MDCF

42

"I see," said Alan, "So, do you want to go out?"

"Right now?" asked Siana, "But isn't it lunch time?"

"We can eat somewhere out," said Alan, "We can also go look for our wedding outfits for the ceremony."

Siana nodded. "Okay, let me get changed," she said.

Siana chose a comfortable outfit while Alan waited for her. The two ate at a restaurant and headed to a clothing store. They started first with choosing outfits for Alan. He was much less fussy about his clothes.

Siana was served tea by the clerk while Alan changed. The clerk assumed that Siana might be bored so she made an effort on a conversation. She asked her how they met and complimented her. Siana gave an easy answer to her questions. She told her that they were childhood friends long before their marriage.

"Oh my!" said the clerk, "That is indeed romantic!"

Siana laughed awkwardly at that. She was finding it hard to keep the conversation going. Thankfully, Alan came out of the trying room. He usually looked good in whatever he wore but the suit he had chosen at that moment for their wedding too her breath away. Her heart raced and her mind went blank. He looked downright gorgeous.

I would have assumed that I was used to him by now.... She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Seeing him every day of her life, Siana thought she would be familiar with how he looked, and it wouldn't affect her so much. She was delusional.

She stared at Alan, flustered and blushing red. Alan approached her and leaned down, his face inches from hers.

"Sia," he said, "What's wrong? You look flustered."

"W-what?" stammered Siana, "Nothing! Nothing's wrong. You look dashing in that."

Alan chuckled. "Took your breath away?" he teased. She looked down. He was much too close to her and it was doing nothing to help with her racing heart.

Alan tried on several more outfits. Each one was better than the last. It was a very difficult feat to choose just one. In the end, they decided on the white suit that he had worn the very first time.

It was Siana's turn now. She tried on a dress that she had been meaning to, since the time they came into this shop and her gaze had fallen onto the beautiful dress in the catalogue. With some help from the clerks, she put on a light pink dress and held a bouquet in her hand.

"I'm pulling back the curtain now," declared Siana feeling queasy.

At the sight of Alan, standing beyond the curtains, her queasiness disappeared. It was replaced by a pleasant thrill. She walked to him. "How does it look Alan?" she asked. "Is it good enough?'

Alan was quiet and he was avoiding her eyes. "Alan?" she asked again.

"You look beautiful," he said. But he still wasn't looking her in the eye.

Siana was worried. He says I look beautiful, but he isn't looking at me at all. Is he saying that just to make me happy when he thinks it's not that good, but he can't say it honestly? Siana went behind the curtains and changed into another dress. Her shoulder was slumped.

"I think he is just nervous because you look so pretty," said the clerk, trying to reassure her. "That happens quite often. People get so shy and they can't look their significant others in the eyes."

"Really?" she asked the clerk, half-heartedly. Shyness wasn't a feeling she got from Alan just then.

"Watch him carefully when you go out this time," said the clerk, "He won't be able to hide it."