Chapter 7
“I…came…to…pick…up…my…husband.� Aff said while catching her breath.
“You finally came, ma’am.� The guy was very delighted to see Aff again.
“You have to pay the remaining balance so we can proceed to the wedding ceremony, ma’am.� The guy added. Aff then brought out her wallet and paid her remaining balance. After paying, the guy led her to a room. The room looks like a church. With the aisle and the benches on both sides. Aff remembered that she forgot to bring her witnesses so she asked the guy.
“Uh…I forgot to bring my witnesses, could you be one?� Aff asked the guy.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t be a witness. I can only arrange the wedding. If you want witnesses, you have to pay an extra charge and we’ll be happy to bring them in.�
“That will be fine. Just 2 witnesses, please?� Aff then handed down the extra payment. After a couple of minutes, a security guard and a prostitute came in. They were the only witnesses they could find. For Aff, that was just fine. In times like this, one should not be choosy. Then, a fat priest holding a bible came in the room. He was very happy to see everyone in the room, including the prostitute. Then, he went in the center of the room and finally spoke.
“It’s already 1:30 in the morning, brothers and sisters. Let’s get this wedding started so we can all get back to our beds and sleep. Except for the security guard, of course.�
“Bring in the groom.� The priest commanded. Then, 2 men went in the room carrying a lazy boy couch. A guy wearing a tuxedo and a mask was on the couch. They placed the guy right in front of the priest and beside Aff. Aff’s heart was pumping so fast when she saw her husband to-be. She was so excited to see his face and to speak to him. She just stared at the guy for a whole 5 minutes. The priest spoke again.
“Are you sure you want to marry him? Remember once you said ‘I do’, there’s no turning back. And also remember, NO RETURN, NO EXCHANGE.� The priest explained. Aff was speechless because she was very nervous. She just gave a nod to the priest. Then, the very unusual wedding of the year started.
“Do you, Aff Paksukcharoen, take this hot and spicy instant husband as your lawful wedded husband, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, and only death can keep you apart?�
Aff stared at the man in front of her. The guy was wearing a tuxedo and he was wearing a mask. She was hoping that the guy behind that mask would be the perfect dad for Arisoya and this guy maybe her Mr. Right, if ever she would fall in love with him, of course. He was still sitting in a lazy boy chair. Sleeping.
“Uh…Father, aren’t you gonna wake him up?� Aff asked the priest.
The priest looked straight through Aff’s eyes.
“Kindly answer my question first.�
“Oh…I do since I’ve already paid for him.� Aff answered back.
“ I thought so… I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may pour the hot water.� Instead of the traditional “You may kiss the bride�, the priest told Aff to pour the hot water. Just like instant noodles, you have to pour hot water to be cooked. But in the case of the instant husband, you have to pour hot water to wake him up and let him realize that he is already married to you. Of course, this guy doesn’t have a choice. Once he got paid to be married, the Matchmaker would summon him and tell him something about his future spouse. After that, the Matchmaker would give him something to eat that would make him sleep. The unlucky guy who gets to eat the food would be asleep for a very long time. Like Sleeping Beauty. The only way to break the spell is by pouring hot water.
“Pour the what?!� Aff really looked confused.
“You may pour the hot water.� The priest repeated his last line. He took the kettle beside him and gave it to Aff.
“Here.�
Aff was about to pour the hot water to the guy when she suddenly stopped.
“Father, is it really ok to do this?� Aff asked the priest.
“Just do what I told you.�
Aff poured the hot water to the sleeping guy. She continued pouring until there is no water left.
Aff looked at the guy then the priest.
“Father, nothing is happening. Is he dead?� She asked the priest politely.
The priest looked at his watch.
“He’s not dead. We just have to wait for 3 minutes before he wakes up.� The priest told her.
The priest is still looking at his watch.
“5…4…3…2…1�
The sleeping guy suddenly stood up.
“HEY!!! Who woke me up? And what is this? Why am I wearing a tuxedo??� The guy asked. The guy saw Aff.
“You?� He said while pointing at Aff.
“Me?� Aff said while pointing at herself and still looking confused.
“You!�
“Me?�
The guy took off his mask. Aff’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She married her enemy. Her number one enemy!
“You!� Both of them said simultaneously while pointing at each other’s faces.
The priest looked at the newly weds. He seems very happy watching them arguing.
“It’s a small world, after all…� The priest said while looking up and smiling.
“The world is really getting smaller for us, baby.� Aum told her wife and winked at her.
“I can’t believe it!!! There are so many guys out there! Why does it have to be you???� Aff shouted at him.
“I guess it’s our destiny to be married. And you better get a grip on me, okay? Ladies out there would certainly fall into my love spell once they see my handsome face and sexy body. But I promise you, I will be very faithful to you ‘cause you’re my one and only.� Aum told her and smiled seductively.
Aff glared at him and he smiled back. Aff can’t do anything now. Living with a person you hate the most? Her world would turn into a living hell for sure. And yes, she had made the SECOND BIGGEST MISTAKE OF HER LIFE! Could something possibly go wrong on their first night as husband and wife? Or should I say their first morning as husband and wife?
---TBC---