Chapter 4
1585 Words
The big day everyone was anticipating for had arrived. The 26th of June 2010. It was a beautiful warm day with a delightful atmosphere of joy. The Santa Cruz Victorian garden had spectacular decorations coloured in pure white and pink. It was amazingly beautiful!
The bride arrived in a white A-line gown covered in pearls and rose diamonds. Everyone was taken off with her beauty. Julieta walked down the aisle with a bouquet of white and pink roses making José to be tearful. He closed his eyes sighing heavily. He felt a touch on his shoulder and turned to look. Seeing Bruno, he smiled.
"Bro, you are so lucky to have such beauty." Bruno whispered into José's ear.
"I guess I am bro. I guess I am." José agreed. He smiled at the Julieta who stood parallel facing him.
The bridesmaids (Blanca, Aurora, Rosa and Margaret) stood behind the bride in dusty pink tea length dresses so as the groomsmen (Bruno, Juan Pablo, a guy and Miguel) stood behind the groom. They all wore navy blue tuxedos and bow ties, but Jose wore a pink tie and a boutonniere.
Some minutes later after the Officiant, Reverend Milton made a long emotional introduction, he asked the couple to say their vows that whoever was ready should go first.
"Julieta Altamira, this ring is a token of my love. I marry you with this ring, with all that I have, and all that I am." José declared while placing a sparkling diamond around Julieta's third finger.
"I could promise to hold you and to cherish you. I could promise to be in sickness and in health. I could say, till death do us part. But I won't. Those vows are for optimistic couples, the ones full of hope. And I do not stand here, on my wedding day, optimistic or full of hope but I am sure. I am steady. And I know that I am a heart man. I take them apart and I put them back together and I hold them in my hands. I am a heart man. So, this I am sure, you are my partner, my lover, my very best friend, my heart, my heart beats for you. And on this day, the day of our wedding, I promise you this: I promise you to lay my heart in the palm of your hands, I promise you me."
A tear peeped through trying to ruin Julieta's make-up on hearing what Jose. She took her right forefinger and wiped it before it could drop.
"José Santa Cruz," Julieta said softly and slowly in tears. "You have been my best friend, mentor, playmate, confidant, and my greatest challenge. But most importantly, you are the love of my life and you make me happier than I could ever imagine and more loved than I ever thought possible. In faith, honesty, and love, I take you as my wedded husband, to share with you in God's plan for our lives together united in Christ. I commit to you this day all that I am and all that I can love. I pledge to you, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Before Him I offer this ring as a symbol of my love for you and a symbol of unity. I pray to faithfully fulfill my place as your helpmate and to uphold you in prayer as submit my heart to you. I pray to always be by and on your side and to always keep the presence of the Lord in our home"
She placed a ring with tiny diamonds surrounding it on Jose's third finger.
"That was touching!" The Reverend said breaking the silence between them. "I now pronounce you man and wife. Jose, you may kiss your bride."
"I thought you wouldn't ask at all." Julieta said trying to make José laugh seeing that he was very emotional.
José gripped Julieta's waist and they kissed passionately. Everyone stood up, clapped and celebrated the newlyweds. The couple made her way out.
***~~~***
On her way out, Aurora collided with Bruno at the end of the aisle. He held her hand to prevent her from falling.
She looked down in embarrassment. "Sorry." Her cheeks reddened.
"Did you hurt yourself?" Bruno asked while checking for any bruises. It was not a big deal but he was beyond worried.
"No. Anyway, sorry, I wasn't watching my step." Aurora denied seeing how he was reacting. She had hurt her arm.
Bruno smiled and let her hand loose from his grip. He pulled her to the side so people would pass. They stared at each other with smiles on their faces.
After a long time, Aurora spoke. "I am proud of the step your brother took with my sister. In this age, it is hard to find true love."
