It's the day of my marriage and whatever could go wrong has gone wrong.
First, it started with my alarm beeping late. Of course, I snoozed and slept some more. Which made my day delay by 2 hours all around.
2 hours behind getting ready, 2 hours behind reaching the City Hall where our marriage will be and 2 hours behind the appointed time.
I jumped from my bed to get ready, skipping breakfast in favour of getting clean and shaving my legs.
Blow drying my hair, I let it into loose curls down my back. I don't have time for anything else. I dabbed myself with some perfume and applied some light makeup that matches the blushing pink on my dress. By miracle I was able to cover the time by cutting corners.
Once I got dressed and wiggled my bottom to get zipped, I checked for Shirley and what do I find? She has already left to get the groom to the City Hall and her note says she will meet me there.
Huffing to myself, I just stepped out of the door when the sky crackled an evil laugh and opened up to a heavy pour.
Cursing my bad luck, I stepped inside and checked the time. Only 1 hour left before the appointed time.
Puffing my cheeks as if that would help to curb the panic residing in my stomach at bay, I grabbed an umbrella and dashed towards the pavement.
The next hurdle came in the form of me forgetting the identification needed during the process.
By this point, I was ready to drop on the wet pavement and bawl my eyes out. It's like the universe has determined to prove what an idiotic thing I'm going to do.
Checking my time for the nth time, I squared my shoulders and quickly got my passport from the house, all the while lifting my wedding dress to my knees so that it won't get wet.
People gave me mad looks, some even whistled. They must be thinking I was running away from my wedding instead towards it.
At last when I was on the steps of the City Hall did it sink in my mind that I really am getting married today.
My heart did a flip; sweat gathered at the temple of my forehead, my palms started clamming, my knees knocked together in panic.
What am I doing?
I pursed my lips, feeling the indecision rattling my cages. Just as I was seriously thinking of bidding adieu to Shirley's mad scheme, a guy clad in suit approached me.
"Excuse me miss, are you here for the wedding?" He asked pointing at my white wedding dress.
Flustered, I looked down noting the slightly muddy hemline with a defeated sigh. I then looked over my shoulder as if someone would be standing there to call me back.
I chewed my lip as the man probed, "miss?" As if he read my mind to flee.
"Y-yes. I'm... I'm here for the we-wed-wedding," I choked the last word with difficulty.
"Oh, then they are waiting for you in the main hall. Please proceed," he gestured with his hand to the hall, his gaze penetrating as if he could see my dilemma and want nothing to do with it.
"Yes... yes... I just -" I looked at the way I came once again trying to summon my courage to do what I came for.
Where the hell is Shirley?
With quivering knees, I climbed the remaining steps and dragged my feet to the hall. Just as I was enter the hall a woman stopped me by saying, "oh, my, you look pretty. But where is your veil?"
"Veil?"
My voice came out as a choke. Oh no! Is evil a must in American weddings? Did I do a blunder by not buying it?
I looked at the woman who stood by the side in the abandoned corridor as if she is waiting for someone. Her attire suggested she is from well to-do family with not a flint on her dress. Her age could be anywhere from 60's to 80's but the way she held herself straight I could only guess that where ever she goes, she commands attention and respect.
Why is this woman talking to me then?
My hands shook as I thought of the implications if someone found out about my lie.
"I... I lost it," I blurted feeling my cheeks turning red.
"You poor thing. This rain must have done a number on you," she tsked as she checked my hemline.
"Ah... ya... Umm... sorry for interrupting you but I'm getting late. If you don't mind-" I motioned towards the entrance of the Hall hoping she would get the hint.
"No flowers too I see"
"It was... it was raining."
"Ah." She pursed her lips not stepping aside.
My heart started it's ratcheting for another reason. Could she be from USCIS office? Shirley said she will handle everything and bribed to appropriate members.
What if she is wrong? What if she bribed someone else and this woman is checking for real?
My throat parched as my mind decided that moment to conjure the images of the inside of a jail.
Do they have internet in jail?
"You come with me," she grabbed my upper arm before I could confess and apologise and walked briskly towards a room at the end of the corridor.
"Miss... mam... I... I can explain."
Tears prickled at the end of my eyes. My heart was literally in my mouth threatening to jump out and run away if it could.
"Shh... no need to explain. I can see that you are alone. Here, take this," she thrusted a flower bouquet with white and pink roses that surprisingly matches my dress.
I gasped at them with open mouth as she withdrew a veil from god knows where, draped over my head and secured it with pins.
The veil is a two-tier one that comes up to my chin in the front and trails down touching the floor in the back. It is gorgeous. It also is so thick in the front that I could hardly see anything other than a shade.
"Umm... miss... mam, I couldn't..." I changed my line after thinking about her designation, "I don't think it's appropriate for me to take this from you. It must be costly. Please take it."
I shifted my bouquet to my left hand and lifted my right to untuck the veil. Unfortunately, a hand stopped me before I can take it out.
"No. No. Don't remove it. It is bad luck. You can't," she said vehemently.
I stopped midway thinking not to displease her.
"Very well, now, if you don't mind, I'm getting late to the wedding." I turned towards the door and took a step but halted before crossing the threshold.
This good woman showed me kindness when I was just making a fool out of everyone. Guilt slithered in my belly eating me inside out.
"Why don't you join me in the wedding?" I asked before I could chicken out.
She is obviously surprised by the way the silence ensued.
"Are you sure?" She asked carefully.
"Of course. Please?" I turned fully, trying to pinpoint her face.
"If it's alright with you." She took my arm this time more gently and turned me towards the entrance of the hall.