Chapter 16 #3
On Thursday Niky called to invite me to the movies because a film she wanted to see was premiering.
We met at the door of a pizzeria a while before to grab something to eat before the late-night showing.
We ordered a small pizza to share and had beer with it.
I noticed she was very happy and that made me glad because it meant she wasn’t worried about Henry and, therefore, he must be doing better.
I had thought about him a lot, actually there wasn’t a day I didn’t think about him, I missed him terribly.
“You seem very cheerful today and I love that,” I said.
“I’m working on something, and if it goes well, I assure you I’ll be much happier,” she replied with a big smile.
“Does it have to do with matters of the heart?” I inquired.
“You’re right about that,” she replied, without losing her smile.
“Are you in love?”
“Not yet, but well, you never know...”
“Why are you being so mysterious?”
“I’ll tell you on Friday, I need to work out a few more things.”
“Work out? What are you up to?”
“I already told you, matters of the heart, and I hope with all my strength that it works out.”
“If it makes you this happy, I hope so too.”
“Thank you.”
The movie was very entertaining, but it ended extremely late, so when we left the theater, we said goodbye knowing we would see each other the next day. When I got home, I was so tired that I went straight to bed, and it was one of those rare nights when I fell asleep immediately and deeply.
And then Friday night arrived, the day of my cousin Sara’s wedding.
I paired the gold dress, Niky’s creation, with high-heeled black sandals and a black and gold clutch.
For my hairstyle, I had left my hair loose with waves and swept to one side.
They had done my makeup beautifully, with smoky eyes and the rest very natural.
My brothers and I had decided to go together in Bastián’s car because we knew that finding parking near the church would be very complicated.
They were going to pick me up at the hotel at eight o’clock because we needed to be at Stella Maris Parish half an hour later.
They arrived punctually and called to let me know they were waiting for me in the hotel parking lot.
When they saw me approaching, they leaned out the car window and started whistling and shouting.
“Whoooo whoooo!” Lolo whistled, long and admiringly, after looking me over. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. My life is ruined. I know for certain that now I’ll only be dedicated to scaring guys away from my little sister,” he commented with a distressed face.
“Stop the clowning around,” I said, smiling.
“What he said is very true,” said Bastián, “but you’re not alone in this, little brother. I’ll suffer through it too.”
“Very well, then I’ll have to dedicate myself to scaring away all those women who swarm around you two,” I stated, now seated in the back seat of the car.
“Better get moving, Bastián, and let’s drop this subject right here,” said Lolo.
My brother joined the traffic, and twenty minutes later we were arriving at the parish. We met several relatives whom we greeted, and then we sat close to the altar so as not to miss any detail of the wedding.
A few minutes past the scheduled time, the bride’s arrival was announced and Wagner’s “Wedding March” began to play along with the wonderful voices of the choir that sounded loud and strong. My skin tingled; weddings always moved me, and even more so with that music in the background.
Bastián leaned close to me and whispered:
“I hope someday I can walk you down the aisle. It will undoubtedly be the most emotional day of my life.”
“For me too,” I responded, my eyes shining with emotion.
“What about me?” whispered Lolo.
“If that day comes, I’ll walk in with both of you, one on each side.”
“I like that,” said Lolo.
“Me too,” affirmed Bastián with a big smile. “But don’t rush because you’re very young, take all the time you want.”
I smiled and didn’t say anything more, dedicating myself to enjoying the wedding.
The doors opened, and there, standing ready to enter, were Sara and her father.
They entered arm in arm and began the walk toward the altar.
My uncle looked emotional, and I couldn’t see Sara’s face because she had decided to wear a white organza veil that covered it, but I assumed she would be as emotional as or more emotional than her father.
They reached the altar, and the groom received her with a big smile.
At that moment, I saw Niky who, along with another girl, was arranging the dress and veil so that while she was at the altar, all the details of that incredible design would be showcased.
“The dark-haired girl is Niky, my friend,” I commented to my brothers.
“Woollardy’s sister?” asked Lolo, and I nodded.
“She looks quite a bit like him,” said Bastián.
“Yes; she’s invited to the reception and she’s at our table.”
“Is he invited too?” asked Lolo, with a surprised face.
“No; only Niky because she was the one who made her wedding dress. I already told you she’s a renowned designer.”
