Isabella stood in the mirror in her lace wedding gown, her heart fluttering with joy and doubt if she was making the right decision. Just then the door fling open again.
"There you are mi bebé (my baby). I've been looking for you all around. If not for Nina who told me you were here I would have thought you'd run away" a soft voice with a slight quiver said.
Isabella turned to see Nana, her grandma walk into the room her eyes lit up with delight "Oh Abuela (grandma)"
"Oh you look very beautiful my baby" Nana said leaning forward to place a kiss on Isabella's cheeks who bent down a little to make it easier for Nana. "Come I have a little gift for you" Nana said, dragging Isabella to the bed in the room.
"A gift? What could it be Nana?"
"It's a family heirloom that's been passed down from our generations." Her shaky palms to Isabella's face. "Now's your turn dear"
Nana unwrapped a small wooden box to reveal an old ring, with a bit of scratched gold but still shining gems, a proof it was worth fortune. Its scars showed the stories of generations embedded in it.
"Here, Isabella, this is for you," her grandmother whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Just as it's brought happiness in our family for generations. May it bring you as much happiness as it did for me and your mother. And also it's worth a fortune. So handle with care"
Isabella's eyes shimmered with tears as she gently slipped the ring onto her finger, feeling its weight and history. "It's beautiful, Abuela," she said.
"Just like you, my dear," her grandmother replied with a warm smile. "Now, my mission here is done. I better leave you to finish dressing. Your guests are waiting" Nana said planting a kiss on Isabella's forehead before leaving the room.
Leaving Isabella to her thoughts again.
Few minutes later Isabella was walking down the aisle led by her father Diego, her heart racing with anticipation, her excitement steadily growing with each step, her eyes fixed on her groom Alejandro, who stood at the altar with a smile that lit up the room like he just won an Oscar.
"The rings please" the pastor asked as Isabella got to the altar, standing side by side with her soon to be husband.
Isabella's heart raced as she reached for the ring box from her bridesmaid, Maria, only to find it empty.
Immediately panic swept over her as she turned to her bridesmaids and whispered. "The ring? Where's the ring?!"
Her bridesmaid, Maria, bewirled at that question replied "Should be in there. I have not opened that box since you handed it to me minutes ago".
Isabellas eyes widened in realisation. "Mi-dios (my God), I've lost the ring" she whispered, disappointment written all over her face.
How could she be careless to lose the family heirloom just a few minutes when it was her turn. Abuela had warned her to be careful with the ring that it was worth a fortune.
She turned to her grandmother who stood at the front pew ."Abuela(Grandma), the ring. It's missing!"
There was a huge gasp from the crowd.
"What? How?"
"It must've fallen out or something earlier after Grandma gave it to me this morning." Getting off the altar " I have to find it!" Isabella exclaimed, her voice trembling with anxiety.
Her grandmother nodded, her face pale. "Retrace your steps. Where were you this morning after I left you?"
"In my room," Isabella replied, her mind racing.
"Did anyone visit after Nana left?" It was Alejandro, her fiance.
"Yes Nina. Where's Nina?" She asked, scanning the room with her eyes to find her 10 year old niece, pipe up from the corner with her hands raised.
"I'm here!".
"Hey Nina" Isabella said, feigning a smile " did you by chance see any ring?"
"Si(yes)" she answered, straining the two lettered words. "I remember seeing a shiny ring on the floor when I was playing but I didn't touch it!"
Isabella's eyes widened. "Nina, where exactly on the floor did you see it?"
"By the bed!"
Immediately Isabella dashed out of the hall with her bridesmaid running after her to the exact spot where Nina indicated, her heart pounding, her breath coming in gasps. She dropped to her knees and began frantically searching the floor with her hands sifting through the carpet and beneath the bed. Suddenly, her fingers brushed against something cold and metallic. With a gasp, she pulled out the ring, relief flooding through her.
"I found it!" Isabella exclaimed, tears of relief streaming down her cheeks.
Maria rushed over, her eyes wide with relief. "Gracias a dios (Thank God)" letting out a sigh of relief.
Isabella clutched the ring to her chest. "Yes! Gracias a dios" she replied amidst bated relief.
Their faces flushed.
"Come on, Isabella. Let's get you back to the altar. You still have a wedding to finish."
With the ring safely in her possession, Isabella took a deep breath and composed herself. As she walked towards the altar, her heart felt lighter, knowing that her family's heirloom was where it belonged. Not lost.