THE SHAM BRIDE

DORINE'S POV 

¶ By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” the priest officiating the ceremony, instructed. 

At this point, my heart began beating faster. I had the chance to put a stop to this, but I failed to. Now, it was too late to do anything. I could have stopped the ceremony and spoken the truth, I should have given Matthew a chance to make the decision that would affect his life. 

If only I was not much of a coward to come clean. 

I was so lost in thought that I did not realize the moment his lips touched mine, sealing our relationship forever. I gazed around like a robot going through the motions until Rita, my chief bridesmaid gestured to the forlorn look on my face, that I had to smile. 

Just a few people could make it to the ceremony, and I liked it that way. Most of them were Matthew's friends and business partners.

I hand-selected the people I sent invitation cards to, a lot of them were my coursemates in school and not my very close friends anyway.

As we walked down the aisle and smiled at our guests, I felt nervous and a panic attack was soon to set in.

I had no idea when Doris would show up, seeing as I never told her of the wedding. I instructed her to put on a simple dress, let her natural hair loose and come to the address I had texted to her. 

She informed me that it was going to take a while for her to get here, but that was no problem for me, as long as she arrived. 

After the ceremonial pictures, I retired to the small room to retouch my makeup and fix up my hair again. 

I held my phone, going through the message I sent to Doris at sunrise when I made up my mind to back out of the wedding. A knock sounded on the door. 

Come in, I said. 

  

              (Third person POV)

"You said it was important so I hurried down here as soon as I can. Tell me what the problem is?" Doris started, panting heavily.

Dorine Okpara, now Mrs. Udochi, looked up at her twin sister Doris who just walked into the room. They were truly identical in every sense of the word, except their personalities. 

When Dorine looked at Doris, it was like staring at a reflection of herself. Only that, the difference in their outfit as at that point were their shoes for one. And two, that Dorine was dressed in a white bridal gown and Doris was in a purple polo and denim jeans. 

"I have a favor to ask of you, Dorine said to her sister while removing the pins that held her wavy hair together. 

Doris hissed. 

The only time Dorine acted sensibly towards her was whenever she was about to ask for a favor which was a time like this time. 

"What is it that you want this time?"

"I want you to replace me as the bride..." 

Doris burst into laughter before Dorine could complete her sentence. She steadied herself on the closet beside the dressing mirror. 

"Are you out of your mind, please tell me this is one of your jokes?" 

"I'm serious Doris. I need to go to Singapore right now, my business over there would be in shambles if I don't do something to stop it. I promise I'll be back in two days, all you have to do is pretend to be me for some hours." 

"You're crazy! Is this a joke? What's going on with you?" Doris barked at her sister who has already peeled her gown off. 

"Could you keep your voice down? I've already done the main thing, you just have to put on an act for the reception ceremony. By the way, you're an actress, you'll do such a good job that no one would notice." Dorine bent down to unbuckle her shoes. 

"Being an actress I'm aware that it's just behind the camera, this is a real-life situation we're talking about and I'm not about to lie to millions of people out there just so you can have your way," Doris mumbled. 

"What would you have me do, run away during my wedding day. You and I both know that Matthew has no idea that I have a twin sister, your job hasn't given you the chance to meet him. I must say that was a card played well by fate. Besides, I can't give up the business I spent my sweat and tears on for years because of a man I met only five months ago." Dorine retorted.

She walked closer to her sister and held her by the shoulders. 

"You won't have to keep up the pretense for too long, I'll come back as soon as possible. Can't you just help your sister with this?" She was blackmailing her with the sister card. 

"You said you'll return on time?" Doris asked, and regretted her statement when she saw the large grin that appeared on Dorine's face. 

"Yes, I promise, now just pull off your clothes so I can wear them. My makeup artist would come in anytime soon and she shouldn't see us together." Dorine informed her sister who was still trying to get over the shock of the reality revealed before her. 

Doris walked to the dressing mirror and started to remove her clothes slowly. 

Dorine who could not wait a moment longer, helped her twin to pull off her polo and jean. 

She helped Doris get dressed in her too-white and expensive wedding gown, wore the gloves and ring on her hand as well. Then she picked up her sister's clothes and put them on. 

"I have to leave now, can't risk anyone seeing us together," Dorine announced and pocketed her sister's Android phone. 

"What about my hair?" Doris pointed to her wavy hair still left unclipped. 

"Henrietta would handle it. Please just take care," She moved behind her sister and placed her head on Doris' shoulder. 

"Just think of this as a new movie you've always wanted to shoot in and just do what you've always done with each new project...have fun. I'll be back before you know it."

She gave Doris a peck on the cheek and made her way towards the exit door. 

Doris could only stare helplessly at the retreating figure of her twin. 

Suddenly Dorine turned back. Doris harbored the ray of hope that she would change her mind but she nonchalantly said,

"Oh! And Doris...don't sleep with my husband” 

Doris was flustered, of all the advice she could give it had to be this. 

"You know well enough that I haven't met your husband before, sleeping with him is the last thing on my mind right now," 

"Good" And with that Dorine walked out, for real. 

Doris hoped this was all her dream but she was wrong. Soon enough, a lady; short, chubby, and light-complexioned, walked into the room.

Standing at akimbo she asked, "what have you done to your hair?" And started moving closer to Doris. 

"Now I have to fix it again. Sit down," she motioned towards the vanity chair.

"Are you ready?" 

Doris could not tell however she meant the question, whether she was ready to begin her role, or for her sudden wedding reception celebration.