Marie.
~
Today was my wedding.
I have been awake for a while, waiting for everyone else to wake naturally.
Didn't wanna show my excitement.
I was looking at my goofy little sister sleeping with her mouth open, wearing a t-shirt twice her size.. was that the same girl who couldn't stop herself and forced a guy to dance with her?
I took her away last night and asked what the hell she was thinking.
She was all over the place, talked just about anything but what I asked.
After we went back down, she almost pulled me to follow them outside .. but they were just looking at the moon.
She liked him.
How will that turn out? I don't know, but it will be entertaining to watch.
I remembered last night watching them from above.
Asin reached out into the sky .. he looked so ethereal. As if he could believe he could reach it.
I felt my face burning.
It has happened a lot since last night. But how can I not be swooned a little?
And tonight...
" Ahhh!!! .. " I covered my head with a pillow.
" W-whats..why are you screaming!? "
Before I could answer, our door was blown in.
" Where is he!!? "
My dad ran inside, holding a fire poker.
" W-who dad? "
He looked around, putting down the metal bar.
" .. I thought someone attacked you! Why are screaming, sweetie? "
" I asked her the same .. " Ayshe murmured from under the cover.
" I.. had a nightmare. Sorry. " I lied seamlessly.
He let out a breath and relaxed.
" Well, it doesn't matter. As long as you are good and healthy, my beautiful daughter deeply in love. "
He leaned down and kissed my forehead.
" We might as well start the preparation.. Ayshe sweetie.. get up. It's your sisters wedding, after all. "
He practically danced out of our room, and my sister gave me the evil eye.
" Happy Happy... "
" Sorry .. but you look better now. "
She looked confused.
" What do you mean? " She sat up.
" Not as red .. or crazy stalker. " I smiled.
She tried to hit with a pillow but had the upper body strength of a toddler.
" I told you, didn't I? I'm..suspicious of them. That's right.. suspicious..of them."
She got up .. suspiciously hiding her face.
I didn't push.
Had a lot to do and a plan to follow. Then a man to marry. Because Asin Martell might seem like a boy at first look but make no mistake, he was man.
I texted my friends who were responsible for everything running smoothly.. and took one more look in the mirror.
I need to stop the fantasies .. no one will want to marry a tomato.
——
Oliver.
~
We spent the day running around. The wedding stuff was just cake, but the set up for the crew was missing.
Leyla did her best but needed help.
Before we knew it, we were an hour from the ceremony.
The wedding itself was in the middle of the town square, lots of people attending.
I noticed that despite his light words and actions, Asin was wrestling with something .
My fears only grew when I saw his eyes still cloudy in the reflection in the mirror.
" Let me help .. " I had enough and went to tie his bow tie. " .. I wanted to talk to you about..you know the plan. "
He looked up, expecting this.
I smiled and tapped his shoulder.
" Tear it up if you feel like it. "
" What? "
" I mean .. if you don't want to break this girls heart, I understand. Never should've asked you in the first place. "
It was all fun and games until you hurt the people you were supposed to protect.
I didn't want to make my friend go through something like that ..
He would have to be cold .. and unfeeling. The two qualities that were fundamentally missing from him.
" What about.. our way of life? " He asked, almost whispering.
" Our way of life.. is whatever we decide. Who's to say .. maybe it was faith leading Leyla to them. And them to us. "
" Them? " He asked with a smile.
I didn't answer, but often it says more than words.
" Thank you .. "
He embraced me, and we stood there for a while.
" Alright now. " I tapped his back, wiping my eyes. " .. let go and get you married. Then remember..
" I know .. whatever it takes, I'll be there. "
Our way of living.. is whatever we decided to be.
Married or not, he won't change. Maybe Marie will do him some good even.
Asin.. brother .. let this day be the start of a happier future.
——
Ayshe.
~
The electricity was so thick in the square that one could feel it.
As I watched my sister say the big YES a little shy but happy, it made my soul nourish.
She will be fine.
Asin was asked, and his voice cut through the silence like a hot knife through butter.
" YES ! "
And just like that, the entire place exploded with applause.
I looked at his family while being buried by my cring mother.
Oliver was wiping his own eyes seeing the man he loved as brother, wave his hand, and joined in with my sisters, around for the crowd.
We all went and congratulated the new couple, and as per custom, they were buried under a mountain of presents.
All of the country came to see the youngest of the Martells tying the knot.
When it was my turn, I gave them a picture of our family we took last night.
I think I nailed it given the time and the budget.
" Hello, beautiful. "
I turned around and saw Jenk.
" Oh .. hello. "
He walked closer and offered his hand. Which I took .. somewhat reluctantly.
" Tell me how does it feels to be part of the 1%? "
" We not necessary become more rich .. my sister did. " I explained it.
It's how I felt.
It was her life. She should at least be given the chance to actually try to live it.
" Sorry for overhearing.. but I was trying, too. "
Slug walked beside us.
" What is it? "
I asked, knowing he wouldn't smile like that unless it's something good.
" Well, I talked to Uncle Hassop earlier, and he was telling me about the capital and how they will leave the town in a good hand .. etc and what have you. "
" What are you saying? " asked him Jenk.
