Belongings
Relena : Regrets
A Gundam Wing Fan fiction by Louise Tjandrasjahan
Part 02
6 months prior to the wedding
Relena ran her fingers on the display counter, scanning the items
spreading before her eyes meticulously. Rings and rings and rings. Among
many of them are wedding rings. And she had to make up her mind by the time
they finished their shopping trip.
She twisted her body instinctively to the right when someone poked
into her waist – her ticklish spot – but she managed to maintain her
serious expression. She squirmed slightly out of the way when a lean hand
attempted to encircle her waist from behind. Only her frown deepened when a
familiar light chuckle travelled into her ears in amusement, but overall
her general expression didn't waver.
"Darling, they're only wedding rings. Perhaps you take my words too
seriously when I said ring hunting this morning." came the affectionate
voice of her fiancée, Quatre Raberba Winner. Once again, he tried to run
his fingers down her honey coloured strands, but this time she was faster.
She caught the hand and placed it on his side. With that came her
reprimanding glare.
"I'm concentrating, Quatre." She sighed and diverted her gaze back on
the rows of rings, squinting her eyes as she said, "Natural or white?"
Quatre's perplexed expression was priceless. "What?"
"Gold."
A sigh escaped Quatre's lips as he planted his hands into his hips.
Relena was being stubborn again as usual, and he was not in the mood.
Actually at the moment he was more interested in other pursuit
namely…teasing her rosebud mouth. Still, who was he to argue with Relena
the politician?
"Like I said," he offered, licking his dry lips as he searched
Relena's face, "White gold, with little specks of natural gold." His and
Relena's taste differed, and that was one of those moments when Quatre felt
reluctant to argue with her. She was a natural born negotiator. She would
fight back until he at least acknowledged her points.
Raising her eyes to meet Quatre's, Relena lifted her eyebrows in
disagreement. She answered her fiancée boldly, a stern and gentle tone in
her voice, "White gold is white gold; natural gold is natural gold. We
shouldn't use both. It doesn't say unity."
Quatre lifted his eyebrows in imitation of Relena's gesture, his eyes
twinkling with amusement, "Either way is fine by me. Besides, it's only a
church wedding."
Something in Relena's eyes made Quatre realised that he had said the
wrong word. Uneasiness spread as her defence was fully awakened. "So," she
asked him precisely, careful not to reveal her anxiety, her voice suddenly
low, "do you regret your decision already? Do you think that being married
in a church will not bring the same solemnity as when done in a mosque?"
His eyes widened in surprise, Quatre clamped his jaws stiffly. This
happened a lot between them lately. They weren't exactly arguing, but there
had always been something hot in the way Relena answered. The wedding
preparation must have taken its toll on Relena's body and mind.
Guilt swelled in Relena's mind the moment she spotted the alarm on
Quatre's gentle features. There, she had done it again, hurting Quatre's
feelings. She knew she had to apologise, but for some unknown reasons she
was unable to do so.
Settling into one of her more tender expressions, Relena tiptoed and
pecked Quatre's lips lightly. "Honey, I'm just tired, okay? Don't take my
insult oh-so-seriously."
Smiling lovingly, Quatre sealed their lips in a slow, gentle kiss.
Tucking a strand of honey coloured hair behind Relena's ear, he replied,
"'Kay, luvvy."
Relena rewarded Quatre with a sweet little smile as she went back to
her ring inspection. This time she didn't protest when Quatre circled his
arm around her tiny waist and positioned his body snugly against her back,
his chin on the crown of her head. She could feel his smile against her
nape and lifted one of her eyebrows knowingly as she finally noticed their
flushing and envious attendant. Shaking her head in amusement, she lowered
her eyes and immersed herself back in the details of the intricately carved
ring in her hand.
It was beautiful, a masterpiece. There was no other embellishment on
its surface except for two graceful doves carved on its surface, their
wings intertwining with each other. It was so tiny and delicate that it
took her breath away. Still, she didn't know, if Quatre would approve or
not. Besides, the two doves remind her of…no, she didn't dare to think
about him. Smiling ironically, she put the ring back and started to pick
another design.
But Quatre noticed the ring and took it from her hand, admiring its
pretty details. Glancing at Relena briefly, he cleared his throat and
commanded gently, "Give me your hand."
"What?"
