THE WEDDING 1
1024 Words
The day finally came. Lena watched her best friend as she giddily recorded every phase of their makeup session. She was obviously more excited about the wedding than she was.
The makeup artist did the last touches on Lena's face, giving herself a satisfactory smile. She turned to Lisa and said, "Done, ma'am!" Then she started to pack her things into the makeup box.
“Wowǃ Where is my friend? I can’t recognize her anymore.” Lisa yelled dramatically and Lena smiled even though she didn’t want to smile that day.
"I don't think this is necessary, Lisa," Lena sighed. She had rejected the makeup offer when Lisa suggested it to her, but Lisa didn't have it. She went ahead to bring the makeup artist.
"It is, Lena. You look so pretty and I'm sure he would go crazy once he sets his eyes on you today." Giggling and satisfied with Lena’s face beat, Lisa got up from the bed and walked towards her friend. Crouching to her level, she took her hands and massaged them to soothe her. She knew how worried her friend had been since she got to know that she was getting married. “You are so beautiful, Lena. Trust me, everything will be fine. I will always be here for you, I promise.”
"I don't want to do this." Lena just realized that after the wedding today, she won't be coming back to her father's house. The fear that she was making the worst decision of her life suddenly slammed her.
"This is the crossroad, Lena. We can't go back anymore. We either take a cross, or we stop at a standstill.” Lisa caressed her back and kissed her forehead. "You will be fine, trust me.”
Lena didn't trust her friend's words. She could read the uncertainty fused in her voice and expression but she didn’t say more words.
She walked towards the window in her overflowing white gown. Lisa had specially picked her wedding gown. Lena just wanted to make things simple, she didn't want to give Darian the impression that she was pleased to marry him even though he had dropped some money for them to make preparations.
She rubbed her temples in worry, her eyes roaming the room. She felt homesick already. She walked back to the bedside and stayed still, staring at Lisa. Waves of emotions ran deep within her. This was not the plan. They planned to travel the world together. Make money and meet a man they love, not this.
Lisa monitored her friend's movement. Her overly long gown took the better part of the room. There was a slit that cut right to her knees revealing her toned long legs, and her well-carved shoulders were fully displayed in the dress. She had a light makeup on but it depicted classy and expensive. Lena was so pretty Lisa sometimes wished she was a guy and Lena was his girlfriend.
She looked at Lena again and nodded proudly at the choice of dress she settled for. Lena’s slender figure was perfectly accentuated in the dress. She loved it.
"Take it easy, Lena. The church program starts in an hour. We should brace ourselves for it." She told Lena.
"So, this is it? I'm getting married to that man. A man I don’t know? A dangerous man?" She was close to tears. "I don't want to do this. I'm so afraid." She held her best friend very tightly. "I don't want to do it, please help me."
Lisa patted her shoulders and hugged her. She could see the trepidation in Lena's countenance but there was nothing she could do to help her.
"I will be here for you. I will always be here for you, but Lena, don't ruin that perfect makeup with your tears." She pressed her lips together and shrugged her shoulders when Lena looked at her scornfully. She smiled, pulling her closer for a long hug. “You will be fine, Lena. Trust me.”
They left the room afterwards, and Lena met her father in the living room. He was casually dressed in a black suit. His gray hair was gently combed to the front. He looked away before her eyes met his.
He should be glad that his daughter is getting married but there was no smile on his face. He looked back at Lena as she walked towards him. She was gorgeous, so beautiful and innocent. Her curly hair was styled into a bun that stood behind her neck.
"Lena?" He called once she was standing in front of him.
Lowering her head, she waited for his next words.
"I'm sorry. I hope you forgive me someday." He muttered in a gentle voice. Taking her hands, he placed soft kisses on them.
She choked back on her tears. She had grown to love him so much and she was hurt he had to do this to her, to them. If only he was more responsible.
"Will you be fine on your own? I just realized that I won't be coming back to this house after today." She sniffed, about to cry again. She still cared about him no matter what he did.
"Darian made arrangements with some maids. He will send them over tomorrow." He told her, and she was surprised. She was oblivious to all that but she didn't push it further.
All that mattered to her was her father's well-being. She was glad it would be sorted out.
"The church program is starting in forty minutes. We have to leave now." She told him, and they both walked out of the living room.
They got outside and two black windows tinted cars were already waiting for them. Darian had sent a car to pick up his bride and the second one to pick her father.
Lena gave her father a last look before heading into one of the cars with Lisa following behind.
“Easy girl.” Lisa screamed when Lena walked too fast. She was holding the lower part of the dress and feared that Lena might trip if she walked too fast.
- Writer
