03: The Wedding day

Father Henry was getting ready to go to church. He caught a glimpse of himself staring at his reflection in the mirror. His heart beat faster when he laid his eyes on his cheek and remembered what happened at Khana's last visit.

He could vividly remember everything when she asked him to walk away or turn around. He's frozen in place upon hearing— 'You really remind me of someone. Please turn around if I have mistaken you for someone else. And if my intuition is right, please walk away.'

He was too scared to turn around, torn between his desire to see her and his fear of revealing his true identity. His heart pounded in his chest as he grappled with the monumental decision before him. He knew that turning around would mean facing the woman he had loved for so long but had to let go.

The seconds stretched into an eternity as he weighed his options. He whispered a silent prayer for guidance, seeking strength from the same faith that had compelled him to become a priest and conceal his past. The internal battle between his love for Khana and his commitment to his vows raged on.

Khana watched as Father Henry remained motionless, his back to her. Her intuition told her that something extraordinary was about to unfold, and her heart raced in anticipation. She had spent years searching for him, and now, she was convinced she had found the man who had once been her lover.

With trembling hands and voice filled with emotion, she pleaded, "Father Henry, please, I need to know the truth. Turn around, and let me see your face."

Henry's mind raced, his palms moist with sweat, but his feet refused to move. The weight of his secrets pressed upon him like an unbearable burden. He knew that facing Khana would shatter the carefully constructed facade he had built as a priest, and it would inevitably lead to consequences he could hardly fathom.

Khana took a tentative step closer to him, her heart aching with longing. She whispered, "I can't go on living without knowing, without closure. Please, Father, grant me this one request."

He made an excuse, saying, "I'll meet you on your wedding day. I just find it uncomfortable facing you after your confession. Please be careful on your way out."

"That's it! Until now, you won't even give me a proper closure. I can't believe I held back all these years and waited for you. I will understand if you left because this is what you want, but why won't you give me peace of mind?! I deserve a proper farewell!" says Khana. She grabbed him, and her hand flew to his cheek.

He turned around and smiled, "Congratulations on your wedding. I wish you all the best."

A tear fell from Khana while saying, "I can't believe you are congratulating me with that straight face of yours. How could you?" 

[Knock]  [Knock]  [Knock]

It's that annoying knock on the door that made Father Henry snap back to the present.

"Father, the wedding is about to begin. Everyone is looking for you to solemnize the event,” says his fellow church servant.

Henry nodded and walked behind his fellow church servant. His steps are getting heavier as they are nearly approaching the altar. 

'After that incident from a couple of weeks, it will be your first time seeing her again. Not in the confession room... but on her wedding day, are you truly prepared to face her?' says the voice inside the priest's voice, but fails to get an answer. He  lost the chance to decide since the orchestra started to play the song.

The church was a vision of serenity, bathed in the soft golden light of afternoon. Stained glass windows filtered the sunlight, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the wooden pews. Bouquets of fragrant flowers adorned every other row, their sweet scent mingling with the hushed murmurs of anticipation. 

Khana's heart pounded in her chest as she took slow, measured steps down the aisle in her pristine white gown, each footfall a whisper of trepidation.

Her eyes, lined with kohl, were fixed on the altar where Richard, her fiancé, waited. She had dreamt of this moment her whole life – walking down the aisle, towards her soulmate to begin their journey together. She was staring at the altar and thought of the promise by her and the guy standing in the altar, holding a holy bible. As she neared the end of her journey, a strange sensation gripped her heart, making it hard to breathe.

The priest, Father Henry, stood at the altar, resplendent in his white robe. He had a serene smile on his face as he held the Bible open, ready to officiate the ceremony. He was no longer a kid, his beard was slowly growing, but his warm ebony eyes were the same. They were the eyes that Khana had once gazed into and had seen her soul. The same eyes that had loved her like no other.

As Khana continued her slow, measured walk toward her groom, her eyes met Father Henry's. Time seems to stand still as their eyes locked with each other. Khana's heart hammered louder, threatening to betray her in front of the congregation. Father Henry's smile faltered, his gaze locked on Khana's alluring look, which perfectly suited the wedding gown.

Richard, oblivious to the unspoken tension in the air, beamed with anticipation. The congregation watched, waiting for the bride to reach her destination. Khana's mind was in turmoil, torn between the past and the present, between the love she had known and the love she's trying to commit to. 

She couldn't move. 

She couldn't breathe... 

... couldn't take another step.

The space seemed to grow smaller, the air thicker. Henry's ebony eyes, once filled with warmth and love, now held an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. Memories of their shared past, the love they had hidden and lost, flooded her mind, making it difficult to concentrate on the man waiting at the end of the aisle.

Richard, her betrothed, remained blissfully unaware of the turmoil in Khana's heart. He beamed with joy, eagerly awaiting her arrival. But as Khana drew nearer to him, her unease intensified, threatening to suffocate her. 

Time hung suspended as Khana stood there, frozen in the spotlight. Richard, now fully aware that something was amiss. He rushed in her direction and reached out to touch her arm. His brow furrowed in concern. 

"Honey, what's wrong?" he asked.

Khana glanced at her fiance. She stumbled to utter the words, "I-I..."