Smiling sweetly, Quatre extended his own hand, his gentle voice once
again filling the air around them, "Your hand, my lady."
Blushing at such attention, Relena slowly placed her smaller hand in
Quatre's firmer one though she kept alert. She worried Quatre would come up
with one of his occasional little pranks, which sometimes wasn't funny. As
she saw only sincerity in Quatre's eyes, she soon relaxed herself. It
increased the pain in her heart, however, to witness such devotion in him.
Quickly she hid her pain behind a smile and pretended for all its worth
that what Quatre would say next was the most important thing in the world.
Relena held her breath as Quatre slid the ring easily, her eyes
sparkling with admiration.
"Beautiful," Quatre praised, a dreamy look came across his features.
It was indeed beautiful, exquisite even. For a moment Relena was
drown in genuine admiration, but she quickly snapped out of her daydream
the moment a certain name popped into her mind. Frowning, she bit her lower
lip as she scrutinised the ring silently – her mind wandered to the places
she had sworn never to visit anymore after her last fateful encountered
with Heero.
Heero. Why did she think of him at a time like this?
It was only a simple ring, for God's sake, but its design reminded
her of him. She didn't want to be reminded of him. Her time with him was
over, and it was right of her to find happiness in Quatre. She didn't
suppose to think about him anymore.
"Relena?" Quatre tilted Relena's face with his forefinger, his eyes
askance. He had noticed Relena's sudden quietude the moment he put the ring
on her finger, and began to regret his decision.
The young woman merely pulled back her hand and quickly disposed the
ring on top of the glass cupboard as if stung. "No." she almost whispered,
"Not this one."
"It's beautiful, and just now your expression said so." Quatre tried,
still not giving up, "Just what's wrong?"
"It does not look like a wedding ring." She blurted out, finishing
rather lamely.
That was the moment when Rashid - Quatre's assistant and second in
command – decided to call and interrupt their exchange. Groaning, Quatre
turned away from Relena, giving her an apologetic look while holding up his
vid-mobile phone and pointing at it, mouthing, "Gotta go."
Relena gave a trembling smile and dismissed him with a nod. She only
realised she was holding her breath as she listened to Quatre's footfalls
fading behind her back. Closing one hand over her tired eyes, she sighed
profoundly, immense relief washed her over. She had forgotten when tension
had begun to accompany every single conversation between Quatre and her. It
was never like that before. She used to be happier; more relaxed and
vibrant with him. She used to think Quatre was a good company, even in
silence.
"Relena."
She gave into a final sigh before finally turning around with a
little smile. Her fiancée was opening his mouth to say something, and
looked as if he was on the verge of apologising. Such nature had always
become him whenever problems arose. Quatre was so quick to apologise, even
though it had not been his fault. Quickly she put her fingers on his lips,
silencing him.
"Important business?" she supplied, a thin smile appeared on her
lips, "I understand. But I have the rest of my day free, so I might as well
stay."
Quatre looked doubtful; worry cast a shadow on his handsome features.
"Alone? Your brother will kill me!"
"Milliardo?" Once again the lazy Cheshire smile stretched across her
lips, "Not if Lucrezia intervened." With that last comment, Relena broke
into a wide grin and tapped his nose playfully.
He was still unconvinced nonetheless.
Batting her eyelashes innocently, she clasped her hands behind her
back and said, "Trust me." Glancing about, she noticed the attendant's
amusement, and became even bolder, "You can even count on me to choose the
rings."
Relena grinned triumphantly as she saw Quatre's stance relaxed, but
steeled herself when she spotted a hint of mischief in his aquamarine eyes.
His tone was husky as he ran his fingers along the outline of Relena's face,
"White gold with specks of natural gold. That's the final deal."
"White gold, and that's the end of the bargain." She replied a bit
too cheerfully, "I know you prefer white gold. Just say it!"
A sigh, and then, "You win. Pick whatever you want by the end of the
day. That counts natural gold as well."
Flashing her fiancée a winning smile, Relena kissed Quatre's cheek
gently and began shooing him. The young man only shook his head ruefully
and stole a kiss from her before finally dashing for the way out. Never had
he known that she breathed in relief behind his back. She massaged the
bridge of her nose tiredly and only raised her eyes when her attendant
asked her hesitantly to make up her mind.
She still had to choose between white or natural gold.
Tough choices.
