4 Add Fuel To Fire

I look in the mirror, the dress Mrs. Singh gave surprisingly fits me perfectly. "You look beautiful darling, do you like the dress?" she asked softly touching on the ruffles of dress.

I shrug. "You don't like the dress?" she asked with surprised look. "Oh no no, aunty, this dress is magnificent, real piece of art."

"I am glad you love it! I made it myself" she beams with pride looking at me, as if approving me for the dress.

"I couldn't wear this, I.."

"You will be my daughter-in-law, you have to look presentable at the party no?" Sure enough I don't have any dress that can come anywhere near this level of dress, but for this arranged marriage that also with my Nemesis, why should I put in efforts to look good.

Breaking me from my contemplation, she made me sit in front of her dressing room and did my hair and makeup.

"Now you are ready to be one of us in the family" she takes a close look at me from top to bottom "you should always wear some makeup; such a stunning transformation" and makes me twirl around for her; am I just a doll here, for her to play dress up with!

"Nhu is my only son, I have always wanted a daughter, I will dress you up and ensure you look your best everyday" for some reason hearing that made me feel more like dress up doll for her.

"You know what they say, make-up is a girl's best friend" she winks at me holding my hand, and we head out to hall.

Best friend... How can I make Hisi understand my situation... "You look jaw-dropping honey" Nhuja comes and takes my hand smiling like he has something beautiful to show off to world.

"You two enjoy, I will go attend our guests" she excused herself and the moment she was out of earshot, he whispered "dress seems to be wailing in despair, such an unfortunate dress!" he smirks and leaves. He sure never misses a chance to humiliate me. In this Hall full of people, it feels like I landed on another world where I don't belong. I see dazzling shiny dessert table calling me, oh my joy berries here I come! No sooner I happily stuff heavenly delights, Nhuja holds me from behind, bringing his face close to mine, "Smile" *click* flash lights snapping pictures, "do you conspire to blind me, can't you let me enjoy these delicacies peacefully" I scorn at him, irritated. I walk away from him, out to balcony with my desserts. "Ah, finally some peace" I breathe in fresh air with gentle fragrance of my dessert, and dig in happily. "Who knew wild cat got sweet tooth instead of fangs!"

I throw him disgusted look, "Haha I finished my plate already, you can't ruin my taste now" I give him satisfied smile.

He leans in and licks cream left on my lips, ewwww how gross, flashlight snaps before I can say anything, not giving me a chance to react, quite a few photos are clicked with him hugging me. "You" before I can beat him to pulp, "Etisha" my dad walks in smiling and bows to Nhuja "Young master" Nhuja seized his chance by pulling me closer to him by my waist, smiling, "Call me son, I am soon to wed your daughter after all." Dad nods his head happily with an expression of relief to see I'm in good hands (in his eyes).

"I will let you have your moment with my girl" he says and leaves. Dad gives me a warm hug. I see his tearful eyes, concerned, I knit my brows, he chuckles, "These are happy tears, my child. I was worried this arranged marriage was forced upon you, but seeing you happy, I can rest in peace now." Little did he know I was happy thanks to that heavenly delights; would be much happier had he not ruined my taste at the end, I rub on my lips with napkin.

"You are smearing your lipstick" Mrs. Singh hurries to me and fixed the mess around my lips. "Seems like you will need some good make up lessons" she says teasingly. I force a smile, haha was that supposed to be funny.

"Mr. Bha, it is time to make announcement" and looks at me "let's go honey" she takes me hand and leads me up on stage. Nhuja is already there ready to behead the scapegoat. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining to share in our happiness, I am very happy to announce my son, Nhuja, will be married to our manager Mr. Bha's beloved daughter, Etisha. I can't wait to have a complete family, marriage will take place on the 1st of next month. Now, let us commence the engagement ceremony." Hall uproars with deafening applauses. I look at happily waving Nhuja like he is some real prince (duh!).

Panicking, I look at my dad, "What do you mean by engagement?"

Wasn't today just an announcement party, why the sudden blow of engagement?!!

Before dad says anything to me Mrs. Singh puts me beside Nhuja, who never misses a chance to put on a show, goes down on his left knee and helds out his left hand asking mine with the ring on his right hand.

"Oh you shy little doll," Mrs. Singh happily takes my hand and puts it on his. I look at mom and dad to help me out, but mom whispers (loud enough for me to hear) to Mrs. Singh, "I didn't know about engagement, sorry I didn't bring the ring with me." Such a relief to hear that, it makes me relax and saves me from collapsing due to anxiety. But that was short-lived, as Mrs. Singh gestured a person holding box to come forward and opened to display dazzling beauty, and gave the ring to my mom, "that ring was for you" smiling she went to stand beside her son. Mom and dad closed in by my side, mom took my hand and gave ring to me, beckoning to put it in his, now held out hand.

I had dreamed of this moment, where man I love would held out his hand for me and I would shyly, blushing, take his hand and claim him as mine. But this... with my nemesis, God must be punishing me for sins I committed in my past lives .. Mom nudges me with her elbow angrily while still smiling, I slip the ring through his finger and once again the Hall comes alive with thundering applauses. I catch a glimpse of Hisi running out of the hall door; oh no, that jerk involved Hisi in this, I angrily look at him and he raises his one brow with smile telling me he won this too. I try to excuse myself but Mrs. Singh takes my hand to meet Mr. Singh, "How do like our daughter, hon", Mr. Singh takes her hand in a flirty way and whispers in her ears, "Charming, but she can't hold a candle compared to your beauty" and kisses her. Ok... I want to escape but she still holds my hand tight, would it be rude to just yank my hand off... So I cleared my throat, "Oh my, sorry about that" blushing, Mrs. Smith gave me an awkward smile but Mr. Smith gave me a cold stare like how dare you butt in our moment >.<

Not that I wanted to -_-

I excused myself out to go to restroom. What a long long day, I settle down but I overhear girls outside bitching about me. "Such a shameless bitch, I wanted to go on stage and slap her, stealing her best friend's man, such a schemer."

I bang open the door, "Oh really, Let's see whose slap sounds better." I am shocked to see Vintuna and girls from my class. "Don't act cocky" Vintuna yelled at me signalling other three girls, Lisa, Emani and Sheena to hold me. "What the hell are you doing?" I could easily fight off but I don't like to use violence against girls, so I just glare at them and warned them to leave me be. I freed myself from their grip and grabbled the broomstick and snapped it to two pieces, "Dare to touch me and next will be your hands" and give them cold stare. They hurried out without a word.

I then went to change dress and headed over to Hisi's place.