My Dream Marriage

“Good morning sweetie,” Jackie’s voice sounds in my ears as I get up slowly from the bed. She looks happy from the way she talks all smiles. “You look happy today,” I remark and she laughs, “oh Neera you have no idea. Oh, don’t tell me you have forgotten which day today is?” “Of course not. I have just woken up, don’t you see?” “Okay then get up and cheer up, it’s your big day,” she says and I can’t help the big smile that forms on my lips.

I get off the comfortable bed and scamper towards the bathroom. Iam mesmerized by the enormous bathroom. I contemplate whether to use the tub or just take a shower. I choose the latter and decide to take a bath in the evening after all the day’s activities. It is my big day after all, all the focus will be on me entirely. I hope I won’t pass out with all the attention I need to give and be given.

I decide to take a cold shower so as to be fully awake but just as I turn on the shower the door bursts open and Azila enters, followed closely by Jackie. I jump right in time to pull a towel around me before they could get closer. She has a box in her hand. “Here, you really need this,” she says handing me the box and I look at the contents only to see that it is a shaving kit.

“What? You brought me a shaving kit? Don’t be naughty right now. I don’t need it,” I say giving it back to her but she withdraws her hand. “See Neera, you do need this because today is the day. Don’t worry we will help you with it. You have to be presentable today. See, you need to get rid of all this hairs on your arms and legs,” Jackie says touching my arms as she tries to show me the hairs on them. “My arms and legs too? See, I had shaved the necessary so no need to fuss about anywhere else.” Azila wiggles her eyebrows at me and I know that I can’t argue further.

My arms and legs are smooth when I touch my skin. This is due to Azila and Jackie’s smooth talking me into doing it. They can be quite convincing. I am now in the shower and I have decided against the cold water.

I finish my shower, put on the shower gown, dry my hair and when I open the door, I am surprised to see my beautiful dress placed neatly on the bed. There is a fresh bouquet of white rose flowers placed on the bedside table. There are silver heels placed on the floor. I walk towards the bed and take the shoes looking at how beautiful they are.

“Are you done with your shower?”I can hear Azila’s voice outside the door. “Yes I have,” I answer and she opens the door. She comes in with a tray of food and I can’t help the yawn that escapes my mouth. “Feeling hungry? I brought you breakfast in bed,” she says adoringly and I am grateful for the friendship that we share. I don’t know if I could do without her.

“Where is Jackie?” I ask. “She is trying on her dress,” she answers. “By the way when did this get here?” I ask gesturing towards the gown on the bed. “Oh that. Well, it was here before you woke up,” she says and I am surprised. “Who brought it? And you couldn’t wake me up,” I complain and she chuckles. “Oh you were sleeping soundly so I could not afford to wake you up. Simon Cooper brought it himself. He is at the restaurant but will join us soon. So you eat first.”

I dig into my breakfast and my taste buds appreciate all the details made into the pancakes. I love pancakes. There are sausages and toasted bread and a flask of white tea. “Aren’t you going to eat?” I ask Azila and she shrugs, “just a minute, go on, I will check on Jackie and come back. She looked hungry too,” she says and I nod. She leaves the room and not a minute passes before she comes back with Jackie. They sit on either side of me on the couch facing the little table that is placed a few feet from the bed.

“This is delicious,” Jackie comments and I couldn’t agree more, “Please don’t let this be our last meal together,” she adds and a chuckle escapes my mouth, “what do you mean? We work together and as for Azila we can always arrange for dinner dates. We can always meet even if it is everyday you know. Don’t act as if I am going to the moon, come on guys.” “I was just hoping you would not commit too much into you newfound love and forget about your friends,” she says. “How can I? That is impossible. We will always be together. And don’t you forget yours is coming soon?” She smiles the biggest one and I get that she can’t wait for her turn too. “Okay then, all settled. Let us finish this before Simon comes back,” Azila says and we continue taking our breakfast.

A few moments later after we are done with breakfast, Simon walks in, being led by Azila who went to get the door when he knocked. “Hey ladies? Neera, I couldn’t see you when I came in. Hope you had a good night’s , e” he says. “Yes I had. Thank you,” I say. “The stylist will be here any moment and you have to have to put on you gown before she does your hair and makeup,” “okay then, we will go change then come and help Neera put on her gown,” Jackie says.

Jackie is stunning in her long pale pink dress while Azila in her beige dress doesn’t disappoint either. “Wow, you look gorgeous both of you,” I comment and Simon gives a thumbs up. He really did magic to Azila’s dress. “Now your turn Neera.” Simon, Azila and Jackie all help me put on my gown. It fits me perfectly. Simon makes me sit on the bed and the doorbell rings. “They are here,” he says. I guess he meant by the stylist. He goes to the leaving room to get them.

