• Rose In The Dark • (GxG)

Chapter Thirty

Omniscient

Chandeliers of shimmering gems, captivating lights, and mesmerizing floral decor lined the high ceiling above. Below, sleek marble floors reflected guests wearing beams of laughter and joyous cheer, all entering the reception building one friend and family member after the other.

Keen on incorporating her roots on her most special of days, Octavia wore a jeweled and utterly gorgeous white saree with a crystal temple headpiece that lined her hair and dressed the top middle of her forehead. Her long hair of usual tight curls was down her back now in straightened body waves, flowing graciously with her every movement. The skirt and train of her dress trailed in her path, having those she passed look onto her like a goddess adorned.

And adorned she was, while walking down the aisle and while standing before those she loved and those who loved her to make a lifelong commitment to the man she could never imagine her life without.

From the beginning until now, today was the happiest of her life.

Accommodating to the wedding colors of rich reds, oranges, yellows, and crèmes, her now husband was dressed in a rather fine and expensive eggshell suit.

His curly brownish blonde hair was styled back away from his face, save for one coil hanging handsomely at his forehead. Ever since the ceremony began, he had been all smiles and unable to suppress the grin keeping his lips. Not to mention the tears he shed when watching the love of his life walk down the flowered aisle.

And he wasn't the only one either, for the bride's maid of honor and only sister was a mess of her own at the sight of her older sibling. The woman who had been there for her all throughout her life, for any and everything. Milan had felt a mixture of pride, nostalgia, hope, and happiness all in one.

Now, she was helping her sister change into her reception gown as the rest of the guests were settling in. Somewhere with them and with her father was her fiancé, smiling and laughing more than she had in weeks.

"I can't believe you're a married woman now, Vee," Milan shook her head as she sniffled, for her tears were still threatening to fall as she fluffed out her sister's long and full hair.

Pouting and tilting her head while their eyes met through the mirror, Octavia whispered "stop crying, Lani" as she reached to hold her sister's hand over her own shoulder. "And you're not too far behind me," she then said as she wrapped Milan's arms around her for a hug. "I'm gonna be a wreck on your wedding day."

The two women both cracked soft smiles at that, Octavia feeling glad to gain a short laugh from her younger sister.

Her reception attire was a comfortable lace dress of mid leg length with a corset bodice and square neckline, the strap sleeves draping from her shoulders and across her arms. Her shoes were heeled pumps with pretty bows made of pearls sitting atop the pointed white toe as two rings of pearls held her ankles for support, all in matching of her pearl pendant necklace and her jeweled pearl earrings.

Still in her satin bridesmaids dress that loosely hugged her curves and crossed at her back while stopping just past her knees, Milan's hair was styled in a half up-half down do, for it was longer nowadays.

The necklace her lover had gifted her months ago dressed her neck as stud earrings held her ears. And maybe for the first time in a while, she didn't execrate what she saw in the mirror after getting ready this morning. Her fiancé had told her more than just once how beautiful she looked, and today Milan found herself genuinely believing those words.

She couldn't pinpoint when exactly her harsh self-critiquing had changed.

"Amma's upset with you by the way," she muttered with a soft smile while stepping away to get a final look at her older sister, who shot an unbothered smirk at her. "She's probably complaining to all of the aunties how bratty you are for not letting her in here."