Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32
When Sabine gets off the elevator, she walks to her apartment like any ordinary day. She fetches her keys from her purse and proceeds to open her apartment door. When Sabine opens the door, she immediately goes into her apartment and locks the door behind her. Before walking any further, she stops dead in her tracks and scans the apartment. There is silence…total silence. Sabine feels a slight chill overcoming her. It is not the temperature but…a haunting spirit of loneliness. She crosses her arms to keep herself warm, looking around the house with slight fear. The silence itself was as high as a loud noise…but she quickly snaps out of it, unfolds her hands, and proceeds to the bedroom.
When she enters the bedroom, she immediately removes her make-up and changes her clothes to a t-shirt and sweatpants. Then she goes into the kitchen to cook. Sabine begins to gather ingredients, pots, pans, and cooking utensils. Cooking always makes Sabine feel better. Cooking is her first love and her passion. Sabine mixes, measures, pre-heats, etc. When the food is finally prepared, Sabine feels accomplished and proud. Then she makes herself a plate, places it on the dining room table with a glass of water and her fork and knife. When the food was finally prepared on the plate, Sabine gathers her eating utensils and sits down to eat. After blessing her meal, she cuts a small piece from her meat. When Sabine brings the portion of food to her mouth, Sabine realizes something incredibly disturbing. She unknowingly prepared balsamic pork chops, mash sweet potatoes, and a vegetable medley; this was her late husband's favorite meal. She is so petrified, Sabine drops the fork on the plate. Sabine gets up out of her chair and quickly backs away from the table.
"No," she says in shock, "No…This bastard won't leave me alone."
Then Sabine screams, "Get out of here, Nevin!!! Go back to your gay lover and burn in hell!!!!"
She picks up the plate and throws it across the room. The food and the plate splatter all over the dining room. She is heavily panting and shaking with anger. Sabine takes a look at her hands and notices her hands are shaking.
"I need a cigarette," Sabine says to herself, rushing into the kitchen in a panic.
She hastily goes into the kitchen to find her pack of cigarettes. Sabine is having trouble finding her pack of cigarettes because she cannot remember where she put them. Sabine looks in her drawers, in the cabinets, on top of the cabinets, and on on top of the refrigerator.
"So…you want to fuckin' punishment, do you," Sabine says as if she is talking to Nevin, increasingly getting anger, "It's NOT going to work! You're the loser! You and that fairy of yours are losers!!"
Sabine continues to search for her cigarettes until she stumbles upon the breadbox. She opens the breadbox and finds them leading on the loaf of bread, which is wrapped in plastic. Without hesitation, Sabine grabs her pack of cigarettes and pulls on out of the package. Her hands were still shaking. She is unable to light the cigarette with her hand. So she puts it in her mouth and leans to the eye to light it. After it is lit, Sabine turns off the eye, takes a couple of puffs until, and stands straight to her feet. Shaking slightly, Sabine takes the cigarette between her quivering fingers to take a deep inhale. She then releases the cigarette from her lips to release a massive cloud of smoke. Sabine feels a little better.
"You can't outfox this fox," she says with a slight laugh as if Nevin is in the room.
She puts the rest of the cigarette pack in her pocket and walks proudly into the living room. However, before Sabine makes herself comfortable on the loveseat, she almost forgets to get an ashtray. So she goes back into the kitchen to retrieve the ashtray. Then, a deep, masculine voice calls her name.
'Sabine….Sabine,' the voice calls to her.
"Whose there," Sabine asks in fear, "Nevin! Where are you, you bastard? Show yourself!!!"
'It's not Nevin.'
When Sabine turns around, she could not believe who is standing before her. She is in shock. Sabine shakes her head in total disbelief; she hastily makes the sign of the cross. It is Malcolm Montague Sr.
"No! It…It can't be," she exclaims, "Why do you look like that????"
'Now is that any way to talk to your father?'
"Daddy…is it you?"
'Well…not really. I'm your daddy's spirit.'
After taking another drag from her cigarette, she asks, "So what do you want from me? My soul???"
'No, that would be death," her father's spirit replies, "Don't be afraid, darling. I came to help you. I came to warn you.'
"Warn me," she asks, tapping the ash from her cigarette into the sink.
'Yes. I have watched you for a time now, and I am not happy with your behavior.'
"I haven't done anything," Sabine replies arrogantly, taking another drag from her cigarette.
He shakes his head in shame.
"What," Sabine asks?