" I'm saying my lovely breadfellow.. that our towns name sakes will leave soon .. for better or worse. "
With that little bomb he dropped, he disappeared into the crowd.
" Is that true, Ayshe? Your father would just leave the town he helped build? "
I looked at Jenk and felt a little sorry for after all these years, he still didn't understand my family.
Of corse, he was on cloud nine since the dinner we had. I thought he was just happy to be part of high society again.. to have his daughter found a man she can genuinely love.
But no .. he was paid.
With that, all the bitter feelings returned like they never left me.
I shouldn't blame Akin or his family for this. After all, most of this was a tradition we lived by for thousands of years.. but knowing my sister was sold .. and we get live in the place she was sold for?
It drew shameful tears to my eyes.
Damn you, father .. damn you, Martells.
" Ayshe.. are you crying? "
I left him without a word and headed straight to my sister friends.
" Lilly.. can you tell Marie I need to talk to her.. please. "
We were not on the best terms, but she saw my state, and instead of question, she just nodded and walked towards the two of them.
After she whispered in her ear and helped her where to look, she found me and done what she always done ..tilted her head in question.
I smiled and lifted my phone, indicating I would text her where.
She nodded and even leaned over to Asin before disappeared from my view.
~
I asked her to meet me at the nearby cafe that was used to store all the presents that they were going to take home with them.
I waited less than 5 minutes before she appeared all big and white.
" What's wrong? " She asked, walking closer.
I nodded towards the man behind her since it was a pack of four security that shadowed her.
She understood and asked them to leave.
" Now you starting to scare me, Ayshe.. what happened? "
I was still so angry from the whole situation.. I didn't even know what I was saying.. or what would it may lead to.
——
Oliver.
~
I talked to my brother gleefully, sharing some top of the shelf bourbon.
The music was loud and about 100 people were dancing like there was no tomorrow.
" Just one .. " I reminded him to take his glass and finish myself. " You need to score twice tonight! Hahaha .. "
" I hate you. "
I laughed even louder, searching the crowd.. I couldn't see her ..
" Where is your wife? " I asked with a large smile.
" She said her sister wanted something or another .. They've been talking for a while. "
" You worried? "
" No .. sent some guards with her. Look at Dede .. "
I looked where his finger pointed and saw Uncle Erwing going at it like a much younger man.
The females loved him .. what women can resist a man who can dance like that?
I felt full suddenly watching him spin and exused myself.
As I was dodging the crow with increased efficiency.. I decided I liked bourbon.. it went down smooth.
I chuckled and sent the security away who attempted to follow me covertly.
I was thinking maybe behind that cafe and turned the corner.
( BANG )
I run into something soft.
" Ouch .. "
I stopped rubbing my head and looked ahead.
" Ayshe? "
" Oliver .. sorry about this. I was just ..
I quickly gathered myself and helped her up.
" Thank you. "
" Why are you not at the celebration. "
Felt like an idiot. That's why we dont drink hard stuff .. even a simple sentence like that required careful planning when it came out with bourbon.
She noticed my state and walked closer .. to smell me.
" You celebrating for the both of us. "
I smiled a little shamefully. This is not how our second conversation was supposed to happen.
Although her perfume hit my nostrils as she leaned in .. and that stuff will get you drunk even if you stone cold sober.
" Come .. let go inside, and you can take a seat. "
She looked a little nervous and her eyes were red .. her sister getting married must be quite hard.
I let her guide me inside and took a seat among a lot of nicely wrapped presents.
Kind of wanted to open them ..
" Alright, stay here .. I get you some coffee. "
" Thank you. I'm not used to.. drinking. "
I took off my tuxedo jacket and undid my bow tie.
" I understand.. you don't look the hard drinking type. " She smiled, handing me a hot cup.
" Thanks .. I spend most of my time working and don't have time for a lot of socialising. "
" What is your job? " She asked, taking a seat as well.
" I work at a law firm.. owned by my mother. "
She nodded, understanding.
" So a high class lawyer.. don't be offended, but it sounds a little boring. "
I chuckled and spilt a little coffee on the floor.
If you only knew.
" It truly is .. "
It was mostly busy work. I let my team finish most of the time.. but it was boring as hell every time I had to go into that office.
" Asin told me you were talking to your sister.. everything is okay? "
She took away her gaze .. usually means something.
" Just needed to apologise.. that's all. Felt bad about something my father did. "
She looked infinitely sad, and it made me angry .. I wasn't sure where to put that feeling.
" Well .. whatever it was. You apologised so I assume it reached all your family.. what he did. "
She nodded and drank her cup.
Well, her father was .. well, a good-natured idiot.. but an idiot all the same. I didn't wanna ask her any more probing questions, so we just sat there finishing our cup.
" Should we get back? " She asked.
" I kinda have to leave. " I checked the time and made some calculations.
We spent too much time here. Had to leave if we were to be ready for Asin.
" ..don't tell me. "
" Yes.. have to finish some work at the hotel.. I hope you feel better. " I said, opening the door for her.
" I already am .. told everything I wanted, to Marie. "
" I see .. well, I suppose that's goodbye. "
I was sad that we would leave for the capital ..
She stepped closer and touched my arm.
" For now .. "
Before I could ask, she was away.
What did she mean by that?