This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives; Evets and Siri boarded the small airplane to their destination wedding in the town of Egnarg where she grew up. Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamt about getting married in the rustic Catholic Church that sat prominently on the hill on the outskirt of town, where she attended Mass every Sunday with her parents. She had prepared for this day. Everything was ready according to Miss Nerual, their wedding planner, and her Mom, Dad, and her friend Norahs who left yesterday to see to the final touches.
Everyone fasten their seatbelts as the flight attendant reminded them, and the airplane got ready to taxi the runway before takeoff. Siri was so happy. The day had finally arrived since Evets proposed a year ago. She breathed out an air of relief and slipped her arm into Evets’ arm. He spontaneously locked his fingers around hers. She was overjoyed; in a few hours, she will be married to the man who completed her life. She put my head on his shoulder and close her eyes as the airplane ascended to the sky.
Siri and Evets met three years ago, today. She remembered the day so vividly. She had returned from a business trip and just wanted to relax and have a fun night out with her friend, Norahs. They went to a karaoke night out in the city. She sang by herself and did duets with Norahs. They were having so much fun until this handsome man wearing Elvis attire walked through the front door. She watched him sashayed with confidence towards the bar where she sat. A man in the back called out to him, and he waved. As he came nearer, he looked at her and smiled, which exposed the dimples in his cheeks. He dressed as the Impersonator, and he was ready for action.
He told the bartender the usual and turned to her. His spicy cologne permeated air to her nostrils. He leaned in and said, “I have spent a lifetime waiting for the right time; now that you are near, the time is here at last.” Siri was impressed by his quote, and looking past the costume, his handsomeness prevailed. Before the night was over, they were his backup singers, which led to where she was, there, on a plane on their wedding day.
Siri woke up when her head hit Evets’ shoulder. The calm voice of the captain came across the intercom warned them of turbulence ahead. The airplane started to shake. She felt nauseated. She felt as if a revolution was about to get started in her belly. She popped gum in her mouth and swallowed the minty juice to suppress the feeling. Her belly wanted to send back everything it ate back from whence they came. Evets seemed so relax, but he was always a pretender. He was just as afraid as she was. He stroked her head slowly and caringly as if soothing a frightened dog. It felt good, and it helped along with the prayer she repeatedly said for God to keep them safe and calm the sky as it was when the seas were rough and stormy to say, Peace, be still. The hostess sauntered by like a drunk person asking them if they were okay and if they needed anything. With her mind, Siri willed the storm to cease. Their heads bounced about as the airplane shook. She could hear sporadic gasps and blasphemous exclamation. She thought that this was it; they were going to die on their wedding day.
Like the way the storm started, it ended. God answered her prayer. The plane landed smoothly behind schedule. People clapped with appreciation and thankful that they made it to the ground alive and well. Siri stood and flexed her legs to bring back normal blood flow. Her legs felt weak but got stronger and stronger with each step she took off the airplane and onto the solid ground. They collected their luggage, went through customs, walked out of the airport, and into the warmth of the island sun.
Sito, her long time friend, and Everts best man stood there with a wide grin. He and Norahs came yesterday and rented a car, a red sports car. They gave hugs and hopped in the car. She told Sito all about the turbulence as he pulled up to the entrance of the hotel. They were going to their separate rooms, get dressed, and Sito would drive Evets to the church, where she would follow later with bridal party. They checked in, and Evets walked her to her room door. They kissed for the last time as a single person; then he walked into the open elevator and disappeared behind its doors.
Siri was so excited to see familiar faces. Her three favorite ladies were there with her. Her dress hung on the rod by the window. Soon she will be Mrs. Evets. She was not nervous at all, although a flutter of anticipation lurked within. She ran her hand under the sheer material of the veil, and it slithered off gracefully. Her Mom wore a permanent smile on her face. Siri could see that she was happy for her. Her appeal for grandchildren now seemed a reality. Elimac, one of her best friends who still lived on the Island, opened the bottle of Merlot that sat on the table and poured them each a glass. Their glasses clinked as they toasted to a new beginning and the induction into the life of a married woman.
