TWENTY ONE : SPEECH & DANCE

"I JUST WANT to start by congratulating Christian Raymond on his wonderful speech. I always knew it'd be hard to follow and I was right, I couldn't follow a word of it." Blake shakes his head feigning disapproval and some snicker while other grumbles in annoyance. But most of us roar out of happiness. I shifted my sight to look over and find Theodore's lips pulled up a little. My heart flutters a little too. 

I crane my neck to pretend  looking what's Christian's reaction when Theodore's eyes land on me. Though, I very well know that Christian went to attend some guests. 

"So, ladies and gentlemen, I Blake Lawoshki and you all lovely peeps are gathered here to celebrate something truly magical, something so rare and fortuitous and wonderful that it simply must be celebrated. I am, of course, talking about the open bar, donut walls and photo booth." He completed with an assuring nod. The audience bursted out into another fit of laughter echoing in the hall, bouncing against the walls. 

"Okay, okay. Jokes apart. I'll begin by giving some relationship advice but unfortunately I am single and spend most of my time trying to coax my kitten into little outfits-"

"Dude, just admit that you cannot stick around with a single vagina." This time, even I couldn't stop myself from laughing and notice how my voice ceased amongst other hysteric guffaws.

But Blake completely ignored the previous comment and continues nonetheless. "And playing rock paper scissor with Alexa, yeah my Google assistant." The colour of his face changed and he spoke as realization dawned on him. "And I see that everyone in our group is no longer single! Oh Jesus…" 

We howl in laughter again at his sarcastic manueavor. 

"So… well, I just forgot the other half of my speech in the midst of your howls," He acted as if he was checking his pockets and then dropped his smiley face into a scowl.

 "Since I don't have anything good to say then we'll let me tell you a bit about Theodore Raymond." He paused and looked over to us. "Tall and handsome, rich and intelligent who sweeps girls off their feet with his brooding eyes and perfect lips." Hai eyes squinted as he taunted, unfazed.

"Oh those Lusty cupid bow lips. I am so jealous of you right now, Aurellia Hargrave!" His voice blared through the microphone. I crunched my face at the sudden screeching sound of the microphone.

But then, instantly his lips tugged up and a naughty smile playing upon them. "But you don't mind sharing with me right?" He tilted his face, cooking his eyebrows dramatically. 

"No," I instantly replied. 

"Yes." Theodore's heavy voice injectered. 

"Oh my wonderful Lia and shut up 'Theo." He halts and winked at me. "Call me for a threesome anytime you feel like. I'd always be available for you guys." He said in a matter of factly tone. 

Theodore, beside me shot him an angry glare and opened his mouth. But Blake cuts him saying 'You're welcome', almost dismissingly.

Honestly, it was fun watching all these friends bicker around. It was refreshing and a hell lot of humorous. 

"Now, am I delaying the event?" He asked looking over to the host for the evening. "I was the last one to give the speech right?" He queried again, but without waiting for the affirmation, he continued anyway. I looked over at the poor even manager who was scrowling. 

"So, I'll be with you guys for a little bit more." The crowd acknowledged by howling unceremoniously, totally enthusiastic. 

"Looks like people love me, huh? Let me tell you a bit about our teenage days… I recall this incident… how Theo use to lock me in the bathrooms, so that I end up cleaning the garden as detention punishment. Yeah, he was such a shitty friend."

"Do you mean when you used to be late because you'd be banging chicks in the stalls?" Theodore teased, his voice a bit higher so that it reached across the room. 

"Exactly," Adrian chucked, and they high-fived. 

"Ah, neva mind Adrian. No need to be jealous of those chicks. Remember, I am just a call away." He winked at Adrian and he responded by gagging. 

A giggle erupted from my mouth before I could think. Theodore's perked gaze darted towards me and my laughter ceased when our eyes connected. I looked away quickly and bit my lip to control my excitement. 

Why was my face feeling so hot? 

"Not wasting anymore of my precious time, I ask you all to raise your glasses in honor of Theo, the pain in my bottom, yeah no innuendos, there are children here!" He whisper-yelled in the microphone, animatedly. "And his lovely, charming, beautiful, hot as hell wife Lia, the antiseptic to my wounds," He held his hand up to his heart and gave me a genuine smile .

