My Dream Marriage

Aniston Residence.

“Betty, where is my dress? I don’t want to be late for this wedding,” Sara shouts from the dressing room to her house help. “In a minute ma’am. I’ll bring it right away,” she says.

A beautiful yellow gown placed on a mannequin is brought to Sara’s dressing room. Betty, the housekeeper takes it to the dressing room. Sara gasps and holds her cheeks in admiration at the masterpiece before her.

“Wow, this is so pretty,” she says and Betty adds, “yes ma’am. I bet you will be the most beautiful lady in the wedding. Even the bride will be jealous of you.”. “You are right. I will be the most stunning woman in my crush’s wedding. I wished I could get married to Edward, but he preferred an ugly duckling to a swan. Lucky bastard,” she says feigning annoyance and puffing her cheeks.

“He will probably regret his decision the moment he sees you,” Betty says and the both burst out laughing. “Is Aniston ready?” “Oh he is. He is downstairs waiting for you,” Betty answers. “Okay thank you Betty. Go and let him know that I will be there in no time. Oh no, infact help me put on this gown.”

“This name sounds familiar. Is she the same person. She can’t be. Her class and that of Edward can’t match. Anyway after today I have to look for her again. It’s been long since I last set my eyes on her. I have to talk to her too,” Aniston says much to Sara’s amazement.

“Brother? Are you talking to yourself? What is it that is making you think out loud? This is new,” Sara says and Aniston sighs in relief. Seems Sara didn’t hear what he was talking about.

“No, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about the investors I need to meet on Monday,” he answers but Sara seems dissatisfied. “I know you big brother. First, work matters have never been a problem to you. Second, you are a poor liar. I know it because you don’t lie and when you do you are not good at it. So tell me, is it about that girl?” She says and Aniston looks at her quizzically, “which girl?” “Oh you know, that one I walked in on you talking about her to yourself,” she says.

“Let’s go we will be late. If we start arguing we won’t be over until eternity. Betty, take care of the house. Is the car ready?” “Yes sir, enjoy your day,” she says.

***

The car door opens and Azila holds my dress in place as I step out. There is a red carpet stretching towards where I presume could be the altar. There isn’t a single soul around as I start walking, holding my bouquet of flowers on my front. My mom had left earlier when we arrived saying she is going to see dad. My dad’s condition makes her be on standby in case he needs anything. There is a big door a few steps away and I know this is it. Once it opens, it literally opens to a new chapter of my life. I take a final step to approach the it and the door opens wide to reveal a crowd of people seated on white chairs arranged neatly facing the altar- made just by four posts – with white and red flowers all over them. There is a white lace material placed on top, like a cover. I shift my eyes to my bouquet of flowers and I can feel all eyes on me when the announcement ‘here comes the bride’ comes through. They all stand up and my heartbeat accelerates.

Azila comes to my side and whispers, “just focus on your steps and you will be fine. I am behind you.” “Okay,” is all I can manage to say. I heed to Azila’s advice and descend down the stairs. From here, the ground is flat and I take a few seconds to myself, say silent prayers to the God of courage to not let my clumsiness take over me today. I breathe in and out before deciding to take another step towards the altar.

I feel my right hand being held. I look up and I am glad that my mom is here to walk me down the isle. Now my God really answered me. My clumsiness is now kept at bay.

“I am here. Don’t be too nervous,” my mom says. “Yes mom, thank you,” I answer more confidently this time. I wish my dad could be here too, holding my hand, walking me down the isle, but his condition cannot allow him. I feel tears forming in my eyes so I decide to focus on my steps. At the back of my mind, I can’t ignore the fact that I hate whoever did this to him.

“In sickness and in health, till death do us part,” I am the last one to take the vow after Edward and I slip the ring on his ring finger. “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest says and we receive a round of applause from the attendees. We sign the marriage certificates and now it is time for the reception.

We have taken photos with almost everyone at the wedding and I can’t ignore the fact that that woman who made me look like a fool on my gown fitting day attended. She looked pissed, maybe at me, for all I care. Her brother, Aniston, attended too. I had to expect that since he is one of the top business people in Sura city so Lawanson’s family couldn’t have left them out. I was glad when Samara was among them too.

Everyone seems satisfied and some have started leaving. I can spot my parents talking to Edward’s family. They walk towards us and Edward’s mother starts introducing me to the family members. His cousins, uncle’s, aunt’s and some of their friends who attended.

“Neera, we are leaving now, take care,” she says and whoever is present at the gathering starts hugging me one by one. “Welcome to the family” becomes like a song in my ears as I am passed from one individual to another exchanging hugs.

