AMARE

Chapter Three

Like what’s wrong with these people adding so much despair in my life so suddenly?

We were already inside the car because I offer her a ride home, when the mood switches to being quiet for some short seconds until she breaks the silence by saying, “I am not aware of it at first.” Leanne sounded monotonous. And I don’t get why she is trying to confide her emotion. And then she added, “It was until I confronted Patrick.”

Her words made me instantly look at her while I drive her home.

“I’m sorry, Sandy. I didn’t know.” She then said.

“You have nothing to say sorry for, Leanne.” I immediately replied. “It’s not like you have done something wrong being with a man from my past, you are completely blameless, Leanne. Don’t be upset.” I was also reassured. My eyes are back on track, focusing on the road.

“Thank you, Sandy.”

I just smile at her.

And then she also added, “I also wanted to tell you something,”

“What is it?” I curiously ask.

“Well, you said I could ask you a favor in return for the all-nighter we did right? And that you will grant regardless whatever it is?”

I somehow felt nervous she might suddenly ask me for a large sum of money, “Yeah, sure. What is it?” I told her.

“Well…you see…” I can almost hear her trembling voice when she said it.

“Well, what?” I followed up while my eyes are still on the road.

“Well, I-I was hoping you could…err…possibly…” and there she goes again.

I am getting the hang of it. Why is it that she’s stuttering about telling me what she is supposed to say?

“Leanne, what is it? Come on, just spill.” I told her to force the words to come out.

“Can you be my maid of honor?” she suddenly said in a quick span.

The announcement made me instantly step on the break which bounces back the impact on the two of us. Thankfully it was just the perfect timing for the traffic light to turn red.

“Your what?!” I asked her again. My eyes widened somehow when I look at her.

Leanne shrinks a bit from her seat as she repeats the answer for me, “My maid of honor?” she said as her hands gestured plead.

“No. Try to think of something else. I can’t do that.” I instantly told her.

“Please, Sandy. You know I don’t have any sisters or female cousins to take the role and you’re the only female friend I have.”

“Think of somebody else, Leanne. I can’t be my ex’s bride’s maid of honor! So please Leanne, not this one. Just ask Karen instead.”

“I can’t have Karen, she’s married already.”

“So? Is there any wedding protocol that says only the single and unmarried woman can take the role of the maid of honor?”

“I don’t know,”

“See? You just ask Karen about it, Leanne. Think of another favor you can ask from me instead. I’m sorry.”

“Please, Sandy. Besides, Karen is already going to take the role that will bind us with the wedding chord.”

I sigh. I really can’t believe I’ve been caught up in this situation.

“Sandy?” And Leanne is still waiting for my reaction.

The green light went back, and I accelerated the car forward. “I don’t want to, not that I am mad, but I just don’t want to be part of the entourage. I hope you’d respect my decision. I’m sorry, Leanne.”

I drop her off soon as we reached her dorm. She simply waves me goodbye and smiled at me right after she heads outside the car’s door. I don’t know what her plan is going to be next but as long as I’m not involved, then, for all I care.

I know I couldn’t handle the decision with just my thoughts, and so I went out the next day together with my friends.

“Girl, that’s insane! Okay? Like, super insane?” I was expecting Sharon to tell me that but the way she rolled her eyes at me was a bomb.

“Life has been too hard on me pretty much lately, I know,” I replied to her.

“And this Leanne doesn’t seem to have a little sense of decency, you know? How could she force you to accept the role as her maid of honor when she is to tie the knot with your ex? Gosh, how pathetic!” Valerie chimes.

 My current phase now felt like a hot seat while being interrogated by my two confidants. The only catch is they’re way beyond being confidants, they just keep blabbing words to despise my current dilemma.

“I told you, you should not have gone with that Patrick for a closure.” Valerie suddenly inserted before taking a sip to her earl grey tea. And then she added, “Just look at you now? You even got caught up in that situation to decide whether you’ll accept it or not being their maid of honor.”

“I got carried away with Patrick’s invitation, I thought I could easily decline but at that moment, I knew I couldn't refuse him. And as for Leanne, I pledge to grant anything she asks me in exchange for a favor I asked her the other day.” I finally divulge making the two silent for a moment until Sharon chimes in saying, “Now that’s your problem, to begin with, Girl.” She said.

The way she plays with the milk tea's straw bugs me and so I gestured her to stop it. And then I said, “Had I know they are dating and now engage, I would not have asked Leanne for a favor, to begin with. But here I am, stuck in this situation.”

“So, what are your thoughts now? Are you going to accept it?” Valerie suddenly asked.

I was shut by her question, not that I don’t know what I want but for some reason, I want to accept it because I wanted to at least try to walk the aisle while Patrick looks at me at the far end, even if it is not me whom he is anticipating, but the woman behind me in plain whites and pearls or clear crystals with long veils and a bouquet of adorning flowers.

“Sandy?” Sharon nudges me that pulled me back to my senses. “Are you alright?” she also asked.

“Yeah.”

“So…what’s your decision now, Sandy?” Valerie brought up her query again.

I rolled my eyes on them as I swiftly slip a sigh, “Not going to happen.” I said returning my focus to my drink.

***