1- The Wedding

“Where is Roni with the shoes?!” I yelled at my mother as I paced around the room frantically. 

“Okay, okay… You need to calm down, young lady,” she spoke in a much calmer tone than mine as she held my shoulders. 

I stood still and looked at my mother’s light blue eyes. Her blue eyes soothed me. From when I was a little girl and I used to be afraid of anything. She would hold me, sing to me, and I would stare at her hypnotising light blue eyes until they soothed me. At that moment, with all the panic and frustration that was coursing through my veins, her light blue eyes calmed me. They soothed me. It was as if they sucked and drained all the stress, tension and panic out of me. 

“Everything is going to be alright. Everything is going to be okay. We are all here for you. We are supporting you. Your whole family is in there, waiting to see you walk down the aisle. Roni will get here with your shoes, and everything will be okay. Just breathe.” she said calmly. 

I took in deep breaths, then let them out, then inhaled, then exhaled until most of the panic I was feeling had reduced.

“Now, I need you to remain calm for the next few minutes as Tessa fixes your hair and makeup.” She added on. 

“What’s wrong with my hair? What is wrong with my makeup?” I questioned worriedly as I touched my hair and felt around. 

“Don’t touch it. You’re only going to make it worse.” Mom cringed as she pulled my hand away from my hair. 

Tessa, the hairstylist and makeup artist, walked up to me. 

“Bend or something. I need to reach your head,” she ordered. 

I awkwardly bent my knees and was stuck in a weird position as if I were balancing water on my head. She pulled out a comb and combed the ends while I winced with each movement. 

“OW!” I cried 

“I am sure it doesn’t hurt that much.” Mom laughed. “You’re just being dramatic.”

She then pulled out all of the pins in the head, let down my brunette hair, and combed the whole thing hurriedly. 

“I always thought you were going to get my hair colour.” Mom sighed as she pretended to wipe imaginary tears. “Your hair was so light when you were born and when you were a little girl, and then suddenly, all brunette was like your father.” 

I wanted to join my mother in her heartfelt moment, but my head was being pulled and tossed in all directions as Tessa combed through my hair. Then, tying it all up, practically pulling my eyes too and making them two thin lines, then stabbing me with all the pins. 

“There! Was that so hard!” Mom smiled once she placed the last pin in place. 

I nodded quickly. 

“Okay, let her touch up the face, and then all will be well.” Mom continued to speak while a wide smile spread on her face. 

She barely did anything to my face, but the torture was over sooner than I had expected, and I got to stand up straight. 

“WOW! You look very beautiful. I can’t believe Roni wore this dress and now you! Time flies!” My mother couldn’t stop herself from blushing. 

“Mom, save the tears for later,” I grumbled. 

“I am sorry. It’s just that my baby is finally getting married. It was a moment that I had always dreamt of witnessing ever since I held your tiny body in my arms for the first time.” she blushed even harder as tears rolled down her cheeks. 

“Mom… mom.” I sighed as my eyes began to water up as well. 

She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed my face. 

“Thank you.” I mouthed, trying to hold back the tears. 

As we were in our heartfelt moment, there was a slight knock on the door, and then it flung wide open. 

“RONI!” I yelled the second I turned and looked at her.

“I am sorry, there was traffic.” she sighed. 

“This is why I said let’s not wait till the last minute, but noooo, you just had to.” I continued to scream at her

“I am here, aren’t I? Now, put on your damn shoes and let’s go!” she answered angrily.

“Where is Dad?” I asked 

“He is out there waiting. Hurry!” 

I grabbed the bag from her, took my shoes and slid my tiny feet into the delicate and beautiful high heels she got me. 

“Do they fit you well?” Mom questioned

“There is no time for that!” Roni snapped and grabbed my arm. 

She practically pulled me out of the tiny room and rushed me until we had all reunited with my father. He was dressed in a black suit with a dark blue tie to match the rest of the theme of the wedding. He had a few tears already rolling down his cheeks. 

“You look absolutely beautiful, Tori.” he smiled. 

I nodded as my mother fixed my wedding veil, and Roni handed me the bouquet of flowers. 

Roni opened the main door slightly and looked right ahead. 

“Okay, it’s our time.” she turned around to Mom and then they opened the doors and slowly walked down the aisle. 

“Are you ready to do this?” my father looked at me with tears still flowing down his cheeks uncontrollably. 

Was I ready? Was I really going to do this? Was I seriously going to leave my mother and father after all those many years with them?

I mean, Roni did it about 4 years ago, and she seems perfectly fine. 

“I mean, it’s not too late to say no.” Dad laughed 

“I think I am ready,” I replied 

“Think?”

I swallowed a huge gunk of saliva. 

“I am ready.” I confidently spoke. He nodded, and we walked into the church. 

Everyone else was already standing. I could see all of my relatives, my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and even a few friends of the family standing in awe as my father and I walked hand in hand down the aisle. 

This was it! Now or never!

When we reached the end, he nodded at the groom - Christopher Mitchell. The man I had chosen to marry. I let go of my father’s arm and took Christopher’s as we walked closer to the officiant. 

“We are gathered here to witness and celebrate the marriage of Christopher Samuel Mitchell and Victoria Carter.” the officiant started. 

I looked over at Christopher, who had an uneasy look on his face. Sweat dripped down his red face, and his hands trembled. 

I wanted to ask if he was okay. He looked like he was having some sort of panic attack. 

“I'm sorry.” He interrupted 

Everyone turned to face him. He had a few tears rolling down his puffed-up red cheeks. 

“I- I am… sss-sorry.” He stammered 

“Christopher?” The officiant asked 

“Tori, you look very stunning. Very beautiful, in fact. Everyone looks gorgeous, but I am sorry. I just can't. I don't think this is for me. I am really sorry.” He spoke quickly. 

After all that he said, he turned around and walked in a hurry back down the aisle for the exit, with everyone from the pews staring at him in shock.