The Story of Us (A MaiChard Adaptation)

Fifteen: Letting Go

"I'm technically single but my heart is taken by someone I can't call my own..."

"What's your dream wedding?" I asked, glancing at Maine who was sitting next to me on the sandy beach of Hawaii. Her face was calm, beaming under the blaring sunlight. She wore sunglasses and a fedora to shield her from the heat. And under the wide clear blue sky, with just jeans and a white shirt, she definitely looked amazing.

Both of us decided, (or we could say that I decided and she just came along... or dragged) to go to Hawaii for the farewell trip just as I planned before we're married. Spending the last week as a married couple. And after almost ten hours of flight, we landed on this beautiful island and right now, we're spending the afternoon gazing at the sparkling sea.

My heart suddenly ached.

I've failed to impress her.

I have to let her go.

I have to say goodbye...

But before that, I have to give her something to remember: our memories together.

She smiled sweetly. "I've never dreamt of anything. I've never dreamt of getting married before. So, I lack the fantasy."

"Oh, come on. You must have wanted to do something," I demanded, looking at her earnestly.

She chuckled gently. "Well, if you wanted to know... maybe I've dreamt about it once in a while," she said, staring at me and shifting her gaze back to the sea. Her voice turned hopeful and cheery. "I want a very simple wedding, just me and my groom and maybe, a couple of friends. We would dress casually. He will wear a bow and I'll have a veil and we would ride around in a scooter and shout out loud in the middle of the town that we're married." She laughed softly. "That... will be wonderful."

I smiled at her. "It is wonderful," I commented, amused.

Her gaze turned to mine and her eyes were twinkling. "Thank you. But it was just nothing; it's not that I will be able to do that. My parents will never allow me to do something extreme like that."

"Well," I said, standing up, brushing the sand off my pants. "Something they never know will never hurt. Let's go." I reached for her hand and hauled her off the shore.

"What? Where to?" she screamed as she walked hurriedly to follow my quick steps.

---

I rented a scooter and both of us are riding to the nearest town. I stopped at a boutique and came out with a red bow on my neck, and a white short veil, a small crown hair clip and a tutu on my hands.

Maine laughed hysterically. "You want me to wear a veil... and a tutu... on a scooter?" she asked bluntly.

I grinned. "Yes. That's what you want."

I helped her with the veil while she hooked the tutu on her waist. She giggled the entire time, ignoring the whispering crowd as we stood on the roadside. Her face reddened.

I stared at her after we're done. She looked absolutely gorgeous, with the veil and a tutu over her black skin-tight jeans.

I grabbed a stalk of sunflower on the nearby florist and handed it to her. She took it with a smile and we rode the scooter again. We arrived at an old white church and I dragged her inside.

Both of us stood at the altar and gazes locked in each other's eyes. I held her hands and flashed a huge grin.

"What are we doing, Alden?" she hissed.