Matted Vows

Shattered wedding “Ring…. Ring …. Ting … it's time to awake!” I woke up with an unstoppable grin on my face on hearing my bed alarm ring, feeling like I was walking on clouds as I stretched my hands with my eyes blinked open wide. Guess what is special! Think again. Did you find an answer to what it may be? I know what must be running through your heart now! Birthday? Grand celebration? Best memory? Now relax let me tell you about it! Today is my wedding day! The day I have so long to wait for to come; I can't wait for a second to pass without the imagination of how I and Marcus will exchange the marriage vows! From the window, I could view the sun streaming through the window, as it kept casting a warm glow on my face which was filled with smiles. I stretched out, letting the excitement course through my veins. "Today's the day! From today onward, I will spend the rest of my life with the love of my life, the oxygen which I breathe out " I exclaimed, throwing off the covers. My best friend, Sarah, burst into my room with excitement written boldly on her face. In her hand, she was carrying a tray loaded with breakfast treats and a champagne flute. "Happy wedding day, beautiful! It's your day o!" Sarah chimed, setting the tray down on my bedside table. We hugged, both of us tearful and joyfully. "I'm so happy for you, Em," Sarah said, her voice trembling. "You deserve all the happiness in the world and Marcus is the best man for you." I beamed. "Thanks, Sarh. I'm beyond happy. Marcus is the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I can't afford to hide the excitement away from you." Sarah nodded vigorously. "He's perfect for you. You two are meant to be. I've seen the way he looks at you – with so much love and adoration." As we chatted, my stylist, Samantha, arrived to help me into my stunning lace gown. The fitted bodice and flowing skirt made me feel like a princess. "Time to get ready!" Samantha exclaimed, expertly styling my hair into loose waves. My makeup artist, worked her magic, accentuating my features. "You look breathtaking, Emily," she said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. I gazed into the mirror, hardly recognizing the radiant woman staring back. Just as I was about to leave, my phone buzzed. Marcus. "Hey, beautiful," his deep voice said. "Sorry, but I'm running late. Traffic is crazy. Can you just meet me at the venue?" I laughed. "No worries, I'll see you soon." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay?" "Marcus is running late, but it's fine," I reassured her. "He'll be there soon." We arrived at the venue, a picturesque garden with a serene lake backdrop. I took a deep breath, excited. As I stepped into the elegant garden, a vision in white caught my eye. A woman, exchanging vows with... Marcus. My world crashed. What. Is. Happening? No! It's not possible! How could that be possible? The woman's smile, the ring on her finger, Marcus's tender gaze... it all screamed one thing which I was yet to clarify but my heart rushed towards it: betrayal. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. My legs trembled. How could Marcus me? He just called to inform me about the traffic! Where is the traffic and how come about this part? Sarah's concerned voice barely registered. "Em, what's wrong? Is everything okay?” I stumbled forward, my eyes locked on the unfolding nightmare; I had not concluded that I was Betrayed, or could it be that Marcus wanted to surprise me. Marcus's eyes met mine at once, and for an instant, we connected, I was thoroughly searching for a good response from him. But the sudden Guilt that flashed across his face before he quickly looked away says it all to me. I clenched my fingers tightly with a Redding face; the joy that I had earlier built on my face suddenly disappeared. How could he do this to me? Why didn't he tell me he was about to leave me for another lady rather than make me prepare for the wedding? I thought I knew Marcus, but the man standing before me was a total stranger. My heart shattered into a million pieces as my thoughts wandered on how much I have tried to avoid any related issues like this. I hate men! Betrayals! "Emily, let's get out of here," Sarah urged, tugging my arm to move along with her. But I stood frozen, unable to tear my gaze from the travesty unfolding before me. The woman's voice carried through the air, promising to love and cherish Marcus as she was romancing him by all means with her glance, not leaving mine anytime soon. Marcus's response, vows he should have been making to me, cut deep and I felt I couldn't recover from this part. I felt a hand on my shoulder. Sarah. "Emily, come on. We need to leave, could you want to keep staring at all this unfolding before you?." I nodded, still in shock but should I leave without pouring my anger at Marcus? I'm not a weakling! He has hurt me to the height of it. I could still recall that we invited everyone seated right before them together, the pastor! And many more high audiences. Alex! Was standing beside Marcus with smiles on his face. How could he? He had always made me believe Marcus loved me; why now? Or he has been doing this just to get me pleased! As we turned to leave, Marcus's eyes locked onto mine once more. A mix of guilt, regret, and something else – something I couldn't quite place – flickered across his face but I was burning in anger! I was Betrayed, and I couldn't leave the venue without saying something to Marcus. But it was too late, whatever I do now wouldn't change the fact he had married someone else. The damage was done already but I will teach him a lesson for what he did to me, in the presence of everyone whom I invited. It happened like it was a planned work! No one was speaking ill against what he did, no one noticed my presence as the bride! My heart, once full of love and hope, lay in tatters but I must do something. I watched the lady and Marcus walk closer to where I was standing. The anger was building in me as I clenched my fists tightly; the Redding in my face was clear as the makeup that I had made earlier was clearing off. Each step they took towards where I was standing caused tears to well up while I bit my lower lips tightly. I could see her eyes were blinking with a smile on her face as they approached where I was. “ Loser! You will always be a loser! You lost him,” She whispered to me with a smile on her face. Then she turned her head towards Marcus, and he smiled back at her. “How dare you?” I asked in a low tone, but then she hit me across the face, sending a shiver down my spine. My heart was hit with so much desperation, and without thinking twice, I picked the stone right behind me and hit it on the lady's head with full force. I raised my head, my hand still clenched on my face while breathing hard. She was lying right before me in her pool of blood while Marcus and others were desperately finding means to take her to the hospital. Sarah hit me hard on my arm as she angrily gazed at me. “ What have you done? You have killed a soul! What is wrong with you, Emily? What has the innocent soul done to you that you decided to take such action on her? I'm off from here “ she said with anger written over her face. I was surprised everyone was suddenly speaking badly about me while the rest were seeking ways to get help for the lady. How could Sarah tell me she is innocent? What innocence does she have? As I made to move along with Sarah, I felt a heavy hand grab me and forcefully turn me. “ How dare you!” The deep voice asked with anger in it while pinning me to the wall. It was Marcus; I couldn't breathe properly as I struggled to get his grip off my neck. “ Just pray nothing happens to her, else I will show you how you need to be killed!” His words hit me hard, crashing my unexpected curiosity over me. “ But …. But .. Marcus. I thought you loved me, I thought you cherished me so much. Why now, you betrayed me! You caused all this Marcus!” I tried yelling at him while tears dropped down my cheeks. “ I didn't betray you, young devil! You betrayed your stars and marrying Natasha is the best decision ever! Just pray nothing happens to Natasha, Else I'll make the dogs feed on your flesh. I Marcus state it.” He said walking away from me. Natasha? Is she the one? She is back? Marcus said marrying her was his best decision… but I thought he hated her with all his guts. What a big dreamer I was! I, Emily, will never allow Natasha to have Marcus, the love of my life. I rather dead than watch her manipulate him into loving her.