Relena : Regrets
A Gundam Wing Fan fiction by Louise Tjandrasjahan
Part 02
6 months prior to the wedding
Relena ran her fingers on the display counter, scanning the items
spreading before her eyes meticulously. Rings and rings and rings. Among
many of them are wedding rings. And she had to make up her mind by the time
they finished their shopping trip.
She twisted her body instinctively to the right when someone poked
into her waist – her ticklish spot – but she managed to maintain her
serious expression. She squirmed slightly out of the way when a lean hand
attempted to encircle her waist from behind. Only her frown deepened when a
familiar light chuckle travelled into her ears in amusement, but overall
her general expression didn't waver.
"Darling, they're only wedding rings. Perhaps you take my words too
seriously when I said ring hunting this morning." came the affectionate
voice of her fiancée, Quatre Raberba Winner. Once again, he tried to run
his fingers down her honey coloured strands, but this time she was faster.
She caught the hand and placed it on his side. With that came her
reprimanding glare.
"I'm concentrating, Quatre." She sighed and diverted her gaze back on
the rows of rings, squinting her eyes as she said, "Natural or white?"
Quatre's perplexed expression was priceless. "What?"
"Gold."
A sigh escaped Quatre's lips as he planted his hands into his hips.
Relena was being stubborn again as usual, and he was not in the mood.
Actually at the moment he was more interested in other pursuit
namely…teasing her rosebud mouth. Still, who was he to argue with Relena
the politician?
"Like I said," he offered, licking his dry lips as he searched
Relena's face, "White gold, with little specks of natural gold." His and
Relena's taste differed, and that was one of those moments when Quatre felt
reluctant to argue with her. She was a natural born negotiator. She would
fight back until he at least acknowledged her points.
Raising her eyes to meet Quatre's, Relena lifted her eyebrows in
disagreement. She answered her fiancée boldly, a stern and gentle tone in
her voice, "White gold is white gold; natural gold is natural gold. We
shouldn't use both. It doesn't say unity."
Quatre lifted his eyebrows in imitation of Relena's gesture, his eyes
twinkling with amusement, "Either way is fine by me. Besides, it's only a
church wedding."
Something in Relena's eyes made Quatre realised that he had said the
wrong word. Uneasiness spread as her defence was fully awakened. "So," she
asked him precisely, careful not to reveal her anxiety, her voice suddenly
low, "do you regret your decision already? Do you think that being married
in a church will not bring the same solemnity as when done in a mosque?"
His eyes widened in surprise, Quatre clamped his jaws stiffly. This
happened a lot between them lately. They weren't exactly arguing, but there
had always been something hot in the way Relena answered. The wedding
preparation must have taken its toll on Relena's body and mind.
Guilt swelled in Relena's mind the moment she spotted the alarm on
Quatre's gentle features. There, she had done it again, hurting Quatre's
feelings. She knew she had to apologise, but for some unknown reasons she
was unable to do so.
Settling into one of her more tender expressions, Relena tiptoed and
pecked Quatre's lips lightly. "Honey, I'm just tired, okay? Don't take my
insult oh-so-seriously."
Smiling lovingly, Quatre sealed their lips in a slow, gentle kiss.
Tucking a strand of honey coloured hair behind Relena's ear, he replied,
"'Kay, luvvy."
Relena rewarded Quatre with a sweet little smile as she went back to
her ring inspection. This time she didn't protest when Quatre circled his
arm around her tiny waist and positioned his body snugly against her back,
his chin on the crown of her head. She could feel his smile against her
nape and lifted one of her eyebrows knowingly as she finally noticed their
flushing and envious attendant. Shaking her head in amusement, she lowered
her eyes and immersed herself back in the details of the intricately carved
ring in her hand.
It was beautiful, a masterpiece. There was no other embellishment on
its surface except for two graceful doves carved on its surface, their
wings intertwining with each other. It was so tiny and delicate that it
took her breath away. Still, she didn't know, if Quatre would approve or
not. Besides, the two doves remind her of…no, she didn't dare to think
about him. Smiling ironically, she put the ring back and started to pick
another design.
But Quatre noticed the ring and took it from her hand, admiring its
pretty details. Glancing at Relena briefly, he cleared his throat and
commanded gently, "Give me your hand."
"What?"
