'The Wedding'
Charlotte adjusted the skirt of her silk gown as she emerged from the white limousine. A gentle breeze caressed her skin, and carried with it the scent of jasmine and pine from the garden and forrest surrounding the pretty church, outside which she now stood. The location was perfect for a wedding: a century old chapel on a quiet country lane surrounded by a white picket fence. The weather was also beautiful: warm, but not hot; blue sky with a few wispy clouds; gentle sunlight filtering through the canopy of branches.
Charlotte was 23 years old. Her skin was tanned, following a recent 6 month-trip to Africa - where she had been involved in an aid-program to build schools for children. She wore a long, off-the-shoulder gown, cinched in at her slim waist. Her dark hair was loose and it draped down over her bare shoulders. On her crown rested a simple coronet of gypsophila, which matched the gypsophila and Champaign roses she carried in her bouquet.
Accompanying her, in the bridal car, was her older sister, Tania - aged 25, and her friend, Emma - aged 24. The three young women straightened out their long skirts, made a few minor adjustments to their hair and flowers, and then walked toward the church entrance.
Charlotte knew that Daniel would be waiting inside, at the alter. He was the love of her life. Her soul mate. He was two years older than Charlotte and, like her, he was a qualified school-teacher. Charlotte and Daniel had been together for three years; since they had first met at university. It had been a Friday night, when they had first seen each other. Happy-hour at the University Tavern. She could still picture him - as he was on that night. He'd been standing at the bar surrounded by a group of his friends, when she'd arrived. He had been holding a glass of beer and laughing. She'd noticed his tall, athletic frame; his sandy-blonde hair, and his warm, dimpled smile. He'd been wearing a black t-shirt, black shorts and sandals; and he'd quickly noticed her as well. He soon left his friends and came over to introduced himself, and buy her a drink …
'Charlotte!' Tania was pushing Charlotte now. 'Hurry up' she screeched. 'We need to go.' The girls arranged themselves in a line and walked on.
Charlotte smiled at her father who was waiting in the chapel doorway. She thought how smart he looked wearing his best suit. She also thought how much she was like him in character. Tania was like their mother: hot-headed, demanding, argumentative and selfish. Charlotte was like her father: softly spoken, sensitive, easy-going, and the one to make compromises or give-in during any disagreements.
Charlotte thought back to when she and Tania had been children. She had constantly given-in to her older sister's demands. She recalled one Christmas when both girls had been given a doll. They had been four and six respectively, at the time. Tania had preferred Charlotte's doll to her own. Not because the doll was much different. It wasn't. Looking back, Charlotte realised that Tania had wanted her doll simply because she saw how much Charlotte loved it. Tania had screamed and cried and carried on - until Charlotte had given her sister her own doll. Tania had then smiled smugly at her. Charlotte recalled her father nodding at her, when she'd handed over her doll, as if to tell her that she had done the right thing by giving-in to her louder and more demanding sister. Anything - to keep the peace, he would often say.
This kind of scenario, where Charlotte would give-in to her sister's demands, became a pattern which would be repeated many times through their childhood and into their adults lives: with toys, with Charlotte's boyfriends … with almost anything Charlotte loved. Tania would always covet those things, and then take them from her.
The girls entered the vestibule of the church. It was cool and relatively dark inside. Charlotte thought how beautiful the old chapel was: polished wooden pews and floorboards, beams of light shining in through the stain glass windows set high in the white walls along the entire length of the church, wooden rafters above. The small church was crowded, with about a hundred guests, and, standing at the end of the aisle near the altar, was Daniel: handsome in his dark suit, blond hair neatly combed, a white flower in the button-hole of his jacket. He looked nervous, Charlotte thought, as he waited next to his best man.
A hush fell over the congregation, when the young women entered the body of the church. The organist began to play and, clutching her bouquet tightly, Charlotte began her slow march down the aisle… toward Daniel. He watched her intently. Tears in his eyes.
As she walked her thoughts returned again to the past. This time it was the recent past. Only a few months earlier. Charlotte had gone to Africa to help in a school- building project. It was something that she had wanted to do for a number of years. Daniel hadn't wanted to go; it wasn't an interest of his. But he'd supported Charlotte going. He knew it meant a lot to her.
