Thirteen
1376 Words
Finally, the day was here. The day I was getting married. The day this matrimony would become finalized. It felt so unreal.
"It's so sad that I wouldn't be able to come over," my elder brother, Keith, said over the phone.
I smiled. "It's not a problem, really. After all, our aunt and cousins are here with me. The point is, I've got a family member around."
"Yeah, true. Anyway, I'll make sure to visit you once I can. It's been a year since we saw each other."
"No problem."
"Bye for now. Wishing you a happy married life."
"Thanks." I hung up the call.
I was about to drop my phone on the vanity table, but I stopped when I saw a text message from Raphael.
"All done. She's sleeping right now. I'm sure she can't disrupt the wedding," he texted.
I smiled. That was what I needed to hear.
"Honey, are you done?" My aunt spoke from behind.
With a wider smile on my lips, I turned around to look at her. "Hi, aunt. Uh, yeah. I'm almost done." One of my maids grabbed my tie, handling it over to me. I took it from her, and began wearing it. "Just the tie and shoes that's left. Is Rae at the Church already?"
She nodded crazily. "Yes!" And exclaimed. "They're so willing to do this. They've been there since an hour ago. I'm so pleased to know that you're gonna be married into such a family. You're so lucky."
"Cool." I took my shoes from my maid as well, rushing to slip them on. "Uh, the cakes are ready, right? We won't want that to delay us."
"Yeah, sure. They're set." She stepped close, standing in front of me. "I'm so glad that we were able to do all this before this day. The wedding planner is so professional, you know? She managed to do everything in only two days. Well, this wasn't the wedding I wanted for you, but it's good enough."
"Yeah."
Once again, she had tears in her eyes. She raised her hand to cup my jaw, standing on her toes to drop a kiss on my forehead. "Honey, I'm happy about this. I hope you'll finally be able to forget about Tanya, and move on. I hope you achieve all you want to achieve. I hope your dreams come true, my dear."
"Thanks."
"Come on. Let's get going. We shouldn't keep the bride waiting."
I chuckled. "Alright."
Grabbing my keys from the vanity table, I stepped out of the room with her. As we headed out of the mansion, my men walked behind us. We hopped into different cars, and soon, we were out of this vicinity.
***
I watched as Rae's father walked her down the aisle. The old man looked way better in those nice clothes I had bought for him. As usual, Rae looked good. I couldn't see her face clearly, since it was covered with a veil, but the gown tugged at her body, showing her shape vividly. She looked so good. I guessed that was the only thing I could be proud of, as her future husband.
Once they reached the altar, I helped her climb it, and she stood in front of me.
I stared at her. I opened her veil, and yes, she stared as well. She was pretty. The red lipstick made her seem uniquely beautiful, which I found amusing.
The pastor cleared his throat, and started, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Ivan Kurt and Rae Tyrone in matrimony…"
And yes, I zoned off.
This was it. I was getting married. I had always wanted to do this, but not with a stranger. Not with this woman I knew nothing about.
"Now, it's time to state your vows," he announced.
He handed a card over to me, and I began to read, "Rae Tyrone, I've chosen you, and I promise to choose you till eternity. When you're happy, when you're sad, when you're in pain, when you're angry, I promise to stay by your side. On your worst days, I'll hold your hands and comfort you. On your happiest days, I'll jubilate with you. Right now, in the presence of everyone…" I glanced at her. My heart was heavy. I was literally stating the promises I wasn't going to fulfill. "...I promise to love you unconditionally. I, Ivan Kurt, will be with you till death do us apart. This, I promise you on this holy altar."
Was this a sin? Why did they make me read this here?
Everyone applauded. The pastor also gave her a card, and she began…
"Ivan Kurt, on this day, the day when our matrimony is sealed, I promise on this altar that, on your happy days, sad days, frustrated days, and every other day of your life, I'll be there to support you. When life pushes you to the wall, even to the point where you think all hope is gone, I promise to stay by your side. I promise to be responsible, to obey and respect you, and to shower you with…" Unexpectedly, she sniffled. That was when I realized that she had some tears in her eyes. It dazed me. What? Why? "...with love. I, Rae Tyrone, make this promise to you. And, everyone here is a witness to that."
Once again, the crowd applauded.
She used her thumb fingers to wipe away her tears, and she sobbed. I curled an eyebrow at her, wondering what the heck had gotten into her. Was she regretting her decision or something?
"It's time to exchange the rings," the pastor continued.
The ring bearer walked to us. Rae stretched her hand forward, so I put the ring on her finger. I stretched my hand as well, and soon, we were done wearing the rings.
"With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you both as husband and wife. Congratulations!" he declared.
And again, the crowd applauded. I turned to them, feigning a smile. My gaze caught my aunt, and I felt emotional when I spotted her crying. It hurt to know that neither of my parents were here, nor my brother. Well, some things in life couldn't be controlled.
"Now, you may kiss your bride," the pastor said.
I swallowed. This wasn't something new, but it was scary. Of course, I had kissed a couple of women in my lifetime. But, this one was different. I was going to kiss my wife. I stepped close to her. Leaning close so I'd lock my lips against hers, I halted and flinched when something sounded from the crowd. It was as if someone had broken a glass.
A bit alarmed, I squirmed my neck in the direction of the sound, only for me to see Tanya. I widened my eyes, wondering how she had gotten here.
She looked wretched, her clothes quite tattered. Her hair was bushy as if it had gotten burned in a fire explosion, her face red like a tomato. She gritted her teeth, flared her nostrils, rolled her fingers in a fist, grunted, and stormed toward us. She was definitely upset. Upset to the point that she stepped on the broken glasses with her bare feet, and didn't even flinch. Gosh, how had she escaped?
Before anyone could stop her, she reached the altar. She stood in front of us, and walked to the pastor. "You! Who gave you the right to get them married?! He's mine!" she roared.
I gulped. "Tanya, you—"
"You want him to kiss his bride, right?" She sneered. What was she going to do now?
Trying to prevent her from doing something stupid, I gripped her arm, violently turning her so she'd face me. I glared. "Don’t do anything stupid. Get out of this hall."
She sniggered. "This matrimony isn't happening. My stolen groom, here's the lips."
Confused, I furrowed my eyebrows. Before I could decipher all that was going on, she brushed her lips against mine, and kissed really hard. As expected, the entire crowd gasped, and began to blab and murmur things to one another.
This was it. This woman had to be eliminated. She had just ruined my reputation.
__
- Writer
