Under Pressure

Ch 1.

It is here.

It is finally here.

The soft sand beneath my feet glide past as I walk through it. The glistening light of sunset shines down on the scenery as if it were saying goodbye for the last time. The suave beach breeze blowing through my veil. The chairs were all aligned diagonally, as the pearl colored rug stretched through from the back until the altar. The altar itself... Covered in all of my favorite flowers..... Everything was perfect.

Looking out from my cabin, I see all the guests who came out to celebrate with me. My mother is outside, looking anxious. My father standing by my cabin, with a frown. The rest of my relatives also didn't look too pleased with all of this... But I didn't care...

This was my wedding.

Over to the other side, I see my soon-to-be mother-in-law was wearing the same face as my mother's. My father-in-law wasn't even present... They were all against us... Against our love... But we didn't care, we were hopeless in love. They didn't have to accept us, because we accepted ourselves. We cared for one another, and we admired each other's flaws... We were perfect in love.

"You're everything I thought you never were
And nothing like I thought you could have been
But still you live inside of me,
So tell me how is that?"

I was wearing the dress that he had bought me.. I loved this dress so dearly. It was an ivory vintage lace backless mermaid wedding gown. It hugged me in all the right places, and accentuated my most prominent features. My veil matched my dress ever so perfectly, the train reaching just below my fingertips. My makeup... Oh, my makeup was simply flawless. The golden, sparkly eye shadow, accompanied by subtle winged eyeliner. The blush on my cheeks were rosy pink, and my lips a lovely shade of red.... My long, silky hair was up in a bun hairdo, with a few strands of my fringe curled beautifully. My necklace and earrings, believe it or not, was a gift from my grandfather. He was the only one who supported me with my marriage. A beautiful diamond necklace branching out with platinum linings, and matching earrings.

This day couldn't be any more perfect.

"You're the only one I wish I could forget
The only one I love to not forgive
And though you break my heart,
You're the only one...."

The Priest comes out and stands at the alter.... It's time.

"Dear brothers and sisters..... We are gathered here today, in the sight of God, and all those in company, to join Man and Woman in a beloved and holy matrimony.... For this young, pure, innocent love shalt not be separated until death. This covenant of life will represent as an universal symbol for their love, not the alliances to be worn on their fingers. As witnesses of this profound experience, we shalt be honoured to bless this soon to be new couple on their journey into full fledged adulthood. No man-made sentiment shalt ever break this covenant. In the times of today, and the days of tomorrow, this marriage shall be bonded stronger than steel, but remain softer than pure silk... Let us welcome the Man of this beautiful commitment up front to the altar." Professionally, the Priest delivers to the audience.

A few minutes go by and still no sign of the groom...

".... Let us welcome the Man of this beautiful commitment up front to the altar." The Priest says once more, awaiting the presence of the groom.

"And though there are times when I hate you
'Cause I can't erase
The times that you hurt me and put tears on my face
And even now, while I hate you,
It pains me to say
I know I'll be there at the end of the day"

I was worried. It's been a solid six or so minutes since the Priest had initially called him, but to no avail... I know that the groom isn't suppose to see his bride before the wedding ceremony, but I didn't care. I wanted to see him. What if he is nervous, and that's why he couldn't go out there..?? Maybe he got sick?? I needed to go and check on him. I leave my cabin through the back door and go over to his next door. I give three good knocks on the door.

.

.

.

No response. I open the door and say quietly, but just loud enough for him to hear, "I'm coming in." When I walked in, I look around but still... No sign of him. 'Where could he be...', I think to myself.

Just then... I see an envelope on the table near by. I go over to it, and on the surface of the envelope... It had said: "To: Reena". Hands trembling, I reach down and pick up the envelope and open it. I pull out the letter and begin to read...

"You look beautiful today, but.... I can't do this. We're not getting married today. We're not getting married ever. I'm sorry I played you like this but I just don't feel the same way I used to. Did I even really love you...? I'm leaving you. I can't commit to something that I don't like. No hard feelings, right? I would apologize but I'm not sorry for leaving you on your wedding date... I'm really not."

Tears were streaming down my face... My mascara, along with the eyeliner that was on my water line, they all started to run. My heart burned... My eyes were flooded... I just wanted to scream and break whatever was in my way. I ripped off the veil from my hair and threw it on the ground, shattering the delicate diamond-covered tiara on it. Hearing this from the groom's cabin, the best men came running in to see what the issue was and found me on the floor, black streaks down my face, holding a crumpled piece of paper in one hand, and the other hand on my mouth, trying so desperately to muffle out my cries.

"I don't wanna be without you, babe
I don't want a broken heart
Don't wanna take a breath without you, babe
I don't wanna play that part
I know that I love you, but let me just say
I don't wanna love you in no kind of way, no no
I don't want a broken heart
I don't wanna play the broken-hearted girl
No, no, no broken-hearted girl
I'm no broken-hearted girl"

Not knowing what to do, they called out my mother and his. They came in running as well. His mother stood watching me, but my mother came up to me and tried to calm me down. "What's wrong, why are you crying a river??? Stop crying, you're ruining your expensive make up!!" She tries to knock some sense into me, but there was nothing that this world could offer to make me calm down. Not being able to respond to her, I simply hand her the dreadful letter, all crushed up and sprinkled with my makeup-infested tears. She read the letter and covered her mouth with her hand, shocked. After a few good seconds of surprising, my mother dropped the letter, got up, and went over to his mother.

Getting all up in her face, she started: "I knew that your stupid, no good son, was a bad match for my daughter! I just can't believe that he would leave my beautiful, priceless daughter on her wedding day!!....."

I sounded them out. I didn't have the force to deal with others right now. My mind was on a one-track thought, and that thought was of the fact that my first, and only love... left me at the altar.... Being lightheaded from all this crying, my eyelids became heavy, and I pass out.

I hope that I fall into an eternal sleep...