Forced

Chapter 32

Charles rolls his eyes at his father. "Dad, do not be over dramatic. It is not funny." Everybody at the table started laughing loudly consequently making him chuckle. "Finally Charles Rodriguez decides to marry the love of his life after almost five years in relationship and going to be a father second time." Allen declares going haughty. "You are right on time son." He teases. Charles scorns at his father and scratches the back of his neck like a boy caught with his hands in the cookie jar.

Everyone lands to huge smiles seeing him bashful for the first time and rain congratulations before clinking their wine glasses. Aliza's cheeks go tomato red with blush. Immediately Edith baked a cake to celebrate the occasion and there goes the festive spirit in the house even before Christmas.

****

Arianna was very excited to make their son's much waited wedding preparations. Animatedly she talks with her husband. "Allen I have to take care of so many things and the time is so short. The venue decoration, flower arrangements, managing catering, preparing invitees list, distribution of wedding cards....Oh God I do not know how I will do all these things single handedly."

Allen shook his head in smiles gazing down at his wife's enrapture. "I will help you love, I will take leave from the hospital and will be at your service. Please do not go tensed." He pats his wife's back in consolation after hugging her.

Luckily to reduce the stress of Ari the wedding dress of Aliza is taken care by Sania. She is a dress designer recently qualified from NYU. Henry had already helped her open a wedding boutique at Boston. He owns a chain of hotels, night clubs and casinos in the city.

******

"Now-a-days you smile without a reason. What's happening my dear fiancee?" Aliza taps the side of her cheek with her forefinger and looks at Charles thoughtfully raising a brow. Happiness was written everywhere on his face. Finally good days arrived in Charles's life. He felt elevated. It is just fifteen days from today is their wedding and Charles couldn't stop smiling. Asher recovered completely and the little morning sickness which Aliza experienced earlier has also stopped now. Aliza is four months pregnant with her tummy showing a little.

Charles wanted his bride to look the best on her wedding day. "With pregnancy your face glows. There is radiance in your eyes and with the belly projecting a little you look the most fabulous woman in the world."
Charles says and kisses Aliza passionate.  

He had arranged a chopper specially for Sanis's visit to California with a wardrobe of gowns so that Aliza could select from the lot. Finally after four hours of trying innumerable dresses Aliza selected a trumpet designed wedding gown which had its bodice covered in a self design lace and small diamonds. "You look absolutely stunning. Charles would have a flip when he sees you on your wedding day." Sania marked seeing Aliza through the long dressing mirror situated in the walk-in closet of their bedroom. "Thank you" Aliza says in shyness lowering her eyes to the floor like a deer caught in headlights.

*****

It was finally the day of wedding for Charles and Aliza. Charles looked anxious looking at the entrance from time to time waiting for Aliza, his right leg continuously tapping the wooden floor. Henry was standing beside him and telling him to stay calm but it was something non-attainable for him in the present situation.

The priest who was standing beside him reading Bible raised his eyes and gazed at him with a look you are not the first person getting married in the world. Charles looked bored avoiding his look. He was a number one business man and billionaire of United states, he could make people sweat with a twirl of his eye and turn tables with a flip of his fingers yet today he was going in continuous perturbation peering at the entrance as if his bride was the judge who is suppose to set him free of his biggest trial in the court.

His eyes look around the venue which was beautifully decorated with white Lilly and Tulips. There were white tables and chairs arranged for seating.  On the top of every table were pink colored porcelain vases arranged. Everything looked perfect and its best.  It was all the result of efforts of his mother. She is the best home manager he had seen.

Charles was very happy gazing at his spirited family. On the one side of the table was Aliza's aunt Stella and her son Andrew.  On the other front table was his family. His father, mother, sister and brother-in-law with their daughter  Laura in his lap. His father bent his head, said something in his mother's ears and she burst out laughing almost wetting her eyes. To the right of his mother was his sister who was waving to him with twinkles in her shining blue orbs. His brother-in-law and his best friend Allesandro Martin was smiling to him playing with their inspirit daughter who was jumping in giggles on her father's lap. Probably she understood her uncle was getting married and it was a day of her making merry.

Seconds later Sania walked to the table of his family and sat there giving Charles a bright smile and thumbs up. She is the bride's maid and has come back to the reception after making all the arrangements for the bride. Sania was not only talented in dress designing but she was a hair dresser and make-up artist too. She has done everything for Aliza on their wedding day and Charles felt short of words in thanking her to make their special day more special.

Slowly the music started playing.  Charles's eager eyes instantly turned to the entrance and his heart stopped functioning for a moment. In front was the most beautiful woman in the world walking towards him with a soft smile. To the right of her was her uncle Nelson holding her hand and to the left of her was their son Asher in a cute black tuxedo walking and sometimes jumping in happy smiles holding their rings box.

Aliza looked like the most pretty pristine Angel carrying a bouquet of pink roses. Her long black hair was combed in a lose bun with soft strands falling on either sides of her face and kissing her cheeks. The graceful white gown she was wearing trailed behind her in a trumpet style like she was a fairy walking between the clouds. Charles's eyes went wide in amazement. He made a silent prayer to the creator for making this beauty specially for him.

"Close your jaw. Flies may go inside." Henry standing besides nudged him through the elbow. Charles scorned at him for which he made a teasing snicker. He couldn't recover from the enticing trance he was in.  "Take care of my daughter." Nelson hands Aliza's hand to Charles with tearing eyes. "He always did and he will." Henry answers excited in the place of Charles and everyone around went to huge laughter at his serendipitous response except Nelson who was watching Henry with shock filled eyes.

The priest started saying his prayers and Charles, Aliza took their vows. Little Asher brought up the box for them to exchange their rings. Charles pulled the ring from the tiny ring holder and announces with twinkles in his eyes.  "With this ring, I thee wed."  Aliza follows him. "With the power vested in me I now pronounce you as husband and wife." The priest proclaimed and that was the most blissful moment in the life of Charles. "You may now kiss the bride."

"Yes kiss..kiss..kiss" the crowd started cheering for them. Charles immediately grabbed Aliza's face and kissed her slow, passionate and with longing tracing his tongue to every corner of her mouth. The priest cleared his throat and it was then both of them came back to senses. "Daddy I too want to kiss mummy." Asher asks for attention pulling the pants of Charles and everyone looks down at him breaking to chortles. Charles lifts him up smiling and he leans over kissing the cheek of his mother. Aliza smooches him back. It was like family union when the three of them hug each other.

The ceremony continued with the cake tasting and followed by couple dance. It was time for throwing of garter and the bouquet. Like anyone couldn't imagine the bouquet was caught by Sania and the garter by Henry. The guests guffawed in response and the shy couple ran away from the teasing crowd. The same night Aliza and Charles flew to their honeymoon to Bora-bora dropping Asher at their parents place.

Though the journey of Charles and Aliza started with a huge drama it ended peaceful and happy in the pages of  history. Their awesome love odyssey was remembered ever after by young and old in the future generations and stood as a marked saga of true passion.

Love doesn't need a language and speech has no say in it. In fact the most intense feelings start with eyes and culminate in the heart.