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If You Love Something...> chapters 27-28
“Hey,” said Rowen as he put his arms around Samantha from behind and placed a kiss on her cheek, “What are you cooking?” “I don’t know,” Samantha replied as she chopped a carrot, “I was planning on chopping some stuff and just throwing it over the stove and let it burn a little and then dump it on your plate.” “Anything you make,” he said, “I’ll eat it.” Samantha looked up at him, he leaned forward for a kiss but Samantha quickly slid a slice of carrot in his mouth. He slipped away from her and sat on a high chair in front of her, “Need any help?” “Why?” she teased, “don’t want me to burn your dinner?” He just laughed, last week Samantha left dinner on the stove unattended while she was on the phone with a client. She didn’t realize it until the smoke detectors went off and sprayed water through the flat. Samantha wasn’t a superb cook, neither was she a bad one. It’s just that she couldn’t find time to perfect her culinary skills, “And how was your day?” “It was bad until a few moments ago.” “And then it got worse?” she asked innocently. “Kinda,” he replied half-seriously, Samantha stared at him wondering it he was joking, he added trying not to laugh, “I’m a man who’s knows he’s getting a burnt dinner.” “Never insult the chef,” she said as she slid another slice of carrot in his mouth, “Especially if the chef happens to be your future wife.” “Wife, eh?” It gave Samantha goosebumps when he said it. The wedding was in two weeks. “Uh-huh.” “So we really are getting married?” he said as he leaned back, “You really are going to spend the rest of your life with silly ol me?” “I happen to love this silly ol you,” she said. She hunted for something in the fridge. “About the wedding…” Rowen began seriously, “…we can’t…well, I really don’t know how to tell you this.” “What?” she said as she continued rumbling with the contents of the fridge. When Rowen didn’t continue, she looked up at him and raised an eyebrow. “Well… I know how much this means to you…you know, and I really want this too…but,” he took a deep breath, then blurted out, “you wanted to have the reception at the garden, right? Well, we can’t, the weather is forecasted to rain that day. So we can’t have it outdoors.” “That’s it? You were worried about that?” she asked laughingly. “Well…yeah,” he replied cautiously. “So we’ll do it indoors then,” she said, still laughing, “we can have it at the hotel then as we initially planned.” “But isn’t it too late to book it?” “I had reserved their ballroom just in case, I’ll just call them up and confirm that we will use it.” “And one more thing…” his voice trailed off, ”You know Mark is going to be my best man right?” Samantha nodded. “And that doesn’t bother you?” he asked. “Nope. Should it?” “Don’t you find it awkward…I mean you guys were an item once upon a time,” he explained. Samantha laughed, “As you said, once upon a time. Besides, he is your best friend. And mine. It wouldn’t be right without him.” “Oh…okay,” he said, “I think I’ll go take a shower now.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and left. ~ ~ ~ Samantha sighed, closed her eyes and rubbed it with the base of her palm, she needed a break from her work. After dinner, which wasn’t burnt, Rowen reluctantly left, he had his own pile of work to tackle. She had positioned her work desk, near a window, at her flat, so that she could stare out whenever she needed a break. Her flat was at the second floor. She looked out the window, streetlight and stars illuminated the streets. She shifted flats when Micah Productions was at her infancy. Even though it wasn’t feasible and very risky, she needed more space to accommodate her work. And she preferred to live alone, rather than have a flat mate who would probably mess up her computer files. Later on, she rented some space in an old ware-house building not far away, when became demanding and when she began hiring staff. Now the workspace is only used whenever she needed work form home. Usually her desk was tidy, with a notebook, a glass of her preferred beverage or drink and a cordless phone. Behind her chair was her printer, scanner and fax. Today however it was filled with bridal magazines, extra wedding invitation cards, stamps, her mail and bills and potential scripts which she had been pouring over since Rowen left. And right now, nothing had caught her attention. The streets were not as deserted as it usually was. A man hurriedly walked with a briefcase in hand, probably going home from work. A gay couple strolled along hand in hand. Both looked very happy together. They stopped and kissed for briefly before continuing their night walk. A middle aged couple walking by caught her attention, they sat down on a