Last embrace


    “AAAHHHHH!”


    When Stanley abruptly punched Andrius for what he said, the surrounding people screamed. The


    cheese he was carrying dropped to the floor as Stanley stepped on it. I covered my lips, since this


    was the first time I had seen him so enraged. Andrius, on the other hand, appears to have had no


    interest in what Stanley did. His face did not even move as a response to the hit that was thrown at


    him.


    “You seem to forget where your foot is?” Stanley''s veins emerged in his neck as Andrius wiped his


    broken lip and sneered at him.


    He lifted both hands as if surrendering. He shook his coat''s cor after adjusting it. As Stanley''s


    re seemed to kill Andrius, Aunt Lennie calmed them down.


    We assumed Andrius was going, but I was stunned when he approached me and grabbed my hand.


    I didn''t react, and I was about to give in to him when Stanley dragged me with his other hand to my


    other arm too, and they kept snatching me both.


    “I''ll only leave here when Caroline is with me.” Andrius pulled me harder this time, so Stanley


    wouldn''t clutch me so firmly. When I fell into Andrius'' chest, he held my waist and helped me stand


    up, but I instantly shoved his chest.


    I try to take off the gripping hand my wrist, but he won''t let go. Many people were already staring at


    us, and we eventually drew their attention. What is going on with us now? When I wish to clear up a


    misunderstanding between Stanley and myself.


    Beatrice approached us, took Andrius'' arm, and whispered something. If it weren''t for that, Andrius''


    grip on me wouldn''t have loosened.


    As a result, I was able to take back my hand and return to Stanley. His palm was clenched as his


    eyes were inmed by what he saw. I hurried upstairs to my bedroom because I couldn''t bear the


    thought of remaining in the living room with the folks who had witnessed it.


    I didn''t make a sound and noticed Cassandra was still sleeping. Furthermore, I knelt next to her crib


    to level her. As I smiled, I caressed her cheek. I can''t stop staring at her. From her little but round


    eyes to her nose, which you know will point as she grows older, and her tiny lips. Someone grabbed


    my back as I tapped her cheek.


    When I turned back, I saw Stanley with beads of sweat on his brow and blood on the side of his lip.


    What happened below seemed to have gotten worse after I exited. I merely have a headache, so I


    feel it would be better not to worry anymore because I am being anxious.


    I stood up, wiped the edge of his lip, and surrounded him to his waist. Furthermore, I''m not sure


    what''s going on anymore; it''s only getting messier. I was OK when Andrius was gone, but now that


    he''s back, my life appears to be more chaotic, and I need to end it quickly before it worsens, and I


    make another mistake I''ll regret.


    “We need to get married, as soon as possible,” I said, my feet floating as I gripped his waist and


    didn''t look at him because I didn''t want to change my decision.


    I had seen him flinch. But he also pulled me a little tighter. I noticed the redness in his eyes and


    nose as he slipped out of my hug. I burst outughing since I didn''t believe he was longingly


    expecting this. He pinched my nose as Iughed.


    “I apologize for my skepticism. I assumed you''d still go with him.”


    I want to feel bad for what I did when he put so much trust in me. I know what I did to him while he


    wasn''t looking at me, and that''s what I regret. Even without my certainty, I was bbergasted by


    Andrius''s affection for me.


    I couldn''t respond because Cassandra burst into tears as well. If that is the only way for me to go


    forward, I will bury all of my feelings for Andrius. I took Cassandra in my arms and looked her in the


    eyes. If I were to leave one memory to myself, it would be the blue eyes.


    ----


    I never thought the days would pass quickly. Cassandra''s 5th month birthday is over, the venue for


    the wedding has been chosen, the invitation cards are ready, the clothes for the wedding attendees


    have been selected, and I am here now in front of the mirror with a gown designer.


    Standing and looking at me in the mirror while wearing the wedding gown I will be wearing. I haven''t


    worn the veil yet, but even if I chose the lightest gown, it seemed ambiguous for me. It was as if


    every step I took had a chance for me to stumble. I just dismissed everything I could think of.


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    “Carol—”


    We both turned to the person who entered and saw Stanley''s eyes suddenly gleamed. He smiled at


    me as I made my heart beat faster, not because he was here, and he could see me, but because of


    what the elders said about the groom seeing the bride wearing the wedding gown even though they


    were not in church yet.


    “OMG !!!” The wedding gown designer held her mouth as her eyes widened, looking at Stanley.


    Stanley''s eyes were immediately surprised by the woman''s reaction.


    “What happened?” What arisen? “ Even though he was fascinated, he questioned, and he looked


    back and forth at the two of us and the designer.


    “Sir, I''m sorry for my reaction,, but there is a saying that the groom is not allowed to see the bride


    while the bride is wearing the wedding dress because there is a chance that the wedding will not


    continue.” She bent down to apologize for her outburst, since she believed she had upset Stanley.


    Stanleyughed as if it was a joke to him. Doesn’t he know such a saying? Even though I''m in the


    new generation, I still believe in such a thing.


    Stanley walked over to me, then looked at me from head to toe. I can''t smile. He stepped even


    closer to me and then cuddled me. I can''t push him away because I don''t want him to think


    something wrong and give it another meaning.


    “You look so beautiful and stunning!” he whispers into my ear. I simply let him hold me while trying


    not to think about what urred today. I know it is a poor reason to think, but I can''t help myself.


    My mind is absorbed by something that happened earlier in the day; therefore the day hase to


    an end. I hardly think about it and use it as an excuse to avoid marriage. But, instead, I remained


    restless all day, pondering the possibilities. I nced at Cassandra, who was sleeping next to me,


    and embraced her hard as if it were thest hug I could give her…


    And I was not mistaken.