Mr. Montague's ghost sigh and says, 'I blame myself for the woman you are. I failed you.'
Sabine laughs and asks, "You did not fail me because I turned out great. I have everything going for me."
'Yes….except love.'
"Oh please. I am loved by many people."
"Then…why are you alone? Why are you not at your mother's house with the rest of the family and friends?"
"I chose to be alone, ok? Anyway, my mother and my brothers didn't love me…they still don't love me. I wouldn't be surprised to know they were jealous of me because you loved me. You showed me love every day."
'Sabine...my baby girl…I loved my family. I loved my wife, and I loved ALL of my children…but I spoiled you. I spoiled you rotten. Your mother and I would argue over the way I disciplined you.'
"….but you hardly disciplined me."
'Exactly! Maybe if I didn't show favoritism and treated you and your brothers equally…maybe Nevin would still be alive.'
"Yeah…alive with his gay lover," Sabine retorts, taking another drag from her cigarette.
'Well, I don't know about all that. However, I do know is that Nevin was a good man, and he loved you enough to marry you and to have a family with you….but that wasn't good enough for you…and that's the reason he left.'
"I didn't make him go anywhere. He left on his own!"
'You drove him away.'
"Lies!"
'He may not have worked at the best job, making minimum wage, but he did the best he could for his family. He tried so hard to please you…but you were never satisfied. You bled him dry.'
"He was my husband! He was supposed to treat me like a queen."
'….but you were supposed to return the favor by treating him like a king.'
"I did it! I helped to pursue his music career, but Nevin always fell flat on his face. Why? He didn't have the guts," Sabine continued, taking another final pull from her cigarette and putting the rest out in the sink, "Nevin was nothing but a marshmallow. I tried to mold him into a great man but…but…it became so damn frustrating."
'Do you know why it was frustrating? He was already a great man.'
Sabine smiles and says, "Yeah…he was great for another man."
Malcolm Montague Sr.'s ghost looks at his daughter with sadness.
He says, 'Well…it looks like the damage is done.'
"What damage?"
'You are at the point of no return. All I ask is for the Lord to have mercy on your soul.'
Then, his ghost disappears.
When her father's ghost disappears, Sabine gets an eerie feeling but then shakes her head in disgust.
"Whatever," says Sabine with disgust.
She goes to the sink and washes the ashes and cigarette butt down the drain.
"Put of no return," Sabine says to herself, "Nevin is at the point of no return. I wasn't the one living in sin. I'm not the one who's dead and burning in hell."
When she leaves the kitchen, she is passing the dining room. She happens to see the mess she made with the plate of food. Sabine walks towards the chaos on the floor.
Knowing this was Nevin's favorite meal, Sabine shouts, "WHY DIDN'T YOU LOVE ME?????? I LOVED YOU, NEVIN!!!! WHY COULDN'T YOU LOVE ME????? WHY DIDN'T YOU STAY????"
Then, Sabine crumbles to the floor, sobbing over the mess on the floor.
She repeatedly sobs, "WHY NEVIN???? WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME???? I LOVED YOU!!!!"
Everyone is mingling, weeping, and eating. The children, including the triplets, play amongst themselves. The process goes on for a couple of hours, until nightfall when the guests leave gradually until the home is empty. After the guests are gone, Hyacinth and Malcolm Jr. make preparations in cleaning the living room and kitchen while Jabari bathes the children and sends them to bed. When everything is clean and put back in its place, everyone is exhausted.
"Well…looks like everything is back to normal," Hyacinth says, looking at the cleanliness of the living room, "Did you take out the trash?"
"Yes, mama," replies Malcolm, Jr.
"Did you put the food away for me?"
"Yes, mama."
"Good. Hopefully, the guest took some food home with them because all that food is going to go to waste, eventually."
"In that case, could I take some home with me?"
"Sure, baby. Help yourself, but Malcolm Jr., please return my Tupperware."
"Mama, I always return your Tupperware."
"Oh, really?"
"…Well, I think I did."
"I repeat. Return my Tupperware, ALL OF IT!"
"Ok. Ok."
When Malcolm Jr. makes his way into the kitchen to raid the refrigerator, Hyacinth mentions, "One more thing, M.J."
Malcolm Jr. turns to his mother and replies, "Yes, mama?"
"Clean my Tupperware, please."
"…yes, mama," Malcolm Jr. says, and he went into the kitchen.
