The Wedding

by: Joana

Previously published on HIMASAINTRA's instagram post

I keep on buttoning and unbuttoning my black suit and straightening my tie. The air is cold and the priest looks as solemn as the white gardenia flowers that decorate the chapel. I scan the room to search for her, but it seems like I can't see her anywhere, which is strange since her slim, delicate figure wrapped in that fancy white dress is supposed to stand out among the crowd. I long to see her rosy cheeks and twinkling brown eyes, smiling shyly towards me as if we were still high school students who just met yesterday.

I crane my neck to look for her head. I can't see her. Her father is standing there, near the sermon table. I know she is here. She must be here, I can feel her. Something is not right. She must be hiding somewhere. She hates the crowd. She told me that when we were planning for the wedding. I stand up and leave my seat. She might be walking around the chapel, or resting in the garden. I walk up the aisle. The priest is walking towards me. I rushed.

"Son, excuse me, son. Where are you going?"

People are murmuring.

I open the door that leads to the room behind the hall and run. My beautiful bride is missing and our wedding ceremony is about to start! I need to find her. Maybe she is still in the attic to dress. Maybe she needs to fix something at the last minute.

“Clara!” I yell.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Somebody is following me from the aisle. My body stiffens. Maybe she is being kidnapped. I have told her not to invite that crazy, maniac ex-boyfriend of hers. Maybe she is. That guy is clearly still crazy in love with her! I rushed the stairs and dashed into the attic. It’s empty.The room is clean and neat. The standing mirror is covered with thick canvas cloth. She didn’t leave in a hurry. There is no sign of any violence happening here either. I shudder at the thought that she might decide to leave me and run away with that bastard.

But, then I heard it. The faint melody of our song. That’s it! She must be in the piano room practicing our song once again! She’s always been a nervous wreck when it comes to performing in public. I feel so relieved. I walk down the stairs calmly and knock the door before opening it. There she sits in front of the piano, playing our beautiful song. She is wearing that lace wedding dress that we chose together and her grandmother's silver tiara.

"Clara! The ceremony has begun!"

She smiles meekly, her eyes lose their colors.

"I will always love you, Nate. Always," she whispers.

"What's the matter, dear?" I reach for her hand. It feels cold and wispy, like fog. She slowly dissolves and gradually disappears into the thin air. Just like that, she’s leaving me alone in that dusty room.

"Clara!" I cried. "Don't leave me! You promised me a forever, remember?" I fell on my knees and sobs.

"Clara!"

"You need to let her go, Son. Heaven rejoices for an angel had come back home," the priest is suddenly standing next to me.

"Come back to the hall with me, I am sure you would want to deliver your speech. The ceremony is almost over."