Chapter 3 : The wedding

Chapter 3: The Wedding

I got back to my room around 4:30 a.m. after a long night outside, climbed into bed, and dozed off. I woke up the next morning just before ten.

The second semester of my second year was coming to an end, so there were few to no lectures for at least two weeks. I didn't want to face Mike that day, feeling a little guilty about what had happened between Ann and me. My other guys were in the city enjoying life, so I was alone. I decided to go to the city park, the museum, and the archive. But first, I started my day at the gym.

I was weightlifting when I saw my beautiful hijab girl with a gym instructor guiding her; it seemed to be her first time. As I exercised, I observed her. I didn't want to approach her just yet , she looked serious, and her instructor was there. When I went to get drinking water and returned, she was already driving away. I seemed to have bad luck when it came to this girl. I went back inside, finished my training, and returned to my room.

After a shower, I headed straight to the city park. The place was quite far, so I decided to drive. It had been ages since I'd used the car; I was mostly on or around campus, and even the mall was within walking distance. I grabbed some snacks on my way out, got in my car, and zoomed off.

My stay at the park was short. It was mostly empty. No kids playing, no older people taking the air. Maybe because it was a weekday, the place felt eerie, so I headed to the museum.

I saw her again, the girl in the hijab, with her family. Something in me really wanted to meet her, but it didn't feel like the right time. She was having family time, and I shouldn't intrude. So I just followed them at a distance. Would you believe they didn't separate the entire time? Their tour ended, and they left together, happily. I lost my motivation again and headed home.

I missed her. I hadn't gotten to talk to her, and I'd lost my vibe for the day.

It was better to go back to the family house in town because my favorite aunt's wedding was the next day. The bride was my mom’s cousin but they call themselves sisters. I drove back to my room, packed a few things, and headed home. It had been a long time since I'd seen my family, and seeing the hijab girl had made me miss home. On the way, I stopped at a store to get my little sister a box of Cadbury Roses chocolates and bought each of my parents a set of perfume. I got home around seven in the evening, and my mom made pizza for dinner.

I greeted my parents and went upstairs to change. When my kid sister saw me, she was so excited she clung to me like I was her lost treasure. During dinner, I gave my family their gifts, had a little family time in the living room, and went to bed early. The next day was going to be very long.

I woke up early the next morning, as did the whole house. We had to get ready quickly to attend my aunt's wedding ceremony and reception. The first event started at nine in the morning during the service. After the priest officiated the marriage, we headed to the reception.

It was held in a garden at the end of the city, not too far from our family house. The venue was beautifully decorated in pink and white, matching the bride's outfit, a white ball gown, a bridal veil, and pink roses. We entered and sat close to where the newlyweds were seated. Then I looked ahead and saw the hijab girl with her parents, the same people I'd seen at the museum, though her brother was missing. She wore a pink hijab, a pink gown, and Toms shoes. I could see her full outfit because she was sitting in the front row; I had a perfect view that day. I should have gone to meet her then, but that was when the wedding officially began, and the bride walked down the aisle with my  grandfather.

While the wedding was going on, I saw her leave. I thought she was going to the restroom, but moments later, her parents left too. Even when the wedding ended, they hadn't returned. That was when I realized they'd left halfway through. I was sad again. Why do I keep missing the chance to talk to her?

But I had to keep my cool. It was my favorite aunt's big day. After the event, the bride and groom went to their new home, and we returned to the family house. I stayed over the weekend and then went back to school for my second year final exams.

Since returning, I still hadn't met Mike. I'd blocked him on all socials so he couldn't reach me.

It was over a month after I'd come back from home. Our exams were concluded, and our results were coming out that day. I was in my room watching a movie when I heard the results had been posted in the dorm. I rushed to check if I'd failed any courses. I saw Mike's first. Proud of him, he'd passed with distinction. I saw mine too; I was ranked directly above him. Thank God I hadn't failed. Not that I ever did, I'd just become unmotivated lately.

On my way back to my room to pack my luggage and leave for vacation, Mike and the guys asked me out to play games, but I declined. I told them I wasn't in the mood. I think at that point, Mike knew I was avoiding him.

I entered my room, grabbed my bags, and headed straight to the airport. I'd already booked my flight ticket. I was going to Cyprus to unwind.