As I entered the house, I found it dark and silent.
Where is everyone?
Jayden was waiting for me at home. I bought him Chocolates as well. Where is he? Where is mom?
I flinched at my place and my soul almost left my body when a party popper burst near my ear. Suddenly, the room was filled with lights and when I moved around my eyes, I found all my family members surrounding me. They were waiting for me to give me a surprise but I am not sure what it is because there is still time for my birthday.
“Congratulations!!” Mia came to me excitedly and hugged me tightly.
My hands hesitantly wrapped around him. But why is she congratulations me?
“Congratulations, Nara” mom and William squealed at the same time.
“Congratulations mommy” Jayden said.
My squinted eyebrows and confused eyes moved at each one of them. I know I was expected to say thank you but I was utterly confused.
“We are so happy you said yes for the wedding” Mia said.
Ohh!
Now it settled in. But how did they come to know?
“Marvin called me and asked me to start preparation for the wedding. You have agreed to it”
I forced a smile and nodded slightly.
“Mom, you giving Jayden daddy” Jayden came running to me and hugged my legs. “Jayden, I love you a lot, mommy”
“Mommy, I love you too, Jayden” I ruffled his already messy hair.
“Jayden come. Let’s dance ” Mia said.
“Yaayyy!”
Jayden went with his aunt and they started dancing like there was no tomorrow. The music filled the air as Mia whirled Jayden around on her finger.
“Have you told him about Marvin?” I asked William.
“No, I have kept it a surprise for him. He likes Marvin and I am sure that he would accept him and be happy to know that his buddy is going to be his father. But if you want, you can tell him”
My eyes flicked to my baby, who was still dancing. His tiny feet making a pitter-patter sound against the floor, his hands resonating the hall louder than the sound of the music.
It is with smile that I am getting ready for the wedding. Let’s keep it a surprise for my baby.
I nodded.
****
“Nara,” Marvin nudged me. “Where are you lost?”
“Ahh, sorry. I just zoned out” I apologized.
Last week went by in an blur. Marvin wants to marry me as soon as possible so we are going to get married next week. We are here to select our wedding dress.
The staff is showing me a really beautiful collection of bridal gowns but I am least interested because my mind is not working. My heart is in ripples and every minute I feel like crying.
“How is that one?” Marvin pointed at a gown.
“It’s beautiful ” I said, forcing a smile.
“Try it” he said softly.
“AHH, I would like to wear it directly to my wedding. Finalize it” I said.
He nodded.
He then got busy selecting the suit for him, trying to match the colour of his suit with my gown. This took me back to the day when I went with Ansell to select the dress for our wedding.
It would have been best if I actually got married to Ansell but without those four months. I just want to erase those four months from my life and rested a new life with my daughter.
I don’t know how I am going to stay with Marvin with Ansell in my heart. I thought that he would say no to a wedding after listening to my past but his reply left me with no option.
“I want you to prepare the same dress as mine for a three-year old. I will share his measurements with you” Marvin said, which caught my attention.
I am sure he is making it ready for Jayden.
“You want to have something?” He asked and I shook my head.
Though I didn’t have anything in the morning, I am not feeling like eating anything since the day I agreed to this wedding.
We then bought the rings, booked the makeup artists and tasted cakes.
I have asked Marvin to invite only his close family. I don’t want a big wedding.
As we were returning home, it felt like I saw Ansell for a second. Shaking my head, I moved ahead because this is exactly what I am supposed to do.
With only a week left, it was time for me to get ready for the wedding, which I never wanted.
***Wedding day***
I wasn’t ready for today but time and my fate are always against me, so this day approached faster than I expected.
Everyone is happy and excited for the day except me.
“Look at yourself” the makeup artist said as she put down her brush and took a step back, allowing me to have a look at myself in the mirror.
I was looking beautiful but the natural glow on my face was missing. They have highlighted my features and have done an incredible job hiding my pain behind those layers of makeup. A small smile from my side will do the work of making me look happy on wedding day.
“You are one of the most beautiful brides we have done makeup on” one of them said.
“Thanks ” I said, forcing a smile, “can I have a few minutes alone? Please?”
“Sure”
Collecting their stuff, they left the room. Within a few minutes, William come to escort me to the stage and I really needed these minutes to calm myself down and prepare myself for what was coming next. It is going to be the biggest turn in my life, from which I could never look back.
I don’t want to keep Marvin in darkness. I have to open my heart for him and forget Ansell even if it is the most painful thing to do.
I was still sitting on the chair in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection, when I heard a reflection on th backside, which made me stand up and turn around.
My eyes widened and my jaw dropped when I saw Ansell entering the room through the window. He is entering like a thief.
“Why are you here, Ansell?” I asked in astonishment.
His eyes flicked up at me and his body froze for a second along with his eyes. He couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t blink.
. “You are looking mesmerising Tereso” he said softly.
I could see in his eyes that he found me really beautiful. The way he stares at me always makes me feel beautiful, no matter what. His look approved that I was actually looking beautiful.
“I asked you something, Ansell. Why are you here?”
My heartbeat shot up when, instead of replying, he started taking steps towards me. I panicked and when I couldn’t figure out what to do in this situation, I turned around to walk away but before I could reach the doors, he came in between and blocked my way.
,”Go away, Ansell!” I said this without looking into his green orbs because I knew that I would melt if I looked into them.
“I will go away Nara, but for the last time, just look into my eyes”
He waited for my response and when he didn’t move from his place, my eyes moved to him on their own.
I could see the same pain in his eyes as mine.
They were deep, hollow, and lonely!
I was about to move my gaze away when he cupped my cheeks and made me look at him.
“I thought of attending your wedding and leaving when you became someone else’s but now it seems like it is even more painful than deaths”
I gulped.
“You were meant to wear this dress just for me. I can’t see you filled up in this dress, becoming someone else’s ”
I blinked, trying sweep in my tears, which were threatening to fall down. The way my eyes and nose are pricking , I am sure they have turned red.
“I tried multiple times to tell you that I have actually changed and am guilty of my deeds but now it seems like everything has gotten too late. I have accepted the fact that my sins are unforgivable ”
He sniffed and gulped, trying to suppress his emotions.
“But from the bottom of my heart, all I want is to stay happy. And if your happiness is not without without me, I will never show you my face again ”
Leaning down, he planted a deep kiss on my forehead. I could feel his lips trembling against my skin.
My eyes closed on their own as I relished his touch, his warmth, and his protective presence around me, which always makes me feel complete.
“I wish you a very happy married life. Take care of yourself and our Jayden. And if possible, please find it your heart to forgive me. My soul will rest in peace”
My eyes shot open at his words but he was not there. My vision was blurry with tears and I blinked my eyes multiple times, looking around but he was nowhere to be seen.
How could he disappear in just one second? My breath caught in my throat, my ears turned red and my eyes started pricking with tears.
It is not the first time that he has just disappeared from my sight but it seems like it is for last time.
“Ansell!” I called out, turning around.
I still haven’t forgotten his words when he said that he would end himself if I married someone else and he was sounding serious at that time. I saw it in his eyes today as well.
I can’t let it happen!
I would die if Ansell did something like that!