Bianca: Unveiling the Layers of Life's Sweet Irony

Whenever I come across this image, it triggers the amusing yet somewhat disheartening memory of the wedding cake on the left. In the midst of my wedding preparations, a trusted friend recommended a talented cake maker in Enugu. Despite her unfamiliarity with the lady, she offered to take me to her.

Opting for a casual attire, I parked my own Mercedes and joined my friend in her modest Volkswagen (commonly known as a Beetle back then). We arrived at the cake maker's location, and, unaware of my identity, she disdainfully assessed the car we arrived in. Undeterred, I informed her of my need for a wedding cake, and she began presenting a series of excuses.

Initially, she claimed her cakes were too expensive for my budget (at 25,000 naira in those days) and suggested cheaper options. Emphasizing that she only crafted cakes for notable individuals, she dropped names like a Union bank manager and a boutique owner. Despite her discouragement, I insisted I could manage the cost.

As I disclosed that the wedding would be in Abuja, she insisted on additional expenses, including transportation and air travel. Undeterred, I committed to covering these costs. She further raised concerns about hotel accommodation, which I reassured her would be taken care of. Throughout this encounter, my friend persistently urged me to reveal my identity to put an end to the inquiries, but I chose not to. In that moment, I found myself both amused and perplexed by the intricacies of human nature and the pursuit of social status, evident in the lady's attitude.

In an unexpected twist, the woman, despite her modest lifestyle, exhibited a condescending attitude toward those she deemed less affluent. Despite my reservations about affording her services, she promptly dismissed both of us, seemingly basing her judgment on my casual attire and the modest vehicle, not even mine, that I arrived in.

Undeterred, I opted for a generous offer from the Canadian chef at Nicon Noga Hilton Abuja, now Transcorp Hilton. The master baker created a spectacular multi-tiered wedding cake as a promotional gesture for the hotel. Meanwhile, the Enugu-based cake maker, unaware of my identity, stumbled upon our televised wedding a week before the event.

In a last-minute attempt to rectify her oversight, she rushed to my home, offering apologies and a free cake. However, the opportunity had passed. The wedding at Nicon Noga Hilton in November 1994 was a grand affair, featuring a life-sized, elaborate cake donated by the Hilton management.

The Enugu cake maker missed a chance to showcase her talents, and her business eventually folded. This real-life experience serves as a reminder never to judge based on appearances. The televised event turned into a masterstroke for the Hilton, boosting their events hosting business. The moral of the story: never underestimate anyone, as we are all equal before God, if not before society. Many face similar scenarios daily, underscoring the tragedy of preconceived judgments.