Of Ruins and Gentle Hands

MARISSA I’d never seen a day so bright. Everything felt like magic; the gentle flutter in my chest, the beautiful veil covering my hair and the soft music playing like a soundtrack to my forever. Today was the day. The day I would finally become Mrs. Marissa Burke. As I stood at the altar, my heart beat like a drumline. I could barely hear the whispers from the crowd or the priest’s calm instructions. All I saw was Miles; tall, elegant, with beautiful eyes. “Do you, Miles Burke, take Marissa Lowell to be your lawfully wedded wife?” The priest questioned. My smile widened. This was the day I had hoped for. The one day I had waited for since forever. Now, it was finally here! The media had swarmed the venue, cameras flashing as they captured every second, broadcasted live. The world deserved to watch us walk towards forever. Miles turned to look at me and then, smiled. But suddenly, softly but clearly, came the word “No.” No? My knees wobbled. My breath caught in my throat like thorns. A gasp erupted from the crowd and people began to murmur. I turned slightly, scanning the crowd until my eyes landed on her; my step-sister. The smirk she wore was quiet, but loud enough for me to hear her voice in my head. ‘You are not wife material and you do not deserve him. He’ll realize it sooner or later.’ I had spent years proving I could be loved. Years believing I was lovable. In just one word, he had confirmed her prophecy. No. It echoed louder than the church bells. Louder than my heartbeat. Louder than my worth. “I know you love to joke around but this isn’t funny.” I whispered. “The whole world is watching. Can you be serious this once?” I probed, anger already building up in me. He loved to joke but this was too extreme. “You really think I am joking?” He smirked. I froze on the spot. How could this be happening? “Why are you doing this, Miles?” I whispered. “What did I do to you?” It still felt like this was some silly jokes and he was just trying to pull me legs but his next actions proved otherwise. He smiled. Not the smile I had memorized. Not the one that made my heart leap years ago. This one was .... dangerous. “I am sorry.” He turned to the crowd with a louder voice. “I am sorry for wasting your time and making you all come here but I just had to do this to show everyone the type of woman Marissa here, is. I know what’s going through your minds but I intend to let you all know the truth. On that note, I’d like to share something important with everyone.” The room held its breath. My heartbeat turned into a thunderstorm beneath my ribs. I looked at my mother’s wide eyes, then at my best friend’s confused expression. If the ground could open, I would not hesitate to jump into it. But I couldn’t move. My body was rooted to the ground like I’d grown from the church floor. He signaled to someone at the back; a man dressed in all black who stepped forward with a remote in hand. The screen behind us played and it flickered to life. I didn’t think the moment could get any more surreal until he turned towards the projector screen. I tried to stay calm. Maybe he was just joking. Maybe it was a surprise proposal party. Maybe.... At first, I couldn’t tell what it was. Just blurred movement. A man and a woman. Soft lighting. Laughter. Then it cleared. It was a hotel room. And the man in the video was..... Miles. My Miles. And the woman wrapped in his arms, giggling as he kissed her shoulder and lips.... was my step-sister. My breath caught; my hands trembled. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming. Perhaps, some awful, twisted nightmare I could wake up from but then the church gasped. “What! What.... what is this? This....” Miles stuttered; his confident smirk wiped clean off his face. “This..... this isn’t the video. Someone ... This is not it!” He yelled. I held my chest as it felt like my heart was going to pop out. Miles? With my step-sister? I know she hated me and always wanted whatever I had since I was a child but never did, I imagine she would try to take the one man I genuinely loved away from me. Miles had told me severally, to ignore her and not act like she existed each time she throws tantrums. They practically hated each other even till this morning before I left. Was it.... was it all an act to not make me suspicious? “Where is the video?!” He yelled at the men. “I didn’t do this. Marissa was the one who cheated on me with another man at a hotel few weeks ago! Where is the video?” He kept yelling, looking around like a deranged man and all I did was stand there, heart split open, watching my future fall apart in front of everyone I’d ever loved. The screen kept playing. His hands on her. His lips on her. He tried to run up to the screen, tried to cut it off but nothing could undo what we had all seen. Murmurs grew and gazes flickered between him and my step-sister. How could she betray me like this? “What did you do?” He suddenly grabbed me. “How did you pull this off?!” He yelled at me but I yanked his hands off mine and threw a slap to his face immediately. I didn’t wait to see how anyone reacted. My heels clicked against the marble floor as I ran down the aisle that was supposed to lead me into forever. My veil flew behind me like a broken promise. My chest heaved as I stood on the church steps, trembling. I wanted to scream, to disappear, to rewind time. But life doesn’t come with remotes. A black car suddenly slowed right in front of the church. The window rolled down and a man in the back seat turned to look at me. “Get in.” He spoke with a calm and steady voice. “You don’t have to explain. Just breathe. I know somewhere cool for you to calm your mind and regain your sanity.” He spoke, barely taking his gaze off his tablet. “I don’t know who you are so stay away from me!” I yelled. I had to leave. I had to leave this place before guests come out to meet me here. The eyes of the congregation burned through me like a thousand needles at my every insecurity. I had never felt so exposed, so vulnerable, so utterly defeated. The shame was unbearable. Why did he do this to me? “If you had been asked ten minutes ago, you would have said you didn’t need my help but alas! You did. I mean.... how else could you have saved your name and your face if the actual video he wanted had played?” He smiled. I froze on the spot. Was he the one who had...... “Like I said, I know the perfect spot for you to clear your head so... are you coming in or are you going to wait till he finds the actual video?” He probed. I didn’t know who this man was but..... oh wait! I know this face!