Love And Friendship

By Ishwari Deshpande

She was waiting by the aisle for him to come. It had been a long time. What was fading with the scent of lilies on her white gown, was the interest of all the invitees in this big fat wedding. But what did not fade was her hope. She had to wait for the guy who made her realise how different she was, and special. She had no option. As minutes flew by, the murmurs at the wedding became louder. Of course, people had their lives which allowed this wedding only this much time to be consumed. Even the Priest got a little irritated. He was already putting up with so much, and now this delay was making it worse. Katherine's mother anxiously approached Nia's mother and this dual wave of motherly concern hit Nia as the duo looked up to her as their last hope to ease things out. Nia approached Katherine. And asked, "Where did he say he is?" "..The last I called he was stuck at some airport. I couldn't reach him since. I think his phone died." Katherine looked up at Nia, with her big eyes filled with tears. Broke by that painful gaze of hers, Nia sat there right next to her, taking her hand in her hands, patting it gently. "I feel so terrible... all this shouldn’t have happened! You know, I wanted this to be the perfect day of my life. The perfect wedding with all my people around me. I wanted to walk down this aisle as I am showered with all the love and warmth they have for me. Feeling all fulfilled! And there would be just no compromise!" Katherine let herself out as she placed her head on Nia's shoulder. "....There wouldn't be any!" Said Nia, as she stood up to go make some arrangements. She first went to the mothers and confronted them with what she had on her mind. Nervous at first, but somehow they believed her contentions and just nodded in return. Then she went to the caterers asking them to donate all the food to food charity and pack the sweets in small containers for the invitees. Then she personally went to each and every group of invitees handling them the sweets' containers, apologising and announcing that the wedding had been called off. She didn't forget to add with utter politeness that it would be appreciated if they wouldn't bother the broken bride sitting by the aisle on their way of exit. Throwing suspicious stares at Katherine, the crowd went thin. Nia paid checks to wedding planners and caterers. She also picked at the Priest and explained him the situation. Still irritated but helpless, He nodded to what Nia had to say and left the scene. Last but not the least, she got an ice-cream tin of Butterscotch with chocolate chip cookies and held the spoon near Kathy's mouth. With a pale smile Kathy sighed, "I am really a trouble to you, aren't I?" "Yeah...That you are!"

Nodding with her one brow raised, Nia replied. It was 8 hours past the proposed wedding time when Aron arrived. There were very few people left at the wedding hall. Nia, her mother, Katherine's mother, a few of the near and dear friends, and of course, the bride, gulping down a litre of ice-cream, and adamant on her wait... "Kathy!" She ran to him, slapped him in the face and then hugged him tightly. "I thought you got married." He said in shock, seeing her still in the wedding dress. "How do I get married without my bestie at my wedding?! The one who had been there for me Every Single Time." Her voice went moist. "One who was furious but still tried to understand my cramps when I first told him about my periods and the whole science behind it. One who was there with me to get the pixie haircut and to get my pink triangle tattooed. Who made me an account on 'Blendr' and pushed me to go on date with the lady I am marrying today, who made me find love and made me love myself." "Gee…Are you high on like a litre of Ice-cream?" As overwhelmed by emotions and touched as he was, He still managed to crack a joke with tearful eyes and big bright smile on his face. "Yep...she couldn't digest you not being here, so instead she digested a bucket full of Butterscotch." Nia said coming forward to greet Aron. Feeling all guilty Aron hugged her and said, "I am so sorry. The next flight got cancelled, so I had to hit road to get all the way here. I am so so so sorry I ruined your Big day." Before Nia could reply, the Priest arrived. He opened his mouth to answer the puzzled faces of everybody. "She called me a few minutes back!" He said continuing, "When she told me in the morning that the marriage cannot happen until Katherine's best friend Aron comes, I was very stunned and damned. She told me she had asked the guests to leave and requested me if I could come back when her friend arrives.”

“It was quite strange to me and I even suggested her to make sure whether he is just her friend or there was any other case. She laughed acknowledging what I was pointing at and said,

"I know for a fact that He's not 'just her friend' but mean much more to her. He is important to her in life. He is one of the persons who shaped her into who she is. The woman I love. In fact, it was him who gave her that courage to pursue what she wants. He was also the person to convince her mother about it all. To be frank I kind of love how she wouldn't budge for the pressure and stood firm on how she wants her wedding to be celebrated. I find it my duty to make sure she gets what she deserves."

"...And well, that's where she had me by her side!" The priest flinched his shoulders mischievously.

Katherine looked at Nia. It was a reassuring gaze. She was proud of Nia... and herself! In reply to that gaze Nia just smiled and said,

"Didn't I tell you, there will be no compromise. It will be the perfect wedding with All Your People around you as you walk down that aisle, showered with their love and warmth."

"Hey, look what's here. Nia ordered us all food. Well well, getting you all Thai food and Ice cream, I think she's competing with me." Aron complained to Kathy while taking the delivery.

"Don't worry! You have more important things to do. You get to be the Bride's man!" Katherine winked at Aron.

By Ishwari Deshpande