Prologue

Silence it is all that surrounded me. The silence is my solace;my retreat from the tiring world. It is long past midnight, yet I was resting in my bed widely awake, staring at the vast night sky through my open windows, amusing over my own set of new-found constellations. The curtains were dancing to the music of the trees as wind blew through them. The moon, as always, was shining bright

I wonder what it feels like to be the moon. Unlike the scorching sun, which gives a head start to another tiring day to people all around the world mercilessly, like the ring of an alarm on a Monday morning informing the beginning of a new week at school, the moon only gives us the best soothing environment to close our eyes and have a break. It must feel good to watch over a calm silent night rather than being the sun which receives all the cussings and complains. Must be quite depressing though. Poor sun. It's only doing its job anyway. But I won't sympathize because I personally hate it too.

To be honest, sometimes I feel like the sun too. I get tired. So tired of wanting to force myself into a long comforting slumber. Everything in my life so far has been very exhausting, or was it exhausting in an exciting way? I giggle at the thought of it. In simple terms, my life has been a mess. My so thin, skinny figure is proof enough for it. Believe me when I say thin, I meant thin thin, not the hot skinny type. My body is so soft and light, that sometimes I fear I might get blown off by the wind. Well different paths my life took made me the type of thin girl I am today. I am lying on a bed in which only one fifths of it is occupied by me, or maybe even less. Now imagine how thin I am. But gladly I'm not the fat type. That's the only thing I like about my body. But that could be me just being optimistic.

"You must sleep ",the words my mom said when I came into my room after our wholesome family dinner still lingers in my mind. But how could I sleep when the thought of tomorrow finds its way into my head no matter how hard I try to push it away? It makes me nervous but the nervousness makes my heart beat faster making me realize everything is real and that I am still alive and well.

Will it make me sound like a fool if I say nervousness and insecurities make me feel so confident and secure than I have ever been? I'm sure it will but yes, it's true. If you've gone through what I have all my life, you will undoubtedly feel the same. You will be glad of anything that makes your heart beat fast.

I turn away from the bedside window through which I was staring at the sky, to look at the painting hanging on my wall which was so much similar to the star filled sky I was admiring now. I lie on my elbows to admire more details of the painting drawn by Mr. "I don't know who" but instead my eyes fall on to my walk in closet which is directly on to the left of it.

The earge to open it again takes over me but I decide against it. 'No I'm not gonna look or it'll lose its value 'I try to convince my self.'Too much of anything is good for nothing ' I repeat chanting but I'm already sitting straight counting steps to it. "You never listen" I hear my psyche complain. "Just once will do"is the response of my heart. That was it. They started debating all over again. I sit down stupidity waiting for my feelings and my psyche to come to an agreement knowing fully well what the outcome would be.

YAYYYY!!!! someone pull out Champaign!

My heart wins as always. But it's not a fair win cuz I root for my heart and my psyche was alone in this. Yet I spared no seconds being a judge and stood up slowly, quietly but quickly and started tip-toeing towards the closet not allowing the slightest sound escape my steps. I'm so not taking chances of being caught. My parents went to sleep long after I came in my room but silence proved they were sleeping by now.

I was sneaking towards the closet as if I was a thief robbing my own house, when a sudden light flashed on my face making me freeze on my toes. I slowly turned to see mom standing at my door, a hand on her hips while the other was holding a torch, staring pointlessly at me. I faked a smile innocently and she turned the torch away from my face and switching the lights on.

"What are you doing? Robbing your closet? Do you know what you look like? "

"No and no "I replied, still frozen.

"You look like Swiper "she says, amusement clearly visible in her eyes.

"Swiper as in Dora?",I was curious to know and she nodded in reply. It took me few more seconds to realize she was referring to the weird posture I was in. I did look like Swiper! To be honest I was being dramatic. Quickly I melted from my frozen position and stood on my feet with my hands hidden behind me as if I was a child caught while stealing sugar from her kitchen.

"I think I clearly asked you to sleep darling. You must get all the rest you need to look pretty tomorrow "she says as she comes closer to tuck a lock of my stray messy hair behind my ear. Or you'll have huge eye bags hanging under your eyes". Whoa! That would be one hell of a sight to feast on. "How come you never listen to your mom. Anyway of you wanted to sneak around and be mischievous without being caught you could have just locked the door,you know". Wow what a sight! A monther giving her daughter advice on how to behave naughty. Oooh I just love her!!

"But wouldn't it look more suspicious that way? I mean locking the door in the night "

"No" she exclaimed "please, you should use your brain and be practical for once. It will not seem suspicious because it's night and normal people usually lock the doors at night ",she says, exaggerating every syllable. Well it does make sense now that I think about it. She's smart, I give her that.

"By the way mom, what are you doing here? " I asked, puzzled.

"I'm playing police " she winks.

Right, and she likes making fun of me.

"Mooom!!! "

"I just wanted to see my baby girl's sleeping face for the last time and you just broke my heart "she clasps her chest to mime being hurt.

"Then why don't you make use of it and see your girl in her wedding dress once again" I suggest and she frowns. "Not again! Isn't this the 5th time?"she whines.

