Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 5

while she had an animated discussion with the flower girl. Her slightly plump hands waved restlessly around and her usually calm voice reverberated throughout the room. Then, all of a sudden, her eyes got watery. Uh-oh…
    "Don't worry. Whatever it is, we're gonna solve it." I said, patting her softly on the back.
    "Don't worry? You're telling me not to worry?" she burst out, a fat tear falling down her cheek. "I'm getting married in 3… not even 3 days and all my bouquets are ruined! What am I going to do?"
    Kathleen covered her face in her palms and started sobbing her heart out while I exchanged an awkward look with the shop assistant.
    "What's the problem with the bouquets anyway?"
    "Well, Miss Kathleen wanted Iceberg roses for the flower arrangements, but unfortunately we've just received notice that the delivery will be delayed. They won't be here in time for the wedding." The woman explained. She assured me there were plenty of other flower varieties to choose from.
    This was the big problem? Seriously? My god, I would never understand women, even those I was related to by blood.
    "Kathleen, what's the big deal? We'll just choose something else. Any flower is beautiful, right?"
    Kathleen didn't answer, but kept on wailing.
    "Umm... Miss, would you excuse us? We'll be back in an hour."
    The woman gave me a relieved smile. I grabbed Kathleen and led her towards the exit.
    We found a nice coffee shop and, after ordering an iced coffee and sipping from it, my sister seemed to relax.
    "Seriously, honey, calm down."
    She noisily blew her nose with a paper napkin and checked her make-up, which surprisingly remained flawless. Hurray for waterproof mascara!
    "You'll have puffy eyes at your wedding."
    This seemed to permanently settle Kathleen down. She blew her nose one last time and chuckled.
    "You're right. I was overreacting. Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with me. I've never been this emotional in my life."
    "You're just stressed out. It's normal. You're getting married," I replied grinning.
    Kathleen happily smiled back.
    "What do you say? Shall we go back there and order some nice flowers?"
    Kathleen nodded in agreement and started talking about roses versus lilies while I prayed to God for this wedding to come sooner.
    ****
    Two hours later I was back in my hotel room. A single room. Kathleen didn't even try to hide her giddiness when I told her Oliver "won't be able to come because of some work related problems." I wondered how she would have reacted at the news of us being history. She'd probably have thrown a party. She most likely will once I tell her the truth.
    I should have listened to her. It wasn't just her either. My mother and all my friends, whom I had pushed away because of him, had all warned me about Oliver. How come I was the only one who hadn't seen his true colours? Why did I always find excuses for his bad behaviour? Even after he cheated on me, why had I forgiven him instead of dumping him like I should have? Did I really think he'd change for my sake? No... It was useless thinking about it now. It was over; like it should have been a long time ago.
    Outside, the sun was setting over the palm trees, enveloping everything in beautiful shades of violet and pink. It must be nice to live in a place like this , I thought. To wake up every morning at the sight of the beach sheltered by coconut trees and the purest blue water there is on the planet spreading in front of your eyes, to feel the sand beneath your naked soles and hear the song of the waves while someone hugs you from behind and hands you a cup full of steamy, freshly brewed coffee.
    I was daydreaming too much again. When my thoughts were left to wander I tended to mull over how alone I was and how much I wanted to leave my days of solitude behind me. I knew I was being sappy but I couldn't help it after all that had happened recently. God, I was turning into a woman with all of these maudlin thoughts!
    Suddenly the room was starting to feel suffocating and I quickly decided that I needed something to distract me.
    After a hot shower and a hasty survey of my suitcase, I threw on a tight pair of jeans and a plain black shirt, which I chose to leave half unbuttoned. 'I won't let Oliver ruin my vacation', I told myself while looking one last time in the mirror. I know I didn't have the most handsome face, but I spent years turning my body into a piece of art. There were plenty of men out there who wouldn't mind getting a sample of it.