34: Pity and marriage

The morning sun shone brightly, casting a golden hue over the manicured lawns and elegant flower arrangements. The air was thick with excitement as friends and family gathered at the sacred church of XXX. Everyone is looking forward to the wedding of Richard and Khana. Every soul is ready to celebrate the most anticipated wedding of the year.

Khana sat in her room and surrounded by her closest friends. They flitted around her like butterflies, fixing her veil, adjusting her dress, and adding the final touches to her makeup. Their laughter and chatter filled the room, a comforting backdrop to the whirlwind of emotions she felt inside.

"You look absolutely stunning, Khana!" exclaimed one of her friends, Serina, as she stepped back to admire the bride.

"Thank you. You look stunning as well," Khana replied.

"I can't believe this day is finally here," another friend, Bettina, added, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"Thank you for everything, Khana," Bettina added, giving her friend a meaningful look.

Khana plastered a faint smile. Her heart was swelling with gratitude for the love and support that surrounded her, yet she wasn't happy about this wedding at all.

"Thank you, all of you," she said, her voice tinged with emotion. "I couldn't have made it here without you," Khana added.

Just then, the door opened, and Khana's parents entered the room. Her mother, Karyle, had tears glistening in her eyes.

"Look at you, my baby. All I wish is to see you wear a wedding gown and start a new life, and now it is happening," says Karyle. She moved forward to embrace her daughter. Her father stood beside her, his eyes soft with pride and affection.

"Khana, my dear," her mother whispered. She kissed her cheek and added, "You look like a princess."

Her father nodded, a proud smile on his face. "I knew you wouldn't disappoint us, my dear," he said, his voice filled with warmth.

Khana's throat tightened with emotion as she hugged her parents. "Thank you, Mom."

The bride cleared her throat and continued, "Thank you, Dad. I hope today is everything you dreamed it would be."

Her father kissed her forehead and uttered, "It already is, sweetheart. It already is."

With a final hug, her parents left the room to take their car and drive to the church, where the ceremony would soon begin. Khana took a deep breath, steadying herself. 

There was no turning back now.

Meanwhile, inside the church, Richard was getting ready with his groomsmen. He looked dashing in his suit, his nervous excitement evident as he straightened his tie for the umpteenth time. His friends clapped him on the back, offering words of encouragement, and jokes to lighten the mood.

"Are you ready for this, Richard?" his best man asked with a grin.

Richard nodded, his eyes shining. "More than ready."

The groom fixed his hair and added, "I can't wait to see her."

As the guests took their seats, the church buzzed with anticipation. Richard stood at the altar, his heart pounding with excitement and nerves. All eyes were on him, admiring his composed demeanor and handsome appearance. But as soon as the music began and the first notes of the bridal march filled the air, all attention shifted to the entrance.

Khana's heart raced as she stood at the end of the aisle, her arm linked with her father's. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle over her. 

As she began her walk down the aisle, the world seemed to slow, every step echoing in her mind. Richard's eyes locked onto hers, his expression a mix of awe and love. He couldn't wait to exchange vows with her, to start their life together as husband and wife.

But amidst the sea of faces, Khana's eyes searched for someone else...

a familiar figure she had hoped against longing would appear. She wanted to deny it, to tell herself she had moved on, but her heart still clung to a thread of hope that Henry would show up somehow.

As she reached the altar, Richard took her hand, and the warmth of his touch jolted her back to reality. 

She forced a smile, determined to avoid any awkwardness, and walked with him to the altar. Her heartbeat was so loud it seemed to drown out everything else, a constant reminder of the turmoil inside her.

The priest began the ceremony, his voice calm and steady. 

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Richard and Khana in holy matrimony. If there is anyone who has any reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."

Khana's hands trembled as she held her bouquet, her grip so loose she feared she might drop it. The words echoed in her mind, the significance of the question weighing heavily on her. 

Finally, the moment passed, and no objections were raised. 

The ceremony continued, but Khana's mind was a whirl of emotions.

The priest turned to Richard, his voice solemn and clear. 

"Richard, do you take Khana to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"

Richard looked into Khana's eyes, his gaze unwavering. "I do," he said, his voice strong and clear, filled with love and conviction.

The priest then turned to Khana, his expression warm and encouraging. "Khana, do you take Richard to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

Khana was out of touch with reality and only got herself back when the priest cleared his throat, whilst Richard gently squeezed her hand.

Khana hesitated for the briefest of moments, her mind a tumult of thoughts and feelings. She glanced around, her eyes searching once more for that familiar figure, but he was nowhere to be seen. Taking a deep breath, she looked back at Richard, seeing the love and hope in his eyes. "I do," she whispered, her voice barely audible but resolute.

 She barely registered the vows, the rings, the kiss that sealed their marriage. When the priest declared them husband and wife, the applause from their guests seemed distant, almost unreal.

As they walked down the aisle together, hand in hand, Khana tried to steady herself. She smiled and nodded at the well-wishers, her heart a storm of conflicting emotions. When they stepped out of the church, the bright sunlight was almost blinding.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a familiar figure standing by a tree at the edge of the courtyard. Her breath caught in her throat, and she let go of Richard's hand without thinking.

"Henry..." she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.

Richard turned to her, confusion and concern etched on his face. But Khana didn't notice. She took a step toward the figure, her heart pounding. The man turned and began to walk away, and without thinking, she broke into a run, her wedding dress billowing around her.

"Khana, wait!" Richard called after her, his voice filled with urgency.

But Khana couldn't stop. She had to know. She had to understand why he was there, what he wanted. 

Richard reached her side, his expression a mix of hurt and concern. "Khana, what was that about?"