"6th to be exact" I corrected her and she gave me a whatever kind of look and sat down on my bed. I then slowly opened my closet shouting Ta-da as if it was her first time seeing it but she actually played along acting surprised. Moms!!!

The beautiful ivory Tadashi Shoji dress was hanging down in my closet as if it was expecting my 6th fit on. It was an off the shoulder, foot length, mermaid tail dress and was utterly beautiful from every direction. Well every bride-to-be would say that about her dress but believe me,as a student specializing in fashion designing, I just love it. The matching heels, veil and jewelry were placed neatly beside it in case I forget something. I'm sort of a perfectionist, you see. I wanted the happiest day of my life to be perfect.

She helped me put the dress on and gently pushed me onto the stool in front of my mirror. She put the jewelry on me while I try my hardest to fix my heels. Oh how can it be so hard!! What a mood killer. She clipped the veil in my hair and let it fall over my shoulders. Though she didn't like the idea at first,I insisted on having my hair fall on my shoulders at the wedding because my pitch black hair shine with the thin fabric of my veil. She agreed without much protest to my full surprise.

I viewed myself in the mirror. I was pretty. My hair shined just as I suspected. Only the bouquet and the flower crown was missing, if not I would look like a perfect bride. The dress and the fingertip veil was covering my petite figure so that non of my skinny bones looked too skinny. The dress was so long that it brushed the floor as I walked though my heels were hidden behind the dress pretty well.

Mom stands behind me with her hands on my shoulders, rubbing them gently. "You look lovely as always. It figures, you Indead are my daughter "she says teasing. "Did you doubt it? " I ask and she rubs it off kissing the top of my head. I take her right hand and kiss the back of it. I feel her hands trembling on my skin and from the reflection on the mirror I know she's holding back the tears that threaten to leave her eyes any minute now. I felt my throat dry up at the sight.

"Why mom? You don't like me marrying him? "I ask worriedly.

"No sweetie, no once's a better match for you than him darling. It's just that every time I see you in this dress reality strikes and tells me you're not the small girl I used to sing lullabies to sleep. And the thought of letting you go....... It hurts" she wobbles through tears.

I turn to her and hug her tight, at her belly, still sitting on the stool, and hide my face in her skin as she pats my back. She then cups my face between her cold palms and caress my cheeks with her thumbs. God, she's so warm and cozy.

"Darling I'm so happy for you and more than anything I'm glad you are alive. That's all I wished for. It would be selfish of me to wish for more. It's your life and you should be the one to decide. I'll be the happiest to marry you off to the person you love. Well note to mention, it's a burden off my shoulders",she winks to lighten the mood and adds, "promise me you'll be happy or I'll be kicking his ass"

"Or mom,you know I will. I promise "but secretly I wish to see his assistant being kicked by my mom. It would be soooo facebook worthy. I giggle at the thought. It was hard enough for Tsubaki to get my mom's approval to date me. She was so dramatic about it but with time she loosened up a little but he still fears my mom's temper though it makes him quite unique since he was accepted by mom to be her son- in-law and he's the most handsome guy I've met in my life too. That's a plus though. I smile slightly at the thought. God! He'll look so hot in his tux tomorrow. Maybe like a Greek god or even better.

I was brought back to reality by my mom's kiss on my forehead before she left my room with a sincere request,asking me to sleep. Sleep was still million more miles away from me and it was not gonna reach me anytime soon. I stood up and twirled around to see the beautiful ivory dress on my feather like body. I stand admiring the dress for a few more peaceful minutes only to be interrupted by my 'Oh-So-annoying'neighbour,the one who always finds excuses to make fun of me as if his life depended on it; his only salvation; his life goal.

"To earth Sakura! You look stupid the way you are already and the dress won't hide much of it. So give the dress a rest before it wears off before the wedding. Those huge eye bags will surely enhance your beauty ",he shouts disrupting the peaceful silence of the night. So much for my solace. Oh how I regret his balcony is the one facing mine!

"And what are you doing peeping into a woman's room at night. Shouldn't you be sleeping or are you a pervert? What does me wearing my wedding dress has anything to do with you anyway?, I question back, annoyed.

"Oh, it does",he states playfully. "In case you didn't know, I want this young lady infront of me to look the prettiest tomorrow, honey",he winks and I feel warmth creeping into my face. I must look like a freaking tomato right now. I always turn into a human tomato when I blush. It comes from genes, I guess, since my dad does the same.

"Oh you're blushing. I can see you",I can tell he's resisting the smile. I don't want him to have the pleasure of satisfaction.

"No I'm not blushing. And you can't see me. It's dark! "

"No I can see right through you. And I know you are. Come and let me see your face in case I'm wrong " he lets out a sigh.

In case you still didn't realize, this 'Oh-So-annoying' neighbor of mine is none other than the love of my life, my husband to be, Mr. Kyouta Tsubaki.

He smirked and gestured me to come towards him and I shyly obey. The me who was so determined to not give him the pleasure of satisfaction, was too weak against his smile. I walk slowly towards the edge of my balcony which is only 2 meters away from his with his eyes never leaving mine.

"See I told you, you are blushing", he knows me well and I feel loved."That's why you're forever second place"

 Or maybe NOT!!!!!

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***