Hyacinth stands alone in the living room. She looks around the office to see if there was anything else to clean or out of place. Then, she sees a wedding picture of Nevin and Sabine, which stands among the many photos on the shelf. Hyacinth picks up the image and stares at it. She runs her fingers gently over Nevin's picture.
"Nevin," Hyacinth says to herself, "…my son. Why did you not come to me? I could have helped you, baby."
A single tear falls from her face and onto the picture. Suddenly, Malcolm Jr. comes back into the living room.
"Well, if you don't need anything else, I'm going to go home," he says to his mother.
"No, baby. I'm fine," Hyacinth says, wiping her eyes, "Right now, I'm going to rest my bones in this chair at watch some television."
"…Are you ok, Mama? Do you need me to stay?"
"No, baby. I'll be fine. Besides, I have Jabari."
"Ok. Call me if you need anything."
"Alright, M.J., and be safe."
Malcolm Jr. then leaves his mother's home, locking the door behind him. About fifteen minutes later, her other son, Jabari, walks down the stairs to accompany her in the living room.
"Mama, the children are finally in bed."
"…Ok."
Hyacinth sighs.
"Those poor babies are going through so much," Hyacinth says, "My daughter is going through so much too…Sabine is in no shape to take care of those babies. Maybe I should keep them with me for a while."
"Good luck with that. I'm surprised you were able to free those triplets from Sabine clutches."
"She needs time to grieve by herself."
"…Mama…"
"Yes, baby…"
"…I need to talk to you about something. It's crucial," Jabari says.
"Is it about the children? Sweetheart, I know it's hard, but please be patient; they buried their father today. I ask the Lord to give us strength."
"No, it's not about them. It's about my friend, Zora."
"What about Zora?"
"You know that she is having a baby, right?"
"She is?? She's a baby herself; I hope the father plans on taking care of her and the baby. I will never understand the reason young people these days want to grow up so fast."
"…I…I don't know either…but… I want to help."
"How?"
Jabari is hesitant to tell his mother his idea.
"Well, Jabari…"
"I…, I want to ask her to marry me."
"You want to what?????"
"I want to marry Zora."
Hyacinth cannot believe her eyes.
"Jabari, today, I buried my son-in-law, a man who I loved as if he was my child. I tackle his moderate, emotionally unstable widow. I have his children who are hopefully sleeping peacefully upstairs despite the loss of their daddy. Now, you are telling me you want to get married. Are you in love with this girl?"
"No, but…"
"Is that girl carrying your baby?"
"No, Mama. It is not my baby."
"Then, you have no reason to marry her."
"But mama---"
"---If it's not your baby, it is not your problem."
"But what?"
"… now, she has to leave Holy Chalice because they do not allow single parents."
"She has to deal with that, not you!"
"Mama, please. She needs support, and I don't want her to leave school."
"Did you hear what I said, Jabari? I said, "No."
"…ok."
"I don't want to have this conversation again. It has been a long and tiring day. I commend you for being unselfish. However, there is nothing you can do but be a FRIEND and not a HUSBAND."
"Mmmm, I don't know the ingredients they put in this pizza…but this pizza…this pizza is so choice," Zora says, enjoying her pan pizza.
"Newkirk's has awesome pizza, but I think you need to take it easy. You are still in your first trimester," Fabiola suggests.
"Yeah, I know I have been puking my brains out lately, but I can't help myself. This is so good."
"…Do you mind if I have a slice…or two," Fabiola asks, oddly feeling hungry after having a calzone?"
"Not at all. Just because I'm eating for two doesn't mean that I'm stingy. Wait…you just ate a calzone, and you're still hungry?"
"Yeah…but I haven't had breakfast."
"Why didn't you eat breakfast?"
"…You know me. Constantly on the go."
"That's not good. You know breakfast is the most important meal of the day."
"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So…what's going on with you and Señor Montague?"
"Nothing."
"Have you heard from him lately?"
"Yeah…he asked if I was ok."
"AAAAWWW, he likes you."
"No, he does not. We're friends. He's like a brother…a cousin. No! He's like a second cousin."
"…who you can date."
"Fab, that's gross."
"No. You said that Jabari is like a…brother or cousin or whatever, but he's not. You guys are nowhere near related to each other. I think you should make it official with him."
"Quit being matchmaker. It's not going to work."
"Alright. Alright. I'll stop. Um…Z.Z…"
"What's up," Zora replies between bites of her pizza.
"…I bumped into Tony the other day."
Zora pause, "Oh…you did. What did he say?"
"He said that he still loves you and wants to be with you."
