I said yes

I SAID YES. 

It would never have crossed Camille's mind that one day the people that were supposed to protect and love her would break her heart. It was supposed to be her standing on the altar with the man she had loved for almost five years, the man she gave up so much for just to ensure his happiness. 

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

“Will you marry me?”

Camilla would never forget the scene, Nick got on his knees and proposed to her, it was the happiest day of her life. She accepted the proposal immediately, and there was no need for her to pretend that she wanted to think about it. Because all she wanted was to be his wife, to be loved and cherished by him forever.

Nick and Camilla had dated each other for almost four years, they met at the university and became lovers a semester before their graduation. It was a relationship with so many difficulties mostly because of Nick's behavior. Camilla was always willing to turn a blind eye to Nick's cheating, welcoming him back after he derailed and asked for forgiveness; she could not imagine life without him.

It did not thrill her parents with her choice of dating Nick, but Camilla insisted that he would change. They hoped for her sake that she was right. The last time they broke up her parents hoped it was permanent even though Camilla insisted that she was not going back to him, even if he came begging.

Nick came anyway with flowers and a ring, he promised her he had learned his lessons and she was all he cared about. Camilla believed him.

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

CAMILLA’S HOME

“We are engaged, he asked me to marry him and I said yes.” Camilla showed her parents her ring. Camila's parents were shocked and worried when they saw the ring but kept their thoughts to themselves. They would talk to their daughter later, in the absence of their future son-in-law who had come into their house with their daughter.

“The ring is beautiful and congratulations to both of you.” Camilla's mother said, but her father only gave them a weak smile. Pretending had never been her father's strong suit. 

“We are getting married next month,” Nick said 

“What!!” Camilla's mother shouted, when she regained her composure she added “is it not too early, planning a wedding takes a lot of time and preparation.”

“You don't have to worry, I already hired a wedding planner to do the job.”

“You are so thoughtful.” Camilla chuckled and her fiance kissed her forehead.

“Anything for you baby.” Nick bemused “I love you and want to spoil you silly.”

“I love you too,” Camilla said.

Camilla's father hissed, and her mother gave him a side glare.

Nick left some minutes later, he could not stay for dinner, he had other plans.

“What plans have you made,” Camilla asked, her voice had a strain to it, she had not forgotten his betrayals

“I need to speak to the wedding planner and make an appointment for her to meet you.” Nick grabbed her cheeks in both hands and made eye contact with her. “I promise never to hurt you again.” Camilla nodded, she would never doubt him again.

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

“I am so happy mum, I can't believe that I would get married in just two months,” Camilla exclaimed and slumped on the couch beside her father. “Finally, I will be Nick's wife, I feel so happy.”

 Camilla's parents looked at their dearest daughter, worried that she had lost her mind. Camilla has always been a lenient person and was mostly at the receiving end of her friend's mischief. They were worried and rightly so, giving up her life to a man that has treated her badly for the past few years, was simply unbelievable. Camilla's mother looked at her father and got a nod of approval for her to speak sense into their child. Hopefully, she will listen and stop this before it is too late.

 She cleared her throat before beginning “Are you sure about this? This man has hurt you so many times and each time you forgive him, the last time you caught him making out with a girl at his apartment.” she wired for her words to sink in.

“Wasnt the said girl your girlfriend Chelsea.” her father added.

“Yes she was.” her mother replied, remembering the state her daughter was in after the incident. she feared that Camilla might hurt herself then. “Myself and your father were relieved when both of you broke up only for you to reconcile with him and get back together, I don't think that accepting his proposal to marry him is a wise decision”

 Camila's eyes filled with tears, and she looked from her father to her mother. She was happy that they had her happiness in mind but she was a big girl and she knew what she was doing.

“Once we get married, I know Nick will not cheat on me anymore. He will respect our sacred vow and remain faithful to me.” Camilla said through her tears.

“A person who cheats on their partner never changes because of marriage. Instead, they become worse.” Her father replied.

