Suitors at home

The trees were a perfect green and sparkled with leftover dew from that morning as Jess walked down the aisle like a stately queen. Her cream ballroom dress swished silently on the grass, arm in arm with her father. She looked at the man she would soon wed with joy.

James, dressed in his military uniform, was at the alter waiting for her as she walked to where he was. He had his hair combed back and his beard shaven. His smile was captivating and made Jess blush furiously.

The clouds suddenly became dark, and a gush of wind made the trees dance sideways. Before Jess knew it, torrential rain poured down heavily, and the guests dispersed in different directions in search of shelter from the rain.

James ran towards her with a coat as if wanting to use the coat to shield her from getting drenched, only for him to run past her like she was nonexistent. She turned to look in the direction James went, and the scene broke her heart.

James held the coat above Cathrine’s head as he used his body to shield her body from catching cold. She called his name, thinking he had not seen her, but he ignored her. James escorted Catherine to a nearby cottage, not far from where she was.

Tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheek to merge with the drops of rain that had drenched her gown and ruined her makeup. The sky had turned dark, hiding the bright rays of the sun.

Alone and deserted in the rain, she turned to leave when she saw a man standing with his back to her. His silhouette appeared lonely because of the lack of company next to him.

Jess called out to the man, wanting to go back home.

Upon hearing her, the man turned around to look at her.

Wondering by yourself again? Asked the deep voice, and she recognized it immediately.

When a thunderstorm burst in the sky above, Jess’s eyes flew open, and she looked up at the wooden ceiling in her bedroom. She could feel her heart beating loudly over the dreams she had had only a few seconds ago.

Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness in the room. Turning her head, she saw that Mia was still asleep; she was in her dreamland, which Jess believed was less hunting than she had experienced.

Jess pondered on the meaning of the dream as she felt unsettled. She could recognize the voice of the crown prince as she had conversed with him long enough to have his voice imprinted in her memory. Her resolve to look for James when she got to the capital became stronger.

Jess went outside to check if the gowns hanging on the clothesline had dried. She planned on returning the gowns to Clara today and let her know of her intention to quit her job at the local diner.

She went to the courtyard after feeding the chickens and squirrels that swarmed her as she emerged from the house. The gowns were dry enough to be packed inside the bag without having crease lines.

Mia had woken up when Jess entered the room with both gowns in her hands. Mia rubbed her eyes with the back of her palm as a yawn escaped her lips.

I could not sleep properly because of you, Mia stated.

Me? Jess asked, bewildered.

Yes, because you kept yelling in your sleep, I tried waking you, but you would not budge, Mia explained.

Jess was shocked that she was speaking out loudly even though it had been a dream.

I am sorry for disturbing your sleep, Jess said apologetically, and Mia waved her hands to dismiss the matter because it was trivial.

Jess had finished packing the gowns and the shoe into two separate bags when their mom entered the room after a single knock. Mia rolled her eyes, and Jess smiled; their parents did not understand what the word privacy meant.

As expected, Suitors had been coming to their little cottage to seek the hand of Mia in marriage. Jess was glad that Robert had not come to make his interest known in wanting to make her his wife.

Vera Smith had the visitor sitting on the side of the hallway while Mia sat on the opposite end of him. Even though Mia was underdressed, unlike the night before, she still looked stunning compared to the drab wall and furniture the family owned.

Michael Smith had gone to work while Vera and Jess were in the kitchen preparing lunch, with the door closed to give Mia and her suitor space to get to know each other.

Anyone would fall in love with Mia, Mama. She was beautiful and carried herself with regal pride. You do not have to worry about her, Jess assured her mother. She was sure that in no time, Mia would be getting married.

It is you that I worry about, and not Mia, Vera Smith replied.

Me? But why would you be worried about me? Jess asked.

You are not getting any younger, and your younger sister is about to get married before you, which is not our culture. The eldest daughter must get married before the younger, and you are not even bothered.

Mama, nothing is wrong if my younger sister gets married before me. What matters is that we are both happy with our decisions. What people think should not matter much because it is our lives and not theirs. Jess said, picking up an apple from the basket and taking a bit from it.

Who was that man yesterday? Vera Smith inquired. She had seen him dance with a man before Robert asked her to the dance floor, and she wondered if he was someone they were acquainted with.

It was Mr. Robert, Mama. Jess replied, wondering if her mother was having short-term memory loss.

No, Sweetheart, the one you danced with before Robert-

Sorry, Mama, but I must return these gowns to Clara before she goes to work; I will be back. Saying this, Jess took the bags she had placed on the kitchen counter next to her and made her way out of the house through the back door, not letting her mother finish her sentence.

Vera looked on as her daughter disappeared into the distance and shook her head. She wanted to see both her daughters married to good men who would treat them right, especially now that she was healthy.