Chapter 5: The Stand in Bride
1093 Words
Chapter Five
The Stand In Bride
~~CHRISTIAN~~
I stood still.
I watched as my mother mumble those words before me.
“Honor your father's wish else I would disown you as my son!!”
“What sort of prank is this?”
I am still mourning my father and now this…all to please the wishes of a grave and to supposedly shut the mouth of the relatives who wouldn't stop yarning about me.
“This is utterly unacceptable!!” I said to my mom.
“Don't even go there, Christian. You know what this means for us all. Don't make me look stupid in front of Alexander?” She blurted out.
“Is this because of Uncle Alex?”
“I could shut him up for you, Mom!”
“That's not the point, son. Just get married and let me rest, please!!”
“Do that quick!” She said and walked out.
I turned to Kane who was right outside, waiting for me.
“You heard all that?” I asked, rubbing my forehead.
“Of course…loud and clear….” Kane answered.
He snapped his fingers and a ball of flames appeared.
He rubbed my palm with it and all of a sudden, the tension I was feeling reduced.
“Thanks, friend. It's golden having you around,” I commented.
I cleared my throat…”Now, what do you think I should do? I'm confused and I feel messed up with all of this request before me..” I confessed.
“Well..you have to do something before things get out of hand…”
“I have an idea,” he whispered.
…..
ARIEL
It's been weeks since the incident at the bar.
Not like I wanted to keep remembering it but thanks to Ava who made me feel relaxed about it.
I was seated outside the kitchen, staring into the air and envisioning.
Envisioning myself in the bosom of my mother.
How I wish I knew them, my parents….
All of this could have come so easy for me.
The longer I lived here, the more I crave for the affection that was missing in my entire life.
It hadn't reduced; the insult, the slaps, the scream, the silly beatings, all of it, it had become a daily dose.
Sometimes, I even feel I hadn't started my day if I don't get mocked or ridiculed by my so called sisters.
“Ariel..come…” I heard a whisper from the windows.
It had to be Ava. She was the only one who calls me by my name. The rest are fond of giving me names that makes me think if I am actually of worth.
She had learnt to project her voice from a distance also.
Something that actually fascinated me.
I stood up in a haste and went in…
Ava laid still on the bed, shivering…
“Is this a joke or something?” I said, without thinking.
“Ariel…. I'm not feeling well. I need your help on something,” she uttered.
My help? It was the first time Ava had ever asked anything of me.
Or even anyone. I never saw myself as someone who was capable of rendering help.
I even suck at using my secret magic!
“What would you have me do?” I asked her, placing my hand, gently on her belly.
She was so feverish and I felt for her. I never imagined something could bring her down this hard.
She was about to utter a word when her phone beeped repeatedly.
“That's the Taskforce, Ariel….If I don't do that job, they would kick me out..” she pleaded.
I knew what this mean to her. The Taskforce was virtually everything to her outside her family; a source of sustenance and value.
It was as important to her as she was to me.
“Just say the word, Ava. I'd do it. Anything for you,” I said with full confidence.
“I have a job and I don't think I would be fit to carry it out…” she said.
“Okay?”
“I need you to fill in for me, please. I would give you the bigger cut of the job, sister,” she pleaded.
“Alright…..what am I doing?” I asked…
“It's a simple job, babes…” she said after a heavy cough..
“..ermmm….you just have to act like a bride for a day and that's all..the job is done..”
“You have no personal business with the groom whatsoever afterwards..just act the part and leave the next day..” she instructed.
Uhn?
“Bride?”
How is this simple? I panicked.
“I'd tell you everything you need to know about the job, Ariel. Believe me. It's nothing serious,” she said.
***
I tried to catch my breath. I had never done this before.
But I was willing to…for Ava. Also, anything to get out of that prison called home.
I got to the venue the said time, all dressed in my bridal gown.
The whole place was set up and there was a fleet of cars parked right outside.
I peeped through the entrance and the crowd in front of me was scary.
I picked up my phone to text Ava but her call came in instead.
“Hello , Ava…I don't think I…..”
“They are waiting for you, Ariel..Go in…” she said, cutting me short and the call disconnected in a second.
I let out an inaudible sigh after few more exhales. I walked in with my eyes slightly closed even under the veil.
The applause raided my ears and I tried to keep myself calm as much as I could.
The thoughts of everyone seated rushed through my head and the noise was unbearable.
I finally got to the front stage and the cheering stopped.
There was an awkward silence. My head was bent downwards all through whilst the preacher talked.
My heart kept pounding and I felt like I was going to collapse.
“I can't wait to see her face,” the thought of the guy standing behind the groom rushed into my head.
Oh..this is hot..whatbif these people don't like me? Or perhaps the groom finds out I am not the one he requested for?
I scoffed under my breath.
“Wife?” The husband to-be called out.
That same minute, he opened my veil and our eyes met.
Oh oh…Who am I looking at?
My eyes widened in surprise and my jaw dropped.
- Writer
