THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY

TWO DAYS AFTER

Finally, Antonio and Natasha's  marriage ceremony was on. The house was beautifully and heavily decorated with blue and white colours and flowers, making the place glitter with beauty like the heavens. People kept trooping in and out of the mansion for the ceremony. 

Gina, Agnes and Lizzy were extremely busy with the arrangement and meals for the ocassion. Gina swiftly paced down the stairs, carrying a tray of mugs and wine glass. She trod into the kitchen, calling out Lizzy's name.

Lizzy hurried into the kitchen with quite a pale and stressed gaze. "What's it, now, Gina?– why are you calling? I really got to rush to the bakery for the cake and pasteries before the ceremony begin so kindly be fast about it." She lamented.

" I need you to pass by the super market for some foodstuffs, please?" Gina pleaded. " I can't go at the moment else things would get messed up over here."

" But Agnes can take charge while you rush over and return in a ..." Lizzy stuttered but Gina swiftly cut in.

" What.? " she cried, almost screaming. " Are you kidding me, Lizzy? – how can you suggest such a thing? How do you expect me to keep that– that dump head in charge?"

She gazed at Lizzy in awe, looking all nervous which made Lizzy chuckled sheepishly.

" It's alright,  I guess I have to get going. " She mumbled as she turned to leave. 

"  My hands are tied now, had no choice than to pass there– I'll get them for you...", said Lizzy, dashing out of the house.

**************************

GISELLA'S ROOM

Gisella , with a gloomy, worried gaze, sat at the window as sher kept staring at the people trooping in for the ocassion. She had tried her possible best to prevent it from happening but now, everything seems worthless. Her thoughts just kept racing whild. A sudden knock from the door drew her out of her thoughts. Her gaze fell back on the door, wondering.

" Please let me be– I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone at the moment, please ." She exclaimed without finding out who it was.

" Gisella?– Not even me? Your dad? " Antonio's voice intruded which made her adjusted herself, fully facing the door.

" Oh, sorry dad– come in." She stuttered.

Antonio slowly pushed the door open as he peeped through. " Hey, baby – how are you doing and why sitting  by the window ,looking so down?" He queried with a quizzical gaze as he closed up on her. 

" Ain't you getting ready for the occasion? "

Gisella let out an inaudible sigh. " I'm fine, dad" She answered, absent mindedly. Antonio immediately noticed her changed behavior. He became worried.

" Hey, come here." He held her and adjusted her on his laps.

" You don't need to look so down honey" he said, lifting her face by the chin. " You know daddy loves you and whatever I 'm doing now is  for your own good. – I promise to take you out when everything is settled. Okay?"

He mumbled with a bright smile which made her sprang up cheerfully.  " Really, dad.? – is that really a promise.?" She chuckled which made Antonio giggled as well.

" Yes, honey– Pinky promi..." He stuttered but a voice from the door made him pause in his words.

" Antonio!, please let's go– Don't let us keep the people waiting anymore."

It was no other than Natasha. Gisella just gazed at the door and back at her father's face without words which made Antonio involuntary sigh.

" I'll be with you shortly, Nat ! Came to get Gisel ready for the cere...." Without ending his words, Natasha's exclaimed.

"Antonio, there is no need we bring her along." She paused for a sec and spoke again. "Have you forgotten people get scared at the sight of her? – Do you want everyone to ditch our special day.?", 

she queried cunningly, stealing glances at Gisella with a smirk. Gisella instinctively gazed down, her face pained. 

" Oh, i almost forgot about that" Antonio mumbled and turned back to her daughter.

" Daddy is sorry, baby. But have no other choice to keep you here till the ceremony is over– please you need to stay in your room for today." He pleaded. "Daddy will be with you shortly after everything,okay?" 

He kissed her forehead but Gisel just sat without words. Natasha faintly snarled and pulled Antonio. "Let's go now."

Gisel stared at their back as they exited. Her chest felt chocked with tears welled up in her eyes. She instinctively turned back to the window and leaned her forehead over it. With the blink of those bluish green eyes, tears freely tripped down her cheeks.

