Blooming At It's Time
²¹ Holy Promise

Overnight, most of the human race in the world blew the trumpet of the new year. Welcoming the new sheet, which is expected to be better. Overnight, most of the human race in the world rejoiced, while Alden and Alora could not sleep thinking about the next day. That is, today. Of course, because today is a big day for both. January 1, 2022 is Alden and Alora's wedding day.

Alora's been rippling since two hours ago. Starting from the initial preparation, to the use of clothes, shoes and other accessories. If I may ask, Alora is eager to sleep for now. Last night, he had trouble sleeping plus now had to wear foreign things on his body. Her makeup, dresses, shoes, and accessories made her feel heavy. Though Alora and Alden have prepared everything to feel comfortable when worn. Either his body or his heart felt heavy.

Now only the last touch remains, which is to put the necklace jewelry that is already available in front of him. A blue box opened and showed off a shiny swarovski diamond necklace. Alora stared fixedly at the luxurious looking simple necklace. Alora remembers how she returned the box to her father. Alora was once very angry with her father. But after all the events that passed, Alora was now able to make peace with her anger.

Inside the bridal dressing room there was only Alora. Everyone in charge of dressing her up, asked Alora to take a break. At least to fill the stomach, because Alora was sure they had not even had lunch. After pondering the story of the diamond necklace before her, Alora grabbed the necklace intending to wear it. Just then, there was the sound of the door being knocked three times before it opened. Alora turned towards the door, and saw Alden who was ready with his tuxedo walk in.

"God! Not finished? Where are the make up artists going?" Ask Alden.

"Who is! You told me to take a break." Alora said, wrapping her necklace around her neck. It turned out that linking the necklace was not as easy as Alora expected. Even when looking in the mirror, Alora still struggled because she did not see the back of her.

Alora was still trying to link the necklace, when Alden took over the hook. Alora was quite surprised by Alden's sudden attitude. He stared at the man's reflection in the mirror, as he linked the necklace around his neck. In that short time, Alora could feel a strange sigh in her chest. Like a tremor that was getting longer and longer making his heart beat fast. That short time seemed to run in slow mode, until Alora could pay attention to every detail from Alden. To be honest, the man looked completely different today.

After linking the necklace around Alora's neck, Alden stared at the reflection of the image of the two of them in the mirror. Alden stared straight at the necklace hanging beautifully on Alora's neck. Alden still clearly remembered when Alora returned the gift to Soni. He also remembered the sentences that Soni had spoken to him. Alden didn't expect everything to happen so quickly. After all the unexpected events, now he and Alora are getting married.

"No feeling, huh? New feelings we met yesterday." Said Alden, disperse the reverie of Alora.

The woman laughed, then said, "When you fought with your ex, and I was left alone, you mean?"

"Hey! Don't remember that part!" Alden protested, then both laughed. The memories of when they first met, replayed in each other's memories.

"We are getting married soon. Do you think there will be regrets?" Ask Alden suddenly.

Alora did not answer. He thought for a moment, looking at Alden from the mirror. Alden is doing the same thing. Alora did not want to think too long, so she said "No. Anyway, for a year, right?"

Upon hearing Alora's reply, Alden raised his lips slightly. I don't know what answer he expects from Alora. But upon hearing his last sentence, Alden felt a little disappointed. He also knows that fact. The fact that they will only be married for one year.

"What do you want after the divorce?" This time it was Alora's turn to ask suddenly. Unpleasant questions to hear on their wedding day.

"Eitherway. That's definitely work. I don't know what to do. There's no plan either. You?"

"I want a vacation. Vacation alone as a widow, it seems exciting."

Alora nodded, to which Alden immediately laughed. "Good! Who knows, you could meet a new husband." He spoke in an unsightly tone.

"Hm! You can also find a new wife! Or turn your ex back on!" Reply Alora, even with a half-insinting tone. Somehow he became upset, after hearing Alden's words.

"Good dong! I can't wait for next year!" Unexpectedly Alden was also provoked Alora's innuendo, so he also felt annoyed. The two stared at each other in a mirror. So upset Alden and Alora even immediately turned away, after looking at each other through the mirror. Alden folded his hands to his chest.

Silence takes time between them. Even if it was only for a moment, but the silence felt very long. Lucky shortly after, the door was knocked three times and Sandra was seen looking from the door's lips. Seeing Alden and Alora clearly being at odds, Sandra let out a long sigh. His sister and sister-in-law long ago made Sandra careless with their childish attitude.

"I can't believe you're getting married... Thirty minutes to go." Sandra said, then shut the door again.

After that, Alden and Alora were still silent to each other. Both are heavy with their own egos. As if I didn't want to give up on talking first. Alden did not want this to drag on, so he decided to talk first. Alora was grateful for that.

"Well, before that, we have to get married first."

"Hmmm..."

Both of them nodded, then went back to silence.

❖❖❖

There's no need to worry about Alden and Alora. Both have overcome that awkwardness. Even now, Alden and Alora were side by side in front of the door of the luxurious ball room that was about to open. Alora hooked her hand on Alden's arm. Both of them began to feel strange, as seconds opened the big door.

"Don't fall. Shamefully." Bisik Alden, still trying to tease Alora.

"Damn it! You slow down the road!" Reply Alora.

In just the blink of an eye, the huge door before them opened wide. It began to look at the invited guests who stood at the edge of the altar to welcome the two brides. Alden and Alora with a strange sigh in the chest, started to step on cue. A slow but sure step. Alden patiently, walked slowly with Alora. The two walked down the altar with a rapturous reception from the guests. There was no media covering, not even a single cell phone was recording. Alden and Alora were very grateful for the understanding of the guests. That way, no one would know Alora's identity other than the invited guests.

Alden and Alora didn't expect this day to actually happen. The bond between them, which began with just a few sheets of paper, is now beginning to feel real. As if forgetting their covenant, Alden and Alora spoke the sacred promise of marriage before God. The two stared at each other, very deeply. The sound of their heartbeat seemed to fill that vast luxurious ball room. Today, this second, Alden and Alora have officially married.

❖❖❖