The Divinity's Curse

It was a very swift get-up. Though Ely had never met Tamari's father before he was very involved in the ceremony. But in the midst of it, he found himself calling her father every other second to double-check every few things.

Still, he didn't do it to be closer to her family or anything of the sort.

He had a part to play.

To make sure he looked and acted as excited as his bride-to-be was. He didn't foresee Tamari's mother's health to be deathly—though if after-life was a thing he'd apologize to her when he got there.

He had to look out for himself as well, Tamari was a young girl. This shouldn't be something that held her back. More so a 'teaching.'

Every time the two looked into one's eyes, Ely would reassure himself, 'I was doing her a favor.' Nice girls learned the hard way most times.

Ely went with her father to get tailored and brought her mother flowers every time they visited.

Tamari's mother had gotten more frail by the day. A woman with once fair hair had now a shortcut that went close to her ears. It was fair to say that she almost looked like a skeleton that came to life.

And yet, she became fond of Ely. Despite the few words they exchanged she opened up to him. Telling him stories of Tamari from when she was younger. She started holding his wrist as they spoke and smiling more when there was an awkward silence.

He came on the last day to tell her everything was ready and that her husband would be the one to wheel her out for the big day.

The only worry left on Ely's mind was if Tamari's mother didn't make it through the night, Tamari would be devastated and Sarai would call off the wedding on her sister's behalf.

For grieving time.

'Then what?'

There was no one he had to pray to, nor would he. It would do him more bad than good. So he let his stress waltz out of the room as he held his soon-to-be mother-in-law's hand. Who was quietly crying to herself while whispering thank you's under her breath.

A moment like this would bring anyone to tears—at the same time, it satisfied Ely. It'd be more ironic if she outlived Ely.

Tamari walked in with a bright smile when she saw the two. She must've chosen her final dress with her relatives and friends. Something she was strangely secluded from talking about with Ely.

How happy her daughter was in a hospital room meant for her sickly mother.

To Ely, the scenario seemed twisted in a way. Having a wedding for your mother to attend, to the fact that she could be in the reaper's embrace by the end of it. But to his fiancée it was endearing.

If it distracted them to a moment of love between mother and daughter and not the lack of his duties as a husband.

Then that was quite alright.

Ely knew Sarai still had her doubts about him, but he was the only man for her sister. Sarai knew she couldn't revolt against any of it because she too wished to see Tamari wedded and in love with the one she desired.

He still remembered the day Tamari's mother leaned in to tell him how she wished for the two to be blessed with a child on their wedding night. The same way she conceived Sarai.

She wanted him to take in all of her daughter's words, to never forget the moment she told him her conception dream and to be the one to hold her in hard times.

The things he was supposed to do for Tamari the moment they tied the knot.

He soothed her pleads by telling her that it was something he'd do without needing to be told.

If an outsider were to witness this and know Ely's true intentions, he'd point at him and ask if he felt any guilt in such a facade-ridden heart. It wouldn't be wrong to jumble him as a hypocrite, for he was acting like the two-faced people he had hated the most.

What more could Ely ask for? He'd die a married man, a respected one and someone 'gone too soon.'

Tamari's cursing at him for being a deadbeat would amount to nothing compared to all the sweet things she told him throughout the months.

Before he knew it, time was running out and this would be the last day he'd spent as an unmarried man.

His parents were flying in that night, his ex-coworkers were the only guests he invited and Wangyue was his best man. Tamari had filled the seats with her relatives, friends, and esteemed people she knew.

The only name on the guest list that caught Ely's eye was the one of a director. A very laid-back old man, well in his sixties. To sum up, he's a rich drunkard with a loudmouth.

The only reason Ely knew about him was because of one instance. A gathering for the pilot of 'Back To Auntie's Garden,' Kirsch made his way to Ely spouting nonsense of how girls would float in his direction if he became too successful.

At the time, Ely had no interest in indulging in girl talk so by remaining quiet he entertained Kirsch's delusions. He wasn't intimidating enough for a grown man who stood at an abnormally tall height with sleeves of tattoos.

There was nothing for him to include in a one-sided discussion. He didn't expect Kirsch to be quick-witted since he picked up on Ely's change of behavior.

"You mocking me boy?"

Ely took it as him letting the drinks infuriate his system. If anything his [Divinity] must've been a drinker too, seeing how he took drink after drink.

"Another cup sir?"

He waved his hand to one of the waiters who took their time walking in between the two.

He didn't get why the waiter was being overcautious until Kirsch looked him in the eye snatching the glass cup from the platter.

"Another cup eyyy?" Kirsch unintentionally slurred the last part.

His words came off as mockingly as he took the cup, letting it become a decoration in his large hands.

In a split second, he took the glass and slammed it into the waiter's head.

Ely's eyes dilated as he watched the glass shards become used to their new color. Blood rushed out of the waiter's head, and Ely could only stand like the dumbfounded young boy he was.

'Was that man even human?'

Everyone around them looked unbothered, there was no doubt no one didn't see it but it was as if they could care less. He thought no one stood up because they were scared they'd be next.

The waiter stumbled over at the collision but stood up quickly. Her face looked as ruined as the cup. To Ely's surprise, she straightened up and apologized to Kirsch before excusing herself.

Another waiter quickly hurried and bent with a small pan and dust to clean the shards. He could sense the waiter giving him a look before leaving.

He stared at Kirsch's bloodied right hand before meeting his eyes. He wore a confident smile and used the same hand to slick his hair back.

'Was he proud of what he did?'

He took a few steps, trying to avoid Kirsch's gaze. The further he went back the closer the large man came.

"Son yer can't be afraid now, she ain't such a sweet gal."

'How would he know that? He smashed a damn bottle in that poor girl's head.'

"I ain't drunk little man, I'm quite sober right now. This much ain't shit to me."

Ely quickly nodded before spotting his mother waving to someone standing nearby to him, "My mother's calling me sir...It was nice meeting you," he and Kirsch both knew the last part was forced.

But who would save him if that drunkard thought he deserved a backhand?

Ely quickly blinked back to the paper in his hands, the name Kirsch Beirdwin seemed almost bolded to him. There weren't many people he remembered but he knew he would never be able to forget his meeting with Beirdwin.

'How did Tamari know him?'

"Ellie," a soft voice halted his thoughts, Tamari's hands wrapped around his arm, "You looking at the guest list?"

Her voice became sullen as she realized how long he had been holding the list. Did she pity him because of the short amount of people he invited?

Ely settled with the feeling of pity, it was better than him interrogating Tamari. She let the side of her head rest on his arm.

He placed the paper back on the table, behind the two's turned backs was a view of a star-lit night with a crescent moon.

To fill the silence he thought to set a more romantic mode between him and Tamari, "We're husband and wife tomorrow."

Her eyes opened quickly with flushed alertness before Tamari let her voice become smoother, "Yes we will be."

She took in Ely's waist with her two arms and looked up to him. The two slowly danced through the room with Tamari's lifted heels as they kissed every few steps.