Luxurious. That was the one word that crossed Sira's mind the moment she stepped into Gavin and Raina's wedding hall.
The hall was decorated with beautiful arrangements of white roses and lilies in every corner. Crystal lights hung from the high ceiling, reflecting a warm golden glow. A red carpet stretched from the entrance to the wedding stage, as if guiding every guest toward the newlyweds' happiness. The fragrant scent of flowers mingled with the aroma of catered food wafting from the buffet area, making the atmosphere feel even livelier and warmer.
From a distance, Raina stood gracefully, her bright smile welcoming every guest. Every now and then, she clung playfully to Gavin's arm, while he tried to match her cheerfulness with a smile.
"Ya Allah, give me the strength to get through today." Sira whispered the words in her heart. It hurt to admit how perfectly they looked together on the wedding stage.
After a while, Gavin finally noticed Sira's presence, and their eyes met by accident.
Sira's breath caught instantly. For some reason, she wanted to burst into tears. Sira had thought she would be strong. But Gavin's gaze, and the way he had treated her last night, made her feel as if there was still something between them. As if she hadn't been wrong to hope.
But Gavin quickly looked away. His hand returned to shaking the hands of the guests arriving one after another, his face once again covered by a formal smile that looked forced.
"Watch out, Ra!" Arwan, her friend and coworker who had been standing beside her, suddenly pulled her arm because Sira had nearly collided with a waiter busy serving food.
"Are you okay, Ra? You look really pale." Arwan spoke again.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Sira answered while rubbing her face.
The hall grew even more crowded. The sound of the live band playing a classic love song mingled with the guests' lively conversations and the clinking of spoons and forks. Sira and several fellow teachers who had arrived together were trapped in the long line leading to the wedding stage. People waited patiently, some choosing to chat while suppressing their hunger, as waiters moved back and forth carrying refreshments on silver trays.
Sira tried to hold herself together, but the longer she stood there, the tighter her chest felt. Finally, she chose to step back and leave the line. She could no longer bear watching their intimacy onstage. Jealousy and envy overwhelmed her heart.
Raina looked so beautiful. Her elegant white sleeveless gown hugged her figure, while her hair was styled in a simple bun adorned with a golden floral-vine headpiece, adding to her luxurious appearance. Every eye was fixed on her in admiration, every smile directed at her.
While Sira... she was nothing more than an owl longing for the moon. Pathetic.
Her wedding two weeks ago couldn't compare to Raina's wedding today at all.
"What's wrong, Ra?" Arwan's voice broke through the chaos in Sira's head.
Sira pretended to smile, though it felt bitter. Her tears were already on the verge of spilling. "I'm going to the bathroom for a minute, Arwan," Sira said quickly, lowering her head so he wouldn't see her face.
Sira hurried out of the wedding hall.
As soon as she entered a bathroom stall, Sira shut the door tightly. Her hands pounded against her chest, trying to drive away the pressure crushing it. But it was useless. The image of Raina's laughter and her happy smile as she clung to Gavin's arm continued to torment her. Eventually, Sira could no longer hold back her tears.
"Feeling better?" Arwan's deep voice suddenly sounded as Sira stepped out of the bathroom. She was slightly startled, not expecting him to be there.
Sira furrowed her brow, pretending not to understand what he meant.
"I know everything, Ra. You don't have to pretend anymore," he said softly, gazing at Sira with empathy.
Sira's heart immediately began racing. What if her secret had been exposed?
"How do you know?" Sira asked hesitantly, trying to remain calm.
"From you."
Sira grew even more confused. "Me? When did I ever tell you, Arwan?"
"The way you look at Mr. Gavin says it all, Ra. I knew you liked him just from that."
Sira fell silent, unable to deny it. At the same time, she felt relieved because Arwan had only guessed. He still didn't know what she was truly afraid of.
"Ra, I need to talk to you seriously," Arwan said again, standing straight as he stared intently at his friend.
Sira grew even more wary. "Then say it. Don't make this so tense."
He took a deep breath. "Marry me, Ra. I promise I'll make you forget him."
Sira's eyes flew open. She couldn't believe what she had just heard.
"What are you talking about? Don't joke around, this isn't funny." Sira gave a small laugh, trying to assume Arwan was only kidding.
"I'm serious, Sira."
"Seriously? You're seriously proposing to me in front of a bathroom? Come on, that's not romantic at all, Arwan." Sira continued trying not to take him seriously.
"Ra, do you think it was easy for me to say this? I'm serious!" His voice sounded somewhat irritated.
"Arwan..."
"Stop! I'm not asking for your answer right now. I just want you to know that I like you. And I'm serious!" Arwan said, his eyes holding an expression Sira had never seen before.
"Please, Arwan... don't do this. I've always thought of you as..."
"Stop, Ra. I don't want to hear it. For now, just stay quiet, because whatever answer you give me right now wouldn't be fair to me. Just wait. I'll make you forget him, and I'll make you fall in love with me." Arwan spoke with the sweetest smile he could manage.
"Arwan..." Sira's voice nearly disappeared. She didn't know what to do. Arwan's confession was both a shock and a burden to her.
"That's enough, Ra. Be strong. Let's go back inside, congratulate them, and tell yourself that you're ready to forget him. Because I'm here for you." Arwan smiled again, then pulled Sira by the arm, forcing her back into the wedding hall.