"Well, he can't be with his wife and me. You know what? Anton has some nerve—"
"Ok. Ok. It's cool. I didn't mean to get you upset. Besides, it's no good getting upset in your condition, anyway. However, I want you to know Tony does not love this girl. He doesn't like the girl."
"So why are they getting married?"
"The marriage is arranged by their parents."
"Oh. Wow…well, it doesn't matter. Ark and I can't be together, anyway. It doesn't matter if…we are still loved each other…and that we're having a baby. Did you tell him I was pregnant?"
"No, Zora. It's not my place to tell him about your pregnancy. Tony…however…did invite Isaac and me to his engagement party. He said it's an open invitation, so it's not an obligation…you know, considering the circumstances."
Zora smiles and asks, "Fab, are you asking for my permission to go to Anton's engagement party?"
"Um…yeah," replies Fabiola shyly.
"Girl…Girl, please! You don't need my permission to go to this party."
"I don't?"
"No! You are your person, and you make your own decisions. Besides, this situation has nothing to do with you. This is between Anton and me."
"Well, that's a relief."
They both laugh.
Zora starts, "We have known each other…forever. I don't doubt my friendship with you. You're my best friend."
"That's exactly the reason I was so apprehensive of going to this…engagement party…or pre-engagement...whatever. Anyway, I…I didn't want to betray you."
"See, this is why you're my best friend, and I love you."
"Ok. That's that. Now, here's another dilemma."
"What now?"
"…What am I going to wear?"
Zora and Fabiola laugh.
"I don't know," said Zora, "I mean…in your case, it's up to you. You can go "modern" or "traditional."
"Well, I never dressed in their traditional attire before. It would be interesting, but it's only a one-time thing."
"So go, "modern." The Braganza family will understand, trust me. Besides, an entire traditional dress can run for maybe about…over $200.00."
"…yeah, I'll go modern."
"So when is the big event?"
"In a couple of weeks from now."
"Good. We have ample time."
That evening, Fabiola gives Isaac a phone call.
"Alo," a woman's voice answers!
"Alo, Doña Loisaida. Soy yo, Fabiola."
"Fabiola, mi amor. ¿Cómo estás?"
"Bien. May I speak to Isaac?"
"Sure."
Seconds later, Isaac comes on the phone.
"Hey, baby," Isaac greets.
"How's everything with you?"
"Good. Good. What's up?"
"I wanted to ask you if you still want to go to Ark's pre-engagement…or engagement party."
"Tony's what?"
"…his pre-engagement party…I think."
"Damn! That was fast. His family is practically pushing him to marriage. What about Zora?"
"What about her?"
"Did you talk to Z.Z. about it?"
"Yeah. Zora said that she doesn't care."
"What!!!!! Get out of here!!!"
"I'm for real. Zora helped me pick out a fly outfit."
Isaac laugh.
"What's so funny," Fabiola ask?
"Mr. Creamy must be in Hell because it has frozen," he says jokingly.
"I know she said that she did not care, but I know it is breaking her heart. Zora still loves Tony, and she probably wishes she was the fiancé instead of that…girl."
"Are you sure you want to go to this thing? You sound as if you are having doubts."
"…yeah. Yeah! I'll go. Ark may have broken my best friend's heart, but…he's still my friend, and the situation is between Tony and Zora.
"Ok. It's settled. Now, if we're going to this engagement party, my girl cannot be the only one looking fly."
"So, you want to go?"
"…Yeah, I'll go."
"Great! I'm pretty sure you will have no problem finding something in your closet."
"Yeah. Your right."
They both laugh.
"Let's go," Rakel calls to her children as she places her earring into her ear, "Your father is waiting in the car, and I don't want to be late."
After placing her earring in her ear, Rakel smooths her tightly pinned-up hair and checks her make-up. She makes sure that her Pink Georgette Ankle Length Anarkali Suit looks flawless. She slightly fixes her traditional gold Kundan jewelry, which also compliments her outfit. Rakel's daughter, Monik Braganza, who looks just as regal as her mother, comes into her parents' bedroom, struggling with her Green Printed Georgette Saree*.
"Mommy, could you please fix my saree," Monik ask?
"Oh goodness," Rakel replies, fixing her daughter's saree against her shoulder, "Where is your brother?"
"I think he is still in his room."
"Anton, I hope you're fully dressed. I don't want to be late for this function," Rakel calls to Anton, "Anton, do you hear me?"