"I wish you really know how I feel right now, dad" She cried admist sobs. " She's really not the woman you think she is. Please!!"

She totally broke down in tears.

*****************************

The hall was soon filled with friends, families and loved ones of the soon to be couples laughing, chatting and exchanging pleasantries. A voice from the centre of the hall suddenly drew everyone's attention.

" Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Let's get straight to the reason of our gathering." He announced. " Let's welcome our groom and bride."

The room was soon filled with cheers and applause as Antonio and Natasha glided down the stairs. " Wow, don't they look beautiful and perfect together? " the voice exclaimed.

They got down and shared pleasantries with the guest and family. Not wasting anymore time, everything took the next turn. After a few minutes to an hour, the occasion was over and they were declared husband and wife.

"Congratulations, dear" a voice called from behind. They both turned towards the voice only to meet Mrs Theodora, Natasha's mother. They smiled

" Thank you, mum."

" I'm so happy for you, dear ", she exclaimed cheerfully as she huggged her daughter.

"So am i mum– thank you so much for coming."Natasha replied.

Antonio and Natasha went round, greeting and thanking their guest for honouring their invitation.

Some of them, presented gifts and parcels to bless their new union.   

Hours later, everything finally came to an end. All the guest left for their respective homes. Gina, Lizzy and Agnes were left alone to tidy up the place after the ceremony.

" What a mess?" Agnes cried. "I'm too tired to do this– i'm off to bed." She sauntered off about to exit to her room but Gina and Lizzy instinctively pulled her back.

" Where do you think you are going, lazy bones?"

Just then, it dawn on Gina, " Hey, did anyone go up to Gisel's room with food today?" She nervously queried.

" Oh, no!" Agnes exclaimed with a stunned look. "How could I forget? – I didn't remember, i was so busy with the guest."

" What!?", Agnes! "they exclaimed nervously and dashed out to Gisella's room. She swiftly paced behind them.

*****************************

In no time, they arrived at Gisel's door. They called and kept knocking vehemently but no answer came. 

Gisel? – Gisella!! , Please open the door!!" Gina exclaimed but still nothing. They had no choice than to find a way to get in. They forced the door open and badged in only to find her lying unconscious on the floor. 

They flinched and dashed to her side. " Gisel – Gisel, please wake up. Open your eyes, please." Gina shouted. She caressed her cheeks while Lizzy and Agnes fanned her.

" She's not waking up, Gina!" Lizzy cried, after noticing their efforts isn't working.

" What have I done?" Agnes cried. " Gisel, please wake up". Tears welled up in her eyes.

" Hurry, call Mr. Antonio" Gina ordered " We need to rush her to the hospital "

Without words ,Lizzy dashed out of the room. 

" I'ill go get some water" Agnes uttered.

" Forget it, , let's take her  downstairs ", Gina cried angrily.

**************************

Lizzy got to Antonio's room in a rush. " Sir– Sir Antonio? " She shouted, almost out of breath.

"What is it , Lizzy?" Antonio answered from the room.

" Its Gisella!!"

He immediately sprang to her feet and sped to the door on hearing her daughter's name and the tone of Lizzy. 

" What is wrong with Gisel?– Is my daughter okay? "he asked, tensed.

" Gisella blacked out" She answered, sobbing. " I don't know what happened but she isn't moving!!"

"  What? – where?" he shouted, taking the lead. Lizzy swiftly followed him

" downstairs!!"

Antonio, Lizzy and Natasha rushed down to check on her. 

********************

Antonio got to the hall and saw her daughter, lying unconscious on the sofa. He rushed to her side and crunched baside her.

" Gisel?– Gisel!!" cried, shaking her ,nervously but to no avail. " My car cars– Get my car keys,now!"  He yelled.

Seconds later, Lizzy got down with the keys. He took the keys and dashed out with Gisella. Natasha and Gina followed suit.

" You guys should stay and take care of the house", Gina called at Lizzy and Agnes.

" Alright ".they chorused.