Chapter 3 Getting Married

• The next morning, my door was being banged hard, and hurriedly I got out of the bed to get it, only to see whom I never expected this early morning.
• Mom holding a white box.
• She hurriedly walked into my room.
• "We don't have much time at hand, Selena. You have to wear this."
• I stared at her, wondering what she meant.
• "What are you doing standing? Go take a bath already. We can't keep the Fernandez’ waiting."
• But who the hell is the Fernandez?
• Is he or she a client from the company?
• But I thought she wouldn't be going over to the company until a few days after Nala gets married to her fiance? I thought that's how it works.
• Perhaps it was more important than the wedding. That's what I thought.
• I went to the bathroom to take a short bath, went to meet my mother who was placing a strange white gown on the bed.
• I stood by the bathroom, stared at the gown, then at her.
• That's a wedding gown. I have attended so many weddings with mom, and of course, I can recognize a wedding dress very well.
• The dress doesn't look my size. I am short, it should be for Nala.
• "Common now. Do not keep waiting there doing nothing."
• I was still lost.
• I went to meet her, picked up the gown. "Mom, this is Nala's dress."
• "Of course, but we already told you last night. Nala isn't getting married, you are, and you are also getting married in the next few minutes. Exciting, right? Common"
• I felt my world being crushed the minute I heard that.
• Married?!
• "What are you doing there standing?!" She drew my hand, trying to take off my towel, but I held it firmly. "Wasn't Nala the one who is supposed to get married? Why me?" I was staring at her, unbelievably.
• "I just told you Nala isn't getting married, you are! And besides, we already discussed this with you yesterday. Stop acting as if you are just hearing it now. Now, wear your undies and get prepared."
• So it was real.
• "No!!!" I yelled at her. "I am getting married to one one. Why should I get married to a man I have never met before?" I disagreed with her. I actually thought it was a joke until,
• She slapped me hard across my cheeks. "Shut up! You will get married to the Fernandez’ son. You have no right to say NO to my orders. Is that clear?!!"
• I held my cheeks, as tears flowed out like water.
• She threw a glare at me, picked up the dress and threw it at me.
• She forced me to wear the dress, and made me put on a pair of sneakers since I had no shoes.
• *
• The church in front of me.
• I sat still, staring at the church ahead.
• How come this is happening to me?
• The instant I got out of the car, towards the church, I felt the whole world crumbling on my head.
• I am actually getting married to the man I have never met before in my entire life. I don't even know his name or know if he is an old wrenched man. All I know is that my life is really getting destroyed.
• There were people in the church, just a few or fewer than ten, including the priest. They all had their eyes locked on mine as I walked down the Isle gently.
• I saw Nala also seated with them, smiling widely at me.
• I really will be getting married to the man I have never met in my life before.
• I stood by the spot the man standing by the pastor led me to.
• Scanning the people seated, I stole a glance at my mom. She was smiling so widely that I could clearly see her white teeth.
• She is happy.
• And my dad, he wasn't smiling, nor could I read his facial expression.
• It was strange.
• The door to the church burst open, A man stepped in.
• He was the only one who stepped in before the door closed.
• He was different. Well, he had that appearance that made him stand out in the church. He was fair, with beards all around his chin. His brown eyes contrasted exceptionally with his toned face. I could see the hint of frustration and dissatisfaction in his eyes, which disappeared as soon as it showed. And overall, he doesn't look innocent.
• He stood right beside me, a smile overtook his face as he grabbed my hand. He placed his lips at the back of my hand. Lifting his head up to look at my face, I quickly withdrew my hand, irritated with his stare.
• Should I run away? Far away from here?
• I felt hopeless.
• Every eye was on me. Some were smiling, some with a natural expression - I couldn't read their faces, while some had a grin on her faces - Nala and her friends.
• I wasn't listening to the priest, until when the vows was recited.
• "For better or worse...for rich, for poorer, till we grow older...."
• The fuck! He is already an old man!
• He inserted the ring into my finger, but I was hesitant to do the same. My hand was shaking nervously, holding the ring.
• He was still smiling at me, waiting for me to insert the ring into his finger.
• All eyes were on me too, waiting for me to do it.
• "Darling?"
• At last, I did it. I inserted the ring into his finger.
• "Kiss the bride!!" I could hear a loud shout from the small people in the church.
• It was Nala.
• "Kiss the bride! Common, don't be shy!"
• "Common darling." He took a hold of my chin, and at that instant my lips touched his, I quickly withdrew from him, holding the urge to hit him across the face.
• Everyone stood on their feet, clapping for us.
• My life is doomed. Selena is over.