To Make Her Mine

Josh

                            One day before

Tonight I was leaving for Eli and Eva's marriage. My flight was late night so I would land in the early morning. I was not sure if I could see Eva in normal dress , forget about seeing her in bridal gown. It would be very difficult. I felt sudden panic every time I thought about it. Given that I was feeling this since two months now when I received the news of them getting married and I remembered this atleast several times a day, So how many times I had these mini heart attacks? Go figure. 

When I saw Eli's name flashing on my cell two months back, I knew what he was calling me for, to be his best man. I couldn't say no to Eli so I did what I did the best. I avoided him. But then Bridget called, I couldn't avoid her of course, She had been a great support all through my life. It was her who helped me achieve my dream.

Talking to Bridget helped me to view the scenario in different light. Being a best man to Eli would be awkward but I had to do it for everyone's sake. To show Eli and Eva I had moved on, even to myself. Part of me wanted to prove it so badly to Eva. Part of me wanted to hold her and kiss her. Snap out of it, damnit. I cursed loudly. She was not yours.

I landed early in the morning. Eli had sent me the location of the resort. It took me few hours to reach there after renting a car outside the airport. I had last seen her at Richard's, her father's funeral. She had hugged me then and cried. I felt so helpless and then Eli came, she hugged him and cried even more. It felt like I lost her for good after all. She looked more relaxed when Eli hugged her. Eli was better partner for her than I ever could be.

Only an year passed for the funeral but it felt like years I last saw her. As I parked the car in the resort, she came down the stairs, our eyes met for a second then she looked down. She glowed like an angel in her baby pink dress, it suited her. I felt air leaving my lungs, as I laid my eyes on her. She was always beautiful but now she looked stunning. That silky smooth skin. Her slender body with those perfect curves. Her tempting neck. Her dark brown hair. And those Fuller lips. She looked so beautiful that my whole life flashed back in front of my eyes. Those nights we studied together. When we slept in her backyard and looked at the stars. The first time when I kissed her soft lips.

Thank God, Eli was nowhere to be seen Or he would have noticed me oggling over his would be wife. I felt embarrassed at myself.

It should have been Eli or Bridget to welcome me, damn them both. I realised Seeing Eva wasn't something that I was prepared for. Just not now. I needed some time. I had to do it sometime being a best man.

"Hi Eva."I said. I didn't know what to do, seeing her was too much. I thought of hugging her but touching her that way would jog the unwanted memories. So I went for handshake.

It was awkward. She felt that too but she tried not to show.

"Hi Josh. Welcome. Eli has gone to run some errands and Mom is busy with caterers. I was free so here I'm.... I will take you to your room."

"Thanks."

Our walk to the room was super awkward as we both couldn't find anything to say. So we just walked together in utter silence.

"This is you. The room to the left is mine. And the front one is Eli if you need anything."

"You are staying in different rooms?"
Stupid question of the century. Why did it matter if they stayed together or shared? They were going to be husband and wife in three days. They would be sharing their life. The thought felt like a punch to the gut.
Don't poke your nose in unwanted places, I told myself.

Eva raised her eyebrows and glared at me as if she was offended.

"Yeah, Mom's rules. Didn't want us to stay in a room before marriage. Stupid but Anyways it was just question of few days. We can manage really." She said politely.