Twenty Days

This was it. I was finally getting married to the man I loved for the past twenty years of my life. I gazed up and down the mirror, looking at the stunning white gown which shined at me. My bare shoulders upright in pride and joy as the dress carved down my body, melting at my waist making my curves stand out and finally inflating about twelve inches, making a perfect circle around my body, creating a beautiful 1997 gown look. I felt like twirling. It had beautiful straps that hung down from my shoulders, making the dress an off shoulder. The piping at the sides of the dress from the back, tumbled individually down my back until my waist and then curved, meeting just above my waist, adding even more glamour to the dress. “Oh, you look beautiful honey.” My mom exclaimed, kissing my forehead lightly, making a smile appear on my face. “So, is this dress fine?” the salesgirl asked. “Just a second.” I said, pulling my phone out and face timed Navi. My mother smiled knowingly. He picked up after the third ring. The screen buffered for a second before Navi’s smiling face appeared in front of me. “Hey love.” He said and my heart swelled up with warmth. “Hey, check this out.” I said, stretching my hand upwards, so that the camera would cover the whole dress. “Wow! Is it just me or do you look like an angel who just fell from heaven?” He said placing his hand over his heart dramatically and raised both his brows. I giggled at it comment. “So, is this a good enough dress for our wedding?” I asked “Oh yeah, totally!” he exclaimed. I smiled before bidding him goodbye and turning to the saleswoman with a smile. I changed out of dress and handed it over to her for the packaging and checking out. I have been with Navi ever since I was five. We were best friends until we were twelve and he asked me to be his girlfriend. We have been dating ever since then, though it had been hard when we turned eighteen and both of us had to go for different universities, until we were twenty-one and finally graduated. I was working until two weeks back when I turned twenty-four and Navi asked me to marry him at my birthday party. Well, I would have continued working as I love what I door rather did, which was working as the chief executive of Elle magazine but Navi’s family is against work after marriage. Therefore, if I wanted to be called Mrs. Ishita N. Singh, I had to quit my job and so I did. Though my boss was pretty pissed at me as he kept saying I had huge potential but when I told that to Navi he said my boss just wanted to get into my pants. I mean, maybe he is correct. “I cannot believe you are getting married.” My mom groaned as we got inside the taxi, after grabbing our dress and exiting the store. I smiled at her as she says that. Neither can I mom, neither can I. We reached home a little later than expected. As I stepped inside the living room I spotted the couch occupied and a large newspaper opened up, shoes peeking in from underneath the papers. I gasped as my lips curved up into a smile. “Dad!” I exclaimed as butterflies summersault in my tummy. He looked up from the paper and grinned at me, standing on his feet and keeping the paper down. I squealed, wrapping my arms around him. I was seeing him after four months and God, would I be lying if I said I did not miss him. “Oh my god, you were supposed to arrive next week!” I exclaimed as I broke away from the hug. “Yeah, but I could not miss my daughter’s wedding shopping now, could I?” he asks, smiling at me as I wrapped my arms around him again. “This is the best day ever!” I squealed and both my parents laughed. “Okay, so if you are done squealing, go dress up. Remember we have dinner with the Simghs.” She exclaimed as she entered the kitchen. I curtly nodded before heading back upstairs with a groan. Don’t get me wrong, I do not hate them, of course I can’t. They are my in-laws but it is just that they make me awkward with their questions and comments. Anyway, I really cannot help that can I? I mean, I guess when you love someone you have to adjust a little. I got dressed as quickly as I could and got downstairs, helping my mother with the food. Just when I finish laying the plates out on the dining table the doorbell rings. “Ooh, I will get it.” I said as I make my way to the door and opened it, smiling at Navi and his parents as I welcomed them in. Navi walked in after his parents and kissed my cheek. I smiled and got all of them settled on the couch. After a few chats here and there we all headed over to the dinner table for dinner and a good conversation, at least that was what I thought until Mrs. Singh opened her mouth. “So, did you resign from your job sweetheart?” she asked and I froze. “Yes.” I replied and I heard her mutter a ‘thank god’ under her breath. The thing is, after I left my job, it has become a sensitive topic for me as I really, really loved my job. “Are you all packed for Italy?” Navi asked and a smile appeared on my face as I nod. Italy, that is where we wanted our grand wedding to be and my parents were kind and loving enough to surprise me with a marriage planner who thought the best place to get married royally was a palace in Italy. ____________ I gawked at the gorgeous view in front of me. The garden spread a few acres before the palace stood tall, peering down at us. The structure seemed to be made up of white marble with gorgeous work of stones. The pathway in front of us had been flatly laid and the grass and trees seemed to be properly trimmed. “This is amazing.” I whispered. “Isn’t it?” dad asked, grinning at me proudly. We gaped at the palace for a few more minutes before mom walked up to us. “I contacted the decorators who will be coming in about two hours to start decorating the palace for the engagement. Today’s welcome party therefore has to be held in the garden.” I smiled as she finishes saying that. We entered inside as the huge metal gates are opened by the security standing there as my parents show them the contract. One of the guards walked inside with us to inform the resident inside. The palace originally belonged to a prince who did not live there anymore as far as we knew. The palace had now been given for rent for different occasions. We had hired the palace for twenty-two days just to be on the safe side. I look around the insides of the palace as my parents talk to the manager staying in the palace boathouse and settle everything. The door of the palace which led to the different rooms which had already been labeled. From Navi’s parents rooms to my great grandmother’s room. I spotted a beautiful, mirror-surfaced door with a gold name plate which said my name in cursive, italics. I ran my fingers over the engraved plate and then wrapped my hand around the doorknob, opening it and gasping as I look at the beautiful room. The bed had been placed right in the center and there was a huge window to its right which led to a balcony. There was a dressing table and a wardrobe on the left and a huge chandelier in the very center of the ceiling which spread to the very ends. I looked for a switchboard and found it to be just beside the door. I switched it on and the room lit up even more than before. I switched it off almost immediately; not very impressed with the bright lighting. I looked up and found the air conditioner just above the door. I took a few steps forward and settle down on the bed which felt like cream under my fingers. The side table had a gorgeous, royal looking lamp. I switched it on and watched it produce a warm yellow light. I was instantly convinced that this would be the light I would be switching on every day. I shuffled through the three drawers on the side table and found the air-conditioners remote. I stretched myself before lying down on the bed, leaning against the headboard with my hands supporting my head from behind and admired the whole setting. I just could not get enough of it. I felt so overwhelmed. My dreams were coming true.