"Maybe this will bring our families together after two decades of great rivalry. I hope this union will bring peace and end all the scandals, deaths and misfortunes." Bruno agreed. He had a lot to say but he did not know where to begin.
"I guess so as well..." Aurora saw Blanca approaching. "Your future wife is coming, you should-
"Future wife?" Bruno broke out in laughter.
Aurora became confused. "What is it?"
"I am not thinking that big with Blanca and I."
"You...
Blanca arrived and stood beside Bruno. "Hey babe." She gave him a light kiss on the cheek.
"I think this is my cue to leave." Aurora said and showed them her back.
"Please wait." Blanca said. "I need to talk to you."
Aurora stopped and looked at them. "As long as you do not insult me again."
"I will leave you both." Bruno said.
"I will see you at the reception." When they were alone, Blanca continued and said, "I shouldn't have said that yester of yesterday. It was rude of me."
Aurora folded her arms. "Okay."
Blanca tried harder seeing Aurora was not interested. "I know a lot has happened between us, but I want us to find a way to mend our relationship."
That was new, Aurora thought. She took Blanca into her arms. "I am happy to hear that coming from you little sister."
Blanca let go. "Hey! We were born on the same day and hour; you are not older."
"But I am five minutes older, remember?"
"Whatever...I missed you Rita."
"And I missed you Cita."
"I don't want a man to be a cause of our tensions. Rather it be something else." Blanca said but deep down she knew that what happened ten years was bound to happen again, even if she tries to convince Aurora to stay away. But she had to try.
"Thank you, Blanca. I really needed to hear that." Aurora said gratefully.
"No thank you." Blanca shook her head sideways. Blanca thought of something. "Uhm...
"What is it?" Aurora asked.
"Eva, she says you killed Juan Karlos. Did you have a hand?"
"Being the last person he saw doesn't mean I killed him. I could never do such a thing." Aurora said.
"Is that why you ran away?"
"We have a party to attend. We can't keep the lovebirds waiting you know!" Aurora ignored Blanca's question.
They started walking.
"I will take that as a yes. Please be careful. She might get you arrested now that you are back."
Aurora sat down. "I will try my best. I always cry but you never, why is that?"
Blanca sat in between Bruno and Aurora. "You have a fragile heart, that is why."
Aurora rolled her eyes at Blanca. "And you don't?"
"She doesn't. Her heart is made of stone." Miguel answered and they all laughed.
"Shut up Miguel." Blanca said. "I am only tough."
Elena stood behind Aurora and touched her shoulders to grab her attention. "Aurora please come with me. Dante and Anna want to meet you."
Aurora stood up.
"Oh, by the way, I am glad things are much better between you two. I knew it was only a matter of time." Elena added.
"Yeah right!" Blanca laughed.
"I hope it lasts." Aurora said as she walked with Elena to meet her aunt and husband. She knew it would not last as she loved Bruno. She did not think she would control herself hard enough to stay away from him.
"It will last if you both want it to." Elena said.
"Aunt Anna." Aurora called and hugged her. "Uncle Dante." She shook his hand with a wide smile on her face.
"I just feel like I am looking at Blanca." Anna laughed. "You both look exactly the same. Look at her Elena. Wow!"
Aurora became shy. "Yeah."
"So where have you been?" Dante asked.
"I was in Spain." Aurora answered.
"You silly girl. I almost had a heart attack when I heard about your disappearance. Don't you ever do it again." Anna said.
"I will try but am not promising anything. Spain is a very wonderful country and I love it there. After the wedding, I am leaving."
"What?" Elena was shocked. "I know your father doesn't want you here but please don't leave. I need you Aurora."
"Mom."
Anna touched Aurora's arm. "Elena is right. Don't worry about my brother, he will come around. Trust me, he is happy beyond measure."
The program director called Aurora's name.
"I have to go." Aurora said. "It was nice meeting you Anna."
"Likewise." Anna said and she sat down together with Dante after Aurora left.
- Writer
