My Dream Marriage

After all the formalities, we are seated in the car ready to leave. I have a contract to sign in a week’s time. I am tired and would kill for a little nap.

Azila comes to the side of my window. “Thank you for coming Azila, your presence was highly appreciated,” I say. “Oh, you should know that I was more than excited to be here. I wouldn’t miss that moment where you get on the stage and receive that prize. Way to go girl. You know what, I am thinking about a live interview with you one of these days.”

“An interview? For what?”

“You are a celebrity now. You are a sensation now. I guess everybody would want to know about your lifestyle and you will have to start dealing with paparazzi as from now,” Azila says but I don’t think I am that interesting to know about me. “Thank you for your support anyway, see you around. I am feeling so tired right now.” I say. “You go Neera, I know you have tried, you are so strong. I should be on my way too, bye Sara and take care of her.”

“With all I have Azila, see you later. And I would love to be on that interview too,” she says making me nudge her with my elbow. “There is no interview, okay?” I correct her. “If you say so, Felix, let’s go,” she tells her driver.

***

“This is so delicious, Betty, from tomorrow you are going to teach me all those recipes.” Sara says the moment we sit down to have dinner. It’s in the evening and it’s just the two of us on the dining. The food is delicious for real, Betty must have attended some cooking classes for sure.

“Why do you want to know how to cook now? I mean Betty is here,” I say. “I know right? I could have started earlier but I just wanted the complicated recipes because when I leave, I wouldn’t be in trouble for burning someone’s kitchen and also having to pay someone to do it for me or do some online orders. I prefer homemade,” she says. “You are leaving?” I didn’t know about this.

“I am going away for two years for my masters. So I thought cooking classes could come in handy,” she answers. “When? But you could study while staying here.” “In three month’s time. I can’t because I am going overseas.” Oh. “I am gonna miss you,” I say. “Don’t tell me you are missing me already while I am still here,” she jokes. “Sounds funny right? I am already past three months and envisioning a life without you,” I say. “Oh no, I will be back before you know it. It’s not like I am going forever. I will also be visiting during the breaks.” “That’s better.” “I will miss you too for sure,” she says. “Let’s focus on the now, we still have three months,” I say.

“It’s been a long but productive day. Enjoy your night Neera,” Sara says as she yawns. “Good night Sara, see you in the morning.” It is still pretty early for my usual sleeping time but I need some rest even if it would take some time before I sleep.

I enter my room that I have gotten used to. I have every reason to call it mine, I have my privacy and no one questions or cares about how I live in or take care of it. Sometimes I wonder why it had to take this long or why I had to go through what I did before I could have this peace and respect. Why would I have to marry that damn hunk when he clearly wasn’t interested in me. But what can I say? After everything, I can admit I am happy. I wish my parents were still alive to see my achievements. I wish they could see that their girl is one of the best upcoming authors in this country and I won in the first competition I took part in.

I walk to the drawer in the closet where I placed the three mystery items and retrieve them and go back with them and place them on my bed. There is the camcorder, the album and the other box I don’t know what is inside. Which one do I start with? Let me talk to my parents first.

I take the album and open the pages one by one before finding one with the pictures of them. I place the pillows against the head board so they support my back and hold the photo album so that I can take a good look at it.

“Mom, dad, see this?” I ask holding my certificate that I was awarded at the ceremony. “I was in the first position at this year’s annual writing contest. I wish you could share in my achievements but all I can say is, mama I made it,” I say with one single tear rolling down my cheek. “I remember when you could buy me story books because you knew I loved interesting stories when I was still a little girl. You nurtured who I would become and now, I feel proud to have been your child and will never forget all that you did for me. I wanted to tell you that Edward divorced me but I never regret that decision even for a second. The only thing that I regretted is why I took too long to realize that I needed to be out of that place. That is now in the past because now I met this amazing family that treat me as their own even without asking for it. They helped me when my life almost came crumbling down and I didn’t have anyone to run to or anywhere to go. I am happy mom just like…” Before I can finish my statement someone knocks on my door.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“Come in,” I say and wipe the tears that were now full on on my face. Aniston comes in wearing grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt that hugs his upper body like a second skin. He looks clean and fresh with them biceps and his packed muscles protruding from the t-shirt.

“You are back,” I note as he closes the door and comes to where I am. “Yes, not so long ago,” he says. “You are crying, what happened?” He asks coming closer. “Nothing. I was just talking to my parents and telling them about today. Take a seat,” I gesture to the space beside me on the bed. “I guess you have met them, in my not so perfect wedding,” I say. “Not really. I was a backbencher there so I might have but not know them.”

“Oh, then you might get the opportunity now. Here,” I give it to him and he buries his head like he is looking at something crucial. “Can I look further?” He asks and I nod. He opens the pages commenting on some of them and smiling at others. “You were pretty as a little girl.” He says looking at one of my pictures when I was five.

“You want to say in other words that I am not pretty anymore?” I joke. “Of course not. You turned into the most beautiful woman I have ever met,” he says smiling and I don’t feel awkward at his statement instead I feel my baby moving. “Thank you.”

One picture captures his attention and he looks puzzled at me. “What is giving you that look?” I ask when he goes silent. “Why are you having these pictures?” He asks and I am surprised at his question. Why would he ask me why I am having my family pictures? I tilt my head because I don’t get it.

“I don’t understand.”

“I mean this,” he says, showing me the picture that is like a mystery to me.