Memories of the past (4)

"Why don't you just listen to your father,he means well for you,Ms Leila said trying hard not to get emotional as she watched Havilah cried.

Her heart ached for the young lady but there wasn't much she could do to help her.

The Harris had a family business,they were into woods and furniture making,their company had existed for a while and it had a good foundation and for years Mr Harris had tried his best to keep the company running and it became successful but compared to the big companies it was nothing,so when Don,a wealthy business tycoon who was rumoured to be an underground drug dealer showed interest in his daughter,he saw it as an opportunity to climb higher in the business world.

His daughter refusal to obey him and get engaged to the man annoyed him a lot and he couldn't understand while she was being stubborn and obstinate.

....

It was summer but the cloud was dark and the atmosphere heavy and gloomy as if the heaven was projecting the emotions of a single person.

Havilah stood before the mirror in her room dressed in a white wedding gown and unlike most bride she wasn't happy or excited because she was going to be married to a man whom she had never met only heard of *a marriage of tales*.

She smiled miserably at her reflection in the mirror,her long dark brown hair which was carefully styled and her brown eyes which reflected turmoil. Even thou she was looking beautiful,she didn't feel it and mindlessly fixed the creases in her dress, looking towards the door she saw her father smiling at her for once and wondered how a loving man could change overnight because of ambition.

"You look beautiful my dear,he said stepping forward with a smile on his face.

I smiled genuinely when I look towards the door again and saw my childhood friend Claire,a tall blondie of average height.

Havilah ran forward with immense joy and excitement at the sight of the one person whom she had never thought would be able to attend the ceremony,both girls crashed against each other and held tight to one another afraid to let go.

"I didn't think I would be seeing you today,Havilah said,I would have come get you from the airport.

"It was meant to be a surprise,Claire smiled,fancy the bride coming to pick me,I'd feel so honored".

Seeing the girls engrossed in a conversation,Mr Harris left the room quietly leaving them alone.

"You look so beautiful yet so sad,does Simon know you are getting married today, Claire asked.

Havilah nod her head at the question.

Seeing her friend so heartbroken and weak,Claire drew her closer for a hug assuring her that everything would be alright.

"It might be against your wish but you have to at least go through it,so put a smile on your face and be strong,said Claire pumping her fist in the air making me chuckle.

In the background a soft music was playing and if one was to look out of the window of the room they would be awed by the decorations in the backyard of the Harris compound where the ceremony was taking place.

Red roses was spread from the front entrance of the building to the altar where the groom stood and behind were chairs for the guests which was filling in by the minute.

When the signal for the bride to make an appearance was given,Havilah appeared with her father beside her and Claire at her back as the bridesmaid.

The audiences couldn't help but gasp at the sight of the beautiful woman before them looking like some goddess from another realm with her face and the little make up that accentuate her already beautiful face.

She was wearing a gown that seems to have been crafted by the very best,the hems was decorated with pearls and gold was use to beautify the front of the dress with the silk looking lovely.

When the music changed I walked forward with my father and I could feel the butterflies in my tummy I suspected the reason fathers were made to walk with their daughters would be so that an willing bride would not run away, putting a smile on my face I waved at the guests most who were relatives and close friends,I admired the decorations in place and the purple Hibiscus made me nod gratefully at my father for remembering to put in place something I love and the only thing that would have made this perfect was if I was marrying the man of my dreams,when I look forward to the altar the man standing there made me froze and momentarily I was short of thought if that was possible.

Handsome was an unfair word to describe him,he stood tall and proud with broad shoulders and those black eyes of his made me want to get lost in them,his jaws were well defined and he had dyed his hair deep purple creating a total bad boy image,in comparison models were nothing.

In short he was not what I was expecting.

We came to a stop in front of the priest who stood looking solemn.

Don offered me a smile and my heart skip a beat,I felt like I was betraying Simon with my emotions so I focused on the ceremony before me,the vows were the hardest,I felt like I was lying through my teeth when saying those sacred words and then the priest pronounced us husband and wife.

"You may now kiss the bride".

Don lifted my veil and stared at me with those black eyes and I stood there unable to move,he moved closer and brought his lips closer to mine making me hold my breath,I look straight into the crowd where I saw Simon looking heartbroken as if he could feel the change of emotions toward my newlywed husband