Chapter 3: Celebration

Chapter Three: Celebration

Finally, the moment they've all been waiting for was here. All Country B's citizens were dressed in their bests. Laughter and happiness filled the air as everyone jollied to the country's hall except Matthew and Mark, who were still in their house.

'Matthew? Why aren't you dressed yet?' Mark asked his nephew.

'I don't feel like attending the party, Uncle Mark.' He replied.

'And why is that?' Mark asked.

'Nothing, I just don't feel like.' Matt shrugged his shoulders.

'This morning you were very excited about the party and now you don't feel like attending. Do you really expect me to believe that nothing's wrong?' Mark questioned.

'I'm serious Uncle…. It's nothing.' Matthew sank on his bed.

'You really take your uncle as a fool, eh? What happened with you and your friends?' Mark asked and Matt's eyes widened slightly. His uncle was a smart and swift person, Matt knew he couldn't possibly hide things from him but he actually didn't expect that his uncle would know that he was bothered because of the incident that happened earlier in the morning since he wasn't even at the scene. 'You like Laura, don't you Matt?' Mark asked seriously as he took a sit in front of his nephew.

'Eh? I-I don't know what you're talking about, Uncle.' Matt averted his gaze sheepishly.

'You know you can't fool me, kiddo. I've been raising you since you were five years old, of course I'd know when something is troubling you.' Mark leaned back. 'So you like Laura.' Mark said in a tone of as-a-matter-of-fact.

Matt was faced with a dilemma, he tried so hard to hide his feelings but now his uncle knows about it. What was he going to do?

After a while of silence, Mark spoke again.

'I take that as a yes. Why don't you tell her about it? As far as I'm concerned, Laura looks up to you like an older brother.' Mark shrugged his shoulders. He must have said the wrong thing he guessed after seeing his nephew's next reaction.

'Exactly!' Matt yelled unknowingly.

'What?'

'She looks at me like an older brother…. How would I have the nerve to tell her that I really like her and I want us to be together when she sees me like a sibling?' Matt complained forgetting that he was revealing too much to his uncle. After a while, he instinctively covered his mouth with his palm with widened eyes.

What did he just say?!

'It's okay, Matt. She'll understand, after all… both of you are not originally siblings.' Mark encouraged.

'My advice to you is…. tell her this night and don't freak out. Hold your ground and pour out your heart.' Mark patted his nephew's back. 'I'm leaving now. Don't come late!' Mark spoke with finality before stepping out of the house.

Matthew sighed after his uncle left. He didn't know if he should follow his uncle's advice after all it's not his fault for thinking that way because looking back on his uncle's relationship life… he never courted anyone.

How can somebody who has never dated anyone give me such encouragement? Is it going to work? Matthew was confused. At the end, he decided on what to do and then got up to prepare himself for the party.

*******

At the country's hall, everyone was dancing, chatting and dining happily. The hall had been decorated that afternoon by some youths in the country and there was surplus varieties of foods and drinks. The citizens were overjoyed.

'Uncle Mark? Uncle Mark?' Laura called out Mark's name as she chased after him.

'Oh yes Laura.' Mark turned to answer. 'You look stunning tonight.' Mark added and Laura smiled from ear to ear.

'Thank you. Uhm…where's Matthew? I can't seem to find him anywhere.' Laura asked.

'I think he is still at home.' Mark replied.

'Why?' Laura creased her brows.

'He said he doesn't feel like attending the party.' Mark shrugged. Laura was about to say something again when Mark's attention got snatched from her.

'Hey, Governor Mark.' Oberon, the blacksmith greeted.

'Oberon..?' Mark exclaimed.

'Yes, it's me your old pal. I'm back in town brother.' He chuckled.

Oberon was Mark's childhood friend but occasionally Oberon would leave the country to visit his extended family and then return after a while. The last time Mark saw him was 3 years ago.

'Oh my man… it's so good to have you back!' The men embraced each other and continued chatting. Laura had no option than to leave the scene. She was sad.

'Why would he not come to the party?' She mumbled to herself. Just then, Collin walked over to her.

'Hey, what's up? Found him yet?' Collin asked.

'Uncle Mark said he's not attending the party.' Laura spoke with a long face.

'Why?' Collin frowned.

'I don't know.' She shrugged and silence reigned for a while.

'How about we go to him?' Collin asked and Laura's face lit up.

'Yeah that's true…. We can convince him to come to the party with us, he wouldn't want to decline.' Laura reasoned.

'Yes. So, what are we waiting for?' Collin grinned and the duo made their way through the crowd. As soon as they got to the gate, Collin's mother called him over to run an errand for her.

'Go on Laura, I'd catch up.' Collin said to her and Laura made her way to Matthew's house.

She walked as fast as she could. Minutes later, a knock was heard on Matthew's door. He walked over to the door and opened it. He was shocked to find Laura there, looking like an angel that she was.

She was wearing a floral sleeveless pink gown made of khaki that fitted her figure perfectly. She was wearing no makeup but a very big smile that shone brightly and put the sun to shame. Her long curly raven black hair was tied into a bun with few dangling strands and was decorated with different beautiful pins. She was so breathtaking!

'Matthew?' Laura called out to the enchanted young man.