed each other for not willing to compromise just a little for love.

And even though it hurt us to the bones, we ended things.

It’s been over for six months, but I got Quadri’s call last month asking to see me.

Oh I love this man, I didn’t question it, I went. To my greatest shock and surprise, Quadri gave me a special invite to his wedding.

I opened the card with shaky hands and saw that Quadri was marrying a Ruth!

I looked up at him sharply, everything I felt was conspicuously written in my eyes…

“Quadri, Ruth?” I asked a little too loud and he nodded…

“Her parents are fine with us.” he said with a small smile.

“And your parents?” I asked, glaring at him remembering his parents also had issues with me not willing to convert.

He shrugged and laughed lightly…”we’ll be fine” I left sad. I loved Quadri, I still do with all of me, so much that I have not been able to really move on since the break up. He said I’ll always have a special place in his heart and nothing would please him more than to see me at his wedding ceremony.

He has called and texted a few times since then, reminding me to grace his day with my presence. I despise him after each call but only for a few seconds. I love Quadri.

I know I shouldn’t go, but honestly, a part of me wants to, maybe it will help me move on…

Maybe…

#MattersofTheHeartWithLabos