Chapter- [ 2 ]
[ Rain Anderson ]
"You're going to regret it for rest of your hell life Rain Estella Anderson.I am suggesting you leave the alter and make a wise choice."The most dangerous voice floated into my ear.Each word dropped it's own kind of most venomous poison.
Warm tears rolled down from my eyes , luckily my face was hidden under the transparent veil which supposed to be worn by my sister .
For a bride,her wedding day with her life partner is the most awaited moment but I was dying every passing second.My whole world crashed down and the scary possibilities of what future upholds for me gave a havoc to my anxiety.
"Please repeat your vows after me."Priest's voice stirred the feelings inside my heart.
"I do.."He said in a firm cold voice at the end of the traditional vows.
"Rain Estella Anderson,do you take Nicholas Edward Blackwood as your lawfully wedded husband?"The priest asked me this time.
I dared to glance at his face,the most handsome face ever for an ordinary girl like me but his stony eyes seemed to throw daggers at me.
With shaking body and quickened heartbeats I finally said the two words which were going to bind us together.
"I do."
I took a sharp intake of breath.
"I pronounce you as man and wife.You may kiss your bride now."The priest declared.
I squeezed my eyes shut.I could feel my veil being uncovered slowly.Warm breath touched my forehead and I felt his thumb pressed on my head .For the moment I dared to open my eyes only to regret as his red furious eyes met with mine.
He tilted our faces in a angle that if someone see us from afar,they would imagine us kissing hiding from others' eyes,which in a sense looks romantic.
The hall echoed with the clapping and hooting from the guests who witnessed our mismatched union.
"Welcome to the hell Mrs. Blackwood."A malicious smirk tug on the corner of his lips.
I cursed myself for agreeing to this marriage charade.I am married and that I know my dream of a fairy tale life is officially over.
I chuckled.How ironically the world assumed it was Roselie who was suposed to be introduced as Mrs. Blackwood.
He took a few steps back and climbed down the alter.
Mrs. Sofia Blackwood,my new mother in law helped me to walk up to match his pace in order to save us from rumors.I could feel her comforting hands running over my back.Definately they were saved from a complete humiliation as well.
I became everyone's knight in shining armour!
But in reality I was the damsel in the distress.
"Its time for us to take leave with the new couple John,we have to prepare them for the reception specially my son."My father in law's words pulled every single string of courage inside me.
I saw with my peripheral vision that the father-son duo had a glaring competition.
I was going to enter in the lion's territory where no one would be there to save me from his wrath.
"Nicholas sorry is a very small word for the damage that my daughter has done to our families but I know it is you whom she betrayed and disrespect.I am really sorry in her behalf but I gave you my wisest child ,my Rain,my treasure.She will be always there for you.You can expect loyalty without any return from her.I have only one request.Please keep her happy."my Dad pleaded to him in a very slow and defeated tone.
"I am glad I receive apologies from the people who caused me my life,my happiness.Tell me what have I done wrong to you all?"Nicholas's temper rose that his high pitched yelling depicted .
"Nick behave yourself.He is your father in law.Accept the truth as soon as you can that Rain is your wife now so start a fresh life with her."Mr. Blackwood's hard command echoed in the air.
"I hate you two as well Mom Dad seriously,you find Rose's replacement in Rain.Wow!Somebody can learn excellent business skills from you."He chuckled sarcastically.
My heart sank more.Our parents were practically worsening my upcoming miseries.
"Pull your crying self together and behave once you step outside this house.You can cry for the rest of your life when we reach at my house."Nicholas said agitated .
House!His house means a prison where I was going to be kept.I tried my best to stop the muffles to prevent increasing his annoyance .He was hell upset as he warned the driver to speed the car above the normal limit.
The three hours reception was the only time I had left to enjoy my leftover happy moments with my friends and my Dad as my mother was busy flattering her new son in law,who seemed to burst on anyone at any moment.Thankfully,Mr. Blackwood cut short the duration of party giving an excuse of our supposed honeymoon.
The most painful moment for me to leave my parent's house to start my married life.I cried bitterly over the shoulder of my Dad,who had a hard time to control his own tears.He assured me to have faith in the God and the my love for Nicholas.He knew about my crush on Nicholas since the moment I saw him at our home.
Soon the car reached in the outskirts of the city where only rich strata of society dwelled.The car entered in one of the most beautiful house painted in all white.I was awstruck by the beautiful lawn,flowing marble fountain in the middle and a huge carved wooden door.
He jumped out of the car without asking me to follow him.I slowly gathered my heavy wedding gown and stood at the entrance of his house like a lost child whether to step inside or wait for his permission.
"Do you want me to spread rose bedded carpet for you to enter Your Highness!"He gritted his teeth.
I hurriedly walked inside the big living room.My eyes roamed around the marvelous structure but I wasn't excited an ounce.This was going to be my castled prison.I didn't trace a single soul other than us in a ghostly large house.
He stopped by the black marbled staircase and turned to me,"Come quickly so I can show you your room.I don't want you to wander around me all the time."He said and started climbing up the steps.
I lagged behind him.We passed through the hallway of the first floor when he opened one of the many doors thus I realised it was the last one in the row.
"This is your room my room is last from here.Do not ever dare to come across my path until I want you to Clear."He pointed his forefinger at me with his sharp gaze piercing a fearful warning in my heart.
"I want vocal answer Rain.I do not like when someone shows disrespect towards me."He roared clearly hating my lack of response.How could he expect me to become all obedient and submissive wife bend on his feet.
My morals and dignity are higher than he can predict but right in the moment I decided to remain silence not wishing to start my married life with an ugly argument.
"Do you hear me?"His angered voice resonated on the four walls.
"Ye..yes.."I fumbled terrified by his slowly turning stormy eyes.
"Good for you but don't feel happy that I leave you tonight from your punishment.Come on dear wify we have all our life ahead it is just the beginning and your husband is not that cruel.Sleep well god knows what tomorrow holds for you."He laughed devilishly and dashed out of the room closing it with his full force.
And the last dam of my patience broke.I collapsed on the cold floor.I cried and cried until no tear and strength left in my fragile body.
Destiny played a very bad joke on me.I never imagined my life would changed drastically in no less than few hours.
I brought my knees near my chest and zeroed my eyes on the ceiling blankly.No one could be blamed for my misfortune.I chose this path and I had to walk on the thorns that were spread beneath.
I can't loose my hopes.There is always a light at the end of the darkened tunnel.I need to stay stuck to my firm determination if I desire to win my husband and heal the wounds that my own sister gave to his innocent heart.
I didn't realise when I slept after crying for hours in the lonely room.It was the warm sun rays penetrating through the half azar window panes on my face.I tried to blink my eyes a few times to adjust my burning eyelids in the natural bright light from sun.
My body ached if someone hit me with a bamboo cane due to sleeping on the cold floor.I had still worn my wedding dress which now started suffocating me so lazily pulled my aching body on my numb feet and went in the direction of the single door beside the closet guessing it would be the bathroom and my prediction was right.
The bathroom was in a similar size of the one at my own house laced with all the modern facilities and women toiletries.I guess Mrs. Blackwood arranged everything beforehand.
There were huge mirrors above the washbasins.I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the most honest thing in the world,the mirror,which always shows you what you are.
The girl looking back at me mocked at my broken self.I foolishly sacrificed myself on the alter for baseless reasons,I love him and having this golden chance to claim him as mine,I decided to go against my principles.
I wiped my swollen eyes deciding to fight for my love,for him when the large stone on my finger mocked back at me just like my soul and mind.
"I'll make you fall for me by the fall of the year Mr. Nicholas Blackwood."
I promised myself.