Frozen Fire

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

The Promise

Almost a decade ago, my parents brought me to a family friend's wedding. I remember being mesmerized by everything. The wedding was garden themed. There were bubbles everywhere, bright colored decorations on every corner, and the ambiance was just beautiful and magical. The flowers were also blooming beautifully, celebrating the union between two lovers.

It was what made me dream of my very own wedding. I had it all planned out. From what to wear, what the theme of my wedding would be, what bouquet I wanted. Everything.

I dreamt of wearing an extravagant and puffy white chiffon gown with a long train. I wished to have pink striped carnations as my bouquet. I wished to have my bridesmaids wear matching pastel pink dresses with flowers tucked delicately behind their ears.

But of course, things change.

Everyone's fantasies as a child fades and slips right out of their fingertips and suddenly, they are sucked into the tragic symphony called reality.

I never had a glimpse of that thought ever again. The fantasy of having the best wedding— or being wed at all— has been thrown right at the very back end of my brain, not seeing daylight ever again.

Since then, I have only ever pictured myself as the young lady on the sidelines, wearing a nice light-colored dress made of the softest silk, a flower placed behind my right ear, a bright smile across my face, as I watch the most beautiful woman in the hall walk ever so elegantly on the aisle with an angelic and wishful smile as she gazed upon her most awaited future.

Except now, I was the one walking the aisle.

And I wasn't gazing upon an awaited future.

When Amanda asked me what I wanted to wear for the dreaded occasion, I told her that she could whatever she wants. She has always had her way into tailoring pieces that would always look gorgeous and alleviating on just about anyone.

But right now, not even Amanda's designs can make me any less cold.

The sleeveless, muted pink, silk gown had an A-line shape. It was snug at the top with a bold v-shaped neckline right at the chest area that is a tad bit revealing but still covering enough to not look promiscuous. There was also a v-shaped chunk of the dress which was cut out at the back to create an elegant backless style. It was also tight at the waist which was supported by a wide satin belt, creating an innocent and elegant silhouette and picturing an excited and blushing bride to be.

Opposite of the person wearing it.

I stared at the full-length mirror. Amanda was behind me, smiling as she gazed upon her creation. The hairstylists had styled my hair into a perfectly messy chignon. An asymmetric earring was placed on my ears. The right side had a long gold chain with a hallow circle with a star on the inside dangling at the bottom, while the other was a typical star-shaped gold earring.

"You look amazing!" Amanda said as she stood in front of me. I just smiled at her. She then lifted my hand up and stared at something in particular.

"And everything matches this!" she said in excitement.

My smile froze when my eyes laid upon what she was looking at.

A dainty gold ring.

It shone as the light touched its surface. It was a simple thin gold ring but it felt heavy and out of place. Kinuyom ko ang aking mga kamay upang itago iyon. Amanda looked shocked for a while pero pinalitan niya rin naman ito ng ngiti.