Anton is in his room, but he is staring at his reflection. His reflection wears a Cream Jacquard Readymade Kurta with Churidar; he looks incredibly dashing. Yet, Anton is disgusted with himself.
'I hate this,' Anton thinks to himself, 'I should be dressed like this for my "Soniye," Zora. I miss her so much, but she hates me.'
His eyes begin to get misty over his ex-girlfriend, but he quickly pulls himself together.
'No, Anton,' he thinks to himself, 'No more tears. Even though it hurts, you must be strong. I may marry another woman, but Zora will live in my heart forever.'
"Anton," Rakel interrupts, "Are you decent?"
"Um…yes, mommy. I am ready."
"Well, come on! Your daddy is waiting for us."
Meanwhile, Fabiola Castillo and Isaac Gonzalez are riding in a taxi to the pre-engagement party at "The Ballroom."
"This is pretty exciting," says Fabiola.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean…this is not an ordinary pre-engagement party."
"Ordinary?"
"You know. American."
"Oh. Well, it should be fascinating."
"…do you think it will be choreographed like a Bollywood movie?"
"You watch those?"
"Sure!"
Isaac laugh.
"They have subtitles, Isaac. That way, I could understand what is going on in the movie. Plus, I get inspiration for my designs."
Isaac says through his laughter, "You're too funny."
They arrive at "The Ballroom." Isaac and Fabiola step out of the taxi like movie stars, on their way to a premiere. Isaac's hair is slick back and shiny. He wears a teal green suit with his sleeves rolled up. The black button-down shirt and leather shoes complement his suit with a gold touch from his chain, watch, and ring. His girlfriend, Fabiola, looks just as eye-catching as her date. With her dark, bouncy curls swooped to the side, Fabiola wears a Victor Costa soft pink cocktail dress with matching high heels. The dress consists of a Sweetheart neckline, fitted waistline, three layers of ruffles, and a zippered back closure with a giant pink bow. However, the pink bow is nothing compared to her pink ice and C.Z. fashion jewelry, which makes her entire ensemble…POP!
"Do you have the invitation," Fabiola ask, as she held her boyfriend's arm?
"Yeah, baby," Isaac assures her, "It's in my inside pocket."
As they walk closer to "The Ballroom" building, they notice a lot of people.
"Wow," Isaac exclaims!
"Wow, indeed," Fabiola agrees, "There are so many people here."
"Yeah, I can tell by the cars."
"I hope they do not look at us funny."
"Why would you say that?"
"Well, we are not dressed like them."
"Baby, it does not matter how we're dressed. We look great, but you look beautiful."
"Thanks, mi amor," she replies, with a kiss.
They walk towards the double wooden doors, which were the main entrance. When Isaac opens the door, the couple enters the foyer, which was illuminated with pendant lighting. The flooring is made of hardwood. One side of the foyer has an antique mirror with matching antique wall lamps on both sides. Under the mirror is a wooden four-door cabinet. On the other side of the foyer is an antique painting; the two antique wall lamps complement the art as well as the three Accent Chairs. Then, Isaac opens one door of another pair of double wooden doors, which opens to a long hallway of doors; behind each door is a ballroom. A long row of crystal chandeliers illuminates the hall; it shows the antique beauty of the Victorian wallpaper. The carpeting is so soft, it feels like walking on clouds. The couple happens to meet with a few of the guests that happen to be conversing in the hallway; they gladly direct Fabiola and Isaac to the ballroom, which holds the Engagement party. Once Isaac opens the door to the hall for his girlfriend, one relative happily greets the both of them.
As the Braganza family drives to "The Ballroom," Anton stares at the window; he is in another world of apprehension, regret, betrayal sadness, and emptiness. Monik watches her brother; she is anxious about him.
"Anton….Anton," Monik calls to him, tapping him on his shoulder.
Anton turns to his sister.
"What is it," Anton asks, feeling somewhat annoyed.
"Are you ok," Monik asks?
"Yeah. Why do you ask?"
"You don't look happy."
"Of course, I am happy. I am about to meet my new wife for the first time."
There is a dead silence between the two siblings until Monik comes up with a thought.
"…if I was meeting my new husband, I would feel the same as you."
"Yeah, right. You have no idea how I feel. No one will EVER know how I feel."
"What's going on, back there," Agnelo asks while maneuvering through the busy, crazy street?
"Nothing, daddy," says the children.
There is another short pause between Anton and Monik. Anton feels terrible about snapping at his younger sister. How can she understand his situation? Monik does not have a clue.
