Enchanting Rendezvous

I was 18 when started to hate weddings. Don't get me wrong. I believe in love, marriage, and everything else that comes with it. It's the fuss in weddings that I dislike. I never understood why they have to worry too much about the cake, the flowers and the dresses. I just didn't get why the celebration of love had become so commercialized. And every time I had to go to a wedding, I had to pretend I was enjoying it. I had to show I was extremely happy for the couple.

I was 22 when I met him in one. In the middle of my fake laughter for the cheesy lines the best man was delivering, my eyes caught his or I think it was better to say that his eyes caught mine. He was a normal-looking man except for his mysterious eyes. He doesn't look comfortable in his tux. He seemed like the laid-back T-shirt kind of guy. I knew he was dying to remove his tux. Our eyes talked for a while until he decided to come near me.

He pulled the chair next to mine. "I can see you're enjoying the best man's lines," he teased. I was right. His eyes were really something.

I rolled my eyes. "Why do they have to do that?" I asked, disregarding what he had just said.

"Do what?" his thick brows creased.

I shrugged, "The speech, the toast and all those strange wedding rituals."

"Well, well ... we have one bitter bridesmaid here!" he smiled. I laughed, that time it was real.

"I think I need some air. It's getting stuffy in here." I said as I composed myself from after laughing. I wanted some air. Or maybe, I just wanted to be away from all the fuss.

"Need some company?" he asked.

"Suit yourself."

I admit, it was the first time I enjoyed a wedding. All we did was talk. We talked about random things but it was mostly about my complaints about weddings and other social events.

"So, are you saying that you would never fuss about your own wedding in the future?" he suddenly inquired.

"Nah ... I would never get married this way. Or maybe I'll just elope." I answered.

His eyes grew bigger, "Seriously?"

"Seriously."

We chatted more. I learned that he writes, cooks, and plays badminton. He learned that I dance, draw and sleep a lot. We realized how odd our personalities were. We didn't notice the time. When it was time for me to leave, that was the only time we realized that we didn't even get each other's name. "Oh, I'm Lucy by the way. I'm the groom's sister."

"Patrick," he offered his hand.

"All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you," I said as I waved goodbye.

That night ended with me blushing and my cousins teasing me all the way home. I wondered how, even in a very short period of time, I felt attraction. At some point, I even thought it was more than that. And I couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same way I did.

But I guess I was the only one interested in him because he never called. Well, we didn't really exchanged numbers but he could easily find me if he wanted to, right? I was the groom's sister, for Pete's sake. He could ask anybody about me. A few clicks on google would land him to my facebook, twitter and instagram accounts. But I had my own pride, I didn't want to be desperate so I never bothered asking Lucas, my brother nor Peaches, my sister-in-law. He should find me, not the other way around. But I hated the fact that even if it was just a one night thing, I could not forget him. I hated that he had this big impact in my life but it seemed like I was just a random girl he had a chat with at some wedding.

I was 25 when I had to go to yet another wedding. That time I had more bitterness for weddings. First, because I still didn't get all the fuss. Second, because it reminded me of him. I had to pretend I was so happy for my best friend. Don't get me wrong I was genuinely happy for Lauren, but I hated her for making me the maid-of-honor. My cheeks were so tired of all the smiling I had to do. And in the middle of my maid-of-honor speech, I saw him again. He looked more mature but he still had the same mesmerizing eyes that enchanted me. This time, he looked more comfortable in his tux. I was pretty sure he was staring at me the whole time. Deep down I knew he was laughing at the cliché lines I had to deliver.

I was about to go to his table after my speech when I was taken aback because a woman sat next to him and took his hand. I couldn't believe it. I knew I had no right to be jealous, but it pained me seeing their smiles. I wondered whether his was real or fake. I caught him throwing glances at my table the entire night. I couldn't care less.

I had to get some air and I ended up in the hotel's terrace when I heard a familiar voice. "Lucy," he called.

"Oh, you remember my name," I retorted.

"Who would ever forget The-Girl-who-hates-weddings?"

"You just did," I said. I didn't know why I said that. I wanted to take that back. I sounded like a jealous whiny girlfriend.

"I didn't forget. I would never forget. I was just not brave enough." He whispered.

"Not brave enough to what?"

"I was a coward. I was afraid to chase you." He said. He looked me straight in the eyes and I was pretty sure they had lasers because they were melting me.

"Your date must be waiting for you," I looked away.

"It was enchanting to see you again, Lucy." He left me with those words.

Now at 28, I have to attend another wedding. I don't know how and why but I now get it. I now understand why they go through all the fuss for a few hours of celebration. Every detail has to be the best if not perfect. Every detail has to be at par with the couple's feelings at the moment.

And now, as I walk down the aisle covered with flowers I meticulously picked, I'm slowly understanding why weddings are enchanting. Wearing the gown I personally designed, with my sweaty hands holding my bouquet, I walk towards the man I agreed to have a rendezvous with. The same man I met in two other weddings. The same man whom I can talk to for hours. The same man I had no hesitations opening myself to. The very same man who eventually had the courage to chase me. The same man whom I would do all this fuss with.

It is a long walk but I'll get there.