My Dream Marriage

“Is she alright sir? What happened to her?”I can hear muffled voices and I wonder who they are talking about. Did someone get hurt? I can feel something touching my forehead and I shoot my eyes open and I meet eye to eye with a handsome face. I sit upright instantly. “What happened?” I ask and he looks at the other man then looks back at me. “You fainted. Are you sick?” That’s when I remember what I came here for. I had to deliver some package, but I had arrived got into the elevator and I had even reached the floor I was supposed to deliver the package then… oh no! I get up from the couch I was sitting on and my head buzzes due to my swift action but this time I manage to stay put. The handsome guy tries to give me a hand but I signal to him that I am alright. I walk towards the door of the large room I assume is an office due to its setting. I don’t take into detail the luxurious furniture as I have an important delivery to make. Before I can reach the door I spot the package I had on the table near the door and I think it could be better if I talked to the guy and ask about my package. At least he took care of me. I should be grateful.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Thank you for taking care of me. I was supposed to deliver a package but this happened. Sorry for bothering you. Can I take my package now, please?” He smiles at me, showing off his perfect white teeth, “no need because your package has already been delivered. So you just show me where to sign.” Huh? “Sir? I don’t understand,” I say and he says,”don’t call me sir. My name is Brian Aniston and I am the one who ordered for the books. As you can see, this is the Aniston Group,” he indicates on a tag at one side of the wall in the office. I nod and head over to the table where the package is and take my bag which is beside it. I open it and take out a notebook and open the page which has his name on and give it to him. He takes his pen and scribbles his signature before giving it back to me. I take it and put it back in my bag.

“Did you make the payment?” He asks the man beside him and he nods, “yes sir I already did that.” I presume he is his secretary. “This is my secretary, Michael,” Brian says. He goes to his desk opens the drawer and come to me with two-hundred-dollar bills and gives them to me. “A tip for you,” he says. “No need sir, I am not even a delivery person, i don’t deserve it. The delivery guy was not in for the time and I was a available that’s why I am here.” “It’s Brian, not sir. And the money, just use it to buy medicine. What was the problem anyway? If you feel sick I can take you to the hospital, or should I call the doctor here?” Michael looks at him as if he has grown horns. I also don’t understand why he would give an offer like that to me, a total stranger.

“Thank you sir, but no, this is even more than enough for the medicines. I should be on my way now.” I look at Michael and he nods at me and give a little bow at Brian and head for the door. I can hear footsteps behind me and before I can open the door someone beats me to it. Brian opens the door wide for me to go through and Iam left bewildered at his action. I give him a thank you smile and continue towards the elevator that is right across his office door. I am more surprised as he follows me again but I don’t question it since this is his workplace and he could be going anywhere in the building. He has every right to. I get out the elevator towards the exit and out the building. I turn to him who is still trailing behind me with a curious face and I can’t resist asking him,”heading out sir?” “No. I just wanted to make sure you get down safely. Do you have a car? Will you be able to drive? I can offer my driver to you.” Wow that’s too good to be true. That’s strange. Why is he doing this anyway. I don’t know him and he doesn’t know me.

“Thank you for the offer but no. I don’t have a car but I will take a taxi back to work,” I answer him looking across the road for any available taxi. I spot one and I signal it. “Okay, you fainted in my office and that worried me. Don’t get me wrong. This is my card, call me when you get back safely. Make sure you do because I may be forced to give your boss a call about this. And make sure you get medicine too,” he says in a commanding voice but given my nature I don’t want to go further with this strange behavior he is showing me. I also don’t want Samara to know about what transpired. “Okay sir, I will, thank you,”I say and he opens the back door of the taxi which is already packed beside us and ushers me in. He closes it and waves at me. “Where to ma’am?” The driver asks me. “Lance road, Godwin House,” I answer him and he speeds into the traffic. I look back and I see Brian still standing outside facing the direction of our taxi. I wave back at him and Iam not sure if he saw that. What a strange man. He is really a caring person. That must be his nature. He even gave me a generous tip. Delivery people must be earning good money. Maybe I should switch my career.

My stomach grumbles just at a corner a few meters before my workplace. There is a small restaurant for fast food and I take that as a cue to treat my stomach. I don’t need medicine actually. Thank goodness he didn’t know it’s hunger that was bothering me. That could be somehow embarrassing. “Hey, could you stop here, I need to get something.” “Should I wait for you?” “No thank you. No need. You can proceed. I am just a few blocks away from my workplace. How much for the ride?” He tells me and I pay him and go to the restaurant. When I get to the office, Samara is seated at my little desk. “You took too long. Did you forget you are supposed to be here. I can’t handle two positions at the same time.” “Sorry Sam, there was a little traffic that’s why,” I answer her and she looks at me for a few seconds before going back to her office. Jackie, my colleague is away on leave and she should be back before the week ends. We are usually the two of us on the sales considering the big bookstore this is, that’s why Samara was complaining. She had to handle the office and the sales while I had gone for delivery.

