LOVE AND IT CIRCLE

Twenty-one

Gabriel•

The white dress, the flowers, the vows - these hallmarks of a dream wedding, once symbols of love and commitment, now suffocated me in a web of deceit and uncertainty. I had said yes to a life with Zach, but deep inside, doubt gnawed at my resolve like a ravenous beast.
"Oh, you look beautiful in this one."Mrs Patel said.

Was it Rumi, Zach's motherless child, who had swayed my decision? Or was I simply running from the ghosts of my past, seeking the sanctuary of a new identity in Amelia’s persona? Mrs. Patel's beaming smile pierced the veil of uncertainty that shrouded my soul, her happiness an unfamiliar warmth that kindled a reluctant flame of guilt in my heart.

"Yeah I like it too," I replied.

As my gaze shifted to the reflection in the mirror, my wedding dress became a silent witness to the inner turmoil that plagued my mind. The fabric, with its delicate embroidery and pristine white hue, seemed to mock my duplicity, taunting me with a vision of the dream I had once held so dear.

"I'm happy this is happening. "

"Yeah, it's happening," I said.

My voice, weary and heavy with emotion, filled the air like a ghostly whisper as I spoke, I am Amelia now.

The words, a cruel reminder of the lie I had woven, tasted like ash on my tongue as I wiped away a tear, the fragile mask of a smile on my face crumbling like a sandcastle beneath a crashing wave of emotion.

"Are you alright honey?"

"Yes, mother in-law I'm alright."

OF COURSE, I'M NOT.

Mrs. Patel’s expression shifted, concern creasing her features as she recognized the hidden turmoil beneath my facade.

A lot was in my head right now, I didn't find any words to describe how I felt about the situation, it was like things were getting worse _I remembered that I was just a normal famous model who had dreams and her dad who used to control her.

Thinking of him he might be looking for me somewhere right now.

"I think she loves the wedding dress." Said the dresser.

Like a general leading her troops, I ordered Mrs. Patel to join me in the changing room, the need for her presence a talisman against the shadows of doubt that swirled around me.
The dress, a masterpiece of intricate craftsmanship, clung to my curves like a lover's embrace, each diamond a glistening reminder of the weight of my deception. As the veil was removed, the last vestige of my role as Amelia fell away, leaving me exposed and raw in the cold light of reality.

"So for how long are we going to continue with these?"
It was private enough to talk about our secret, but I didn't mind who was hearing it right now.

"What do you mean? I mean you got the lifestyle that you wanted remember, you said you wouldn't be able to live a poor life."

"Yes, I remember that but I think I also said I wanted to do this so that I can be close to Zach and know where he has hidden my fucking sister."

We both went silent, but yes she was right it was a 50/50 deal I get what I want and she does so, but the difference was that I hadn't accomplished what I came here for.
"You know let's forget about this for now and focus on this?"

"Forget about this? Are you crazy?" Do you know how hard it is to lie to yourself and lie to Zach every day by being the woman I've never seen in my entire life?"

"What's the problem with you?"

Yes, it's Rumi. Was Rumi the reason or were my feelings that developed from the past two months here making me feel like this? A heavy silence draped itself over us, a cloak of uncertainty that threatened to suffocate my fragile sense of self. As the final zipper of the dress slid down my back, tension seemed to crackle in the air, and with it, a wave of anger surged through my veins like wildfire.

I stood there, staring at Mrs. Patel with eyes that glinted like daggers, my lips set in a line of molten fury. I was unsure of the source of my ire, my rage a tangled knot of buried truths and lies.

"Gabriel please calm down i know this marriage thing is making you think a lot of things but we will continue the way we always did it."

I don't know woman.

"You only thinking about your son's happiness and you can't think for a minute about me, this has always been about you and your son," I said, tears flowing down my cheeks. Was I that hurt? Finding it difficult to understand my feelings

She released a sigh, "What do you want?"

"I want my cousin back home."

"I didn't force you to do these, you agreed because you were always a woman of class and you didn't see it as a problem of being someone else."

Now maybe I do.

"Mother,  it's more than that, you don't understand things change okay."

"What things, is there something  else that is making you say this?"

Yes, it's Rumi.

He is an angel that needs a family, and what I was doing.

All I know for now is that Zach is going to hate me when he learns about the truth.

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