THIS THING CALLED LOVE

CHAPTER2

Adrian stood at the altar, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in his chest. He couldn’t help but massage his forehead, his mind racing with a whirlwind of thoughts. He glanced at his wristwatch once more, wondering why Edna, his soon-to-be wife, was taking so long to arrive. His heart pounded, each passing minute adding to his unease. He had been through this feeling of dread before, a feeling that something terrible could happen, and the scars of that experience still haunted him. Lissa’s tragic accident lingered in his mind, amplifying the fear that something could go wrong again. Josh, his best man and longtime friend, noticed the tension in Adrian's posture and walked up to him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Hey, Adrian. What’s going on? You don’t look happy, my man,” Josh said, his voice laced with concern. Adrian’s eyes flickered toward him, filled with worry and confusion. “She’s not here yet. What’s taking so long? Has something happened to her? Has she been in an accident? Or kidnapped?” His voice was shaky, betraying the distress that had been gnawing at him. The panic was evident in his tone, and his thoughts spiraled as he recalled the trauma of losing Lissa. That day had left an indelible mark on him, and now, fear gripped his heart, making it difficult to breathe. Josh squeezed his shoulder a little tighter, trying to calm him. “Hey, relax. It’s probably just traffic. These things happen. I’m sure she’ll be here soon. Just take a deep breath and put your mind at ease,” Josh reassured him, trying to ground Adrian’s escalating anxiety. Almost as if on cue, the church doors opened, revealing Edna. Clothed in a stunning white mermaid-style wedding gown, she looked ethereal. The fitted dress accentuated her figure, and her veil cascaded softly down her shoulders. She walked in with a grace that caught everyone’s attention. Her smile, radiant and warm, lit up the entire room as her gaze met Adrian’s. In that moment, the tension in the air melted away. Adrian couldn’t help but smile back, a feeling of relief washing over him as he realized she was safe and here with him. Josh grinned, giving Adrian a gentle nudge. “Your woman’s here, buddy. Go get the girl,” he said with a wink. Adrian nodded and composed himself, stepping forward to meet her at the altar. Edna walked hand in hand with her father, who proudly escorted her down the aisle. Her steps were slow and elegant, the soft rustle of her gown echoing through the silent church. As she neared, Adrian felt his heart settle, his earlier fears dissipating as he focused on the woman who would soon become his wife. The priest began the ceremony, his voice steady and calm as he led them through the traditional rites. Adrian stood beside Edna, listening as the priest spoke, but his mind was only half-present. He was trying to stay in the moment, to focus on what was happening in front of him, but a shadow lingered in the back of his mind—the memory of Lissa, the woman he had lost. It felt almost surreal to be standing there with Edna, about to make promises that just a year ago he had imagined making to someone else. When it was time for Edna to say her vows, she took a deep breath, her voice soft but filled with sincerity and love. “I, Edna, take you, Adrian, to be my husband, in sickness and in health, in wealth and in penury, till death do us part. When you need a friend, I will be your best friend. When you need help, I will be there for you. When you need care, I will support you. When you want to try something new, I will encourage you. And when you do the same for me, I will appreciate you. But if you don’t, I will forgive you. Every day, for the rest of my life.” The congregation clapped, her words resonating with those who listened. There was a warmth in her vows, a promise of steadfast love and understanding, and as she spoke, her eyes never left Adrian’s, her affection clear. It was now Adrian’s turn to take his vows. He swallowed hard, suddenly feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze on him. His hands began to tremble, and his palms were slick with sweat. The room fell into an eerie silence, a stillness that seemed to magnify his inner turmoil. All eyes were on him, waiting for him to speak, but he stood there, frozen. His heart was racing, not just because of the importance of the moment, but because memories of Lissa flooded back all at once. It had been less than a year since she died, and the grief of losing her still felt fresh, like an open wound. Adrian’s mind wrestled with the past and the present, torn between the love he had for Lissa and the reality of standing at the altar with Edna. He felt as though he was betraying Lissa by being there, as though moving on meant erasing the love he had shared with her. But his family had insisted he get married as soon as possible. They hadn’t wanted him to linger in his mourning, and the pressure had been unbearable. Reluctantly, he had agreed, knowing that the only way to move forward was to do as they wished. In the front row, Adrian’s parents exchanged anxious looks. They could see the turmoil on their son’s face, the hesitation that made them fear he might abandon the ceremony altogether. His silence stretched on, the weight of the moment almost suffocating him. But after a long internal struggle, Adrian forced himself to push Lissa’s memory aside, just enough to get through the day. He took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts, and finally recited his vows. As he spoke, he caught a glimpse of Edna’s expression. Her eyes sparkled with hope and love, her smile gentle as she listened to his words. Seeing her happiness, a part of Adrian’s heart softened. He felt a small flicker of relief knowing that, at the very least, he could make Edna happy. He owed her that much, even if a part of him would always belong to Lissa. They exchanged rings, and as the priest pronounced them husband and wife, Adrian leaned in, pressing his lips against Edna’s in a deep and passionate kiss. The crowd erupted in applause, the sound of clapping echoing throughout the church. The congregation stood in celebration, their joy evident in the wide smiles and the cheerful chatter that followed the kiss. Adrian pulled back from the kiss, his heart still heavy but a small sense of peace settling over him. He knew that what he had felt for Lissa was a love he would never forget, but he also knew that he had to at least try to make his marriage to Edna work. She deserved that effort, and maybe, in time, he could heal enough to let her in fully. For now, though, all he could do was take it one day at a time.