Elegi Of Rose

Ayu was mentally drained by the time they reached the building where she would be having her gown fitting.

"Let's go," he took her by the elbow.

She flinched away from him, staggering on her feet. "Don't touch me. I'm still pissed."

His face was painted with irritation, "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't know you really have it bad. It's not like you died out there, so stop with your childish-" "Childish? No, what you did was childish!"

"Shh!" he hissed. "Stop yelling. Fine, you're pissed. Now, let's go." He walked ahead of her and she was glad because she didn't want him to see her wobbled gait. Her knees were still weak from the ride. "Ayu, hurry up," he called over his shoulder.

"I'm coming!" she exclaimed.

He stopped, looked back at her, and noticed her weak strides. "You're impossible," he said, walking right back at her. He grabbed her left hand and placed it behind his back to settle on his left waist. "I'll help you," he said with etch of gentleness as he circled his right arm behind her back.

"I don't need-" she started to pull her hand from behind him, but he held it in place with his free hand.

"Shut up," he ordered, tightening his hold on her. "Let's go. We're already late and we can't have you limping all the way."

She glared up at him, but did not argue much further.

*****

The fake smiles on their faces as the lady at the counter of the bridal shop smiled at them could have blinded anyone. They looked perfectly sweet with their arms around each other. "Mr. Punda, welcome," the pretty brunette smiled at them both.

"We're here for my Cantik's gown fitting," he said, smiling broadly at the woman, his eyes twinkling as he looked down at Ayu.

"Oh, how marvelous, of course, her gown is all ready. It just needs to be fitted," the woman stood up and led them to the inner office.

"Where's the woman I talked to before?"

"Oh, you mean Ms. Vina? She's out today. Her husband had an emergency of some kind. But she left me orders to help you. I'm Lily, by the way," she held out her hand to shake Roy's.

"This is my lovely Cantik Ayu," he introduced and Lily took Ayu's hand and shook it warmly.

"Please, follow me," she motioned with her hand and led them inside a big fitting room furnished with an elegant sofa and a platform to stand on.

"I'll wait here," Roy let her go and kissed her on the mouth. Ayu's eyes bulged in shock.

"Don't look so shocked, my dear," Roy whispered in her ear before stepping back, a look of amusement on his face.

"Ms. Ayu, are you ready?" Lily asked behind her.

She nodded, forced a smile on her face and turned her back at Roy after giving him a piercing look. "Yes, I'm ready." "Whatever the outcome of the gown will be wonderful if you're the one wearing it," he said after her.

She placed her hand behind her and gave him the finger. He chuckled in return.

*****

She had figured out long before that Roy had already chosen the gown she'd wear for tomorrow, but she never thought it would be perfect. It looked like it was made for a princess. It bared her cream-like shoulders and hugged her perfect curves. The skirt was quiet heavy though because it had so many layers that created the balloon thingy look. Ayu was not really fond of being up to date with the fashion world, so she didn't really mind if she was wearing the newest clothes as long as she was comfortable with them. And this gown seemed like it was made just for her. Despite the heavy skirt, she felt good.

But wearing the gown and looking at her reflection in the mirror brought back so many memories again. She smiled sadly, taking in the hand-sewn beadworks of her dress.

"It's perfect," Lily exclaimed. "We don't need to adjust anything at all."

"Yes, you're right," she said lamely. A mixture of different kinds of emotions swirled inside her. "Can I take it off now?" she asked. She didn't want to stay inside the dress any longer. After all, it was not made entirely for her. No matter how beautiful it might be, it was merely a costume for tomorrow.

"But how about the veil?"

"Oh, don't worry. I know it would be perfect," she waved off.

"Wouldn't Mr. Punda want to see you wearing the gown?" Lily asked again.

Ayu was starting to lose her patience. "No, he won't and I won't let him. We have this tradition..." she trailed off.

Lily's pretty face lighted with understanding. "Ah, yes, you're not alone in that. Most of our clients still choose to follow the tradition."

"Yes, I'm one of them. So, can you help me out of this now?"

"Yes, of course," Lily stepped closer and helped her.

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*****

"I can't see it? Why?" Roy demanded.

"It's tradition, honey, remember?" she told him with a fake smile.

"I would have loved to see it though," he muttered, and then turned to Lily, "Thank you anyway."

"It was my pleasure, Mr. Punda," the lady answered. "We'll deliver the gown tomorrow at six am and help in case any patching will be necessary."

"Thank you," Ayu said and tugged Roy's arm. "Let's go, sweetheart."

"Yes, of course," he said and led her out the door.

"Where to next?" she asked as they exited the building.

"The Plaza," he replied.

"It's a good thing it's not that far," she said as she climbed inside the passenger seat. She was energized enough to endure another shotgun ride.

*****

"Here, try this," Roy fed her some sort of steak. She already forgot what it was called.

"Hmm..." she forced a smile as she chewed. She really wanted to throw it up. "It's great," she said.

"We'll have that," Roy said to the man in front of them.

"Yes, of course."

"Try this, sweetheart," Ayu said to her future husband and forced a rather big amount of creamy textured chicken in his mouth.

"Hmm..." he beamed with puffed cheeks. He gave a thumb up and the man wrote the dish down.

They spent another hour trying to push as much food into each other's mouth much to the caterer's delight. After the food tasting, they visited The Terrace Room. Ayu's heart filled with so much emotion upon entering the venue. It was seeing the place where she was going to tie the knot with the man standing beside her that made her realize she was actually getting married.

Everything they did today, she did two years ago. Except this one was not filled with the joy and love she felt back then. This one was just something she had to do to save her father's ass.

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*****

"You already planned everything," she told Roy over lunch.

"Of course. That's what I do. I plan."

"I mean, have you already planned everything?"

"Of course," he said, sipping his wine. "I already planned for you to live at my home for the next six months," he stopped for a moment and said, "Hmm... except one thing." "What?"

"The honeymoon. I never thought of it until now. Everyone would expect us to go to a honeymoon."

"You must be kidding me."

"No, I'm not."

"I already have plans. I'm off to go to-" she stopped midsentence and smiled.

"What? You're off to go where?"

"Nothing," she answered, "Let me plan our honeymoon instead."

He looked at her for a second before shrugging, "Fine with me," he said.

"Free your whole week after the wedding."

"Are you kidding?"

"No, I'm not. Free it or I'll go have my honeymoon alone. We can just edit some photos together and show it to your family."

"Not gonna happen. Okay, fine. One week. Where are we going anyway?"

"That's for me to plan and for you to find out," she grinned.