* * * *
Ajunno
The venue is lavishly decorated and the party is already packed with glamorous people ducked in expensive outfits. Musicians are playing and the atmosphere is merry.
"There is no doubt it's going to be a beautiful ceremony. The groom really put in all he had."
"Food is already being served although it's not yet time for merriments. I can't wait to taste those delicious dishes."
" This is just what I expected of the Das family. Ha ha, it's indeed a lavish ceremony. "
I overhear some guests conversing and my heart clenches with fury. I hate her. I want this ceremony to be the worst ever attended don't I?
" Ajunno, I've reserved a table for us up front just like you wanted. We can go now. We'll be seated behind the groom."
I don't have to turn to know who it is.
" I will join you soon."
" Ajunno, come with me now. It's-"
" Shantell! I said I will join you soon. I have to find the groom. The priest is here waiting. His bride is ready. I need to find my cousin. You just go wait for me." I growl, already loosing my cool.
What is wrong with her?
I walk off, smiling graciously at the cameras, anger burning up my chest. I've denied this for so long. The one fact I didn't realize until now. But I can fix this. We just have to switch places.
Did I walk that briskly? I'm already at the groom's preparation room. I can see Sharmar now, he is looking himself up in the mirror, his large body clothed in a fine groom's costume.
" Sharma! You look great. "
" Hey cousin, you don't look bad yourself. "
He hugs me , adjusting his head gear when he pulls back.
" Okay everyone, I'm set." He calls out.
I look closely at the faces in the room. His parents, uncle, aunt and Kush, my other cousin. But I don't care. I must do this.
" Wait Sharma," I stop him before he heads out.
" I want us to talk about something before you go. Like matured men."
I pull him off to a corner where we can talk without the others hearing.
" Go on." He looks excited. What nerves! I know I encouraged him to go for her but how dare he?
" You can't marry Mira."
Sharma looks at me shocked. Then he starts laughing.
" Okay cousin, that's a nice joke but there's no time... "
" I mean it. You cannot marry her. "
" What? Why?"
" Because I love her. And I want her."
He cannot have her. Nobody can!
Sharma looks at me like I just ran mad.
" And you just realized that now? Today? "
" You will not marry her. You will stay back while I go out there as the groom. Nobody knows who the groom is so it will be smooth."
" Her family.."
" Her family do not care who marries her. They only want the fame and connections. You can't have her cousin." I tell him, moving threateningly close to him. The aura I'm giving off right now is very oppressive and i want him to feel oppressed.
Sharma is red in the face and his huge body is quivering. I know he'll back off. He's angry now but he'll-
In a flash, something painfully hot hits my face and my nose starts bleeding. So he punched me huh?
I retaliate and we both go brawling on the floor. I see the small crowd rush towards us through a blur.
I'm sorry Mira, but you will have to wait a bit longer.
* * * *
Aeon
We arrived the venue not long ago and now, I'm grateful for these clothes.
People here are all dressed in elegant clothes and I'm already starting to feel sick. Why didn't Rahid tell me this was just like the parties back home?
These kind of parties are used to close business deals, create connections and even form alliances.
Rahid is quite popular here. Why won't he be? He is prominent in the family.
" Is that really Rahid Raj? Come here son, it's so good to see you." A man calls out to Rahid.
" Uncle...." Rahid touches his feet and they both hug. I'm behind Rahid feeling bored while they make small talk.
He does not introduce me and the Uncle doesn't ask.
Rahid is done now. He turns to me and pats my shoulder.
" You're one of my tourist friends who luckily happens to attend this ceremony before he leaves you understand? That's what you'll tell anybody who asks. "
"Hey man, where have you been?"
Another guy shows up behind Rahid. They both pump hands and hug.
" Business Advit," he laughs. " That kept me away."
" Hi, I'm Advit Dyar" the guy says, looking me up.
" Nice to meet you Advit, Stein."
" Tourist?"
" Yes. I'm lucky to attend this beautiful ceremony. "
" You can say that again " he laughs.
Why don't I like him?
I get a drink from a waiter and sip on it slowly. Champagne. I could really use some whiskey now.
" Hey Rahid, how are you?"
A female voice says just as Rahid started to say something to me. And it's a beautiful female voice. Rahid turns to face her.
" Hello...." She says to me.
She's beautiful and she doesn't have an accent. Her hair is straight with red tips. And wow! She is hot! She has a sexy body and a full backside that her clingy gown flatters very well.
" Hello," I reply, turning on my full charms.
" You're a friend of Rahid's? "
" A tourist he just met."
" Oh I see. Shantell." She says, offering me a hand. Her hand is smooth and soft as I take it in a handshake.
Uhmm....What was my name again?
" Stein." I can already hear her cries in my head.
" Oh hi Advit. I didn't see you there." Shantell says with an innocent smile. I can swear she saw him just fine.
" Shantell, I guess I'm not that hard to miss. " There is anger in Advit's voice.
He looks at me, his eyes full of murderous intent.
I can't help feeling smug. Dude! The girl came at me first.
" De- Stein. You know you'll be leaving soon don't you?" Rahid cuts in. He's trying to remind me that I'm here to escape. I know that and I'll do just that.
" So soon? Why?" Shantell asks.
" I have a plane to catch."
" And family to meet. Mr Stein why didn't you bring them along? You wouldn't need to leave this early if you did." Advit has an evil glint in his eyes.
" It would be quite difficult to bring one's extended family to a tour wouldn't it Advit? Some of them might not want to come."
" They would. Except you had other reason for coming here. " He replies, hatred burning in his eyes.
" Stein, it's quite unfortunate you have to leave so early. While you're here, why don't I show you around?" Shantell asks, pretending to be unaware of the hostility between us both.
Her eyes say it all.
" Uhmm... Okay..."
" No Shantell, this guy is a stranger, how can you go anywhere alone with him?"
" What's wrong with you Advit? I didn't ask for your protection. "
" I I just-"
" Enough everyone! Please let's not make a scene. Stein, you don't have that time. You're supposed to-"
" Daddy."
What? There's a cute boy tugging at Rahid's shirt.
Quickly, Rahid leads the boy away from us, glaring at me. I can almost hear him say " don't try anything stupid."
" Of course" my eyes reply as yet another group of people accost him. That's good. Now I'm free.
" You! I'm watching you." Advit sneers then he asks Shantell to be careful.
In no time, Shantell shows me around. I get to see the secret passages both in and out and she plays the gracious hostess.
" How come you know this place this much?" I ask her.
" It belongs to my family-to be."
" You're engaged? "
She does not answer me.
" Come. There's somewhere else I want to show you."
It's a room in this building. One of the extra rooms in here but this one is empty and quite deserted. Although it's elegant, it's no different from the other rooms we saw before so I don't know why she brought me here.
" Okay, it's elegant. "
" And I? " She locks the door and strips to her undies.
Damn!
And I was hoping we could do this in the bathroom. Can't she see she doesn't need to seduce me?
I grab her, pin her to the wall and kiss her roughly. I have her rough and fast because I can't take long. Half an hour later, I'm done.
" That was-"
" Nothing. "
I throw on my tunic, rake a hand through my hair and walk out of the room.
I'm in the main hall when I catch my first glimpse of them.
No, it can't be them. Where's Rahid? I search to see him discussing with a group of people far off. As if on cue, he looks up.
" Run." His eyes tell me. " Run!"