The Chosen One

Chapter 12 The Ordonite Wedding

Chapter 12

The Ordonite Wedding

Soft as satin the dress looked more than pretty on Estelle, the long gown wrapped around her slim body like a glove and the tiara on her forehead was surprisingly comfortable. Although it was meant to simply keep the strands of her hair swaying in the cool wind, it still looked pretty 

The dark lavender and white ombre color of the gown was a classic on its own and Estelle fell in love with the dress the moment her eyes laid on it.

“You should dress like us” Jason had stated “you’ll enjoy more if you feel like one among us.” Estelle could not apprehend if it was his casual statement or he’d seen her pulling the short gray dress too many times to make it look longer “not that you do not look pretty in this” Estelle could feel her cheek flushed at the compliment. “You can…”

“I’d love to” Estelle did not let him finish. She always loved learning new cultures and traditions, dressing up to different tradition. Their traditional dress was beautiful which was an added bonus.

One of the other girls of the land who were also dressed in a long satin dress, her color being satin silver extend a bowl that looked like mirror. ‘I am Saakhi” she introduced herself “this is for you” she giggled.

Estelle brows furrowed “am I looking funny?” Estelle got worried “she took a twirl. Oh” she gasped “this dress might look good on your glowing skin but on my pale..’

“You look beautiful” Saakhi was serious by now “but I am happy that you are here and also you look beautiful.”

“Really?” Estelle was still skeptical “Then why were you laughing.”

“Oh that” she giggled again “I just heard that two people from our land are getting married.”

“Today?” Estelle asked “but I thought this was a mere celebration.” Estelle frowned Triczar or Jason should have informed her. She could have gotten gifts for the newly wed

“It was” Saakhi nodded “it is always abrupt in our land “when two people decide they want to get married, they take a holy dip in front of the entire land and they are married.”

“So there are no parties, no invitations?” Estelle found it strange “no guests?’

“No Czarina” she said “the entire Casa De Ordon will be there. We do not miss a chance to celebrate.” Don’t you remember our queen is Cupid?”

“So what do I do now?” Estelle asked

“You can see your image in this” Saakhi lifted the bowl she was holding in front of Estelle. 

 Estelle bent to look inside the bowl. She gasped at the pretty image of hers.

”Swipe” Saakhi prompted and as a reflex Estelle swiped her fingers immediately. An image popped up which showed Estelle’s face with make up nicely concealed and decorated, her eyelashes looking a little bigger, the blue shadows over her eyes did not look that good but the bright red lipstick looked perfect. She never thought she’d ever buy a red lipstick. She lifted her face not completely satisfied with what she was seeing.

She did not look like herself.

“Do it again” Saakhi suggested.

Estelle was now greeted with her regular face devoid of any makeup, her clear skin and bare eyes that winked pack at her.

Saakhi softly waved her hand asking Estelle to swipe and Estelle followed her.

The image with her make up popped gain.

“Swipe again” Saakhi suggested and now there was her image back with complete different kind of facial look. She was wearing make up but it looked like she wasn’t. It was a groomed natural look of her.

Driven by curiosity she swiped again, her next look was a heavy made up look with too shiny and glossy lips, glittery shadow and a heavy blush.

“More time you spend with this thing you learn and can adjust your setting accordingly” Saakhi explained “for now just pick a look that you like.”

Estelle kept on swiping left and right enjoying her looks as if visiting an app for beauty filters in her mobile till she reached a look that she preferred.

She looked at Saakhi “what do I do now?’

“Great choice” Saakhi complimented, ”now dip your face in the vessel.”

“How?” Estelle furrowed her brows. She giggled, “you are mocking me.”

“No Czarina.” Saakhi tensed “I wouldn’t ever do that to you” she bowed her head.

“Relax” Estelle placed her hand on her shoulder “why do you keep on calling me Czarina?”

“Because you are” Saakhi answered with a  smile making sure that Estelle didn’t freak out “please trust me and dip your face in the bowl and stay still till you stop feeling anything.” She placed the huge bowl in front of Estelle and ushered her to dip her face into it.

Estelle bent to follow Saakhi’s words but once her skin touched the mirror surface she found it was a liquid.

Estelle immediately lifted her head startled “is this mercury? Is it supposed to be safe?”

“Don’t worry Saakhi comforted her “it is extremely safe made after a lot of research.

Trusting her words Estelle bent to put her face back into the bowl “Keep your eyes closed” Saakhi instructed “and do not return till you stop feeling. Then only you’ll get the true effect” 

Estelle dipped her face in the liquidy thing that looked like a mirror minuets ago.

Once fully immersed in the liquid Estelle was bound to keep her eyes closed, she regretted. It was like thousands of tiny dots were smothering her face, tickling her, massaging her, pumping her. She could feel lots of tiny granules moving around her face.

She remembered what Saakhi told, don’t come out till you feel nothing so she stood there even though her neck was numb of being stiff and in same position for such a long time. She stayed even though she felt there were layers on her face. She stayed even though she wanted nothing but to come out and breathe in fresh air.

And once everything around settled down she too paused her thoughts.

Taking deep breath she lifted her face out of the bowl hearing Saakhi gasp loudly

‘What happened?” Estelle asked with Saakhi’s eyes widening she could only think the worse “Is it that bad?” her eyes bulged in fear “did I get a reaction? Did my skin peel off.”

Saakhi nodded denying and pulled the bowl of liquid in font of Estelle.

Estelle ben down to see her reflection “you look beautiful” Saakhi complimented “

And Estelle nodded agreeing without an inch of doubt.

“Looks like someone used the Transformation bowl well” Jason spoke when he heard a loud cough from Estelle. He realized he’d been staring for long

“Pardon me” he bowed his head “but you look alluring.”

He extended his arm “lead Mi lady”

Estelle giggled, “Aren’t you a gentleman”

She adjusted her dress away from her ankles looking adoringly at her high crystal heels wondering how they were so comfortable.

She’d thank Saakhi later for letting her borrow one.

The whole Casa De` Ordon was lit with tiny fairy lights but there were no wires, no holders not even bulbs, it looked like they were huge fireflies standing still after every distance but they were not.

She notices that the flowers in bushes were also glowing as if painted with neon colors. The  pathway was covered with red carpet and natural flowers from the bushes added an uplift to the place. Twisted lights like long glowing sour punk were hanging from the ceiling and Estelle still did not see any wires or holders, soft music was playing and the entire place smelled of lilies and lime.

The streamline of lights around the lake was again a site to see. The lake was beautiful earlier too but it looked breathtaking today and the moon shone in its full glory.

Estelle smiled broadly passing a silent gratitude that she was here with Jason at Casa De Ordon and not at some fancy restaurant where her every act would have been either obstructed or criticized by her mother or sister.

“Hey Estelle” Triczar greeted her with a hug which she automatically returned without any sense of awkwardness “Glad you could make it”

Estelle looked at him from top to bottom. He had cleaned up, his blue eyes shone bright and his cheeks were pink, he seemed a lot better now especially the dimples on his face when he smiled at her. He was indeed very handsome.

“I am glad too’ Estelle said without thinking. She was so much at ease with him and comfortable. “This place is breathtakingly beautiful. I can stay here for the rest of my life.”

“Then please do” the ear to ear smile on his face and his eagerness made Estelle realized what she’d spoken all out of blue.

She coughed ”sorry I didn’t mean that.” She stammered sorry.. I .. cant”

“Its okay” Triczar rubbed her back “but you will visit us often?” he asked expectantly.

“Triczar” Jason bowed ‘you should take Czarina around and show her the festivities.”

“Sure I’d love to.” Triczar said elated “come he extended his elbow for her to take and Estelle immediately wrapped her hands around the crook of his elbow.

“You too join us Jason” Estelle invited.

‘Sorry I have been assigned the duties of refreshments and dinner.” Jason stated, “I have to be there. See you at the Khrana” he said smiling.

“But the wedding would be before dinner.” Triczar remarked, “be there.”

Jason simply nodded rushing back to work.

Triczar watched as Estelle’s eyes twinkled with excitement at the tiny thingsmshe saw for the first time.

 She stood by to watch the dance performance by local girls, newly married couples and tiny tots.

She oohed and aahed every time the little ones did a fine twist.

Then she made a point to play each and every game at the counter.

“What do I win if I shoot all the red balloons?’ Estelle asked before lifting the g*n to her shoulder.

She found that the g*n was pretty lighter than the one shed played with at one of the fun and fairs 

“We only exchange goodness” Triczar stated as he helped her place the g*n at the right place on her shoulder.

“atta girl” he applauded “you were awesome. Just two more to go.”

Estelle chose to focus on her next shot avoiding the impending thank you on her lips.

‘Great going” Triczar complimented when she shot the second one.

‘Now Estelle hit the third one in a straight line” Triczar cheered ‘I know you can do it.”

Feeling encouraged she pulled the trigger and voila

 She heard cheers from around realizing everyone was looking at her.

Thankful that she did not embarrass herself she walked ahead to the next game.

Estelle felt relaxed and happy all of a sudden. She felt serenity in her soul.

Was that how they were awarding her? She thought.

