78
THE WEDDING
JASON:
The day of our wedding had finally arrived, and excitement buzzed in the air. Clarissa and I stood at the altar, hand in hand, ready to embark on this new chapter of our lives. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the outdoor venue that was adorned with flowers and surrounded by our loved ones.
As the ceremony began, my heart swelled with love and anticipation. I couldn’t take my eyes off Clarissa, who looked absolutely breathtaking in her wedding gown. She was my everything, and I couldn’t wait to call her my wife.
My grandma was outside and dressed in a maxi sundress, the smile on her face was almost like a second sun, I had never seen her so happy in her entire life, occasionally I would hear her point at me and say to people,
“That beautiful boy up there is my Grandson, you hear me? I am the proudest woman on earth. The goddess has blessed me.”
The wedding was like an excerpt from a dream, with butterflies and loose petals merging with the wind, everything in silent concurrence to make the day madly beautiful. Apart from the butterflies in the wind and the sweetness on the air, within me was another wedding feast — like a reflection of the outside, butterflies fluttered around inside of me. I had found love, love in a cruel world and I would keep it hostage in my chest till eternity.
Joshua and Cleon, my best men, stood by my shoulders. I could not have had anybody else by my side. The crowd was a boisterous one, singers sang various wedding songs, while children ran around, flying their balloons like clouds. I could not wait to set my eyes on my bride.
CLARISSA:
It was literally a case of Dejavu, here I was again, sitting before a mirror in front of a reflection that is too beautiful to be me. My best friend throughout the years, Nolle, was there again braiding flowers into my hair. There was a tingly feeling in my chest — something tolf me that, everything was going to be okay. I could see Nolle’s mouth move in the mirror, but I could not make out the words she was saying, I was in a dream, a long and soft dream. Finally, I could feel the texture of happiness, light and soft like cotton candy, almost insubstantial, but very much there. I took it in my cupped palms and placed it on my chest — I said a little prayer to the goddess: “May this happiness be here for long. Please.”
Cisca was majestic and cute as our little flower girl in her milk white dress which was a miniature version of mine, Nolle had also take her time to braid her hair with the same flowers as mine, in her hands she held a basket filled with a plethora of wildflowers, she was to walk down the aisle with me as she was the only biological family I had close to me.
I was fully dressed when Amber ran to me with concern in her eyes, in my head I was so scared that something irreversible would go wrong and my life would go from blues to a chaotic trap song.
“Clarissa! We can’t seem to find the rings. Jericho and I have searched and searched” she was panting like she had run a marathon and the concern was wild in her eyes.
My heart sank when we realized that the rings were missing. It felt like a cruel twist of fate, threatening to overshadow the happiness we had been anticipating. But amidst the initial shock, I reminded myself that the rings were just symbols, and our love was what truly mattered.
NOLLE:
Seeing the distress on Jason and Clarissa’s faces, I knew we had to act quickly. Amber and I exchanged a determined glance, and without wasting a second, we sprang into action. We couldn’t let this setback ruin their special day.
AMBER HART:
I took charge of the situation, rallying everyone to remain calm and focused. We formed a search party, scouring every nook and cranny, determined to find the missing rings. It was as if the whole wedding came together, united in our mission to make this day perfect for Jason and Clarissa.
We combed through every inch of the venue, checking flower arrangements, pockets, and even retracing our steps from earlier in the day. Time seemed to blur as we tirelessly searched, refusing to give up hope.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a glimmer of gold caught my eye. The rings lay in Cisca’s basket of flowers, I reached into her bouquet of flowers and there it was—the missing ring. A rush of relief flooded over me, and I couldn’t wait to share the good news.
With the rings safely back in our possession, we returned to the ceremony, our spirits lifted by the knowledge that we had overcome the unexpected hurdle.
JASON:
As Amber returned with the rings, a collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd. The tension dissipated, and a renewed sense of joy filled the air. Clarissa and I exchanged grateful smiles, knowing that our loved ones had come together to save the day.
CLARISSA:
With the rings in hand, we continued with the ceremony, cherishing every word, every promise, as we finally exchanged our vows. Our love had triumphed over adversity once again, reminding us of the strength and resilience we shared.
NOLLE:
The wedding proceeded flawlessly, and the joy on Jason and Clarissa’s faces was palpable. As they said their “I dos” and sealed their commitment with a kiss, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with happiness for them.
AMBER HART:
The outdoor venue transformed into a magical setting as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the celebrations. We danced under twinkling lights, laughter and love filling the air. The missing rings had become just a footnote in our memories, overshadowed by the beauty of the day and the profound love shared between Jason and Clarissa.
As I watched them sway together in each other’s arms, I knew that their journey was only beginning. They had overcome obstacles, found love in the most unexpected places, and now, they were starting their married life together.
In that moment, surrounded by friends and family, I couldn’t have been happier for Jason and Clarissa. Their love had endured, and their wedding day was a testament to the strength of their bond. It was a day filled with love, joy, and the promise of a future full of endless possibilities.