It was time to step out and meet her destiny. The photographer Elimac hired snapped pictures after pictures. Siri was all dressed up like a queen going to meet her king. She admired herself again in the full-length mirror on the closet door, and she could not recognize herself. The makeup artist had done a fabulous job. Nothing can stop them now; here comes the bride. The chauffeur stood by the limousine as he waited for the bridal party. The photographer stopped them before they went in to take another series of pictures. Siri followed his direction with every pose; she was his supermodel.
The driver, Mr. Snib drove the scenic route along the coastline instead of going into town. The sunlight danced on the surface of the water, accompanied each wave that came ashore. The photographer stopped the driver and asked to use the ocean as the backdrop for his next series of pictures. Siri wondered how Everts was doing. He also had a personal photographer. Was he at the church waiting for her? Her mother’s phone rang; it was her Dad. She stepped aside to talk to him and the smile she wore faded to furrowed brows. Her Mom came back smiling; they took more pictures.
Back in the car, they traveled in silence; then Mom told them that Evets was not at the church as yet and that he would let them know when to come. Mom told the driver the news, and he decided to drive us around, but we got caught up in traffic. People honked their horns impatiently. This delay would give them time. Probably Evets had gotten caught up in the traffic as well. It was 4: 48 p.m. and the wedding was to begin at 4:00 p.m., so why were they not there already? Siri got worried. She told her Mom to call Evets. Mom dialed and placed the phone on the speaker, but the unanswered ring echoed in the limousine. She dialed again; this time, she called Dad. Dad told them neither he nor Sito was there; and that the priest and the other guests were getting restless. Mom redialed Evets number, still no answer. Siri did not have her phone with her, so she had no contact number for Sito.
Siri’s gut churned with the feeling of anxiety. There they were, stuck in traffic, her husband was not at the church, no one knew where they were, and they were late for their wedding ceremony. It took them about twenty-five minutes to finally get to the reason for the bumper to bumper traffic. There was a car accident on the opposite side of the street. A car was on its side and another car by a lamp post. Siri wound down the tinted window for a better look and saw what would haunt her for the rest of her life. It was Sito’s rental.
Siri cried out to the driver to stop, opened the car door, and scrambled out. With her dress in hand and her bridal party in tow, they ran to the crash site. People gazed at them while Siri searched for Evets and Sito. They were not around. There was debris all around the area. The front part of Sito’s rental car was damaged beyond repairs. The windshield was missing, and both the driver and passenger’s airbags were deployed. People whispered. Their empathy for them was evident on their faces. Nobody looked at them in their eyes. Siri asked an onlooker about the accident, and she said that the ambulance took two occupants of the car to the hospital. The photographer snapped another series of pictures.
At that time, Siri broke out in wails. Mom and Norahs grabbed her arms, and Elimac picked up the train of her gown before she collapsed and steered her toward the limousine parked at the curb; they got in, and Mom told him to take them to the hospital. Everything was spiraling out of control for Siri. Her head throbbed with pain. The warm tears carried the black mascara down her cheeks, a sign of a wounded bride to be or not to be. The fear of losing Evets was real. She asked herself, how could this be happening to me? Why were they late? Were they speeding because of their lateness? Were they okay? They got to the hospital, within the hour. Siri wanted to know what was happening. The turbulence needed to stop. Where was Evets to hold her hand and assure her that everything would be okay? They waited for news. The doctor emerged and the look on his face painted an end to her story by then, it was too late…Evets was gone. That elevator door closed and took her love to the heavens.
Ok, I said it!
I’m a sucker for happy endings so this one left me feeling sad…
Sorry Nadz. This was the story prompt. Start your story with the line, “This was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives,” and end it with, “By then it was too late.”