Sitting on the sofa with him beside me, I couldn't explain the feeling. Then he went down on his knees again just like the last time and said, " Arial please be my wife". For the very first time, I looked at his face beholding those eyes that defy mere description. I couldn't read them, I didn't understand the feelings in his eyes but for some unforeseen reason, I thought I could be safe with him.
"Yes," I said to him with my fingers slightly shaky as he put the ring on my middle finger and that was it. I'm getting married!
He drew me into an intense hug unexpectedly. Wrapped in his arms like a newborn baby, I felt safe, away from the cruel world, away from my uncle and his wicked wife, away from reality. If this was a dream, please don't wake me up.
Slowly he let me out of his arms, his hands cupped my cheeks tracing the curve of my jaw, my lips slightly parted in what looked like an invitation, I could feel our souls collide as he leaned in, and our lips met then boom! It happened.
He kissed me, and I could feel a dozen butterflies swimming in my tummy as the kiss continued. Then I thought to myself, is this love at first sight?
Have I fallen for him or is it all in my head?
Gently he ended the Kiss and looking into my eyes he said. "Arial I'll take care of you.
"Why? " what did I just inquire about? Goodness, why am I even questioning it?
Just why? maybe I want to know why.
"I don't know," he replied, and in that moment, all the pains I had felt before meeting him resurfaced, but this time, they were even more intense.
I guess my tiny heart wanted a different answer. But in return, I was heartbroken.
Why didn't he express love, even if it were insincere? Why didn't he utter those words, especially considering our recent meeting and his proposal to which I agreed?
As tears welled up in my eyes, he looked at me with concern and asked, "What's wrong, Arial? Did I hurt you?"
"Oh yes, you certainly did!" I silently screamed within myself.
"I apologize if I did," he said. It was almost as if he had read my mind.
"It's all right; you don't need to love me."
"Let's head home," he suggested, and a small part of me felt relieved that he hadn't overheard my words.
To my surprise, he scooped me up in a bridal-style embrace, carrying me out of the building. Outside, a group of men dressed in black, exuding strength and armed readiness, hurriedly opened one of the waiting cars. It was like a well-coordinated convoy.
As we stepped into the vehicle, I couldn't help but wonder: "Who is my soon-to-be husband?"
Seated quietly in the back of the limousine, neither of us exchanged words. I gazed out the window, finally finding a moment to retreat into my sanctuary—"my mind"
And there, within the confines of my thoughts...
What is unfolding? From the festivities of my birthday party to the unexpected call from my aunt, followed by my inexplicable abduction and sudden engagement to a complete stranger—it's a whirlwind of events.
"How can I possibly convey all this to my closest friends?" They must be frantically concerned since I never returned to the party. Patral's calls have gone unanswered, and I'm sure Clara will grill me with questions.
And then there's this lingering thought: "Is it all a dream?"The encounter with Patral during my secondary school days remains in my memory, as vivid as if it happened yesterday.
Flashback***
"Good morning, dear students, Mrs. Jessica, our stern economics teacher, announced as she entered the classroom. "Get ready, for today you'll be crafting your final essays on economics." The room buzzed with anticipation as we prepared to tackle the challenging task ahead. My best friend Cassandra shot me an unprepared glance. It was clear she wasn't ready, and I knew I had to step in and assist her.
"It's alright girl, I've got your back". We all reach for our essay books. I tore a sheet from the pages. As Mrs. Jessica began reading her questions, my fast writing skills kicked in I jotted down her queries accurately in my book while simultaneously recording the answers on the torn-out sheet.
Meanwhile, my best friend Cassandra kept a watchful eye on the economics teacher. She'd alert me the moment the teacher headed my way, yes we had a secret signal. Her discreet sneeze meant the teacher was approaching. When I finished, I discreetly handed over the piece to Her. Thankfully, I escaped detection. Cassandra swiftly began writing, and my gaze remained fixed on the teacher, ready to Signal my friend.
