The Runaway Bride...

After a marathon courtship with:

- Numerous rounds of introduction, familiarisation and exchanging of particulars
- Innundation of research, recommendations and reviews
- Series of interrogations, performance and situational trials and tests
- Sieving, narrowing down and elimination
- Surveying, haranguing and negotiating;

The day was finally set and announced. Frens heaved louds sighs of relief that the search they were obliged to be involved in for an extremely difficult, indecisive and fussy her was at last over.

The walk down the aisle overwhelmed her with thoughts.

Of having come such a long way;of keeping her high standards albeit much pressure from most to be less picky; of staying firm despite the temptations and promises of better looks and glitzier specifications.

Many times, as difficult and confusing as the situation may seem, as alluring as it was for her to take the easy way out and give in to the various compelling endorsements, she was glad that she still manage to exercise the restraint to pull away, to take into account others' opinions and feedback, not to be swayed by flattering language but to think logically if indeed, it's worth it.
She prided herself for being rational and level headed , adhering to her belief that ample time needs to be devoted to cultivate understanding and knowledge.

She catches a glimpse of her future as she gets nearer to the altar.

There had been differences and dissatisfaction along the way but they have been ironed out. Not the best deal, but oh well, good enough, compatible enough.

BUT SUDDENLY

Out of the corner of her eye, she catches a well-built, stylish silhouette. It was nothing she has seen before or mentioned/raised at any point of time in her circles of friends. The aura of mystery unwound to boast of so much that can be offered to her and yet asked for so little from her in return. A small but burning flame of adventure was unleashed within her, of the possiblities this unknown could give her, of taking a chance for once. In that spilt second, she realised that at heart, she's not only a brand snubber but even more, a country snob. More than she would like to admit to, she's concerned about the baggage/accessories that accompanies something/someone, equally or even more than the something/someone.

So near the finishing line, history repeats itself. As she has done many times before, her defense seems to melt, her decision wavered. She ran and chose... the unknown that she got to know a few hours ago.

What would the journey be from now on?

She too, does not know. At the same time that she feels silly making the decision immediately on the scene, considering and accepting this unknown whilst rejecting so many candidates outright before, she still stubbornly defends and stands by her choice to naysayers. Perhaps its a fondness for this unknown, perhaps its pride, she can't explain it either. Sometimes, a tinge of regret crawls up for choosing uncertainty over the established, other times, she's momentarily consoled by some who have come forward to show their support and their blessings. But ultimately, only time would tell if she has made the right choice and if the choice can capture the moments, share the joys and weather the storms with her after the 1 year honeymoon.

Meanwhile, she tries to listen to well-meaning friends to TRUST HER OWN JUDGEMENT.

To be continued a year later...