My story is a tragedy of epic proportions.Whenever I remember those sweet and easy going days I feel nostalgic.
I had fine features.I was never beautiful...though not ugly.I had some strange sort of brightness on my face and gleaming eyes which carried many hopes and dreams,as told by my elders.The way they described my eyes made me believe today that yes,there was something special in them.I was a strong girl and I still am.My lifestyle was quite organised and systematic.Whatever I wore was simple but admirable.I never put on make up until my wedding day........without exaggerating any more I would continue with my story.
After so many years had pass,my wedding day approached.That was the day when I wore my best dress.My life became frenzy.The routine was quite busy and I buzzed through a whirl of appointments.I hated all this..hated this literally from the very start!Getting up early in the morning and going late to the bed...I was exhausted!I wanted a break but that was not possible!
Well,while mentioning all these hectic routines of that phase of my life I forgot to tell you the most important thing.About my prince charming!Introducing you to Mark Stanley,the prince of my dreams.
I met Stanley when I was studying in Harvard University.He was wonderfully,madly brilliant as far as his studies were concerned.I quite simply liked the way he presented his views and ideas and the way he dealt through things.He was an avid reader cause I was the library incharge and I always found him reading there.
After some days he was not coming to the university,it was a bit shocking as he was a regular student.He was vanished.Nobody knew his reason for being absent.After a week,he was back.Everyone was asking him that where he was.Then I came to know that his mother has passed away.
I was passing from the corridor when I saw him sitting on the staircase alone.He was looking completely broken.I felt sad for him.I went near him and quietly sat beside him.I tried to console him and pitied him as I was feeling sorry for him.First, he looked at me and then bent down his head.He did not speak a word.I told him that sometimes life takes a turn and things do happen out of the blue.I patted on his shoulder and stood up.I moved a step further when his hands caught mine in a tight grip.I turn around and was a bit shaken by this action of his.I became a bit scared.He gently pulled my hand and made me sit beside him again and shared his grievances.Now,not getting into much details.....from this day we became good friends and blindly trusted each other.
One day Stanley called me and asked if I would like to go out with him.I wanted to but I considered it better if I asked my mom first.So,I requested Stanley to wait for my answer.Unexpectedly,she easily allowed me after a rapid-fire round of questions.Then I informed Stanley that it would be my pleasure to go with him.
We met in the garden outside Stanley's house.The weather was awesome.It was a bright but frosty morning.I walked with Stanley with my arms folded as it was chilly.There was a strange silence which persisted between us.Then Stanley broke the silence."So...what's up?" asked Stanley not knowing from where to start."Nothing special."Again silence."Cecily,don't you think we should sit now?"
"Ya, sure.Why not...."We sat on the bench."Don't you want to know my purpose behind calling you here?"inquired Stanley."Purpose?What do you mean by purpose?"I replied in confusion."The weather is so nice today and I think it is the most suitable time to tell you something..." "What something?"I interrupted,dying out of curiosity.
"I want to tell you that....that I love you and I want to marry you......"expressed Stanley,taking a deep sigh.
I was numb for the moment not knowing what to say and I did not get what he meant because how can he be in love with a girl like me! I asked him,"Are you serious?" "Serious....!I am damn serious!come on!Do you think I'm joking?" "No you aren't joking,I think as if I'm dreaming.This is so unbelievable!"I blurted.I nearly ate half of my words!
"It isn't unbelievable!Any guy can fell in love with you..." "How?I mean to say that I'm not so beautiful and I'm not so expressive...." "You're attractive and the best part is that you are kind ,simple and honest...and all this make you perfect!You know what?"
"W-what?"I asked bashfully."You would have seen me in the library,haven't you?"asked Stanley,with a strange smile on his face."Yes I have seen you with those huge pile of books on you table cause I am the library incharge." "Do you want to know what I used to do?"
After revealing all this he bent down on his knees and plucked a rose from the closest rose plant and proposed me.He held my hand.I stood up from the bench.I was blushing.I didn't uttered a word and dropped my gaze.A broad smile adored my face.I stayed there a few more minutes.Then I tried to free my hand from that gentle but firm grip.Stanley loosened the grip and I somehow managed to run away.I did not accept that rose but Stanley got his answer by my constant blushing and smiling,so he excused me.That day I was very happy and I wasn't able to sleep the whole night.
Our families met and decided the wedding date and now we were to be married.I was pretty much excited about my wedding.And now finally my wedding dress.It was ivory satin silk gown having frilled puff sleeves.I simply loved it as firstly,it was my wedding dress,secondly,my mum designed it and last but not the least,it looked glamorous!So,I had special sort of strong emotional bonding with this dress.
After all the wedding rituals were completed,Stanley and I went to the room-our room.The room was decorated with earthen lamps and rose flower.The room bursted with sweet fragrance of flower.No lights were on but the light of the earthen lamps was sufficient.I was quite amazed by the decoration.But this decoration caused me a lot of trouble.When a no.of dazzling colours were to enter my life,only black colour appeared prominent!
My dress caught fire...It all burned quickly.The fire seemed a snake rolling around me.I got burned a bit but Stanley hurried to the wash room and emptied the whole bucket of water on me.I shouted and screamed but all my shouts and screams disappeared in the intensity of the flames.The family members rushed to the room.They took me to the hospital.The doctors told that I was 23% burned.I was unconscious at that time.After a skin graft,I became better.Only my hands and some parts of my stomach were burned.Two minor skin grafts were to be conducted....Every day my bandage was to be changed.It was really painful.I felt as if heat evaporated from every pore of my body!But still I was calm and endured the pain.The unconventional love of Stanley and the support of the whole family gave me strength to fight it out.That day I came to know that yes I was a strong woman!The doctors said that I had recovered earlier than it was expected to.Readers,you can imagine that what would have been more painful than getting burnt on your wedding day when you would have wore your best dress...
I remember Stanley's inspirational words which I would like to quote here."You are not defeated until you accept your defeat.Winners are not those who never fail ,but those who never quit!"
So,I was a winner as I progressed rapidly and proved myself.This was my story of my best dress.What about you?