 "Have a blast guys." He turned to exit but then halted as if realization hit him like thunderbolt, looked over to us and shouted, "And don't forget I am just a call away." Then he jumped off the stage and we all applauded cheerfully. 

***

"Let's have a big round of applause and invite Mr. and Mrs. Raymond for the dance of the evening." Said the extremely excited female host announced and on cue the lightnings changed into a romantic, dim setting. 

I had already removed the veil and the hairstylists redid me bun. Now, I felt much better and composed. 

Theodore stepped forward and I was spelled at his mesmerizing eyes focused on me. 

He stretched out his and I smiled at him. Before I could slip my hand into his callous ones, his finger's trailed the path from my elbow till my palm and then tugged me to the center, making me shiver. 

The spotlight fell over us and I blinked, looking above. 

Oh, so many people are looking at me, what if I stepped on his foot and he tripped, along me? Embarrassment. Awkwardness. Shamefulness...

"Look at me. Stop hyperventilating." He breathed rhythmically licking eyes with me and on cue I followed his lead, very naturally. This time, I was courageous enough to not break eye contact. 

I let my eyes swim in the melancholy of his indecipherable orbs. But my intention wasn't to take anything from him at the moment. It wanted to simply gaze into them and drift to the unknown world which laid inside them, cured and dark. I wanted to give something myself… But I don't know what.

You know, like when you walk in a garden full of flowers, your main interest is not to pluck the most beautiful rose. But just water and watch the flower blossom, you just want to be a part of it's cycle. 

And even if my and Theodore's paths never cross emotionally, I'll be glad to just have a taste of his lifestyle. To have a feel of being close to him. To be with him under the same roof.

I don't know why but I have started to feel very human by his side. I want to let my childishness flourish under his rigid countenance. I throw tantrums like a rich spoilt brat knowing he'll not force me to change. I finally can be myself. 

"Finally, you are married to me, Mrs. Raymond." He said smugly but I sensed a whiff of unsettling feeling on his face, something wrong. 

As if, it was an itch on my skin I couldn't scratch. As if, the last block of the puzzle was missing. But I ignored the foul feeling. 

"Yeah?" My voice came out timid and unsure, as my eyes still roamed his eyes to find the cue, the last missing piece of puzzle. 

"Is there something I need to know?" I pronounced with knitted eyebrows. 

He shrugged and said, "You'll see." His demeanor was ignorant so I concluded that I was overthinking. 

"Lia, you'll dance with me now." Christian announced, breathlessly. 

"Our dance hasn't completed." Theodore interrupted. 

"Yes it is now. Come."Christian dragged me away and I looked back to find Theodore dumbfounded. 

"What is it?" I hissed, slipping my hand over his shoulder. 

"Are you awa-"

"Just breath first." I injectured. 

After ten seconds he started. "Are you aware of this thing where the bride throws the bouquet and to whosoever it reaches marries next." His voice was still heavy but I replied a 'yes' anyways. 

"Yeah, good good. So you have to make sure that the bouquet lands in Rohanna's hand. Gotta."

"Gotcha…" I spoke hesitantly. "But why…? Am I thinking what you are thinking?" I exclaimed joyously. 

"Yeah Yeah… lower your voice. Now, bye." Christian rushed off leaving me giggling in  the middle of the crowd. 

I found Theodore eyeing me intriguingly. Breath clogged in my throat and I just smiled at Theodore and ran to the washroom. 

Once I got inside and found it vacant, I locked the door behind me. 

"Oh my God, Christian told me something even before Theodore." I said to myself and walked over to the mirror cover wall. 

"He really meant it when he said that I am his sister first and Theodore is his brother after me."

"Oh my God." I spoke out loud again, yet not believing it. 

I turned on the tap and washed my hands for no particular reason, maybe out of giddiness? 

My pale ivory shaded face was tinted in Crimson, my cheeks flushed with blood. 

Am I falling for Theodore Raymond? 

Shit. 

My dad told me that, never fall in love, be in love. Because everything which falls, gets broken. 

But why did I feel like I was floating in thin air, just about to crash to the ground? 

***

We were both drowning under the waves of words we weren't saying.

***