"You're nervous" Floria divulged.
"No Ria" Lily chuckled. "It's just a normal thing that happens when you're about, like, you know that kind of..."
"Lily" Floria halted. "You're freaking out"
"Oh Ria"
"You don't have to pretend anymore. You're still human and I don't hold it against you if you're scared"
"I am" she admitted.
"You still don't have to marry him, you know"
"And what happens to Lustre?"
"We will find a way, you said.."
"Listen, you're too young for this. Concentrate on school, got it?"
"Alright. But I'm always here when you need me. You only have to put a call across"
"What can you possibly do for me"
"I'm seventeen! You don't have to treat me like I'm nine"
Lily laughed quite hard this time around.
"Thank you"
"For what?"
"For making me laugh quite well"
"Anytime" Floria said with a curved lips.
She, had seen it on her laptop that night. Despite how sad she really was, her mind could comprehend what she saw. She had been looking up for him. The man she's about to marry. It dawned on Floria, how scared Lily was. On her desk where little sheet of papers. On them, she had scribbled prayers. Prayers that weren't answered. She had wished the Franklivanias would not be interested anymore. If not for anything, probably because they wasted time.
The night after, she had seen her books scattered on the floor. Parts of her pillow soaked with what most certainly seemed like tears. Then, she would go to visit their father in the hospital, and sometimes she slept at the hospital, other times, she returns exhausted.
Her sister has been in pains and she knew something must be done but how, is what she doesn't know. Right now, she just have to adhere to her sister's advise and concentrate on high school. She's in grade twelve, her last year in high school and she had to make good grades. Maybe she's really too young to help her right now. If she's going to be of help in the future, she has to concentrate on now and make the best use of it. But she never loved the idea of graduate school. That was the next level; the next step in her academic life. She wishes to simply finish high school and return home permanently. Yes, she was on holiday which would be ending soon. She hated to leave home and graduate school meant leaving again; academics in her family meant leaving home. But she would have to agree that this is the worst holiday ever. In one holiday, her elder and only sister is getting married to save the company. In one holiday, her mother is dead and her father fell to comma. So she swore to be there for her sister. To be here for her and not leave her side. She wouldn't afford to loose her too. Lily has been her role model and is now all she has.
The marriage was the talk of the town. In every television news channel, on newspapers, magazines, lots of them. Everything centres on the possible merging of Lustre and FM Group of companies! It was a remarkable event that would be spoken of for a long time.
But that's how deceiving social media can be. As it exaggerated and talked of all the good things about the marriage, Lily was dying of anxiety. It wasn't good. Her make up artist has come to touch-up her face. The Gold hall of FM Group has been decorated astonishingly and filled with people.
Soon enough, an entourage of cars arrived, with men on white suits emerging. It was the groom's train. They entered the hall and filled people with awe. The groom himself kept a straight face, as if he's here to do this shit and be done with it. No joy, no love, no anger, not any sign of emotion. Now it was time for the bride to grace the hall with her presence.
Everything has been put in place. Her dress, the makeup, everything was in order and perfect. She stood behind the closed doors with clasped hands. Praying for everything to happen so fast like the accident of that day. But it didn't, time seemed to move incredibly slower.
The doors opened as she was announced. As it opened wider, so did her anxiety grow. But at least, her sister was there with her, so she felt a bit relieved. She entered, with Floria walking closely behind her. She feared she would collapse.
Lily fixated her gaze on the ground, trying to avoid the audience. Heading towards the altar seemed like a never ending journey but soon enough she was there.
She was urged by the priest to raise her head, as everyone found out that she had looked down from the moment she walked in which made them wonder if she was going to marry the ground.
Slowly, she raised her head, and what she saw was by far the most beautiful sight!
This guy is one of the most handsome creation she has ever seen. One do not need a second glance to know what's beautiful. For a second she wondered if the things she read about him is indeed correct.
But then, just before the priest could start performing the normal marital rites, her stare became stronger. The figure in front of her wasn't a total stranger, is he?
"I have seen him before" she told herself. However, the guy didn't move or rather wasn't moved by her stares, he kept chewing his chord and just at that facial expression that looked more like a scowl, she had a quick deja Vu followed by an uninvited head ache. She held her temples immediately. The crowd started murmuring.
"Miss Lily?" The priest called, wondering why she's behaving that way.
But the guy still didn't move despite the drama. He remained straight faced and stiff. But it wasn't actually a drama. She wasn't acting. The face looked familiar and just by looking at him, the head ache grew worse, until she collapsed, as if a force on the ground pulled her down.
The crowd screamed as Lily's her body crumpled to the ground. Floria rushed to her side, panic etched on her face. "Lily! Oh my god, Lily!"
The groom's expression changed from indifference to shock, his eyes fixed on Lily's limp form. He took a step forward, but seemed to hesitate, as if unsure of what to do. He had kept a weird aura since he entered the hall. He didn't want to change that. His ego taking hold on him.
The priest's voice cut through the chaos. "Someone, call an ambulance! Now!"
Floria cradled Lily's head in her lap, tears streaming down her face. It seemed as if what she had feared was beginning to unfold."Lily, please wake up! Oh, please..." She wept. She can't afford to loose her. Not her too!
The room erupted into chaos, guests rushing to help, others standing in shock. The groom's entourage surrounded him, whispering urgently.
The ambulance sirens wailed outside, growing louder with each passing moment. Floria's mind raced with questions. She believed that her sister had collapsed to avoid the wedding. She joined the ambulance to the hospital, hoping Lily would wake up to say it was all a trick.