"Only 5 minutes left students," announced the economics teacher. The essay was supposed to take "30 minutes," But somehow it felt like only 5 minutes had passed. I wondered how that could be. I needed to finish my work because I'd spent most of the time writing for My friend Cassandra. Then Mrs. Jessica's voice broke the silence " 2 minutes more". The whole class murmured in response. Suddenly, our teacher Mrs. Jessica shouted,
"Quiet! The room fell silent instantly. To Our surprise, she instructed all of us to stand for her routine search. If anyone had any unauthorized materials, they were in trouble. I glanced at Cassandra; she trembled with fear. We needed a plan. I signaled to her, telling her to fling the paper out through the window, but she wasn't situated close to the window, making it nearly impossible. Sweat dripped down my face as Mrs. Jessica continued her search.
Then Patral the class loner who rarely spoke- whispered "Hey, hey," I turned surprised. She motioned for me to get the paper and give her. I signaled Cassandra, managed to retrieve the paper, and handed it over to Patral. Who swiftly slipped it through the window just before Mrs. Jessica reached me.
"Miss, are you okay?" Mrs Jessica asked, concerned.
"Yes ma'am ", I replied pretending to feel hot.
"Hot?" her eyes bore into mine with suspicion evident in them.
"What are you up to?" she asked again.
"Nothing ma'am" I stammered.
"Hands up" she searched me and moved on to the next person.
As she walked away, I exchanged a grateful glance with patral. It was a close call and she smiled. The popular loner who just became my unexpected ally.
Present***
Amidst a tempest of thoughts swirling in my mind, I jolted back to awareness as our car abruptly halted. One of the men gallantly opened the door, and I stepped out, greeted by the sight of a "majestic mansion"
On the opposite side, he emerged too, clasping my hand. Together, we strolled through the mansion's lush garden, passing a marble hall that led to the main building. The sheer beauty of the place left me spellbound—it was a "timeless masterpiece"
As we entered the living room, my breath caught. The interior was nothing short of breathtaking, adorned with heavenly decorations. The furnishings exuded regal elegance, and the ambiance whispered tranquility.
I stood there, 'mesmerized by the artistry before me.
Then, his voice, a blend of caramel and velvet" pulled me back to reality. It carried promises of safety, kindness, and a hint of concealed darkness. I turned to look into his eyes, there were pools of emotion, reflecting every shade of feeling. They ripple with tenderness, mirroring joy, sorrow, and everything in between.
"Please come with me," he said and we walked down to a room. The room is a serene oasis painted with white that reflects natural light, creating an airy and spacious ambiance. A collection of books is arranged on a shelf in a corner of the room. I was wowed by the luxurious but simple sight before me and couldn't hide it.
As I stepped into that room beside him, the realization washed over me. I turned to glance at him, feeling a twinge of embarrassment at how effortlessly I had been swept away. Yes, my uncle's house was lovely, but until my twenty-sixth year, I had never encountered a dwelling as 'exquisite and ethereal as this one.
"This is your room Arial". He said to me.
My eyes dropped open, it seemed as if my pupils were popping out of their sockets.
"Yes it's yours, he said like he heard what I asked in my head.
I turned immediately and hugged him, it felt like we were drawn by an invisible force. At that point, I thought to myself that the world could fade into insignificance for all I care about.
I wanted to remain in those arms, I rested my head against his chest and I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. His fingers trace my spine while his scent envelops me and then it happens again, our lips meet with a collision of fire and tenderness. It wasn't just a kiss, it was a confession from him to me. The kiss lasted for a while then we broke apart. Breathless and dazed, I knew I was going to carry the imprint of this passionate hug and it was going to become a memory etched in my head.
"Thank you" I finally said as I regained my breath.
"You're my wife, there's no reason to thank me."
"Oh, I said as I remembered I still have a ring on my finger."
I looked at the diamond ring on my finger and smiled. Oh, I can't wait, my friends need to hear all of it.
"Okay freshen up, change into something different, the maids will get dinner ready by the time you're done." "I'll be downstairs waiting for you". He perked my forehead and left closing the door behind him.
Without delay, I collapsed onto my bed, my mind racing. So much had transpired in a single day—my birthday. As a "Sagittarius", born on the '10th of November', the universe seemed to conspire, weaving a tapestry of events that left me bewildered and intrigued.
Then I reached out for my diary "Cassandra"