A RAY OF JOY

Watching my sister smile again after months is pure joy. It is a pure sacrifice. My heart is still throbbing, and my mind is yet to come to terms with this swift change of events. I feel so happy right now. I feel like a very big load has been lifted off my shoulder. I never knew her condition had such a great effect on me until now.

I look at her right now, and I can see traces of the Grace that I once knew. She is still zoning out in the middle of whatever chats they are having, but I am sure she will fully recover and be able to put all that baggage behind her. As a fighter and a strong-willed person that I knew, all she needs is just time and company, and I will be there for her. For all that she may need.

"I still don't believe it, Gia. I thought she had lost this fight. I never imagined I would ever see your sister smiling." Sheryl says this to me, taking a seat next to me on the bench.

"I know, right? I too was losing hope in her recuperating from that state. It's a miracle, you know. Just when I had decided to put her in a mental hospital, she gave me the surprise of my life." I say it with a bright smile on my lips. I felt the tears of joy beaming up, but I am trying to suck them back as much as I can.

"You had decided to do that?" Sheryl asks.

"Yes, Sheryl. I just texted the psychiatrist not to come anymore." Isay.

"Well, I cannot say that she is well, but she honestly does not look like she needs to be confined. So, what now? Will she still stay here, or are you taking her with you?" She asks.

Well, I think it's time we bond as sisters. We have a lot of things to do together. We need to move on. I don't know if she will want to go back to her boutique job, but we will see in due time. What's important is that she is fully recovering. "I would want her to stay here for two or three days. You and the girls are a good company for her. But I would still take her with me right now if that is what she wants. I'll let her decide." I say.

"That's good. I am so happy for you, bestie. May the heavens always keep this smile on you. However, I know you still have a big problem that you don't want to confront yet, and that problem has a name: Deep!" She says.

Shit! She didn’t have to bring that up. I had decided to avoid that name the rest of the day just for my sister. "I just want to be happy today, Sheryl. Let's not talk about it, please." I plead.

"Alright, but take my advice, because that heart of yours will explode if you don't do something. So let's talk about me then." He says, and now that arouses all the quizziness in me.

"Mmh, let's see. What's new with you and Paul, huh? Wedding arrangements underway, or a baby on the way?" I was so excited to hear the news. The look on her face says it's something good. Probably mind-boggling.

"The first one. We have decided to waste no more time. I love him so much, and he loves me as much. We are getting married in a month."

Did she just drop the bomb? Did she really mean that?

"Nooo!" I shouted with excitement, standing up. "Tell me you are not pulling my leg."

"In a month, I will be his wife, and that's not all." She say. You should see how her face is coruscant. She looks immensely enthralled.

"No, what's more? Are you pregnant?" I ask. That would be double joy! I wouldn’t mind being a godmother at this age.

"No, come on! I can't get pregnant right now because that will not make me enjoy the naughty stuff during our honeymoon." She retorts.

Naughty stuff, huh?

"Aah, I see. You really can't wait for that, huh? Anyway, that aside, what else? You are making me anxious." I say.

"You will not just be my special maid of honor, but my special guest artist—the only one, so get your voice ready."

Whoa!

I know I said I have lost it all, even the interest in music, but I would like to see how the magic will not sparkle back at my bestie’s wedding. This one I will do for free, wholeheartedly. "Ooh, come here." I pull her for a tight bear hug.

It seems like fate has shown it's beautiful side to me this day. It's so overwhelming already. I feel like crying, but even if I do, it will be tears of joy. I should thank the heavens today. We pull away. "It will be my pleasure, and I won't even charge. Congratulations, bestie. You and Paul deserve this and much more. I wish you a fantastic marriage." I say.

"Thank you, bestie, but sorry, I owe all this happiness to you—both my life and my freedom. There is no way I will accept your services for free, and that is final. There is also something I want you to know. I don't want it to come as a surprise."

Okay. For some weird reasons, that gives me some bad chills, and I don’t know why. She better not ruin this happiness for me.

"Okay, why do I have a feeling that you are about to ruin this mood now?" I ask, hoping that that won’t be the case.

"Chill, will you? It's nothing bad, I promise." She assures me.

I let out a sigh, relaxing a little bit. "Fine. Spill!"

"You see this man that you are head over heels for, your knight in shining armor? Well, he happens to be Paul's best buddy, which means he will be his best man.” Huh? What is that? As in, Deep Moore Azzua? “I know that frown you are making right now, so Gia, I need you and Deep to settle your differences before then because I don't want to see gloomy faces on my wedding day!"