The Wrong Bride

The Wedding Jam

The wedding hall was arranged like a church, people were sitting on their seats on both the side of the aisle. When they noticed us coming, they turned from the seat and started looking at us. Suddenly all eyes were on us, more specifically on me.

I panicked. I had a sudden urge to run. I took a step back, but Mr. Petrakis whose arms were entwined with mine stayed firm. He whispered, "don't worry I'm here".

At that moment I looked in front of me to the people sitting, to the band at the back, to the priest and then a tall dark man clad in a black tuxedo.

He stood out from the crowd. His both hands were at his back and he was looking at our side with a self-satisfied assurance as if whatever he gets is always the best of the lot. Little did he knew that the person with whom he is going to exchange the vows is not even included in that lot. Let alone being best of that lot.

But I have come this far, I cannot chicken out now. I have to do this for Maria. So, I kept on walking.

The sweet background music was not much successful in calming my nerves. With every step I was fearing that someone might catch me and scream from behind, "she is not Maria".

But no such sound came. Finally, I reached the altar, Mr. Petrakis left my hand and stepped backward.

I was now standing face to face with Mr. Costas. I looked at him. He was really tall in person, much taller than me. I'm guessing around 6'2. He was looking down at me. Although he couldn't see my face properly through the translucent veil but his concentration was on my face.

He was smiling down at me. His eyes had warmth. He looked happy.

He then took his hands in mine. At that moment I thought why would anyone will be afraid of him? He looked so nice, like a gentleman. My nervousness was all gone now.

The wedding begin, the rings were exchanged, vows exchanged and the time for kissing the bride came.

"Can I finally see you my dear bride", he said in a low voice so that only I can hear. His voice was so deep, I have never heard a voice so deep before. He was still smiling. He said that one sentence so well, with so much warmth and calmness. I was in love with that sentence.

As it might me the only sentence, I ever get from him.

He started lifting my veil. I shifted so now my back is slightly turned towards the audience so that they cannot see my face.

As he lifted my veil. I observed the expression on his face. His half smile on seeing me turned into a wide one. And then he put one hand behind my head to hold it gently, then he slowly lowered his head to kiss my lips. I closed my eyes waiting for the warmness to come.

And it came. And my was it some warmness.

He kissed me softly and gently and lovely. And I in my shock, excitement, surprise, expectation, happiness, sadness and so many more emotions I cannot name, stood still. Like a statue.

It was a brief kiss but I loved his kiss. I loved it. It was exactly the kind I wanted.

But it was a shame it was all I could get.

#*#*#*

I was sitting in the hotel room with a phone in my hand waiting for Maria to come. The plan was that as soon as the ceremony had taken place, I was to make an excuse for the washroom where Maria will be waiting and then we would switch places. So that she could go to the reception and the first dance. But Maria's interview got a little delayed first and now they are stuck in the traffic.

I then had no choice but to make my excuses to Mr. Costas. I told him that I was feeling a little nauseous and I have to go to my room. He said he would come but I tried to reason that at least one of us should be downstairs. Well, it took a lot of convincing to finally make him agree.

Now that I'm sitting in the hotel room waiting, my heart is going the speed of a bullet. I'm dreading that Maria's mom or dad seeing she's not there would come up to check. I have till now avoided any face to face encounter with her mother, but if she comes now then she will catch my facade.

I texted Maria asking how much more time she will take. Just then there was a knock on the door.

My heart stopped beating. I stayed where I was, trying to ignore it. But the knocking persisted. I got up silently prayed it's not Mr. or Mrs. Petrakis. Then I opened the door.

It was Mr. Costas. I sighed in relief.

"Hey how are you feeling now? You look so pale", he said softly taking a stray tendril away from my face.

" I'm fine now, maybe I was just suffocated".

"Well hope you don't mind. I took your parents’ permission to take you home. As you are not feeling well, there is no point in tiring you anymore. And you will be meeting them tomorrow anyway", he said in a concerned tone, "so will it be fine for you if you don't meet them today as they are busy attending the guests right now and probably won't be free soon?"

I didn't know what to do so I said, "One second, I will be back from the washroom".

"Another bout of nausea?"

"I think so".

"I'll come with you"

"No, you stay outside".

I went inside the washroom and locked it. Oh no what do I do now. If I tell him no then Maria's mom or dad will come and catch me soon. But if I say yes, then I will have to go to his home.

And I cannot do that because it's their first night. And besides escaping from his home will be more difficult. Oh... this was so not a part of the plan.

Just then Maria's text came.

'We're still stuck. We might take an hour or two to reach. What's the status there".

Then I made the decision. I couldn't risk getting caught now. So, I texted, "Stay at my place. I'm going to Mr. Costas's house otherwise I'll get caught. I'll keep you updated."

Then I came out of the bathroom. I found him standing near the bed.

"How are you? Are you fine? Can you walk?", he started questioning with a worried expression.

"I'm feeling a little better now but I think we should go to your house".

"Yes, that's good. Just take your purse, rest of your stuff will be delivered later. Since my family are still at the wedding, they will not be there to disturb you. You can meet them tomorrow".

#*#*#*

It was around 10:00 at night. Until now Mr. Costas had given me privacy so that I can sleep. But all I can think of was my escape route.

There was a noise of the door opening and he came inside the room.

"You're not sleeping? How are you feeling now?", he said sitting on the bed and taking my hand in his hand.

"I'm feeling better. No, I couldn't sleep. I haven't even changed yet"

"Do you want my help in taking it off?"

Just then I realized something, is he? Will he? No, he surely wouldn't. He thinks I'm sick. But I just said I'm feeling better. Would he try to?