When Niky finished her task, she headed toward one side of the altar. At that moment, I looked at her and discreetly signaled for her to come over to us. She immediately came to our pew. I introduced her to my brothers, and she sat next to me. She was radiant and couldn’t stop smiling.
“I see you’re very happy,” I whispered to her.
“Actually, I’m a little nervous.”
“If it’s about the dress, I assure you it’s spectacular.”
“Yes, isn’t it? She looks beautiful in it.”
“She looks gorgeous.”
About fifteen minutes into the religious service, suddenly the doors of the parish opened again and someone entered shouting:
“Stop the wedding!”
We all turned to see the man who was trying to stop the ceremony amid collective murmurs and even stifled screams.
My heart stopped completely and I had to hold onto my brother's arm or I would have landed on the floor.
It was Henry.
Was Henry in love with Sara? I couldn’t believe fate could be so cruel.
“What is this man doing here?” asked Bastián, with deadly seriousness.
“He’s gone crazy,” affirmed Lolo.
“My brother isn’t crazy, he’s in love,” affirmed Niky.
“He’s in love with my cousin? I can’t believe this man has so little shame,” said Bastián.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, and even though I heard and observed everything that was happening, it was as if I were in a parallel universe.
“Dalina, let’s go,” ordered Bastián, taking me by the arm.
“Dali isn’t going anywhere,” affirmed Niky, grabbing my other arm, as I was already taking steps to get out of there as quickly as possible.
I felt my heart breaking into a thousand pieces; I never would have expected to witness what was unfolding before my eyes.
Henry was walking determinedly toward the altar and wasn’t looking at the guests; his gaze was fixed on the bride.
He moved with firm steps and his face reflected the desperation he felt in that moment.
“Niky, please, I can’t take this anymore,” I whispered, my voice barely coming out and my eyes clouded with tears.
“Trust me,” she said.
“You can’t marry that man because you love me. Please don’t do it,” affirmed Henry, now standing a few meters from the couple.
“I don’t know you, you’re mistaken!” cried Sara desperately, shifting her gaze between Henry and her future husband.
“Dalina?” asked Henry, upon hearing my cousin’s voice.
My heart stopped only to start beating so rapidly that I was sure it wasn’t healthy. My mind began working quickly, trying to understand what it could mean that he had said my name, but I didn’t understand anything. Did Henry think the bride was me? If so, that meant that…
Bastián was pulling me one way and Niky the other, but when they heard my name, both stopped. Bastián with his face completely distorted and pale, and Niky with a smile from ear to ear. I shook myself free from both of them and stood paralyzed, listening to and watching the scene.
“I’m not Dalina, I’m Sara!” exclaimed my cousin, lifting her veil.
I couldn’t see Henry’s face because he had his back to me.
“Ex-excuse me,” he stammered. “I wanted to stop Dalina’s wedding. I must have gone to the wrong church. Now I don’t think I’ll make it…” he said, dejected, and lowered his head.
My cousin approached him.
“Excuse me, Father, give me a few minutes,” said Sara, looking at the priest who was marrying her, and he nodded. “Are you looking for Dalina Dukart?”
I could see when Henry quickly raised his head.
“You know her? Do you know where her wedding is? Please tell me.”
“Dalina isn’t getting married today, she’s right there,” she said, pointing at me, and Henry turned and our eyes met.
“Thank God!” exclaimed Henry.
“The moment has finally arrived,” said Niky, with a smile of pure happiness. “How romantic!”
Henry walked slowly toward me without taking his eyes off mine. When he reached the place where I was standing, he stretched out his hand for me to take it.
“Here I am, Dalina, begging for your love. Please, come with me. I don’t want to keep interrupting this wedding. I need to talk to you, please.”
My brothers positioned themselves on either side of me.
“Woollardy, I think this is too much,” said Lolo.
“Don’t interfere,” said Niky, looking at my brothers. “This is between Dali and Henry.”
“I’ll go outside,” I said, with my heart racing and my legs about to give way.
“Are you sure?” asked Bastián.
“I am. It’s obvious we need to talk,” I affirmed, stretching my hand toward Henry’s, which was still extended toward me.
When our hands touched, I felt that electricity his contact always produced in me, something that happened only with him.
We looked at each other and Henry smiled and seemed to come back to life.
We walked out hand in hand and most of the guests began to applaud. I even heard my cousin Sara shouting: