Chapter 84: Chapter 84

Time went by and the four days elapsed. Light had just injected the last dose of the antidote into Sharaina. She looked better than he thought she would.

Her skin was glowing and her hair was back to its brightness. It was only a matter of time now before she would awaken from her slumber.

While Sharaina looked radiant, Light looked dull. He was feeling tired, hungry and depressed. He felt terrible that his last days with Sharaina were up. The time for him to finally walk out of her life had arrived.

Light sat down on the floor and cried deeply. How he wished he was going to be there when she finally opened her eyes. If only he would at least hold her in his arms one last time. Everything hurt him deep to the core of his being. Life became meaningless for him.

After crying for a few minutes, Light wiped his tears and went into the bathroom to wash his face. He got out and looked at Sharaina for one last time.

Light went over to her and gave her a kiss on her forehead. He turned to pick up his coat and turned the door knob. His heart told him to look back but his mind reminded him that it was only going to increase his pain. Light ignored his mind and looked at her one more time. With a lump in his throat, he gently closed the door behind him.

The sound of Sharaina's door opening and closing made everyone run to the staircase. They were taken aback by Light's gloomy appearance. Akirexer even began to fear that Sharaina's treatment was unsuccessful.

Light gave them all a faint smile involuntarily. He was surprised that he was able to despite all the pain that he was feeling inside.

"She will wake up any minute now." He announced.

Sharumez and Akirexer hugged each other in joy. Naian and Emelinia smiled at each other while the rest laughed joyfully.

Jayniss on the other hand, had the look of worry across her face. She saw how depressed Light was and she felt helpless. Akirexer, in the midst of her joy, finally took notice of Light's sadness. Not only her but everyone else too. None of them knew what to say to him.

"I am leaving now. Don't worry, I will keep my word." He said with his hands together. "Thank you so much for your help." He said to Nelex and Geren. His eyes turned to Jayniss. "Come on, let us go home." He told her. Jayniss waved to everyone and left with Light.

"Poor Light." Emelinia voiced out and everyone turned to her.

"What could we have possibly told him? His wedding preparations are already happening. It is supposed to take place this afternoon." Naian voiced out.

"What is happening is so unfair." Alainara added.

"There's nothing we can do. That family has rejected Sharaina." Sharumez said and Akirexer frowned.

"I'm going up to check if she has woken up." Akirexer said and left.

She opened Sharaina's door and was over joyed to find her standing at her window. Sharaina turned to her mother and Akirexer ran to hug her tight. Sharaina hugged her back.

Alainara had followed Akirexer with her noticing. When she saw Sharaina awake, she shrieked with joy. Emelinia quickly ran up the stairs while the men remained downstairs.

Emelinia and Alainara hugged Sharaina and they chuckled merrily. Sharaina felt a little dizzy and she held her head. Alainara led her back to her bed and helped her sit.

Once she was back in her covers, Akirexer went to go and tell the men that they could come up and see her. Alainara smiled brightly at Sharaina and Sharaina pulled her cheek.

"Did you really think that I was going to die?" Sharaina teased Alainara.

"You should have seen yourself. You had us all worried." Alainara giggled.

"Where is Light? I sense that he was in here not too long ago." Sharaina asked. Emelinia and Alainara frowned. "Oh I see." Sharaina said and leaned back on her pillow.

"He was with you for four days and four nights. He left right before you woke up." Emelinia told Sharaina.

*****

Light was not surprised to find servants decorating the house for the wedding. He expected his mother to do that. Knowing her, she didn't want to risk not getting her way now that Sharaina was close to waking up.

Light ignored all the servants running up and down in the mansion. He caught Nami smiling at him and faced away disgusted. Nami wasn't bothered by his indifferent attitude. She shrugged him off and continued ordering the servants around.

Stariss got out of her room feeling so excited about the wedding. She was on her way to find Jayniss and Lara so that they could go to Yolin and perform the jewelry wearing tradition.

Stariss spotted Light going up the stairs and ran after him. When she saw how gloomy he looked, she paused confused. Light said nothing to her and walked past her. She watched him close his door. Stariss turned and caught sight of Jayniss. She went to her and pulled her aside.

"What is wrong with Light?" She asked Jayniss.

"Why do you care?" Jayniss asked her back.

"He is my brother too you know. Come on, didn't he agree to marry Yolin? Why all this?" Stariss asked her again.

Jayniss shook her head in disappointment. "Just forget it Stariss. If after everything, you still can't see why he is so upset, then you never will. You shouldn't care about this anyway. After all, it is you who supported mama in her quest to ruin his life." Jayniss sternly said to Stariss and walked away from her. Stariss remained feeling dejected.

*****

Yolin sat in her mermaid wedding dress. Women all around her beautified her. She could see her mother smiling back at her through the mirror.

A woman mistakenly puffed a lot of powder on Yolin's nose and she sneezed. Yolin stood up annoyed and angrily took off her veil and threw it on the floor.

"All of you just get out!" She screamed at the women and they left.

"What is it dear?" Sariba asked her.

"I am so sick of this mama! I will not continue with it any longer." Yolin angrily said.

Sariba was puzzled. "What do you mean?" She held her chest concerned.

"I will not go through with this marriage. I don't want to get married mama. I don't want!" She screamed.

"Oh yes you will! Today is your wedding day. The guests have already started heading to Velan's mansion. You will not embarrass us, do you hear me?" Sariba furiously pointed at Yolin.

"I don't care what you say mama. I will not get married today! Do you even care about me?" She asked Sariba but she scoffed and folded her arms. "Oh yes that's right. Just like Nami, all you care about is your reputation."

"Mind how you talk to me! I am your mother! I only want what's best for you." Sariba raised her voice.

"If that is so mama then stop all this. I don't love him and he doesn't love me. This marriage will ruin both our lives!" Yolin threw her heels off her feet.

"Yolin honey, he will forget her." Sariba softly said to Yolin.

"No he will not." Yolin held her mother's hand. "Mama I never wanted this marriage. I have dreams and goals mama. Please don't do this to me."

Sariba dropped her eyes in deep thought. "What about your father? What are we to tell him? You know that this will only anger him." Sariba lowered her voice.

"Only you can make him understand mama." Yolin pleaded with moist eyes.

"Okay." Sariba mouthed.

****

Velan got into his mansion and angrily looked at the servants. He had been away for weeks on business. He was astonished to see Light and Yolin's names decorated in glitter paper on the wall. He buckled his belt under his pot belly and angrily tore them down. The servants stood away from him keeping their eyes on the floor.

Velan went up the stairs furiously calling Nami. Veruno heard him and got out of his room. He saw Velan slam his matrimonial bedroom door open. The sudden bang startled Nami and she left her dressing table. She was astonished to see Velan there. She didn't expect to see him for another two weeks.

"So this is how far your wickedness can go!" He raised his voice.

Jayniss and Lara heard him and they went running out of their rooms. They rushed to their parents' bedroom. They were shocked to see Velan back but were happy that he was. Veruno rushed past them and he stood in between Velan and Nami. Seeing him there gave Nami courage and she glared at Velan.

"So you intended on using my absence to the fullest isn't it? I am appalled by your behavior Nami! I didn't believe Stariss when she told me your evil motives but seeing all this has completely shattered me!"

Stariss is the one who went and told papa? Jayniss thought. She looked over at Stariss who stood nervously at the door way rubbing her hand in discomfort as Nami glared at her.

"Stop condemning me! What other choice did I have? I told you one too many times that I will never accept that girl but you didn't listen to me." Nami defended herself.

"Whether you accept her or not is your problem. You will not get my son married to Yolin, do you hear me? In fact I ban you from ever making decisions about who my children marry. You will play your role by shutting up and waiting for the men to finalize things."

Velan turned to Veruno. "I have already spoken to Alamva about the cancelation of this engagement. It turns out that even Yolin didn't want this marriage. He has returned the dowry in full. Come with me so that we speak to Sharumez. Perhaps he will be willing to forgive us and have mercy on my son."

"Don't you dare do that Velan!" Nami shouted.

"Shut up woman or I will come there and make you permanently mute. I am warning you, if you try to stop me in any way I will throw you out of this house with divorce papers." Velan angrily threatened and Nami yelped. He turned to Veruno. "Come on let's go!" He said and they dashed out.

*****

Sharaina lay in her bed. Everyone thought that it was best that they gave her space. She got out of bed and went to her window. Her eyes set on the wedding decorations and tears fell.

Sharaina felt hurt that Light still went ahead with the marriage despite everything. She went back to her bed and hugged her pillow crying.

Velan and Veruno got to Sharaina's home. Veruno went and knocked at the door while Velan stood off the verandah. Akirexer opened the door and she was stunned to see them there. Both men took off their hats upon seeing her. With his hat on his chest, Veruno said;

"Good morning ma'am, Is Sharumez here? We would like to speak to him."

"Yes he is. Please do come in." Akirexer invited them in.

Velan and Veruno waited for Sharumez anxiously in the living room. The sight of him coming with Naian made them stand up and they shook hands in greeting. Sharumez gestured to their seats and they sat back down. Akirexer and Emelinia joined everyone in the living room.

"First of all, I would like to sincerely apologize for my wife's behavior. It was uncalled for and unacceptable. I know you are furious with us so I am here to clear things up and make peace with you. We as a family have known about Light and Sharaina's relationship. I was angry with him when he told me that he wanted to cancel his engagement because he loved your daughter. With time I accepted their relationship. For the past ten years I was under the impression that Nami had canceled the engagement. We can all agree that it was far from the truth." Velan humbly said.

"Last week he told his mother and I that he was planning on asking Sharaina to marry him. He even went as far as placing an order for the engagement ring. I picked it up for him because he was out on a mission to capture Lord Diavinx. He had planned on asking her to marry him the day after." Veruno added.

"As we speak my son is suffering terribly because of this misunderstanding. Please cool your anger against him." Velan pleaded.

"We hold no grudge against him. We were able to see that none of what happened was his fault." Sharumez answered.

"Sharumez, we humbly ask, on behalf of my son, that you give us your daughter as a wife." Velan pleaded with his hands together. "My son loves her very much. I assure you that he will take care of her." He ended and Veruno nodded his head in agreement.

Sharumez looked over to Akirexer. He saw that she was happy with what Velan had just said. Not only she but Naian, Emelinia and Alainara as well. "Velan, I don't mind giving my daughter to you. However the decision is solely hers to make. If she decides to go with you then she has my blessings."

Velan and Veruno smiled at that. "Where is she so that we may ask her?" Velan excitedly asked.

"She is in her room." Akirexer answered. "Please come with me." She said and Velan stood up.

Akirexer and Velan found Sharaina asleep in a fetal position. Akirexer went to her and gently woke her up. Sharaina was stunned to see Velan warmly smiling at her. She looked at her mother confused but Akirexer whispered to her telling her that all was well. She excused herself and closed the door behind her.

"How are you child?" Velan asked her.

"I am doing fine." Sharaina answered.

"I was just from speaking to your father." Velan said. "I asked him for your hand in marriage." He cut to the chase. "Are you willing to become my daughter in-law?" He asked her.

Sharaina was surprised. "What about Yolin?" Sharaina asked him.

"We have all agreed that it will not be possible for Light and Yolin to get married. Light only wants you. I have come here on his behalf. So tell me, will you come with me?"

Sharaina couldn't stop herself from smiling. She was about to answer when Jayniss and Lara burst into the room with her wedding attire. Stariss nervously walked into the room. In her hands were cases of jewelry. Jayniss and Lara excitedly giggled.

"Has she said yes papa?" Jayniss asked Velan.

Velan laughed. "She was just about to before you three budged in." Velan turned back to Sharaina. "I only hope that Light didn't mess up your measurements when he sent them to me months ago. We had this dress made especially for you." He smiled at her and turned to his daughters. "Hurry up, the guests have already arrived."

Velan went back downstairs smiling at everyone. "She has agreed." He announced and everyone smiled with joy.

Veruno took out an envelope and placed it on the table. "We hope that this will be enough for your beautiful daughter." He said.

Velan and Veruno left. Sharumez picked up the envelope and tore it open. In it was a check for 100 000 pearls. Akirexer raised her eyebrow at that. They had given more than they expected them to.

Emelinia and Alainara excitedly excused themselves and went up to Sharaina's room. They didn't want to be left out in preparing her for her big day.

****

Velan went straight to Light's room and gently knocked on his door. When he didn't hear Light respond after knocking for a while, he opened the door. He found Light in a deep sleep.

Velan panicked and rushed to him thinking that he may have done something to himself. He shook Light and smacked him on the face. Light groaned and looked back at his father.

"What was that for papa?" He asked him.

"I thought that you had decided to kill yourself. You look so lifeless." Velan said.

"I am just tired. Please don't worry." Light said with a yawn.

"The guests are already here. Hurry up and get changed. Your bride will soon be here." Velan said to Light and left immediately.

Light sighed and got off his bed. He slowly walked to his window at looked over to Sharaina's house. He wondered if she had awakened. He looked longingly at her bedroom window hoping to see even just a glimpse of her. Unfortunately, all he could see was Emelinia standing by the window. He turned away and got into the shower.

****

Velan greeted the guests and ordered the servants to make sure that everyone was drinking and had a plate of food. He asked the band to start playing music. Nami chose to remain in her room. She was feeling too angry and embarrassed to even think of attending the wedding. No one bothered to ask her to go down and sit with everyone else. They were all busy with the wedding.

Light put on the traditional white wedding suit and golden jacket. He paid no attention to the guests but went straight to the wedding altar where he found Veruno already waiting for him.

Veruno smiled at him but he failed to smile back. He just stood there wishing everything would come to an end. Light let out a yawn because he was still feeling tired and hungry.

The sound of ladies playing tambourines was heard. Light didn't bother turning to their direction. He just stood there feeling even more depressed.

He did not see Akirexer lead Sharaina, in her beautiful, golden, Cinderella wedding dress. Once Akirexer put Sharaina in front of Light, he reluctantly turned to her. He was astonished to see Akirexer and not Sariba. Akirexer winked at him and walked away.

Light looked over to his father and he saw his mother sitting beside him with her eyes on the ground. She decided to sit through the wedding and not sulk alone in her room.

Light's eyes shifted back to Akirexer and he saw her join Sharumez. Both of them were fully dressed for the wedding. Sitting next to them were Naian and Emelinia with their children. They happily waved at him.

Light felt his heart skip a beat. He looked back at the woman standing before him with a golden veil over her face. Light touched the veil and lifted it. The invited elder raised his eyebrow at that.

"Sir, please don't do that. It's not yet time." He told Light but he didn't listen to him.

All Light could hear was the sound of his heart beating fast. He lowered his head and peeped only to see Sharaina smiling at him. Light chuckled at her and this made Sharaina's family laugh. He looked over to Sharumez again and he gave him a thumb up.

"Please drop the veil sir." The elder insisted again said and Light listened this time. Veruno gave him a pat on his shoulder.

Dano cleared his throat and everyone quieted down. "We are gathered here to witness the marriage between Light and Sharaina. If anyone has a reason that these two shouldn't be married, please stand up or forever hold your peace."

Everyone present looked at Nami. She rolled her eyes and folded her hands. Velan saw that she wasn't going to say anything so he tilted his hat to the elder.

"Very well then, " The elder continued with his eyes closed. "Do you, Light, take Sharaina to be your lawfully wedded wife for all eternity? To love and to cherish her as the years go by?"

"I do." Light answered with a smile.

"Do you Sharaina take Light to be your lawfully wedded husband for all eternity? To love and to cherish him as the years go by?" He asked Sharaina.

"I do." She giggled.

"You may wear your rings." The elder said.

Veruno gave Light Sharaina's rings. Light thanked him before sliding the white diamond engagement ring down Sharaina's finger. He then proceeded to slide down the silver diamond coated ring down her finger. Both rings looked even more beautiful on her hand.

Sharaina felt someone tap her shoulder and she looked back and saw Alainara, Liss and Mayla smiling at her. Alainara gave her Light's golden wedding band.

"You didn't think that we were going to miss your wedding now did you?" Mayla said to her with a chuckle. Sharaina smiled at her before she slid the ring down Light's finger.

"By the power given to me by King Meelzib, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Light smiled at the elder and turned to Sharaina. He unveiled her and everyone whispered amongst themselves saying how beautiful Sharaina was.

Light saw how nervous Sharaina was about being kissed in front of her parents. He smiled warmly at her and moved closer to her. He planted his lips on hers and everyone got up cheering. Married women went to them and sprinkled vini powder on them.