Page 51 of Final Installment
I couldn’t even see the supposed weight gain.My sister looked exactly as she always did.Maybe a bit more flushed than usual but that was probably from the layers of tulle and satin and silk and all that heavy beading.
“It’s a beautiful dress, Dafina.”I rose and cautiously reached out to trace my fingertips along the embroidery.“You look like a princess.”
“Thank you.”She swallowed hard, and I noticed the flash of panic in her face.It reminded me of her expression a few weeks ago at the engagement dinner.
Realizing she was about to be sick, I asked, “Can we get her out of the dress?She’s looks like she’s about to faint.”
Drita stepped around to get a look for herself.She tutted and then said, “You need to eat and drink plenty of water.Getting married is like running a marathon.”
Dafina nodded weakly, and Drita beckoned me to come closer to help with the voluminous skirt.The seamstress quickly handled the buttons and zipper while Drita guided my sister out of the dress and onto the floor.She bolted down the hallway and slammed a door.
Drita frowned.“I’m going to instruct the caterers not to serve her any alcohol at the rehearsal dinner tonight.”
“She’s not a child.She doesn’t need to be policed.”I reacted defensively on my sister’s behalf.
“That’s not what I heard.”She leveled a knowing stare my way.“She is not going to embarrass Luka.”She narrowed her eyes at me.“None of you will.”
Her threat delivered, Drita gathered up the dress and other tailoring items.“The car will arrive at 5:30 to bring you to the rehearsal.Your dress has been steamed and is in your room.If the shoes I’ve chosen don’t fit, you may wear a pair you’ve brought with you.”
“I brought my own dress.”Who was this lady?And where did she get off trying to tell me what to wear?
“I’ve chosen your outfits for today and tomorrow and the wedding brunch.It’s important that you and your family present yourselves appropriately.”
“I’ve been dressing myself since I was a child.I’m quite capable of choosing appropriate outfits for a wedding.”
“I’m sure you are, but this wedding is different.Everything must be perfect for Luka.”When I opened my mouth to argue, she cut me off with a slash of her hand.“This isn’t up for discussion.You’ll do what you’re told.”
She didn’t have to say, “Or else.”It was implied.Heavily.
After they left, I tracked down my sister and found her in a bedroom, sitting on the edge of a bed in her underwear.She clutched her phone and stared at the screen.Waves of panic and dread emanated from her like a black, swirling aura.
I carefully closed the door behind me and crossed the room to sit next to her.“Dafina, please tell me what’s wrong.”
“I can’t.”She shook her head and roughly wiped at tears now spilling down her face.“It doesn’t matter anyway.”
“It matters to me.”I gently took her hand and squeezed it.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” she stubbornly said.She left her hand in mine, clenching my fingers.“I must marry Luka.There’s no other option.”
“There could be,” I said, surprising myself with the words.
Startled, she looked at me with confusion.“Like what?”
“We could run.Right now.”My heart raced as I considered our options.“I have some money.Not a ton, but enough.I brought cash.”
“You brought cash?”She frowned.“Why?”
“Fear?Paranoia?”I shrugged helplessly.“I have a phone number we can call.”
“A phone number?”She repeated in confusion.“What?LikeTakenstyle?”
I shrugged.“I didn’t ask for details.I memorized the number.Put some cash in different spots in my luggage.Brett made me promise to update him regularly.Like every two hours.”
“He’ll probably call the embassy if you miss your flight home,” she grumbled.“I wish I had someone looking out for me like that.”
“I’m looking out for you like that.”I swallowed nervously.“I wasn’t a very good big sister to you.I had my own things happening when we were younger.I shouldn’t have left you behind with her.”
“You were fourteen,” she said softly.“And I—.”
