ROSALIA

Time to warm up?

Davids' mansion was bustling with activities, tomorrow was the D- day. One of the known eligible bachelor would finally be tying the knot. The large hall in the premises has been scrubbed hard and clean, chairs and tables are already being dusted and arranged. The whole premises screamed tidy and decoration has begun. Invitations have been sent out, the wedding cake is close to being ready to be delivered tomorrow and even the wedding dress is finally ready as Rosalia mamma kept on asking for the gown to be adjusted from time to time. She pestered the tailor throughout their stay in the bridal shop.

Rosalia mamma could not help the tears that continued to fill her eyes. Her daughter was finally getting married and she gets to witness it. She was beyond estatic. Her daughter was indeed lucky to find someone who loved her like David.

Rosalia mamma marched to the kitchen, to see how things were progressing. She greeted the executive chef and other workers present and asked if there was anything they needed.

"Mamma, my sisters and I are heading to the poolside. Would you like to join?" Elizabeth stopped by the Kitchen as she sighted the older woman.

Rosalia mamma combed the busy kitchen with her eyes and declined politely.

"I would love to, but the staffs might need me here"

"Oh mamma, you need not worry. Everything is going as planned, besides an hour or two to rest would not hurt" Elizabeth giggled, she added impishly as she leaned close to the older woman's ear and whispered, "I have a little treat as well. I am sure Rosalia would find some humor in it".

Rosalia mamma eyes lit up, she smiled warmly and allowed Elizabeth lead her to the poolside.

Of all David's family, Elizabeth was one of Rosalia mamma's favorite. She was polite and easygoing. She has a busy life in England but she still made time to oversee the preparations for the wedding.

Rosalia mamma wondered if David's mother was not happy for her son's wedding. She came very early today but left not quite too long. She then promised to come exactly the time the wedding ceremony would commence the next day, just like a guest would.

Rosalia mamma found the woman a bit egocentric-regressed. She acted like a spoiled brat. Throughout her stay in the house, she shouted and complained about everything. And even though she was polite when they made their introductions, she seemed like she would rather be somewhere else.

"Here is an album I came along with. A few pictures of I and David whenever we spent Christmas together", Elizabeth passed the album to the older woman, Rosalia mamma appreciated the cute pictures of David when he was younger as she scoured through the pages.

As a thought slipped into her head, she asked, "Can I lend this album real quick?"

Elizabeth laughed and granted her permission, "Of course ma, Rosalia must see this too".

Rosalia mamma spent three hours at the poolside, watching the cousins interact cheerfully.

After parading the whole mansion for the umpteenth time in the last six hours to make sure things were progressing the way it should, she decided to see how the beautiful bride was doing.

Finding her way to her room, Rosalia mamma found her daughter lost in her own world.

"Rosalia, is something wrong?"

On hearing her mammas' voice, she smiled and replied,

"No mamma".

Coming to sit close to her daughter on the floor, facing the lovely view of the lake within the property,

"But something worries you, I can tell by looking. What is it? Do you think he'll not make a fine husband" Rosalia mamma urged

"I don't know mamma"

"I have studied you for a while, you do not seem happy even when you told me that day at the nursing home of his intentions. Is there something he does you do not like?"

"David is a perfect gentleman. He does nothing without my consent mamma"

"Or is it his family? But his mother and cousins and aunties and all, they seem nice"

After David threatened his mother, she did not cause any trouble especially in the presence of Rosalia mamma for the fear of her allowance getting decreased.

"All is well mamma. I am just getting the cold feet, I guess?"

Rosalia mamma did not press things further but believed Rosalia would open up to her soon enough.

Retrieving the album from her pocket, she lightened the mood,

"Thought you might want to see this", she absentmindedly addressed as she slid the album towards her daughter.

Rosalia knitted her brows in confusion, she opened the album and recognized the little boy in the picture at once.

She traced the little boy that smiled back at her with her finger. If only they were getting married for love.

She laughed as she turned page after page and saw funny pictures of her husband.

She was indeed happy to see pictures of him. Her mother managed to make her feel better. Life may not be too bad with David as her husband.

…

Few hours later, when the whole house had retired for the night, David could not help it any longer and snuck into Rosalias' room to see her. He had not seen her throughout the day as no one would allow the groom to see the bride before the wedding.

Elizabeth had a few friends take him out for a little tour, his friends kept him all day in their favorite bar, continously yapping about some football players he cared nothing about. He only thought of his dear Rosalia and wondered how she was faring with all the activities around her.

Would she find it uncalled for? Or did it disgust her?

David pondered as he nursed his first and only drink, he was served since he got to the bar.

"You should be asleep, tomorrow might be very tiring " He said when he found her staring into oblivion.

Startled and standing immediately, she replied "Mr David you ought not to see me before the wedding, it could bring bad luck"

"Ahhh. And here I thought you would be happy to see me. Besides, there is no bad luck as long as I have you". He walked close to her, taking her hands in his, "Even when I have you this close, the thought I have of you is enough to taint an innocent child mind for ever, No bad luck for us. Ever".

Looking at her longingly, he continued "Rosalia, I want you to see me as your equal and nothing else. I want you to be happy"

After a while, he spoke again as he realized Rosalia intention to not speak. "Rose please say something. I want you to enjoy tomorrow as I would "

Rosalia studied David quietly, what exactly was he asking for?

After a long pause. Rosalia drew him in for a hug and placed a soft kiss on his neck.