Smiling sweetly, Quatre extended his own hand, his gentle voice once
again filling the air around them, "Your hand, my lady."
Blushing at such attention, Relena slowly placed her smaller hand in
Quatre's firmer one though she kept alert. She worried Quatre would come up
with one of his occasional little pranks, which sometimes wasn't funny. As
she saw only sincerity in Quatre's eyes, she soon relaxed herself. It
increased the pain in her heart, however, to witness such devotion in him.
Quickly she hid her pain behind a smile and pretended for all its worth
that what Quatre would say next was the most important thing in the world.
Relena held her breath as Quatre slid the ring easily, her eyes
sparkling with admiration.
"Beautiful," Quatre praised, a dreamy look came across his features.
It was indeed beautiful, exquisite even. For a moment Relena was
drown in genuine admiration, but she quickly snapped out of her daydream
the moment a certain name popped into her mind. Frowning, she bit her lower
lip as she scrutinised the ring silently – her mind wandered to the places
she had sworn never to visit anymore after her last fateful encountered
with Heero.
Heero. Why did she think of him at a time like this?
It was only a simple ring, for God's sake, but its design reminded
her of him. She didn't want to be reminded of him. Her time with him was
over, and it was right of her to find happiness in Quatre. She didn't
suppose to think about him anymore.
"Relena?" Quatre tilted Relena's face with his forefinger, his eyes
askance. He had noticed Relena's sudden quietude the moment he put the ring
on her finger, and began to regret his decision.
The young woman merely pulled back her hand and quickly disposed the
ring on top of the glass cupboard as if stung. "No." she almost whispered,
"Not this one."
"It's beautiful, and just now your expression said so." Quatre tried,
still not giving up, "Just what's wrong?"
"It does not look like a wedding ring." She blurted out, finishing
rather lamely.
That was the moment when Rashid - Quatre's assistant and second in
command – decided to call and interrupt their exchange. Groaning, Quatre
turned away from Relena, giving her an apologetic look while holding up his
vid-mobile phone and pointing at it, mouthing, "Gotta go."
Relena gave a trembling smile and dismissed him with a nod. She only
realised she was holding her breath as she listened to Quatre's footfalls
fading behind her back. Closing one hand over her tired eyes, she sighed
profoundly, immense relief washed her over. She had forgotten when tension
had begun to accompany every single conversation between Quatre and her. It
was never like that before. She used to be happier; more relaxed and
vibrant with him. She used to think Quatre was a good company, even in
silence.
"Relena."
She gave into a final sigh before finally turning around with a
little smile. Her fiancée was opening his mouth to say something, and
looked as if he was on the verge of apologising. Such nature had always
become him whenever problems arose. Quatre was so quick to apologise, even
though it had not been his fault. Quickly she put her fingers on his lips,
silencing him.
"Important business?" she supplied, a thin smile appeared on her
lips, "I understand. But I have the rest of my day free, so I might as well
stay."
Quatre looked doubtful; worry cast a shadow on his handsome features.
"Alone? Your brother will kill me!"
"Milliardo?" Once again the lazy Cheshire smile stretched across her
lips, "Not if Lucrezia intervened." With that last comment, Relena broke
into a wide grin and tapped his nose playfully.
He was still unconvinced nonetheless.
Batting her eyelashes innocently, she clasped her hands behind her
back and said, "Trust me." Glancing about, she noticed the attendant's
amusement, and became even bolder, "You can even count on me to choose the
rings."
Relena grinned triumphantly as she saw Quatre's stance relaxed, but
steeled herself when she spotted a hint of mischief in his aquamarine eyes.
His tone was husky as he ran his fingers along the outline of Relena's face,
"White gold with specks of natural gold. That's the final deal."
"White gold, and that's the end of the bargain." She replied a bit
too cheerfully, "I know you prefer white gold. Just say it!"
A sigh, and then, "You win. Pick whatever you want by the end of the
day. That counts natural gold as well."
Flashing her fiancée a winning smile, Relena kissed Quatre's cheek
gently and began shooing him. The young man only shook his head ruefully
and stole a kiss from her before finally dashing for the way out. Never had
he known that she breathed in relief behind his back. She massaged the
bridge of her nose tiredly and only raised her eyes when her attendant
asked her hesitantly to make up her mind.
She still had to choose between white or natural gold.
Tough choices.