The life of Nusi

Chapter 19: The Wedding

After months of planning, the big day had arrived. Everyone was busy putting the final touches on the jobs they were given. Flowers were placed and arranged while food was being prepared. This was going to be a wedding the villagers would talk about for years to come. The men were dressed in black tuxes with grey vests and purple cummerbunds. Each man wore a black top hat and sported a black walking stick with a pearl ball top on it. White gloves and spit shined black shoes finished the look. The men, two by two, climbed into black horse-drawn buggies. Each buggy was pulled by a black Friesian horse. The women of the village were all wearing Victorian style gowns of various shades of purples and pinks. Each woman carried an umbrella that matched her dress and a hat decorated with spring flowers. The women, two by two, climbed into their pink buggies, with flowers decorating the spokes of the wheels. Black Friesians with white manes pulled these buggies. Uncle was in the lead buggy with Mr. Lee, who was driving it. Nusi was in the first pink buggy with Mrs. Choi at the reins. Nusi was wearing a lite purple gown that flared out at the waist. She had white elbow length gloves on and a white hat rounded by yellow buttercups. Tear drop gold earrings hung from her ears, and her gold cross was around her neck. Her dark hair was full of ringlets that framed her face. At the end of all the buggies sat an ivory carriage. Gold inlay outlined the entire carriage. A coachman dressed all in white, stood at the back of the carriage, while another drove. Four white Persian Asil pulled this carriage. The entire procession slowly made its way up to the tops of the cliffs overlooking the ocean. At the top, a clearing emerged, revealing an old magnolia tree full of white blossoms. The one side of the old tree had grown a large branch off the side of it, forming a nature archway. For as long as the people could remember that tree had been there, and the people of this village all had gotten married under that archway, and Uncle and Heejin were no different. Nusi often dreamed of the day Kwan and her would be married under that archway. As the procession arrived and the buggies were parked, each man went to his designated buggy to escort the woman in that buggy. As the men held out their hands to the awaiting hands of the ladies, the Russian folk song The Russian Night was being performed by an orchestra off to the left of the crowd. The men and women took their assigned seats as they looked around and complimented each other on their various states' of dress. Uncle stood under the archway with his best man, Mr. Lee. Nusi stood to the left just outside the archway since she was Heejin's maid of honor. A hush fell over he crowd as the wedding march began. First were the rose bearers, followed by the ring bearers. Then came the ushers followed by the bridesmaids. Mr. Chew walked Heejin down the aisle. Heejin was dressed in an ivory white, off the shoulder princess gown. She wore tear drop pearl earrings in her ears and a small gold chain around her neck. Her long black hair was adorned with a gold chain and pearls woven into her hair. A half veil sat gracefully on top of her head, while long white gloves went up to her shoulders. Once the two made it to the archway, Mr. Chew placed Heejin's hand into Uncles and stepped to the side. As the ceremony began, Nusi looked out over the endless ocean and couldn't help but dream of her wedding. The flowers, the music, her walking down that very same aisle with Uncle next to her. Seeing the look on Kwans face as he saw her for the first time in her wedding gown. Oh, how beautiful she would look, Nusi thought to herself. Nusi looked over at Heejin and the way the sun shone in her hair and thought how she wanted to look that beautiful when she got married. Nusi looked at Uncle's face, and the way his eyes sparkled as he looked at Heejin, and hoped Kwans expression would be the same. Nusi looked back at all the people, and how there wasn't a dry eye to be seen, man or women. She lifted her head slightly and felt the cool breeze against her face. It was a perfect day for a perfect couple, she thought. This is the day I truly have a real family, Nusi thought. After so many years, I have a family of my own, a mother and father, Nusi thought again. A feeling of overwhelming pride swelled up in her as she began to cry. Her eye makeup ran down her face with every tear. Out of nowhere, a hand appeared from behind her with a plaid-colored handkerchief. Nusi knew at once whose hand it was as she took the handkerchief from Kwan. Gingerly dabbing her eyes, Nusi couldn't help but think how lucky she was to have someone like Kwan. Just then, Nusi heard the priest ask for the rings, as her attention snapped back to the ceremony. Two gold rings with a single ruby in each lay on a silk pillow. As Uncle picked up one of the rings and slipped it on Heejin's long finger, Nusi noticed it had something engraved on the side of it. She didn't recognize the letters, but she could read what it said. My love for you will outlast heaven, the rings said. How could I read that? Nusi thought to herself. Uncle! She thought, He must have taught me that, she thought again. With that Nusi heard, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride. The whole cliff top erupted into cheers as Uncle and Heejin headed to the white carriage, waving as they drove back down the path to the reception. Nusi turned back to the ocean as she stood under the archway staring out at the waves. Kwan walked up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder to say something, but before he could get a word out, Nusi grabbed him and pulled him under the archway giving him a kiss that he nor the townsfolk would soon forget. Mrs. Choi looked at Mr. Lee said, "I hope to be your date at their wedding, and by the looks of it, we shouldn't have to wait too long." as she laughed. Mr. Lee looked up at the two of them and just shook his head.