Next game was to feed the clown.”

“Let me do it this time” Triczar volunteered.

“Oh” Estelle was sorry “I did not realize. Come lets go back and you can play the game too.”

“No problems dear” Triczar waved his hand like no big deal. With a swish he threw ball which landed directly on the stuffed toy clowns mouth making it laugh. Triczar too laughed and Estelle followed, the loud laughter echoing on the stall. Something in the way that the stuffed toy laughed made everyone happy around, Estelle realized.

Estelle might have missed counts about the number of games played.

Angels did bring her juices, and drinks which she’d been gulping enjoying herself watching the kids play, and others enjoy the games.

A loud hoot was heard and every body shouted excitedly.

Triczar held her hand filling the gap of his fingers with hers.

Estelle felt warm and fuzzy inside. She looked at their joined hands and smiled.

“Its going to be crowded” Triczar whispered in her ears, his soft breath tickling her nerves “I don’t want you to be hurt or lost”

Estelle tightened the grip on his arms and smiled back smiling in her head that someone cared for her.

The entire Casa de Ordon had accumulated and Estelle was stunned at the number of people present at the wedding.

All of them stood around the lake shouting and cheering when a huge boat decorated with flowers was seen floating on the lake.

Estelle noticed that the boat was occupied with two people. “they are bride and groom” Estelle was startled when Jason said from behind her.

She jumped.

“Sorry my apologies. I did not intend to scare you” Jason smiled at Estelle.

“No” Estelle waved off “I am glad you are here.”

Estelle removed her hand from Triczar’s grip, an action she was doing subconsciously “the couple look so lovely” she pointed towards the boat that looked like it was on spotlight but it was moon shining on the loving couple.

Estelle noticed as everyone made place for Cupid who looked beautiful in her red gown and made her way into the lake .

Once on the shore of the lake, as if she’d grown thrice her height she stood tall, her face glowing, her golden eyes shining and her smile widening as she lifted her arrow and threw it towards the couple but in the air.

The arrow that was shot was now glowing like twinklers and the glow increased at it reached higher in the sky till it burst like a cracker and the entire place lit into golden light.

It was so bright and golden that Estelle was not able to see the couple.

Estelle jumped stood on her toes moved left and right worried.

“Are the bride and groom safe?” Estelle voiced her fear.

Jason chuckled “Yes they are. This is our wedding ritual.”

“This is your ritual?” Estelle asked.

“Yes” Triczar answered “with first arrow they’d dip in the lake and promise to love each other.” 

“Look they are back” Estelle pressed Jason’s elbow excitedly. “They are not wet but glowing.

“That’s the acceptance of their union by the holy water” Jason explained.

Cupid raised another bow and lit it till it burst into another golden globe.

Estelle looked at Triczar for explanation “they are again dipping in the lake this time promising loyalty and support to each other.

Estelle smiled as the couple were visible again. Cupid raised another bow and now Estelle looked at Jason for explanation “this did in the water signifies that they are committed not only to each other but to the families and the society. Their union would be for the betterment of the whole.”

Cupid struck another bow 

Triczar looked at Estelle who had a question in her eyes “they are consummating their marriage now” he said.

“In front of everyone around?” Estelle was shocked.

“Yes” Triczar answered “it is a holy thing. Union of two souls. When there is love, there is blessing and there is mutual consent, act of lovemaking or consummating your marriage is one of the holiest thing in our land.”

“It is a means of celebration.”

And once the consummation was done and Estelle knew it was because Cupid now raised a bow this time towards the land and the arrow though did not glow at all but it reached the sky and burst into millions of petals and flowers scattering it over each and every individual even Estelle had them on herself ”this is a symbol” Estelle had to lean on Jason to hear amongst the happy chatter of huge crowd .

Strangely everyone was congratulating each other.

Everybody rejoiced the union of the two

“That love that was seeded among the two has flourished and has blessed the entire Casa de` Ordon

Estelle noticed few females were storing the petals in the knots of their dresses.

“They keep then at their homes” Triczar explained “as a symbol of good luck and as a magnet for prosperity”

Estelle too held the flowers and nicely kept them in the folds of her belt making sure that they were secured enough to not fall off.

“Soon we’ll be holding the flowers you’d throw” Cupid gushed as she looked adoringly at Triczar and Estelle “when you two get married”

“What?” Estelle shouted louder than she had anticipated “why would we get married?”

“Because” Cupid wasn’t affected by Estelle’s reaction “it is bound to happen. You are the Chosen one.”

“Chosen one?” Estelle squinted her eyes angrily. This was probably the first time she had lost her temper “Have you lost your mind?”