My Dream Marriage

“Neera, here is your dress.” Sara says as she comes to my room. I am just coming from the bathroom to get ready for the AWC event. “I see you are already ready. You look stunning by the way,” I comment at her long blue and white floral dress that in my opinion suits this event very well.

“Thank you and this will look great on you,” she says handing me the short sleeves navy blue bandage dress with a black and white kimono. I put it on and it isn’t too long, just below my knees. The kimono complements it well, giving me the sophisticated and classy pregnant woman look. I apply some lip gloss and a little face cream because I am not in the mood for any make up. I gather my hair into a neat ponytail and that gives out the career woman vibe.

“Wow, you are the most beautiful pregged woman I have ever seen. Let’s go get that prize. I am sure that you are going to beat all the other contestants and win the competition.”

“I hope so.”

I walk down the stairs carefully and meet Aniston in the living room on a call. He seems serious in whatever they are conversing with the caller and after he hangs up, he turns to me and stares for a while before composing himself. “You look gorgeous, the dress suits you,” he compliments and I am taken aback by his unexpected comment. “Thank you, you don’t look bad yourself.” Sara narrows her eyes at us and comes near us. “You look good together,” she says and I cough. “What I mean is you both look great and brother, we are ready. We should be leaving now,” she informs him but he shakes his head.

“I am sorry Neera, I won’t be going with you. I have an emergency that needs my attention so I will be leaving now. We would have given you a ride but the House of Citizens is in the opposite direction.”

“It is okay, we will manage.”

“Yes Anny, my driver will do the job, don’t worry.” Sara says, making him twist his lips. “Don’t call me that, I told you it sounds girl-ish, in fact, it is a female name,” he says. “Anyway, I’ll see you guys later and Neera, best of luck,” he adds and pecks his sister on the cheek before he comes to my side, holds the back of my head and pecks me on my temple. I feel… I don’t know how to place it but isn’t it too intimate?

“Everything okay?” Sara asks me when she sees that I am in a bit of a frenzy. “Yes, shall we?”

“Of course. Are we going to pick up Azila as well?” She asks. “No, she will join us there. I think she will even be punctual than us. She was excited about that.”

***

“You are all welcome to the Annual Writing Competition. Distinguished guests, delegates, friends and family, we are pleased to have you at the final presentation of our contest that usually takes place once in a year. Wherever you are watching us from for those who are online, you are welcome. In today’s event, we are honored to have the celebrated New York Times editor in our midst and not forgetting our own Sura Media executive producer, Mr Birdle who is also the best selling author of our time. As you all know, Sura Media is the regional leading media company. Now, let me welcome them to talk to us before we proceed to the main part of the event which is knowing the country’s best author. I am not saying the other’s aren’t good but in this competition, the first prize goes to the one that our learned and experienced panelists chooses as the best. Now, a big round of applause as we welcome our own Mr Birdle to give his speech and thereafter, we shall have Mr. Sumner,” the MC announces.

Everybody claps as Mr Birdle goes up the stage and takes the microphone. He makes his speech then welcomes Howard Sumner who makes his speech as well.

“Now, we are going to welcome our three finalists up on the stage so that the world will know the next big author and the faces behind them. A big round of applause for Mr Nicola Denitte, Mr James Wright and Miss Neera Brown.”

“Neera, it’s time,” Azila whispers to me as I prepare to stand up and go up to the stage. “We are behind you, off you go,” Sara encourages me and I stand up and walk step by step to the few stairs that lead to the podium. We stand in line and face the crowd of book lovers that are assembled in this hall that is on the ground floor of the House of Citizens. I take a long breath to settle my nerves and face the table of four panelists before us. Each one of them comments on all of our manuscripts giving us more or less of what should have been included in our crafts.

“So, we are moving on to the final one which is announcing the winners of the contest. Let’s welcome Mrs Iyner to oversee the positions. Mrs Iyner, the stage is yours,” the MC says. A familiar middle aged woman walks majestically to the panelists and one of them hands her three cards before coming to the stage. Wait, she is the famous author of my favorite comic book, ‘The House of Lies.’

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity,” she starts and I love her majestic and commanding voice. “Without wasting any time, let me go straight to announcing the winner of this year’s contest. In the second runners up position is Mr James Wright. Please step forward,” she directs and he moves a few steps in front of us. My heart is now beating fast with just two positions remaining. First runner’s up and the winner. I hold my palms together, look down on the floor and close my eyes.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“Now, the first runner’s up,” she pauses and everybody in the room goes silent. You could hear the pin drop. I am now holding my breath waiting for her crucial announcement. The moment she calls out the name of the runners up then obviously the remaining one is automatically the winner. As of now, I have come this far so even if I am not the winner, the second position is better as well. I know that quite a number of people take part in this contest so being here is a giant leap for a first timer like me.

“In the first runner’s up position, let’s welcome Nicola Denitte,” she calls and my heartbeat couldn’t be faster. I think if somebody could be standing next to me my heartbeat could be loud in their ears as well. “Now, ladies and gentlemen, are we ready for the winner of this year’s annual writing competition?” She asks and everybody cheers. “Our winner for this year’s writing contest is, Miss Neera Brown!” She announces making me look up and I can see Sara and Azila cheering as well. They are really happy for me.