WEDDING BELLS

When I arrived the church, it was crowded and bubbly with people in colourful dresses, they seemed very happy to be able to attend such a grand wedding, I wondered how they could smile happily over my misfortune.

I stepped out of the bride's car with the support of my Mavey my maid, gingerly lifting the hem of my dress, I was escorted into the church and awaited the bride to be summoned.

When the doors for the bride opened, I walked into the church hand in hand with my detestable father in small steps careful to avoid stepping on my dress, the audience expectant faces awaited me.

Midway, I paused and search the crowds for my mother, she was sitting in the front pew, two seats away from my new parent in laws, she was dressed in a blue silver dress, she looked unhappy but tried to keep the smile on her face nevertheless.

Suzzy sitting on the left next to her, had a bright smile on her face, she seems very glad to marry me off.

I wanted to console my mother with a smile but I could sense father's furry next to me, it didn't occur to me until then that I have been standing for almost two minutes on the same spot, I was glad the veil coverd me so no one could see the sweat run down my neck

everyone was starting to get anxious, mother looked worried, father pinched my wrist signalling me to move forward, at this point I really wanted to run, forget everything else and run away, I looked at my mom's face again and stepped forward making everyone sigh, relived

***

My journey down the aisle was the longest journey in my life, I didn't even have the guts to look at my groom, I heard he was handsome but I couldn't care less, I walked with my head downwards until father handed me over to a pair of delicate hands which was quickly withdrawn

I looked up to meet a pair navy blue sharp eyes and swallowed, the groom wearing a blue tuxedo did something that shocked the guests, he quickly withdraw his outstretched hands from the bride's and wiped it clean with a Napkin from his Pockets and passed it to me

what!! I remembered he was germphobic

I was quick enough to grab the napkin, wipe my sweaty hands and passed it to the maids in waiting, he was over reacting to my sweat though and didn't hold my hands again,I was embarrassed and wondered if he found me dirty, I secretly clenched my fist.

The wedding vows and rings were exchanged, My voice was hoarse and merely audible when it was my turn to say "I do", I had accepted my faith by now. I tried to listen to the officiating priest say something about lifting the bride's veil and a kiss, my newly wedded husband lifted my veil but he didn't kiss me, instead he left the hall in large strides with an authority that no one dared challenge, even my controlling dad backed away, the priest hurriedly declared us husband and wife just before he exited the hall

My eyes filled with tears, and my heart with bitterness, I bit my lips and left the hall in shame