“Nick has promised me that he will change, he has been so considerate since we came back together and I believe him. I have not seen him with any woman for the past six months. Please Mum, Dad, I need you to believe me, and trust me everything will be ok.” Camilla begged, wanting her parents to understand.

“I don't know, Nick has hurt you so many times, I fear he might do it again, and this time it would be worse.” Her mother allayed her fears.

“Everything will be ok this time Mum. I am happy and I want you and Dad to be happy for me.”

Both parents agreed to support their child, the least they could do was to hope that Nick was ready to stop his cheating and reckless behavior and was now prepared to be a man and a husband to their child.

“We are happy for you honey.” her mother said. Camilla stood from where she was sitting with her parents. They were all teary-eyed, each of them hiding the burden in their heart, hoping that from now on, they will just be happy.

“We have a wedding to plan.” Camilla's face palmed “I forgot that I have a wedding planner.” She giggled 

“What kind of wedding gown do you have in mind?” her mother asked, finally accepting that her daughter was getting married to Nick.

“I was meaning to ask you if I could borrow the one you wore on your wedding day.”

“Of course, you can. I have always hoped that you would use it at your wedding someday.”

WEDDING DAY

Everything was going on as planned, Camilla could not have asked for better weather. Her family was all present, her wedding gown was ready. The wedding planner had done a great job at the wedding venue. It was time for her to leave her home and meet her fiance in the church. 

“You look beautiful.” Her mother smiled at her.

Camille checked herself in the mirror, her mother was right, and the wedding gown fitted her perfectly after a few amendments. She was happy; her extended family had traveled from far and near to attend her wedding. 

She looked across the room, happy to see her bride seated waiting for them to leave for the wedding venue. Except for her chief bridesmaid Sarah. Sarah was supposed to be here doing her duty as the chief bridesmaid. 

“Where has she gone to?” Camilla asked, her cousin was wayward and would do anything for attention. Whatever she is up to, she should not dare ruin her day- Camilla thought dismissively. 

“She was here some minutes ago. Where has she gone? She is supposed to be helping you.”

 “Has anyone seen Sarah?” Camilla asked the people in the room with her and they all shook their heads in agreement.

“I am here.” Sarah walked into the room looking disheveled.

“Where have you been?” Camilla asked, noting how breathless her cousin looked. For a split second, her heart skipped and a weird thought crossed her mind.

“I.. I… you look beautiful,” Sarah replied. 

“Thank you and I feel so happy and blessed,” Camilla said.

“Sure, you are one lucky bride and I mean it.” Sarah gushed over her cousin. Her eyes twinkled in mischief.

A bell rang from a distance, It was time for them to enter the hall. Camila could feel butterflies flutter around her stomach.  

Her father entered the room, “it is time.” he said to his daughter, and they all filed out of the room and into the church for the wedding procession.

“Does anyone here have any reason these two should not get married, say now or forever hold your peace?” 

The hall was filled with silence, and when the priest was about to continue with his sermon, Someone spoke.

“They can't get married.”

 Camilla froze, she could not believe she was hearing this and from the last person, she expected it from.

“What are you saying, Sarah?” Camilla asked, her voice barely audible.

“You can't marry this man.” She continued, she looked angry and Camilla could not understand why.

“If this is a joke, Sarah, stop it, it is not funny. “Camilla said her eyes darting towards Nick who stood still with a face ridden with guilt. Camilla died a thousand times from the look on his face, she just knew he had done something awful.

“Stop this nonsense now.” Camilla's father shouted from the front pew where he was sitting. “pay her no attention priest you make Continue with the wedding”

“I don't think so uncle, this man here has been having his way with me  for the past six months now, in fact, I'm carrying his baby.” She pointed towards her stomach which unfortunately had a little bulge.

 Silence… and suddenly everyone was speaking at once. Camila could feel the hall spinning, She saw her mother rushing towards her before darkness enveloped her.