"…I'm sorry, Monik. I just have a lot on my mind," Anton apologizes.
"Yeah…I see," Monik replies, "I didn't mean to upset you. I guess…I don't know."
Anton looks at her and says, "No."
They finally reach "The Ballroom." There were so many cars, Agnelo had a hard time finding a parking space but eventually he saw one.
"I knew we were going to be late," Rakel says with worry.
"Don't worry, dear," Agnelo says to Rakel, "We're fine. It is good to keep the crowd in suspense."
Agnelo gets out of the car first to open the door for his wife. He is conscientious to not ruin his Dark Red Art Silk Jacquard Readymade Kurta with Churidar. Anton's apprehension grows more prominent as he gets out of the car. He walks with his family to the double wooden doors, which are the main entrance. The Braganza family happens to meet with a few of the relatives that happen to be conversing in the hallway; they gladly direct the family to the ballroom, which holds the Engagement party. Once Agnelo opens the door to the hall for his family, one relative happily greets the family.
"Hey, everyone," the relative announces, "the groom and his family finally arrived!"
Everyone cheers; friends and family from the city, other parts of the country, the U.K., and India, come for this great and lovely occasion. Everyone wears their traditional attire. It looks like a scene from a Bollywood movie. The guest greets the Braganza family with kisses and hugs, as they slowly walk their way to the front where the bride's family sits in front of the ballroom; some are crying because they are so happy for Anton and his engagement. Anton, however, pretends he was pleased, allowing himself to be showered with affection by his well-wishers.
"Alright, everyone," Agnelo announces, with his hands in the air, "Kindly, let him pass."
They give Anton and his family room to sit at their table, which was directly next to the Pankar family, the bride's table. The mother, Magdu, the father, Pedru, her two brothers, Salvador and Motes, and her older sister, Mari, sit regally in their traditional Kundan jewelry and colorful traditional attire, at their table. They are thrilled to see him, as he sits in his seat. Anton feels nothing but total unhappiness.
"Do not worry, future son-in-law," Magdu Pankar says, reaching towards him with a warm smile, "you are marrying a wonderful girl."
Strangely, Anton feels more at ease. It is not something she has said but how she said it. As if she knows how he feels. He looks at her with a smile.
"Thank you," Anton replies.
It is almost time for the bride to make her grand entrance to meet her future husband. The guests sit at their tables; the tables are split in the middle. The bride to make her entrance. When everyone is seated, the lights begin to dim. The lighting shines in front of the stage. Dancers from the right and left of the ballroom suddenly come dancing in front of the guests. The performance is beautiful; they dance gracefully in unison with their Blue Lengha and matching Silver Kundan Jewelry. Then the dancers form a clearing for the double doors. A spotlight shines on the double doors; the announcer declares,
"Mr. Anton Braganza, we are proud to present to you, Nataline Pankar, your future bride," announces the D.J.
When they open, a figure, draped in a Purple Lengha* complimented with Gold Kundan jewelry, enters the ballroom. Everyone's attention focuses on her. Nataline strolls, as the music plays softly in the background. As she walks toward the front of the hall, everyone is astonished by Nataline's regal beauty. Anton watches his future bride walk closer to him; he is very nervous. He looks at Nataline like she is the "grim reaper." She stops in front of the stage, presenting herself to her future husband. Rakel urges Anton to meet his future wife. He gets up, strolls off the stage, and strolls to Nataline. There they are. Standing face to face. They give each other a faint smile. Anton puts out his hand, and Nataline takes it.
"The couple will now have the first dance," announces the D.J.
Although they are incredibly nervous, Anton takes this future bride by the hand and guides her to the dance floor. "Love Zone" by Billy Ocean begins to play in the atmosphere. The disco ball spins gracefully, illuminating its shine throughout the ballroom.
'Eeww. His hand is so sweaty,' Nataline thinks to herself.
Anton wraps his arms around Nataline's back while she wraps her arms around his neck; they commence their slow dance.
'Nataline is beautiful,' Anton thinks to himself, 'I hate to let my Zora go, but she has let me go. Maybe I should get to know Nataline, a least. Who knows? I might grow to…like her.'
Nataline is just as apprehensive as her future husband.
'I'm not ready to get married,' she thinks to herself, 'I don't care if this is part of my culture…'
She takes a look at Anton Braganza.
'…This could be worse, perhaps. This bloke could be beastly,' Nataline thinks to herself, 'I guess it would not hurt to get to know the bloke. Who knows? I might…fancy him.'