Mind Your Assumptions

Chapter Three

"Marriage, as an institution, is long dead," Liz declared as she and Silvia donned their evening gowns for the wedding ball. They were in their bedroom - Liz and Silvia still shared a bedroom. Both girls have just finished putting the final touches to their makeup.

Oh, the drudgery of it all! Hours of dolling oneself up, as if they had nothing better to do.

It was not as if they had more than one evening gown to wear. Liz and Silvia each had one dedicated for special occasions: wedding balls, baptism, and the likes. Their old evening gowns have been handed down to their younger sisters. Silvia has done her hair up in a tight bun and stuck a flower pin to hold it in place, while Liz has decided to let down her shoulder-length black hair. The latter was not the type to pay attention to meticulous details, preferring to opt for simplicity and minimalism. In fact, a pragmatic approach to all aspects of her life.

"You are a pessimist," Silvia whispered in her sister's ears as she helped her zip up her silky pink gown. Light colors to make one look fatter. Underneath their gowns, both girls wore tight-fitting corsets and padded cups to preserve their hourglass look throughout the evening.

"You should hear what those guys said about us back in the gym. Oh, you know what. My darling sister. Always seeing the good in everyone. I'd be surprised if you finally find something that offends your good spirits," Liz rolled her eyes.

"Is he good-looking?" Ah, her sister finally got around to her point.

"Who? Bobby?" Liz shot her sister a knowing look, "Very much so."

"Does he look like any actor that we like?" Her sister could not curb her enthusiasm now.

"No," Liz replied, "But Shanti has checked out his social media account. Apparently, it is filled with photos of him with hot girls in bikinis."

Silvia quickly switched on her phone, and tapped on the Facebook icon, before typing the guy's name on the search line. The app returned a little over fifty results.

"There are so many Bobby Handoyos!" Silvia exclaimed in frustration, "Which one is he?"

Liz peered over her sister's shoulders. "There. That one," She pointed at the headshot of a man with big, wide eyes, sporting an infectious grin. "Come to think of it, he does look like Henry Golding, doesn't he?"

Both girls gushed over his pictures, the few that were not set to private on his profile page.

"Enough of this already. We are going to meet him in less than an hour when we arrive at the wedding ball," Liz finally said.

"That is, if he attends Anita's wedding," Her sister reminded her.

"Well, if he does come, I hope he does not bring along that arrogant friend of his. Otherwise, I have to avoid him for the whole evening," Liz scowled.

"What is it with you and this heartfelt animosity towards the guy?" Her sister raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"He and I just don't click. Anyway, I have never clicked with any William. All the Williams in my life have been jerks," Liz snorted.

"There you go again, being namist," Silvia rolled her eyes.

"Namist?" It was Liz's turn now to look puzzled.

"Yeah, namist. Like sexist or racist. You hold prejudice against anyone named William. So, you are a namist," Silvia joked. To which, Liz burst out laughing in response.

An hour later, the latter's hope was dashed when she caught a glimpse of the two men as they were just about to enter the wedding venue. What was worst was her mother decided to take her three younger sisters along, against her father's sound advice. They were also fashionably late since the bride and the groom have already arrived and the wedding ball has begun half an hour earlier. Jam karet, rubber clock, that was how the locals termed it if you never arrived on time for any function. Already she could feel all eyes of the other guests on their group. Six women were hardly unnoticeable, especially when you were lounging around in brightly colored gowns, waiting for your turn to be seated by the EO (Event Organizer) staff.