Oh yes. I almost forgot. I am at Samara’s office in the evening just a few minutes to closing. “You want an off on Friday? Why though?”She asks and I try my best to sound normal when she talks in such a tone. She sounds upset over something. Maybe it’s because she had to do double work and I came in late. “I have to go for my gown fitting in the afternoon so I think I could get an off in the afternoon,” I tell her and she nods. “I presume Jackie will be back by then. You can go now.” “Thank you, enjoy your evening.” I leave the office and head home. Today I will be walking. Thank God it’s not far from where I work. Thirty minutes walk isn’t a long distance for me. I also like taking a stroll. It is like an exercise since Iam not a gym person and Iam not really keen on exercise.

It’s on Thursday. I have an early appointment. There is a purchase and the client demands that it should be delivered as early as possible. I have to get to work early and give it to the delivery guy. Just when Iam done packing Jackie walks in, all smiles. The leave she took must have done her good. ” Hey Jackie, you look great. How was your leave?” “Oh don’t mention it. It was fantastic. And you? You look different,” she says and I don’t think I look different in any way. “What? Me different? How different? Good different or bad different? ” I enquire and she smirks. “I think you have added some weight but you don’t look too jovial in some way.” I hand the package to the driver and he leaves. “Weight? Oh no you didn’t look properly. I haven’t added weight, I still fit in my clothes.” “But why the sad look, did something happen while I was away. Did Samara unleash her disappointments towards you?” She leans towards me and whispers. “No she didn’t, and this was not about me, remember? We were talking about your leave. Did you go on vacation?” “Yes I did, and you know what? My boyfriend proposed to me,” she says smiling. “That explains your mood this morning.” I think I should tell her my story too. “I am also getting married in two weeks. I am even going for my gown fitting tomorrow,” I tell her and she looks at me with raised eyebrows, “did you have a secret relationship with your fiance? You have never mentioned anything about having a boyfriend. You even had an engagement. Let me take a look at your ring,” she takes my hand and examines the ring on my finger. “Wow, this is so beautiful. It also looks expensive. That means you are getting married into a rich family. Who is this rich lucky guy?” “Edward Lawanson,” I say and her mouth drops to the floor. “Is it another Edward Lawanson or the famous but hideous Edward Lawanson?” “Yeah, the latter,” I say and her mouth opens further. “Wow, who would think. Don’t get me wrong but, you Neera getting married to Edward Lawanson, that’s so surprising? But I can assume since Edward is an influential person he could have asked you to keep your relationship secret. A lot of celebrities usually keep their relationship secret but the media is the one that usually expose them. So I totally understand,” she says and I can’t disagree with that. She has saved me from the trouble of having to explain the type of relationship we share as she has assumed the answers herself. “Yes, you are right.” “Am I the maid of honor?” She asks and I laugh at her straightforwardness,” I am so sorry Jackie, but I already chose that one, but you will be my bridesmaid, and you will be the only one, I choose not to have many bridesmaids,” her face falls and I pull her cheeks to lighten her mood.”That must be Azila, lucky girl,” she pouts and I am happy that she isn’t so much affected by that. “I will take an afternoon off tomorrow for my gown fitting,” “okay girl, and I will have to order for my dress as soon as possible I guess,”she says and I nod in agreement.

***

I open my office door and I can see some movements near the elevator. I assume it is one of the workers so I just proceed towards it. Just as I get near the elevator whatever she was holding falls to the floor, quickly capturing her attention. I just run in time to catch her before her head hits the floor. Oh my. The prettiest face I have ever seen in my life. Her delicate features makes my heart skip a beat. Her blouse shifted when she was falling and my hand moves to touch her waist unwillingly but I don’t stop myself. I carry her back to my office and place her on the couch. I touch her soft face and I can’t get enough of the feeling of her skin on my hand. She looks like a delicate porcelain that should be handled with maximum care. She coughs and wakes up while holding my hand. She looks up at me and smiles. I can’t help smiling back enchanted by her contagious smile. “You are so handsome,” she says and my heartbeat accelerates. She lets go of my hand and touches my face, sending shockwaves allover my body. Her voice is like a melody to my earbuds. I can listen to it every minute and won’t get tired of it. My eyes won’t get tired looking at her too. “What is your name?” I ask her and she moves her sensual lips and says, “Neera,” a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. She takes back my hand and leads me outside towards the rain. “I love the rain,” she says and let’s go of my hand again. She stretches her hands sideways to capture the drops of rain. She gets soaked in the rain. Her hair straightens and sticks to her head. Her clothes sticks to her body showing off her beautiful curves. I can’t resist moving closer to her and encircling my hands on her waist. I rest my head on her shoulder and she leans in for support. My enjoyment is short-lived as she wiggles and moves further away into the rain.

“Neera, enough of the rain, you might catch a cold,” I entice her so as to be able to bring her back but to my shock she doesn’t respond and starts running. At some point she slips and slides down the steep road. “Neera, stop!” I shout but my cries fall on deaf ears as she rolls faster down the hill leading to a deep valley. “No! Neera, come back I reach out my hand to try to hold her but I fall down instead. Shit! I just fell down my bed! Again! This is not the first time I am having this dream about Neera. Since she delivered those books to my office I haven’t stopped thinking about her either. I have an urge to see her again. I must meet her again. The woman who gives me sleepless nights.