BROKEN
“I can't believe this is happening mum, I just want to die.” Camilla bemoaned
Her mother shook her head in absolute sorrow. “Don't say that honey, everything is going to be okay.”
“It's never going to be ok, I should have done what you asked and rejected his proposal. It's all my fault, I should have known that he would never change. I should have known.” Camila cried, and her mascara ran through her face.
“It's not your fault, Nick is to be blamed and Sarah for allowing it to happen. But you, my child, you gave all your best to make this work. It is quite unfortunate that all this is happening to you.”
“I'm so sorry Mum, everyone out there will laugh at me now.”
“Don't worry about them, all that matters is you.” her heart broke for her child, whose only sin was to fall for the devil Nick.
However, no words could comfort Camila. her cousin was pregnant with her fiance's baby, they ruined her wedding in front of the entire world and there was nothing she could do about it.
“I can't continue with the wedding, especially now that Sarah is pregnant.”
“No one is asking you to, even if you decide to continue with it, your father and I would never agree to it.”
“Where is dad?” Camilla wiped tears away from her eyes
“He is talking to the priest, the wedding is being canceled.”
Just then her father walked into the room, he was relieved to see that Camila has woken up and was talking to the mother.
“How did it go?” Camilla’s mother asked
“well.. we canceled the wedding.”
“Good. That boy is a devil himself.”
“You can say that again. However…”
“What now?” her mother interjected
“My brother is insisting that Nick must marry his daughter”
“what,” Camilla was chagrined “why would Uncle Jeff do this to me.”
“Tell me this is not happening.” Camilla’s mother shouted. “why would he want his daughter to marry that stupid man?”
Camilla's father shrugged his shoulders “ she is pregnant already, and Nick is the father. Either way, they lose. it is just an unfortunate situation.”
Camilla’s mother shook her head in dismay and continued comforting her child whose life had been ruined by two inconsiderate and moronic pairs. She had more nasty words to describe them as she fumed within.
The gentle knock on the door of the room they were staying in brought their heads up.
“Who could that be?” her mother mouthed to her father
“I don't know.” her father mounted back
“Can I come in?” Uncle Jeff spoke from outside the door.
Camilla's father open the door and his brother walked in his shoulder stooped in dejection
He didn't speak immediately and, when he spoke, his pain and anger laced his voice
“Camilla, I am so sorry on behalf of my family, especially my wayward and stupid daughter, please find a place in your heart to forgive us. I know there is no word that can express the pain you must be feeling or bring you comfort but at this point, there is nothing I can do to change anything. As you know Sarah is pregnant, and…. and,” his voice choked Swallowing hard, he continued.
“Your father has already announced that you don't intend to continue with the wedding. I understand this very much, I also want you to understand that I have to get Sarah married to that son of lucifer, pardon my language. “it's either they get married, or I disown her, or worst she gets rid of that baby. But Nick has agreed to marry her and Sarah is also willing to go ahead with it. I am so sorry, the wedding will start in the next fifteen minutes, I just wanted to give you a heads up.” He quickly left the room, guilt overshadowing the anger he was feeling.
“Did you just hear your brother? The nerves he has, to say this to us.”
“I don't blame him, mum, he is also a victim of Nick and Sarah's betrayal and this decision seems fair to his family.”
“You are probably right, anyway Sarah can have him, Nick is the Scum of the Earth and I'm happy that he is not your husband. They both deserve each other”
Even though her mother's words were true.
, Camilla could not be comforted
****************
Camilla and her parents remained in the room, it was part of the church building, and no other member of the family had come over to see them, not even Nick or Sarah. It felt as if they had been in the room for a long time before they heard the bell ring signifying the start of the wedding. Camilla gasped, clutching the front of a wedding gown in pain, her heart breaking all over again.
“Let's leave, no need to stay here or even go to the wedding.” Her mother stood from a sitting position and held out her hand for Camila to take. “Let's go, honey.”
“I want to stay mum, it's just a wedding, and no matter what had happened, it's still a member of our family that is getting married. As soon as the wedding is over, we can go.”
“There's no need for you to do this, stop being the good one here.” Her mother retorted, she could not believe her daughter was trying to be the bigger person again. “Enough with your hero complex, those two people have caused you the worst pain you can ever experience. There's no need to act as if they just handed you a box of candy.” Her mother gave an exasperated sigh “talk to her Charles, tell her to stop this nonsense, and let's go home.”
“I will do whatever Camilla wants to do, if she wants to go home, we would. But if she insists on going to the wedding, then fine we will go too. It might give her the closure to move forward and forget about the despicable pair.”
“You both have gone mad.” Camilla's mother sank back into the chair in defeat. “ Even if we are to go to the wedding, will you go back in your wedding gown?”
“I have spare clothes in my bag, I intended to change into them after the wedding.” A tear escaped her eyes again.
“I can’t believe you are going ahead with this, after everything.”
****************
Camilla listened to her cousin and her Ex-fiance take their vows, each word they spoke to each other was like an arrow that pierced her heart. But she sat still in dignified silence even though she was hurting inside. The look of pity from her parents and those in the church did not make it any easier.
