MARRIAGE TRAP

WEDDING DAY

Unfairly. She had every reason to hate him, and Lyra hated him. Really hate her. So what sensation is now swirling all over his body? His pulse increased, and the screaming nerves inside his stomach were like a silent roar?

Did the man know?

Damn it please no!

"You could've stayed here."

That request almost weakened Lyra, yet she raised her chin and returned the dark and mysterious gaze of the eyes.

"No."

"It's a shame."

Romy looked amused, damned, and Lyra glared at him who showed more than just words, then turned around and walked towards the front door, noticing the man walking by her side.

Romy accompanied him out to his car, waited for him to sit behind the wheel, then warned him. "Don't work too late, hmm?"

As if sleep is a choice.

As Lyra passed through the gate, she put in a CD, turned the volume aloud, and let the sound of music drown out all her sane thoughts.

It was only when he entered the parking area of his apartment that he turned off his music, and inside the apartment he picked up his bag, said "Good night" to his father then went to the room, and then went to the room, work until late midnight before undressing and creeping into bed tired.

It felt like it was only an hour or two when the alarm went off, and Lyra groaned loudly when she saw the numbers on her digital clock.

The temptation to drown his head under the pillow was strong, but he had to shower, get dressed, find something to eat, then get off in the elevator to his car and go to school.

It was helpful because his father had prepared hot coffee, cereal, and fruit. Lyra expressed her gratitude, finished the meal in no time, then picked up the bag and kissed her father.

"I'll be home by noon."

His father held his head. "I'll be ready."

The question is, is Lyra ready?

Today is her wedding day.

The day when most of the girls were pampered while her mother and her attendants were busy taking care of her needs, making sure all preparations were in order with minimal distractions. Dress, cake, limousine, reception, food, guests...

This should be the best day of a woman's life.

Hah..a useless tradition!

*****

It was a relief when the electronic bell rang signifying the end of lessons and schools.

Lyra collects the files and makes sure the class is empty, then passes the students who are scattered out of the class, then goes to the meeting room where the principal calls for a staff meeting.

Thirty minutes, at most, but the meeting lasted an hour, and as a result it was past one o'clock when Lyra reached the apartment.

He takes a moment to send a short message to Romy while taking the elevator to his apartment.

"I'm starting to worry about you." said his father when Lyra came through the door, and she just rolled her eyes.

"Don't ask, I'll handle it."

And Lyra did get over it, broke the record for a three-minute shower, then dried the body with a towel, styled the hair, put on makeup, slipped her feet into shoes, and then dried her, throw some necessary items into his handbag and head to the sitting room.

"You sure about this?"

Lyra has never been so unsure in her life! But he doesn't want to admit that. Instead he just smiled.

"We have to go." A clear statement, if any.

"You will always have my love." His father said slowly as they got off in the elevator to the lobby. "I want you to know that."

Lyra's eyes glazed over, and she quickly blinked. "Nor vice versa." He could not, would not let his tears drip, because if by chance there was a drop that fell, he would not be able to stop.

"I'll give you a spare key for Dad. If there's a problem, call me and report the problem to the building manager" Lyra thought back and said "I'll drop by every Monday after school and pick up the rest of my belongings."

Lyra ran her car five kilometers above the speed limit and prayed in her heart that no police officers were active around.

The gate to Romy's house opened, and Lyra crossed the driveway and stopped in front of two vehicles.

Lyra was almost a metre from the front door when it opened, and Romy emerged from the crevices.

Romy's tall body and field looked perfect in a specially sewn suit, he looked like an intimidating figure with a face that was impossible to understand.

"It's been a right to have a woman late for her wedding day" he said casually.

For a second he felt the sight of a black Romy glittering amusedly, and then vanished as the man greeted his father.

Lyra felt her entire body wrapped around in an agitated and resigned drive as Romy moved to her side as polite conversation continued.

"What if we start?" advice friendly pengulu while heading to the event venue.

It seemed almost unreal, Lyra thought as Romy grabbed her two hands after Ijab qobul was spoken, and she stopped the tremors that threatened to graze her stomach.