bench and talked for a while, suddenly the guy, kneeled in front of her on one knee. He was proposing to her. The next minute tears were flowing from the woman’s eyes, her hands around him, and he whirled her in his arms. Samantha shook her head and laughed to herself. Love was definitely in the air. Rowen proposed to her on Valentine’s Day last year. Every hour on the hour, from the time she reached work till she left, a single rose was delivered to her. And with the every rose, two lines of a poem was attached. The last rose came with Rowen, when he came to pick her up for dinner that night. The last lines were, You are the reason of my being, Will you marry me? The ring was inserted between the petals of the rose. And she had worn that ring ever since he slipped it on her finger. The doorbell rang, and she jumped, she wasn’t expecting anyone today. She peeked through the peephole and unlocked the door with a smile on her face. “Hello Samantha.” “Hi Auntie Sue-Lyn,” she said as she embraced her. “Hello Samantha,” said Mr. Lee, giving her a hug with his free hand. He was carrying a big box. As she stepped away from him, Mr. Lee commented, “You are prettier than the last time I saw you” “What are you doing here?” she asked them, “I would picked you up from the airport if you told me you were dropping by. Come and have a seat.” Samantha excused herself from them and went to the kitchen to make tea. Ten minutes later she came back with a steaming pot of tea. “Picked a gown yet?” Mrs. Lee asked as she picked one of the magazines which fell on the floor. She had helped her select the dresses for the flower girls, maid of honor and also the flowers. There were two gowns Samantha loved and she couldn’t make up her mind and the bridal house was kind enough to keep both on hold for her. “I was thinking about the one with the bare back,” she replied. “You’ll look absolutely lovely in that,” Mrs. Lee agreed. “You guys will come for the wedding right?” Samantha asked, they were after all her godparents. “Of course we will,” said Mr. Lee. They continued talking animatedly about the up coming wedding and other news. “Samantha,” Mrs. Lee said as she set her cup down and said seriously, “we would like you to have something.” Mr. Lee handed her the box which sat beside him. “What is this? An early wedding gift?” she tried to ease some tension. “Well…you can say that,” said Mr. Micah as she set the box on the coffee table and began opening the box. Inside were what looked like a diary, a few books, a few videotapes, a few velvet boxes, a jewelry box and a few other items. She picked up a small velvet box and opened it, inside was a diamond ring. She glanced at the label on a videotape, she gasped and the box slipped her fingers. Mr. Lee picked up it up and put the ring in place, “When you left for Ireland, your dad gave us this box to keep. He said one day he’ll come back and get it. I knew your dad since we were kids and I couldn’t imagine half of the pain he was going through. I agreed to save guard it for him. We brought it along with us when we came to Ireland.” “We knew we had to hand it over to you, but we didn’t know when,” continued Mrs. Lee, “a few days ago we realized it’s either we give it to you now or you’ll never see it. Everything in there is more precious than anything in this world. Treasure it.” Samantha swallowed hard. Samantha didn’t know what to do or say. It was the few things Daddy had successfully hid from her. “Thank you,” she managed to whisper. ~ ~ ~ CHAPTER 28 “Can you believe it, one of us is actually getting married,” said Ashley excitedly, “But I always thought it would be me first.” “Well, I beat you to it,” Samantha replied with a laugh. Ashley is more excited over the wedding, which was two hours away, than Samantha was. They were getting ready for the ceremony in her old room in Callry, Ashley and Madz her bridesmaids were there, so were two of her cousins from Australia as the flower girls in the next room together with one of Rowen’s cousin as the page boy. Mrs. Lee was having a tough time making those kids sit still for five minutes as laughter and shirking was continuously heard. “I still think he’s not as half as good enough for you.” It was an opinion Ashley had ever since they were engaged, “but since he makes you so happy…” her voice trailed off. Then she added affectionately, “God, Sam, I am so happy for ya,” as she held Samantha’s hand tightly. “Thank you,” Samantha said softly as she matched the pressure of Ashley’s grip. Madz was holding two identical bouquet of flowers and handed one to Ashley. They were both dressed in the similar pale blue gown, “We’ll leave you alone now. Come down when you are ready,” she said with a smile and gave Samantha a quick hug, careful not to crush the flowers