As soon as the service was over, Camilla knew it was time to leave but her legs felt like lead and she could not move, not even when Nick and Sarah walked toward her, she just stood there looking at them tears streaming down her eyes.
“Let's leave immediately.” Her mother tried to usher her away, but Camilla stood transfixed. “It's over honey, let's go, you don't have to say hello to them. They are both filth.” Her mother sneered at the couple, who were now standing in front of them.
“I am so sorry Camilla, all this was never my intention,” Nick said. “I did not know she was your cousin until it was too late. And getting her pregnant was not my intention either.”
“It's true Cam…” Sarah said, using the pet name they called her growing up. “We just fell in love, and everything just escalated.”
“It's… it's okay.” Camilla stuttered “congratulations….”
“Thank you so much, it means a lot coming From you.” Sarah grinned and linked her hands with Nick. “ Everything is so surreal, one minute I'm a bridesmaid, then the Bride and to make it better I'm going to have a baby. I could never be happier.”
“Sure. Excuse me.” blinded by tears, Camilla ran out of the church hall towards the parking area.
THIS ISN’T GOODBYE FIVE YEARS LATER It was early July in the year 2014. It was the beginning of summer when the plants were in full bloom and flowering, the trees lush. It was also that time of the year when the beaches and streets bustled with tourists, most of them dressed in scanty clothes hoping to beat the heat. Camilla could never understand why anyone would feel the need to roast their skin in the name of sunbathing. The thought alone made her cringe. As she walked through the crowded streets avoiding as much as possible bumping into the overzealous tourists, she made her way towards the two-story stone building that was as ancient as time and where she lived since she started work as a government interpreter three years ago. The building exterior looked worn out as they built it many years ago for government workers, however, the plumping system and other parts of the interior were relatively modern. The sweet smell of freshly baked cookies filled up her nostrils as sh
HIS DEMON’S Ethan has always been on the move since his wife died five years ago after giving birth to their third child Sophie following some postnatal complications. What was supposed to be the happiest day of his life turned into a nightmare. One day he was happily married with two kids and expecting a third, the next moment, he was a widower with three kids. How in the world was he supposed to care for three kids, how would he perform the dual role of a father and mother to his children? These thoughts nearly drove him to suicide. His wife Vanessa, was laid to rest two days after she died and as soon as the funeral was over, Ethan became a different person and was rarely ever home. He spent most of his days away from his house and the memories it held for him. In every nook and Cranny of the house, he was reminded of his late wife. His children rarely saw him even on the weekends, thus he became more like a stranger to them. Ethan's mum Theresa came to stay with them after her
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INTERVENTION “Someone looks happy this morning” Ethan greeted his friend Gaius as soon as he stepped into his office. “Are you not supposed to take the day off or something?” “Hahaha.” Gaius laughed. “I got engaged, not married.” “They all sound the same to me,” Ethan replied, falling back into his seat. “I want to set a good example for the staff.” “Yeah right. The good thing is that “you are finally getting rid of the bachelor tag.” “Now I am petrified.” Gaius replied “I hope I did not make a mistake.” he said afterward. “You are joking right,” Ethan observed his friend for a while. “I don't know, I just have my doubts,'' Gaius replied after some time had passed. “Doubts? I thought you loved Fiona..” “I do, it's just a little complicated.” “Please tell me.” “Let's forget about me. Now tell me how the kids are, it's been a while.” Gaius changed the subject, it was not lost on Ethan but he decided to let it go. “They are good. They would love to see you” Ethan replied m
FOR THE LOVE OF THE KIDS Ethan’s mother had already woken up and was asking for him. As soon as she saw him, she could not hold back her tears as they dropped from the corners of her eyes to the pillow. “Don't cry mother, everything will be okay. I'll take you out of here as soon as you feel better.” Ethan comforted his mum. Theresa blink back her tears, she just looked sadly at her son and wondered if he was tone-deaf. “I am not crying because I'm here, even though my body hurts like hell. the pain in my heart is worse.” “Worse! How come? tell me where it hurts so I can get to the doctor.” Ethan said, alarmed. “Where it hurts, can't be seen, and cannot be treated with medicine.” “ I really do not understand what you are trying to say, mother.” He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “ I want you and the children to be happy, I want your family to be united again. I am already old and frail, I want to see you married, happy, and in love. Is that too much
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YES; I DO. MAYBE NOT Camilla Could feel the beads of sweat break in her forehead and her palms felt cold and wet. She tightened her hands around the bouquet that she was holding. If circumstances were different she would have taken time to inhale the lovely scent that rose from the petals in her hands. From where she was standing at the center of the door to the cathedral, she could see her soon-to-be husband Standing tall in all his 6-foot frame at the altar waiting for her; she had to admit that he was a sight for sore eyes. The melodious sounds from the piano keys rang inside the church signaling that it was time for Camilla to march forward towards the altar and her groom. As soon as she started the long walk down the aisle alone as she had insisted on, she felt her heart pound faster with each step she took. She began to perspire, her mind racing back to her past. The betrayal felt so recent even though it happened five years ago. She felt faint and her heart started to