Charlotte and Daniel had promised to write every week, for the six months that she was away. Initially, everything had gone well. Daniel had written to her weekly, and she'd sent him letters twice a week. However, after the first couple of months, he'd stopped writing.
Finally, after not hearing anything from Daniel for a month or so, her father had written to her to tell her that Tania was now spending a lot of time with Daniel, and she had been wearing a friendship ring - which she had told him was from Daniel.
After that, no-one had written to Charlotte again for the remainder of her trip. She'd written to Daniel over and over again, but he never replied.
Charlotte hadn't wanted to leave the aid-project early. She had thought that she could sort things out with Daniel when she got home. However, on her return, Charlotte had been shocked to find that the situation was all a lot worse than she could possibly have imagined. Tanya and Daniel were engaged to be married. Furthermore, Daniel wouldn't answer any of her phone calls, and he refused to speak to her.
It had all been so confusing, and shocking. Charlotte had no idea how things could have changed so drastically in the short time that she was away.
Her father had suggested that she let things stay as they were. He had told her that Tania was very happy and excited about the impending nuptials and, if this was Daniel's choice, then she should leave things as they were. If this was how Daniel really felt, then she was better off without him.
Once again, the pattern of behaviour Charlotte had experienced, throughout her life, with her older sister, had been repeated. Tanya had taken, from Charlotte, something she had loved. This time, however, it was much worse than the other times. Daniel was the love of her life. Her sister had, this time, taken from her the most important person in her life. Her sister had taken away her chance for happiness.
Yet, as she had always done, Charlotte had followed her father's advice and, for the sake of peace and family unity, she had agreed to be part of the wedding ceremony. She had accepted the situation as her fate. She had decided to endure the agony of being her sister's bridesmaid.
Charlotte reached the altar and stepped to one side. She could not bring herself to look at Daniel. She could feel his eyes intent on her. She knew, as well, that he had tears in his eyes. Although, why he would be in tears on his wedding day, she wasn't sure.
Charlotte turned to watch her sister, as Tania reached the altar on the arm of their father. She was dressed all in white: her veil, her gown, her bouquet of champagne roses. The diamond ring, on her sister's left third finger, sparkled provocatively at her. It seemed to scorn her. Charlotte looked away.
Her father smiled sympathetically toward Charlotte, as he handed Tania's right hand over to her fiancé. Charlotte did not return her father's smile. Deep inside, a voice was now telling her that her father had been wrong to teach her to always give in - for the sake of peace. He had always been wrong, in this regard. She should have fought for herself. She realised, now too late, that she should not give in to her sister and allow her to ruin her life … and take from her the things she most loved.
Bitter tears stung her eyes. She looked directly ahead. Yet, still, she could feel Daniel's eyes watching her.
The minister began the wedding vows:
'Tania _ , do you take Daniel _ , to be your wedded husband …. ' the minister words were as if from some horrible dream - distant and mocking. Charlotte felt empty and dead inside as she listened. As the minister finished, Tania responded enthusiastically, smiling smugly at Charlotte: 'I do,' she said.
The minister then turned to Daniel. 'Daniel _ , do you take Tania _ , to be your wedded wife …. '. The minister finished the vows and Charlotte waited. She waited for those awful two words of reply from Daniel. It was like waiting for the blade of the guillotine to fall. Waiting for the final act of betrayal from her sister and from the man she had loved. She waited. A long silence ensued. Daniel did not answer. He was watching Charlotte, as he had throughout the ceremony. Tears in his eyes.
The minister repeated the question. He was clearly nervous and confused about what was happening in his church.
Finally, Daniel spoke. 'I'm sorry Tania … ,' his words came quickly and with an edge to them - revealing an undercurrent of anger … and sadness. He was not looking at Tania, but continuing to watch Charlotte. 'I can't marry you, Tania. I know Charlotte found someone else in Africa … but I love her still … and I always will. I don't think I'll ever marry anyone, if I can't marry Charlotte'
Charlotte was shocked. She looked across at Daniel. She looked into his eyes, tears welling under the lids, and she could see that he still loved her. Yet, he was so sad … and she had no idea what he meant about finding someone else in Africa?!
