Fragments of Us

53: Ella

Well, it's a nice day to pull a good prank on my soon-to-be Mrs. De Jesus.
I pulled Mafe's arms as we were walking on the shore with our free hands holding our cup of coffee.
"Hey, calm down there."
My usual annoyed baby sister said.
"Here's what you're going to do."
I was about to lay out my plan for her when she removed my hand from her arm.
"Who told you I was going to take part in this planned disaster of yours? Ate Jema almost killed me the last time. Nuh-uh."
She shook her head. 
"Really? You love me too much to flake out this time."
I continued to sway her.
"Okay, fine."
She grumbled and stepped closer to me. I kissed her cheeks to my delight.
"So, you're going to pretend," Her eyes immediately stared daggers at me.
"Let me finish."
I laughed because she was really convincing the last time. 
"You're going to pretend somebody sent this envelope on our doorstep. That envelope contains photos of me and my Ate Joyce."
I smirked at her while showing her the envelope.
"Right."
This girl must have had her mind connected with mine.
"7:00 p.m., Cloud 9 Boardwalk. Our friends and families will be there. In disguise, of course."
I'm becoming so chatty because of the unexplained nervousness and excitement crawling under my skin.
"I love you."
Mafe said this, hugging me, and then took the envelope with her.
"Chill, you're going to marry my sister, and I'm going to make sure of that."
She hugged me tighter and made her way home.
I've been no show the whole day, preparing for this one defining moment of my life. I am going to ask Jema to be mine for the rest of our lives.
The sky was starting to change its hues. How melting it is in my heart. I wish Jema's with me to share this awe-striking imagery in front of me, but we can do that for the rest of our lives.
Tonight, I am going to make a start.
It's already 6:30 in the evening. The sky has already lost all its colors. Our friends and families are scattered all around the boardwalk, being clueless tourists in disguise. On the contrary, Jema will be the only one clueless about this later.
"You better make this work. My Ate's been trembling and crying non-stop. We're on our way."
A text from Mafe appeared on my screen.
"Guys, they're coming."
I signaled everyone to act fool.
We're in the middle of the boardwalk, and I saw Mafe and Jema walking towards us. Fuck, Jema doesn't look so fine. She's still crying. I'm so sorry, love. 
I pretended not to see them. I placed my arms around Ate Joyce's shoulders.
Fuck, I can hear my heart violently pounding on my chest.
I felt someone stop behind us, and by the feel of it, I knew it was Jema.
"It's true after all."
She blankly said behind us.
I turned around to face her. The photos are still in her hands.
"Love, let me explain."
My voice was shaking because I'm now going to go for the twist.
"What's there to explain? All these photos and now? Would you still deny it?"
Fuck, Jema's so devastated.
"Jema, please, it's not what you think."
I tried holding her arm, but she furiously refused to.
"I went out of my way chasing after you, even if that means going back to the place that almost ended me."
Her voice was breaking as she was saying this.
"Love, you don't understand."
"What part of it can't I understand? You cheating on me and denying it after all the proof laid down in front of us?"
"Jema, I'm dying. I'm dying."
I said this to her, which made her clench her fist in frustration.
I also saw Mafe's face turn into a twist, as well as our friends and family's eyes darting on us.
Shocking, I know.