Maybe he understood my expression. Because he threw his head back and started laughing loudly. I was sitting dumbstruck looking at him. Oh, how wonderful he looked while laughing.

"I genuinely wanted to help you Mrs. Costas. There is no hidden agenda I assure you". He said with a twinkle in his eyes as if he was enjoying my reaction. "I won't force you for anything. You can take your time".

"Yes, I uh... I know. I was not thinking about that. I was just worrying about the dress that's all. I was thinking how to take it off......", my hasty reply was interrupted by his fingers on my lips.

"Relax my dear why are you so nervous? “he asked. A grin still on his face.

He took his one finger and started moving it on my cheeks. "You are so much more beautiful than your photo. A perfect beauty", he said appreciation in his eyes.

I smiled, “thank you".

I then got up and went towards the dressing mirror. I slowly started to take off my earrings. Then I felt warm hands on the nape of my neck.

I looked into the mirror. He was taking off my necklace but his eyes were looking at me through the mirror.

"Don't say anything", he said and took off my necklace and kissed the nape of my neck. Then he turned me around. Held my head between his hands and kissed me.

This time he took his time with the kiss. It was not as gentle but it was soft and warm. He kissed and kissed slowly exploring my lips. My head got tilted at the back and I opened my mouth. As he gained entry, he started exploring my mouth with his lips, his tongue while he was kissing, sucking and gently biting. I gave out a small moan and so did he.

After it was over, we were both breathless. He looked down at me and touched my forehead with his own and said, "You... are like an illusion, as if today you are here tomorrow you will be gone".

He then kissed my forehead and asked me to go to sleep. I changed and laid down on the bed.

He then said," tomorrow I have some work in the morning. After that we will go to the registrar's office to get our marriage registered. Then two days here at my parents’ home then we will go to my house. There we can plan our honeymoon hmm. Good night Maria".

"Good night Mr. Costas", I said.

"For you it's Damianos", he then kissed me again and went to sleep.

While I was trying to sleep, I was thinking about what he said about me being an illusion and how true his words were.

#*#*#*

I woke up to a soft sound. It was still dark but I saw Damianos was getting up from his bed probably to get ready. He tried to not make any sound so that I don't get up.

But I was already awake. Still I kept my eyes closed and waited for him to leave. It was still dark outside, that means it is very early right now. If he leaves soon then I can escape too.

After some time, he came back dressed up, he kissed me softly on the cheeks and left. All this while I was pretending to sleep.

After he had left, I waited for some time to confirm that he has gone. Then I slowly got up from the bed. I took my hoody and jeans from my bag and wore them in a haste after removing my night clothes. I took some money I have kept for emergency and started leaving without bothering to even wash my face.

I came out of my room. I looked around. Damianos's room was on the first floor and a staircase was going from the first floor to the middle of the main hall. So, I peeked down from the stairs to look if anyone was there. I couldn't see anyone so I slowly started descending the stairs.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I heard footsteps. I froze in my place. I turned. It was a lady. She came from the back side of the hall. I thought she will catch me.

But then she turned towards the kitchen. I sighed in relief and proceeded towards the main door.

I opened the main door and came out of the house. There was no one outside, so I walked through the garden and reached the main gate.

Now there was a problem. I was trying to find a way to open the huge gate but I couldn't. I tried to find if there's a hidden small door within the gate.

After much searching, I succeeded in finding a small gate, I opened its lock to go outside.

Then suddenly I heard a voice, "Yes? Who is this?"

I turned to find a man in watchman's uniform looking at me.

"Who are you I said”, he repeated sternly.

When I still didn't gave him an answer he said, "answer me or I'll complaint to Mr. Costas".

Then I took off my hoody cap and said, "It's just me, Mrs. Costas".

After realizing who I was he straightened, "oh I'm sorry Mrs. Costas. But where are you going so early in the morning?".

"Umm, well I just needed something. I will be back soon".

"What do you need I will bring it for you ma'am".

"Oh no, no need for that. I will bring it myself. I will be back soon". And without waiting for his reply I went outside the gate. I walked towards the nearest taxi or bus stand. And I waited for a bus. After I found a bus a climbed it and waited to reach my place.

I reached my place and went inside my apartment. I had already texted Maria. She was waiting for me.

"Oh goodness Elly, is everything alright? Are we caught?", she said worrying.

"We are fine. But you need to rush back because Damia.... I mean Mr. Costas will be back soon and he might catch you. Now hurry".

Maria didn't waste one more minute and left for the Costas house.

Maria reached inside the house very easily. The Watchman was still at the gate but he didn't recognize that it was a different woman than before as she was wearing the same hoody and jeans that I was wearing. She quietly entered the room. And breathed a sigh of relief.

After some time, there was a knock on the door. She opened it, it was Damianos's mother and elder sister.

"Good morning Maria, I hope you slept well", his mother said.

"I did thank you", Maria said.

"Oh, Maria there's so many things I would like to talk to you about, yesterday we didn't get a chance, I heard you were not well. How are you now?", asked Damianos's sister.

"She can talk to you later Sofia, let her get dressed up first. Maria darling get ready, you have to go to the registrar's office. Damianos will be meeting you there itself", said his mother.

Outside the registrar's office, Maria, both Damianos's parents and Maria's parents were present. Then Damianos came outside the office and said, "they are ready for us".

Then they all went inside.

The registrar asked the bride and groom to come to the front to sign.

Damianos signed at the place specified. Then Maria came forward and took a pen from the registrar's hand to sign.

She was going to sign but suddenly someone caught her hands, she looked up to find it was Damianos who was holding her hand.

He was looking at her with confusion and anger.

"Who the Hell Are You?"

#*#*#*