Chapter 10

On Saturday, I forced myself to do some shopping and buy a new dress for the wedding. No matter how much fake it is for us, the judge will be there checking our expressions and I couldn't effort to raise his doubt.

With that in mind, I entered a vintage boutique. My eyes scanned the dresses, each extravagant and more beautiful than the last.

I could take the opinion of Shirley but I know in my heart that our tastes doesn't match. Why bother?

Finally, my eyes landed on a dress so beautiful, it brought a gasp out of me. It is a strapless, small white pearl-beaded corset style bodice with a mermaid fish-tail dress with a cut on the left side that reaches almost to the knee.

And the back... my cheeks heated as I looked at the backless corset with only thin threads that are looped in crisscross to hold it.

I quickly tried it in the trail room, wanting to feel it on my skin. As I gazed myself in the mirror I couldn't believe it is me who is peering from the mirror.

My bust is not that big. Is it?

And that ass, the dress cupped it perfectly giving it a heart-shape. I look perfect. Alas, I couldn't say the same with the wedding.

If only I had the choice to stay without this faking. I removed the dress and checked the price tag, crossing my fingers and hoping for a miracle.

That can't be right. It is in my budget range. But why would they sell this beautiful dress at such cheap price?

It is then I saw the tear under the left breast of the corset. Of course, now it makes sense.

But this could be rectified with some light stitching and crafting. With a beaming smile, I went to the counter and bought the dress. Taking the money from the budget of shoes, I bought the supplies needed to repair the dress.

That leaves me with a budget neither here nor there. Just as I was thinking of going home and getting on with my repairing, my eyes landed on a jewellery shop. It is not big. Just one of those that are present in countless malls.

But what caught my attention was the ring section. My feet moved towards the shop as if they have a mind of their own.

"Wedding rings for men please," I said in the way of greeting.

The salesgirl was overly cheery as I scanned the rings she placed on the counter.

After checking a couple of them, I found the one I liked. It's a simple, classic wedding ring.

"What size do you want it in?" She asked perkily her eyes overly bright.

I draw a blank.

"Umm... I don't know. A free-size may be?" Shit, does ring has free size?

She frowned as if I said her favourite fairytale is crap but nodded slightly not wanting to offend me.

"Is this the one?"

"Yes."

"Ok. Let me see what we can do. Please take a look at our other designs while I wrap this up," she went inside the side door before I can ask her- 'what does it mean wrap this up?'

American slang is really weird. Sometimes, I don't know what everyone is saying.

I browsed the other selection, my heart really not into it when she returned with a box in her hand.

"Oh, thank you." I took it and paid for the ring.

Once, I was at home, I get on with working on my wedding dress by carefully stitching small blushing pink roses over the lace of the corset. It was very tiring and detailed work but after three hours of bending my back over it, I was rewarded with a beautiful spectacle.

My mood soured immediately as I realised what I'm going to do tomorrow. One more day before I get married.

The sudden urge to hear from home made me dial the number without checking the time.

"Sam? Why are you calling at this time? Is everything alright?" Keethu's groggy voice sounded from the other side.

It is then I realised about the time difference. Of course, she would be worried.

"Oh gosh, sorry Keethu. I didn't check the time. We're you sleepy? Obviously, you were. I'm sorry"

"Hey, it's ok. I was meaning to call you. It was always aunt Malini or Nani. You never get time to talk to me, your only sister. If I wouldn't know better I would say you forgot about me completely," Keethu said sounding more awake now.

"That's not true. You should know that. You were the closest to my heart. You and Nani. You know that, don't you?"

"Ya... ya"

"You are still mad at me for coming here?"

Her sigh is so deep I wondered about her health.

"Nah. It's ok. I realised you should get to chose your path. I was just being childish"

"Oh my, is that really my Keethu speaking? When do you started sounding so mature?"

"What are you talking about? I'm always mature. Just no one realises it"

"If you say so"

"What's wrong Sam?"

I sucked my breath.

"Why would you think something is wrong?"

"Because I know you. I could hear it in your voice. Something is eating you up. Tell me. May be I can help."

"Oh, Keethu, if only... it's nothing for you to worry," I choked as my teenage sister tried to brave the world to help me.

"Is it money? Are you short on cash? I can... I can do something here and transfer it to you," she coaxed.

And, I could guess how she will do that.

"Keethu, no. Don't get into trouble with aunt. I'm fine. It's not money. I promise. I have a job here. Promise me you won't do anything reckless?"

"You first," she goaded childishly.

"Keethu"

"Then tell me what is it? I'm your sister Sam. I have a right to know. May be I can do something. You are scaring me."

"Don't. It's nothing serious. It's just," I took a deep breath thinking about it.

Keethu won't stop worrying until I say something. And hiding this big secret will only hurt her in the future when she gets to know about it. IF she gets to know.

"Yes?"

"I... I'm... I'm about to do something that is not right but I have to"

"What is it?"

"I can't say"

"Is someone forcing you to do it?"

"No. No one"

"Do you really want to do it?"

"Not exactly. But it is the only hope"

"What hope? You are not making sense. Is it something illegal?"

Yup, definitely illegal.

"Look, it's getting late. I'm sorry for disturbing you. Go to sleep Keethu. We will talk later"

"What? Wait!!! Is it drugs? Sam, are you into drugs?"

"Oh my god!!! Keethu, I'm not that stupid."

"You didn't answer my question"

"Of course, I'm not involved with any drugs"

"Oh, ok. Good. That's good. Then what?"

"It's getting late Keethu. Bye"

I cut the call before my sister could drag the truth out of my lips.

Drugs? No Keethu, it's far much worse. I'm getting married tomorrow and no one knows.