"A wedding is not a small affair. Not in our household~" Grandmother declared, her eyes shining.
"Yeah but grandma, I'm not going to finish weaving this by the time the date gets here."
"Nonsense girl. We aren't telling you to do much of the work, just making your own puantean for your wedding."
"The indongta* are going to gather today to discuss the plans for the wedding. We still have the send-off ceremony to plan for too." Grandmother stopped in her tracks and looked at her granddaughter, pride and tears filled her eyes.
"Look at you, all grown up. Your parents would have been so proud of you."
"Thank you, grandma."
Wiping her eyes, grandma shook herself. "Ok, enough of that. I'll leave you to your work and go do my own."
With one look, grandma ran into the living room. She is preparing the house for the elders that are going to visit that day.
Rosalind could not contain her smile. She can't believe that she was soon to be married to the man she loves. It all felt like a dream.
They had been seeing each other for almost a month now. The day Titus came to her house, formal and nervous, she knew what he was planning.
Her grandparents agreed almost instantly when he asked for her hand in marriage, after some questioning from the grandfather that is, he got their complete approval.
Now everyone is preparing for the wedding but something still hangs in the air. The threat of impending war is enough to concern everybody but an international one is on another level.
Everyone worries about the state the country would be in and what would happen if they got invaded again but no one dares to voice it out.
Not even Rosalind.
She worried for Titus and what this could mean for him. As selfish as this sounds, she wishes he wouldn't have to go if a war did break out. But knowing him, without even being called, he would rush in and help all he could.
She hated and loved that about him.
"Oh well. No need to worry about something that hasn't happened yet. Let's focus on the present, for now."
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Rosalind felt her whole world crumble around her as she stared at Titus sitting across her, her grandparents watch from the gate of the garden. His expression remained stiff but his hands fidget with his button.
They are in the garden, seated beneath the orange tree, with a severe lack of oranges.
He is summoned to the mainland and is to leave the next day.
"But . . . is a war breaking out?"
"No, not yet. But they just want to be prepared in case something happens. The leaders are meeting to sign a treaty, so it might be nothing." Titus tried to smile, seeing the expression on her face. "Rosalind?"
Not even his smile could ease the ever-growing dread that filled her from the pit of her stomach. But worrying wasn't going to do anything.
After a deep breath, Rosalind said, "I understand. What time are you leaving tomorrow?"
"What about the wedding? We could just do a small quick one tonight."
"No. I do not need a ring on my finger or a wedding know you love me. We can have one when you come back. You go do what you need to do, I'll be here waiting impatiently for your return every day."
Titus got down on his knees in front of Rosalind, looked her in the eyes, placed his hand over his heart and said, "I, Lieutenant General Titus Hangzo pledge you, Rosalind, my life, everything I am and ever will be. All I have is yours, now and evermore."
"What are you doing?" Rosalind pulled him up, her cheeks burning.
"I pledge to you."
"Don't do that."
"I already did. You own everything I am now," he took her hand and kissed it, "I only pray it's enough."
"Titus."
"I love you. Please don't ever doubt or forget it."
Tears welling in her eyes, Rosalind nodded. She buried her face in his neck, unwilling to let him see her cry.
"Wait here." She ran past her grandparents who were entering the house. She took a wooden box that rested on her vanity and opened it. There lay a silver chain on velvet cloth, inscriptions running all around the chain. She took it out, wrapped it in her hands and muttered some words. Placing a kiss on it, the inscriptions glowed then went back to normal.
She gripped the chain in her hand and ran back outside, passing her grandparents again in the living room.
Titus stood under the tree. Afraid to move, least he missed her. Seeing her running to him, he breathed a sigh of relief and opened his arms to her.
She ran into his arms and grabbed his hand. "Here." She placed the chain in his open palm.
"What's this?"
"Good luck charm. It'll keep you safe. Promise me you'll wear it."
Titus kissed it and said, "Of course."
He placed it on his neck, tucking it under his shirt. "I'll never take it off."
She kissed him and said, "You better come back to me, otherwise I'm coming to get you."
"Of course. What my lady wants, she gets."
Titus's voice broke as he said, "I'll miss you terribly. Promise me you'll take care of yourself, no matter what happens."
"Titus."
"Promise me."
"No. Didn't you just say I get what I want?"
"Please?"
"No. You are going to come back to me and we are going to marry and have children and live happily ever after."
"Rosalind."
"Ok?"
"My love, I can't promise that but I can promise to try my hardest."
"That's good enough for now."
They sat back down, in each other's arms. and watched as the sky changed colours. Willing time to slow down, dreading every second that passes by.
However, time still passed and Rosalind is now alone in the garden. Crying her heart out as the darkness around her threatened to consume her as it did to her garden.