Two ( The alter )

Roseline Malansala

Smiles were roaming all over my face as the makeup artist kept on performing wonders on my face, my wedding dress was set on the bed already waiting for me to come and fit into them.

I cannot still believe that this is happening to me, I woke up this morning and was filled with excitement and nervousness at the same time

Remembering John's words yesterday I don't know but I kept on being positive that he said that out of anger and definitely does not mean any of the things that he said to me

"Ohhh…my you look so gorgeous" The makeup artist complimented me after the makeup was all done

"Thank you…" I smile feeling shy

"Sweetheart…" Chloe called as she came and sat before me, she held onto my two hands and smile

"You look drop-dead gorgeous.."

"Thanks, Chloe, I'm about to cry, you're making me so emotional" I whispered, laughing her right to myself

"I wish your parents are here to experience this day with you"

"I don't even know who they are, and they never came back for me….remember"

"It's okay, today is your day and you shouldn't allow anything to make you sad"

"Thank you, I don't know what I would have done without you"

"Come on, you're going to spoil your mascara" She smiled, wiping my eyelids and we both burst into laughter.

"Come on, you have to dress up, you don't wanna miss your wedding do you?"

"No of course not….." I drawled and stood up immediately as Chloe started helping me out with the wedding dress, 

Minutes later we were all done, I walk towards the mirror and look at myself, I couldn't believe this is me

"I'm sure your husband will be lost staring at you all day" The makeup artist whispered into my ear

I blushed and asked

"You think so….?"

"Of course….." She nearly screamed nudging my shoulders

"Who wouldn't stare at a beauty like you"

"Awww…….I'm jealous" Chloe pouted, and we all burst out laughing

"Alright dear I'll take my leave now, your friend will help you with the others, have a nice wedding"

"Thank you…." I muttered and watch her leave

"Shall we…?" Chloe asked

I decided to tell her my fear, the thought that has been disturbing me since yesterday, the thought that has been disturbing my happiness and peace of mind, I need to let it out

"Chloe I'm scared…." I muttered turning towards her and holding onto her two hands

"What sweetheart, you should be happy today and not worried"

"Chloe you don't understand, what if John does what he said yesterday, I'm scared, I can't stop thinking of it," I said at once

"Calm down Chloe, calm down please…"

"I'm trying to be calm trust me, Chloe"

"Listen, come here….." Chloe took me to the couch and sat me down

"You don't have to think about what he said to you yesterday, whatever he said was out of anger and you shouldn't take it to heart, you should be happy remember you have waited long for this and not even your fear can stop this wedding from happening"

"Thank you so much Chloe you're the best" I muttered engulfing her in a very tight hug

"You will be fine, now come on let's go"

She took me out and we entered one of John's cars which was already waiting for us, the driver drove off after Chloe helped me to settle in.

Chloe held onto my hand throughout the whole ride, we drove into the venue and Chloe helped me out of the car cause of my wedding dress that swept the whole floor

The whole place is already filled up with different people, we saw John's car by the side and different other cars as well which means that John is already inside, 

"Are you ready?" Chloe asked 

"Hmmm….." I breathed in and out 

"Yes……." I smiled at Chloe 

"Alright let's go," She said and accompanied me to the door she stopped, 

"You have to walk from here" 

She hugged me and pat my shoulder, I took a deep breath and started walking in, with every step I take I remember all I started with John, how I sneaked out of the orphanage and met him that night

Every memory of us is still fresh in my head, and now we are going to tire the but and take our vows

I stop before John and look at his face, I can't help but fall in love with him over and over again

"It's time for the bride and the groom to take their wedding vows," The priest said 

I turn to John but his face wasn't bright, I wanted to ask him what the problem was, but I cannot do that because we are already at the wedding alter, 

My heart started beating fast and I prayed silently for my fears not to happen

"Anybody that's not in support of this holy matrimony should stand up or forever hold your peace" The Priest spoke up

I look towards the crowd, but nobody stood up

"We can now……" The priest was saying when John interrupted

"I'm against this wedding"

"What…. John, what are you saying?" I asked as my body begins to shake, the crowd starts to murmur

"I'm sorry Roseline, but you're simply not what I want, I mean how can I settle down with a woman that has nothing to offer?"

"John…I love you don't do this we can sort this out" I muttered as I felt my whole world breaking down and my tears flowing like an ocean

"I'm sorry Rose, but I'm already in love with your best friend Chloe"

"What…what are you saying Chloe…no..no…that's not true?" I stuttered in confusion

"Yes, Rose….." Chloe muttered coming out 

"What are you doing Chloe…. you can do this to me remember we're best friends?" I whispered as my head spun in thousand pieces, 

"John chose me over you and you should learn to accept that, after all, you have nothing to offer him, you're nothing but a homeless orphan," She said taking John's hands 

"Why are you doing this, you are my best friend for peter's sake…!!!" I screamed

"Ohh…shut up"

I turned to face John and the idiot had no remorse in his eyes, how could they do this to me?

"John….you disgraced me, and allowed me to come here in my wedding dress knowing you would abandon me at the altar, is that how much you hated me?" I asked through gritted teeth, tears has covered my face already

My body shook with shame, and disgrace, waves of emotion especially betrayal engulfed me, 

The two people I love most betrayed me how I'm I supposed to handle that

"I'm sorry Rose" John muttered, I watched him hold onto my best friend as they walked out of the hall, slowly people started leaving one by one, some were giving me pitiful looks while some shook their heads in shame

I couldn't walk, My legs felt stuck to the ground as my soul left my body, my tears were the only thing flowing, I lost my voice and sense of thinking

My knees gave in weekly to the ground as I sat there looking at nothing

"How could they do this to me?"