The stylists are two ladies and a young man who carries a box. He places it on the small table where we ate earlier and one of the ladies help him carry it and place it near the bed. He opens it to reveal all kinds of makeup. “Ray, you make her the most beautiful bride we have ever seen,” Simon says to the young man. “Oh sorry I forgot to introduce these three, this young man here is Ray, the shorter lady is Mary and the other one is Maggie. They will pimp you to your liking. Now you start with Neera, then the other ladies. You can start now,” Simon gives the stylists instructions and goes to sit on the couch. Ray starts with my hair and goes on to do my face. Occasionally I have to open and close my eyes.

I am staring at my reflection and have to admit that I like what I see. Ray seriously made me the most beautiful bride. Azila and Jackie gives me a thumbs up while smiling up at me. They are both sitting on the couch watching me together with Simon. The stylists take back the table near the couch with the make-up kit. Maggie does Azila’s make-up while Ray does Jackie’s and Mary helps them. They both do wavy hairstyles letting their hairs down flowing on their backs. Azila has blonde highlights on her dark chestnut hair and the waves makes it more sophisticated. Jackie has longer black hair than the both of us. After they are done Simon takes a look at the final results of each of the services Ray and his team provided and gives a satisfied remark, “now we have our perfect bride.” “Neera, your parents should be here any minute,” Azila tells me. That reminds me I haven’t seen my phone since morning. “I took your phone Neera, you are not supposed to handle your phone today. You will be overwhelmed. Your mom called me and said they will come to see you before you leave for the wedding.” “It’s okay then,” I tell her.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

As if on cue the doorbell rings again and I say, “I hope they were not harassed at the reception,” but Simon assures me,”oh about that. Don’t worry the Lawanson’s own this place so I assume they were given the instructions.”

“What. This hotel is Lawanson’s. Wow, I couldn’t imagine that,” Azila says and I internally sigh at how much wealth this family has. I think I don’t know the people I am going to give my life to, especially Edward. I have only met him once and he seemed like a cool guy which is okay with me.

My mom enters the room adorning a blue dress with a matching kimono which has silver embroidery on the arms and the hem. My dad has on a black suit, a blue tie and a white shirt. They look good actually and the moment my mom walks to me and says,’oh my baby,’ tears that I didn’t feel earlier rolls down my cheeks and try to stand up but she gestures for me not to stand. She hugs me avoiding my face and says, “don’t cry so much you will ruin your make-up.” “Oh mom, stop joking, I missed you two. Hello dad, didn’t you miss me too?” My dad pushes his wheelchair towards the bed and Azila gestures for the other guys to leave. After the greetings they leave and Azila is the last one to leave the room, closing the door behind her.

“Neera, are you okay?” My dad asks me holding one of my hands. “I am good dad, what of you guys?” “We are fine darling, are you anxious? Are you comfortable?” He asks me and I nod. “I can’t believe my little girl is now grown and getting married today,” he says and now my tears can’t seem to stop. My mom takes my other hand and squeezes it reassuringly. She takes a tissue and dabs off my tears making sure she doesn’t ruin my makeup. “Look Neera, we are here for you, any time you need us. Even as you go to your new home. Don’t worry your mother-in-law will take care of you, she is like your mother now. Don’t be a bad girl, from now on you will be under Edward’s care. Take care and be committed to your husband and his family, his family is your family now,” that is my mother. “Yes Neera, we love you so much. As for the promise I gave to you, I will do as I said sooner than you expect. Now wipe those tears and be ready because the convoy is here to pick you up. Let me pray for you. ‘Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of life and thank you especially for this day that you planned in Neera’s life. Thank you for the ups and downs that we have been through but you made a way so that our daughter has grown up to experience this day. I commit this day into your able hands…’ ”

After he’s done praying my mother calls for Azila and everyone else who was in the room. She appreciates everyone for their participation in making my wedding day successful. Simon gives her the veil and she places it on my head. He helps me wear my shoes while Ray does some touchups on my face. “You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen, now can we go?” My mom asks and everyone stands to leave. Mary arranges the makeup box and is the first person to leave the room. Azila holds my dress helping me walk properly. My mom pushes my dad’s wheelchair towards the elevator and Jackie carries my small suitcase and another bag they placed their belongings in.

The elevator dings open and just a meter away there is a red carpet that is placed leading towards a car that a man in a suit opens the door. There are some other cars that are decorated in red and white, I guess five or six, I am not sure. We walk towards the car and Simon and Azila help me get in. Another guy pushes my dad’s wheelchair towards another car while my mom gets in the car after me. I look closely to see my dad easily get into a car that is well designed to help him get in with his wheelchair without any help. The first guy who I remember that he is the one who drove us when we visited Edward’s home. He closes the door and gets in the driver’s seat. Azila sits on the passenger side as the back seats could not contain the three of us due to the volume of my dress. He starts the car and I note that some other cars have already left.

We leave the parking and into the traffic, to the wedding venue.