Chapter 28: Preparations

NATALIE'S P.O.V

"Wake up Nat," I heard Abby's voice while she shook me almost vigorously. "Wake up," she said again.

"What?" I asked angrily and opened my eyes to a flash. I hated to be woken from sleep no matter how important whatever the information was, I hated it so badly. My sleep was my peace or one of my peace and shouldn't be interrupted by any means whatsoever. 

"It's your wedding day today, '' she announced. "Shit!" I muttered against my breath. What the hell happened to me? My mother will kill me, especially with the fact that I slept out after promising not to. I guess this was her fear – not coming to the wedding at all or running away, it was that bad. I wasn't scared of going to that wedding late, I was scared of the beatings I'll receive from my mother's words. When it came to serious matters, or whatever she considered to be serious, it was really serious. "What's the time Abby?" I asked, reaching out for my phone.

"8 am I guess," Abby responded. Reaching out for my phone, I saw the many calls and text messages my mom had dropped. I also saw the ones from my father. Abby was going to be my chief bridesmaid, she could have at least woken me up earlier or sent me home last night. My parents let her come after much pleading from me, and also because mom said she'll help with my makeover. They had planned to not let anybody that wasn't family attend. But for me, Abby was also family and I was the bride, it was the least they could do for me. I sprang from bed the moment I saw the messages and began to wear my clothes. I remember going out with Abby and coming back late and drunk as usual whenever I went out with Abby. 

"I called a cab for us, don't worry," Abby said and I turned to her now realizing that she was already fully dressed in her beautiful milky-colored dress. She almost looked like she was the one getting married, not me. She looked beautiful and happy too. Plus her makeup was top-notch. Her hair was styled in beautiful curls. She had on red lipstick. This girl…..

"You look…" I paused to find the right word "absolutely great, I mean amazing, you know, I can't find the words" I said still staring.

"Okay, stop gawking at me. Come on now, let's go get you ready okay," she said and pulled me behind her by the hand as we left the room running down the stairs like we just stole something. 

Once inside the yellow cab driven by a woman, Abby pleaded with her to drive as fast as she could as we didn't want to be late to where we were headed.

"Are you getting married?" She asked peeping through the front mirror. I guess she was referring to Abby. Anyone who saw her would be right to assume she was getting married. She looked like a bride.

"No, but please take us to our destination, " she responded, almost sounding rude.

"Anyway, if you were, you are a beautiful bride," the woman said.

"Okay, thank you. Please no more questions, you can focus on the road and drive, please" Abby said. The woman immediately started the engine with no response, I couldn't help but snicker. The woman drove quietly till she got to our destination.

*********

"Oh, my dear you look so amazing, '' mom said, hugging me. "I'm sorry I can't help it" she added, wiping her eyes. She was crying and sniffing. Then she smiled and kissed my forehead. No doubt when I looked into the mirror, I almost didn't recognize myself. Abby did a good job with my makeup. I don't know how she's that good. Then, with the million-dollar wedding dress, it was like I fell from the sky. You know, like an angel or a fairy. My hair was beautifully adorned and styled, its waves well created with my veil falling down from my hair to my buttocks. I looked great, but I couldn't admire myself long enough as it dawned on me that I was still being exchanged for money. With that realization hitting me, a scowl appeared on my face as I looked at my mother trying to prevent tears from dropping down her cheeks. She was all dressed up. Her purple dress will definitely steal the moment as it made her look so young and beautiful, it suited her perfectly.

"She's so beautiful," she said to Abby with a smile, and to me, she said, "Come, let's go meet your father and brother". Taking me by the hand, she began to lead the way downstairs to the sitting room to meet my father and brother who had been waiting for us. Abby followed us behind.

My father's face lit up with smiles when he saw me walking down the stairs to where he was. Andrew's jaw dropped and his mouth opened, after which he replaced it with a smile. They were happy, I could tell from their faces. My father was standing there handsomely dressed in his black tuxedo and my brother, sweetly dressed in a black tuxedo also. They all looked amazing but if only the case was different.

"Oh dear, you look heavenly." My father said to me coming close to hug me and kiss my cheek"just like your mother was, you are a beautiful bride" he added with a beautiful smile. That may be true but the difference between my mother and I was that she was a happy bride, marrying the man she was in love with, and me, a naive young girl that has been pushed to marry a stranger. My story would certainly own the market if ever published. It would be the best tragic book ever sold. I couldn't even say thank you to him because the word was heavy and I wasn't sure about it. If I said thank you, it would probably be me lying and I didn't want to lie.

"Wow! Sis" Andrew exclaimed "Damn!" He exclaimed again "I don't know why you are my sister, why don't we get married?" He asked with a grin. My twin brother was basically the only person that knew what to say to lighten me up because that made me smile for the first time since I got home. "You look amazing," he concluded and I nodded. 

I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like walking down the aisle. Were there any feelings that were attached? Was there a particular way to act? I knew how bad I felt getting married but I was also nervous as it was my first time which may possibly be my last time. I was scared and angry. This was supposed to be the best day of my life, you know, eager to see the groom and wed, but instead it's the worst day of my life – my own wedding day. A day most women look forward to with expectations and plans, a day already marked out in their diaries and calendar and a day they never want to forget. In my case, it was a day that I regret that it came, a day I want to forget so quickly and a day I have no plans for. It's a day I want to hurry deep into the brown soil of the earth. It's a day I wish to curse.