which was neatly tucked in Samantha’s hair. Then she added, “but don’t take too long.” “I won’t.” When the door closed behind them, she sank down to the nearest seat. Samantha was relieved to get some peace and quiet for a moment. Five minutes ago, everything was a complete chaos. Mrs. Lee, her bridesmaids, the hairdresser were making her ready for the wedding ceremony. Frankly all she could remember was waking up and people were pushing her or pulling her or ordering her to do something or other. She had to constantly remind herself to be calm. It was her wedding day. It’s supposed to be the happiest day of her life. So the big question is why does she feel uneasy? A soft knock at the door broke her thoughts. “Come in,” she said. It was Joshua. She got up to give him a hug, “You made it! How?” She knew he had trouble getting a week’s leave from work. He moved back to KL recently, Madz shifted with him there too. Initially Samantha wasn’t happy about it, she wouldn’t be close to him. But it was something he wanted badly and she smiled bravely as she sent him off at the airport. “I quit my job. Spent more than twenty hours on air and in airports and reached here an hour ago, tried to make myself more presentable, in record time I might add, and came straight here. Wouldn’t miss it for anything,” he said. “You quit your job?” she asked him, concerned. “I’ll get another one,” he said dismissing the topic and he held her at arms length, “Wow, you look beautiful. My baby sister all grown up.” She just smiled at that compliment. “I wish mum and dad were here,” she whispered. “They are, in your heart,” he said, “Come on, let’s not cry.” He gave her another hug, “We don’t want the lovely bride to have swollen eyes now do we?” As he looked at her. “It may not be proper for me to ask this right now, but are you sure about this?” he asked. “Yes, I am.” Joshua gave her his brotherly smile and helped her cover her face with the veil. “Ready?” he asked. “Yes,” she replied as she looped her hand at his elbow. ~ ~ ~ “You’re one lucky man,” Mark whispered to Rowen not taking his eyes of Samantha. Rowen glanced at Mark, who didn’t seem to notice. Mr. Lee was leading Samantha down the aisle, she looked beautiful. Mark knew she was nervous as hell but she hid it well. She had her eyes on Rowen all the time. For a moment she glanced at Mark direction and gave him a smile, that gesture tugged his heart for some reason unknown to him. Mark returned the smile. Mr. Lee handed Samantha to Rowen. Then they turned to face the priest. Mark’s attention was not at the priest at all. Memories came flooding back. Way back to when he met Samantha when she moved here. She made him curious. She was different from the rest. The way she talked, the way she looked. But that was before. Before he knew that there were different kinds of people, different races, different cultures, different lifestyles. He remembered the time he had a crush on Samantha and hadn’t the guts to tell her. Kian suspected something, that time they were in a play production but Mark denied it. He remembered the day he finally admitted it to Rowen but still he couldn’t tell her. It was Samantha who took the first step, nothing ventured nothing gained. Frankly if she didn’t, Mark wasn’t sure he would have told his feelings to her. But then they were not meant to be. When he started touring with the band, he was afraid she would leave him, after all they haven’t been apart for long duration of time before and whenever they managed to get some time together, Mark would find fault with everything little thing she did. And he himself knew it was silly and it was his imagination running wild. In the end that was made him lose her. At first he had a hard time accepting the fact that he lost his best friend in the process. Their lives were encircled around each other so much that it was impossible to act like nothing had happened. Initially it was difficult mending a broken friendship. But somehow or other they managed to. Puppy love, which was what that was. Priest: And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions. Rowen and Samantha, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to each other in marriage? Rowen: I…I… Rowen remained silent. Mark gave him a nudge and furiously whispered, “It’s ‘I have’.” Did a sudden case of amnesia hit him. Now? They went through this five times two days ago! Rowen: I h— I’m sorry. Mark mentally shook himself. No wait, he didn’t hear right. Rowen regretfully shook his head then turned to Samantha, “I’m sorry Samantha, I can’t.” “No,” she whispered as she slowly took a few steps back, more forcefully, “No!” “It’s…” again he tried to continue but she shook her head and ran from the church.
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