“Hey Neera,” it’s Samara, my boss. “You look stunning today, you were the prettiest bride,” she says and I blush. “Thank you for coming. I shall see you in a week’s time,” I tell her and she says, “enjoy your time. See you then.” She is the last person I get to hug after everyone else has.

“Let me take your dad home now. Edward, take care of my baby,” she addresses Edward and I can feel my tear glands fill up again. I hug her and crouch down to hug dad. They wave to the others and she pushes dad’s wheelchair towards the car that pulls near us, the same car that dad used earlier to come here. “We are leaving too, take care,” Eric Lawanson announces too and they leave to their cars. I am left with Edward and he holds my hand and leads me to another car where Azila and Jackie are waiting.

The door opens and Edward holds my dress so as I can get in properly. He closes it and moves to the other side to get in. Azila says to me through the car window, “see you at the party.”

The car comes to a halt at a building. It is not so a big building but rather a three storey building. We enter the building and a lady who was at the reception is instructed by Edward to take me somewhere I am not aware of.

We take the stairs to the first floor and come to a door that she knocks. Before the door can open she leaves and I wait for whatever is in store for me.

The door opens and I am surprised to see Simon in the company of Jackie and Azila. “You guys are here,” I remark and they nod. “See, I came here to give you this,” he says pointing to a long red dress placed neatly on a clothes’ hanger. It has golden embroidery on its left side of the top part and is sleeveless.

“You really are a master in this,” I tell him and he shakes his head, “I am just a designer.” “Of course you are,” Azila chimes in.

They help me out of my gown and I put on the red dress. It fits perfectly fine on my body. I put on another pair of shoes which is golden in colour. “Let’s go, they are probably waiting for the star of the night,” Simon says.

The part room is full of youngsters only. There is not a single elder in the room. I look around the room and there isn’t anyone that doesn’t look classy. Some are sipping drinks while others are dancing their asses off. There is a table placed on one side of the large room. There are two chairs placed next to the table. The music stops abruptly and the DJ or the emcee takes the microphone and announces my arrival.

Edward comes to me and takes my hand and leads me to the table where he makes me sit on one of the chairs and he takes another. The emcee continues, “we are gathered here to celebrate the union of our friend Edward to the love of his life. Let’s put our hands together for the newest couple in town,” he says and the crowd cheers and claps. Edward stands up and the emcee hands the microphone to him. “Thank you friends for sparing your time to witness my big day. I am humbled and I look forward to more unions like these from you guys in future. Meet my lovely wife, Neera Lawanson,” he says and makes me stand up. Some of the people are laughing at him while others are cheering. He holds my hand and raises it up. I wave to the crowd with my other hand.

After that the emcee announces that we should take the stage and dance our first couple dance. The harmonious music comes to life and I tense. “Edward, I don’t know how to dance,” I tell him and he smiles at me. “No worries, just follow my lead, you will be fine.”

I place my hand on his shoulder and he snakes his hand around my waist and man, he can really dance. The music comes to a stop and he releases me. “You can go take your seat now. I have to talk to some of my colleagues now. I will join you later,” he tells me and disappears into the crowd.

I go back to where I was seated and everyone else goes on sipping on their drinks and the dance lovers takes the dance floor when the music starts. I am not a part person and if it were up to you I wouldn’t be here. I could be resting after all the activities of the day.

Jackie comes to me and smiles. “You look gorgeous. Would you like a drink?” “Yes, some juice will do,” I tell her. “Are you enjoying though?” She asks. “Oh you know me well,” I tell her. “I know you wish you were somewhere else rather than here but it’s your day, enjoy baby girl. I will get the waiter right away, ” she says and scurries away.

Moments later a waiter comes to my side holding a tray with a glass of juice. “Hello, ma’am, what flavour of juice would you like? I came with a pineapple one just in case,” he says. “No worries, pineapple juice is my favorite, thank you,” I tell him and he says,”enjoy your night, ma’am, if you need anything else let me know,” he says and I nod and he leaves. I sip my juice and smile knowingly that Jackie had something to do with it. Just as cool as I wanted it to be.

I look around the room and I am entertained entirely by the people who really know how to wiggle their bodies to the rhythm of the songs the DJ plays one after another. I can spot Jackie talking to her fiancee while Azila is busy dancing and enjoying. I can also spot some celebrities like musicians and actors and business people in the room. I sip my juice slowly as I wait for Edward who seems seriously conversing with a lady and a man at the far end of the room.