Romances de Vincent Miriam

My father stood next to me with his shoulders straight, and his face calm but agonizingly firm. He cleared his throat. “Damien… I owe you an explanation.”Damien didn’t respond. He was upset, with his hands crossed, his jaw set, and his eyes steadfastly focused on my father with a warning that was silent and simmering.My father proceeded with caution. “Alina, she vanished away just hours before the wedding. We have no idea where she is. Whether she is running or in hiding or something has happened to her. “ He paused, exhaling shakily. “The wedding was already set. Guests had arrived. The media was everywhere. To cancel would have been a scandal beyond the reach of any one here.”I stood still.Damien’s voice cut in sharply. “And what has that got to do with her?” He turned back his head, and looked at me before looking back at my father.My father swallowed. “Ariana… stepped in. She replaced Alina, under my direction. She had accepted to save the face of both families. When Alina h

The church was more stunning than I had dreamed yet I was unable to appreciate it.I grabbed the arm of my father and my fingers shook as I tried to calm my heart. Each beat was louder than the music that was playing in the background and resonating in my chest.“You ready, huh?” my father said, his eyes going up and down my body.“I… I believe so, I said to myself, with a voice scarcely audible.Nothing more was said, and I was only given a look that sunk my stomach. I gulp and shook my head, and had to walk.When we reached the doorway a silence settled on the crowd, and was succeeded by mumbled mutterings. Camera flash, every step of mine down the aisle. I felt dozens of eyes upon me, evaluating, judging, anticipating. My expression was calm, like Alina would have been, but my heart was pounding like a drum. Each move was a reminder that I was not Alina, I was acting, and all smiles that I had to make were lies.Damien was at the altar, and he looked calm in his black tuxedo, his

“Where is she?” I questioned myself when I emerged out of the last house on my list, and, as usual, she was not there. “Where are you Alina?” I mumbled.I had already checked all possible places I could think of last night after father had left my room. I had called at the houses of the friends of Alina, mocked at all the doors, inquired of every person I could recall that she had spoken to.No one knew where she was.I massaged my forehead and groaned. There was only one place left. I was forced to visit the police station. Maybe they could help. Perhaps, they might locate her in time.The ride there was quiet. I barely noticed the traffic. I just thought about Alina, my sister, my twin, the loved one of everyone yet the only one who sometimes cared about me, and how she may vanish without any trace. My stomach churned. How could this be happening?I arrived at the station and went into it and to the front desk. “I… I want to file a kissing person report,” I said, endeavoring to

I walked to the bathroom. I had to take a hot bath to get myself calmed. My body was weak and my chest was sore whenever I inhaled. I switched on the shower and got into the shower gradually. The hot water flowed along my skin, but it did not soothe me. It just made me remember that I had turned so weak.I bathed, dried myself and wore my nightgown. I was trembling and opened the small metal box on my table where I had my medication. I already knew what would be there, yet I was still searching the empty pack hoping that a miracle pill would be found.Nothing.I had swallowed the final pill the day before.I sat on the side of my bed looking at the empty pill pack. My chest tightened again. Without the drug, things would be worse. The physician had already alerted me in the morning. My vision would begin to deteriorate. My hearing would decline. My bleeding would get more frequent. I was expected to have two pills daily, and I did not even have one.I put the empty pack on the table

I sat in the chair in the doctor office trying not to think too hard. I was a little shaky in the hands, and I managed to sit still. The white walls, the slight odor of antiseptic, and the quiet ticking of the clock did not help to soothe the pit in my stomach. Dr. Morrison, the expert who had treated me long, cleared his throat and started talking.“I am afraid your condition is more serious, Ariana,” he said, with a soft and serious voice. “Your eyes and ears are becoming weaker than ever, the bleeding seems to be more serious these days. Unless you take your medicine as prescribed, you may lose them altogether in a few months.”I swallowed hard. I had heard these words very many times, but each time it was like a hammer at my chest. I nodded silently. Arguing was impossible, I was aware of the truth.I’d be blind and deaf in a few months time.“And the funding?” I asked quietly. I had a shiver in my voice, and I managed to get it out. “The NGO, the one that aids me in my treatment