A stunned silence came over the congregation. The minister stood shocked and silent. He looked at Charlotte, who was equally amazed by the turn in events. Only Tania made any noise. She burst into hysterical sobbing, threw her flowers at her sister, and ran from the church.
Charlotte silently watched her sister run away, as she tried to digest the words Daniel had said. Finally, she managed to respond. 'I have found no-one else in Africa … or anywhere else, Daniel! What on earth made you think that? Why would you think that?'
'You answered none of my letters,' Daniel responded. 'I wrote to you every week and I asked you to marry me. I missed you so much, while you were gone, and I realised that I wanted to be with you for the rest of my life. You wrote back … and you said "no". You wrote a letter telling me you'd met someone else. You wrote to say that you wanted to break up with me.'
Charlotte was shocked. She was speechless. She stood staring at Daniel. She had never written any such letter!
Daniel continued. 'Tania helped me to cope, after you left me. I felt dead inside after I read your letters. You were so cold and hateful in them. I was so hurt.' He wiped his eyes with the heels of his hands and looked at the ceiling. He seemed to be trying to find the right words.
He continued. 'Tania convinced me that it would hurt you the most if I married her. I don't know what I was thinking to agree to that. I was so hurt…and angry with you … and confused. I imagined you over there, in Africa, with some Aid worker.' He rocked on his heels and looked at the floor. 'I shouldn't have agreed to the wedding. Tania arranged it all. It was a stupid idea. I don't want to hurt you, Charlotte. Even if you have hurt me more than you will ever know...'
Charlotte suddenly knew exactly what had happened. She knew her sister only too well. It became very clear to her what her sister had done while she was away. 'Were these letters you received from me - typed?' she asked.
'Yes,' Daniel responded. 'They were. You should know … you sent them'.
Charlotte threw her bouquet to the floor and walked over to Daniel. She took his hands and smiled up at him. 'I didn't send you those letters, but I know who did. Daniel, I've never typed you a letter in my life. There is no one else in my life - except you. There never will be. I love you, Daniel. Only you. Only ever you.' Charlotte caressed Daniel's hands in her own. 'Those letters were from Tania. I know it. It's what she does. She's done that before. She's typed all sorts of letters: from teachers, from our parents … and from me. She lies, to get what she wants. She wanted you because she knew I loved you. She never loved you. She just wanted to take you from me.'
Charlotte felt a glow of happiness and love fill her entire being. Her head was spinning. He still loved her. He didn't know her sister, like she did. Charlotte could imagine Tania visiting Daniel's house and regularly taking all of her letters from his letter-box, then replacing those with her own hateful typed ones. Tania would have acted like his friend and offered to post his letters to Charlotte - only to put them all in the bin. Anything to get what she wanted. It was the sort of thing that Tania had done to Charlotte during their entire lives.
Daniel put his arms around Charlotte and held her close. 'I love you Daniel', Charlotte said. ' And if I'd received your letter proposing marriage then I would have said "Yes. A million times yes".'
'I love you too, Charlotte,' Daniel responded. 'And I will ask you again. Now, actually.' He held her away from him and looked down into her green eyes. 'I love you, Charlotte.' He then went down on one knee, continuing to hold her hands in his. 'Will you marry me?'
'Yes,' she replied.
The silence in the church was replaced by a thunderous applause. Charlotte's father looked to the ground sadly and sat down. He would not interfere in his daughter's decisions again. Everyone else stood up and congratulated the couple, or talked excitedly among themselves as they made their way toward the exit.
Tania was long gone. She would never be a friend to Charlotte. She was Charlotte's older sister but she would never be and had never been her friend.
Daniel and Charlotte had a small but lovely wedding only six weeks later. They saw no reason to wait. Charlotte's father walked her down the aisle at their small garden ceremony. The wedding was simple. The marriage was beautiful.
Charlotte learned, finally, a lesson from her father. She learned that he was wrong to give-in always during arguments - just for the sake of peace. Disagreements are a necessary and inevitable part of any relationship. They are an opportunity to find solutions to resolve problems, and they are a time for compromise, not completely giving-in.
Charlotte and Daniel's marriage was to be a long and happy one. They were soul mates and they each knew how lucky they had been to marry their best friend.
The End
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