Wedding bells

Scene: The gates of a function hall. A stony path leads up from the gate to a set of ornately carved wooden double doors. Above the gate is a temporary white arch with floral boundaries that has written on it “Selena weds Kyle”. The sky is a clear cloudless blue. There is a sight wind in the air that makes the sunlight feel comfortable.

Time: It is early noontime, around 11:00am.

A black sedan stops beside the gate. A man gets out of the driver’s seat and a woman exits from the passenger seat. The man walks deliberately towards the gate. The woman stops him and they talk in whispers for a while. The man finally lets out a deep sigh; hold’s the woman’s hand and looks into her eyes. She slowly nods her head and he quietly let’s go of her hand and goes inside the gate, walks down the path and enters through the doors after a slight hesitation.

Simon exits the car and walks towards the woman as she watches the other man go.

SIMON: Please Cathy, tell me that he disobeyed you and went in.

CATHY: Simon, I will not hear another word about this from you. Get back in the car and stop making a fuss.

SIMON: But he’s cheating on you! I will not tolerate such blatant and crass behavior from the man who hopes to marry my sister!

CATHY: (turn around and faces her brother and gently strokes his cheek) Matthew is not cheating on me. I am the one who told him to go.

SIMON: (shocked) You told him to go?!

CATHY: (calmly) Yes Simon. It was my idea.

SIMON: (confused) But why? Why risk your happiness on such a gamble? You know he loves that woman and yet you let him go?

CATHY: I love that man, and the only way I can be sure that he loves me too is to let him find that out for himself.

SIMON: But what if he doesn’t? What if he still loves her?

CATHY: Then I will be much the wiser for it.

<Long pause. Simon is rattled and paces in front of the car. Cathy is calm but the worry lines on her forehead are visible. After about 30 minutes, Simon’s restlessness gets the better of him. He walks up to his sister with a defiant look on his face>

SIMON: I’m going in to find Matthew and there’s nothing you can say to stop me.

CATHY:<tired> I can’t argue with you anymore. Do as you like but on one condition…

SIMON: <softening> Anything for you sis.

CATHY: <deep breath> Once you find Matthew, just stand beside him and wait for him to start talking. Promise me that you will not talk before he does.

SIMON: If that is what you wish…

CATHY: It is..

SIMON: Alright. I am willing.

Simon walks past his sister and through the gates, down the path and enters through the doors.

The wooden doors lead into a long hall with neatly aligned rows of chairs. Decorations are being put up for the wedding. Men and women with flowers, cutlery, perfume and countless other things are running about trying to keep to the schedule. A man at the centre of the hall is shouting out directions to everyone. At the far end of the hall is a raised platform where the bride-to-be is standing and admiring the scene; a soft smile on her lips and tears in her eyes.

Matthew stands behind the first pillar from the wooden doors and watches her smile. He feels that familiar pain in his heart when he sees her glance drift towards the pillar. Luckily, she has not noticed him. 

Simon enters and stands behind Matthew. He is ready to drag Matthew out but then he looks at Matthew and sees the pain on his face. Simon softens his glance and stands beside Matthew and observes the decorations being put up while waiting for his future brother-in-law to speak.

MATTHEW: <not turning> Tell me truthfully, what do you think of her?

SIMON: Honestly, she looks a bit like great aunt Matilda when she was young.

MATTHEW: <sad smile> Hmm….Now that you mention it, I see the resemblance <turns to face Simon> So Simon, did you come here to drag me back?

SIMON: I did…but now I won’t. My sister was right in talking you into seeing her.

MATTHEW: <raising eyebrow> You were the last person that I ever imagined to hear those words from.

SIMON:<shrugs> I saw the way you looked at her. Your heart belongs to her…

MATTHEW: <interrupting> No Simon. It belonged to her.

SIMON: <hesitating> What do you mean?

MATTHEW: It’s true that I loved her, and I believe that so long as this body breathes, it will never forget that. But, I am not one to be disillusioned. She and I were never meant to be together.

SIMON: You aren’t making much sense, I’m afraid.

MATTHEW: That girl and I, knew from the very first day that we talked, that our futures were not with each other.

SIMON: And yet you foolishly went on to love her? <angry> If you still love her you should go. Stop antagonising my sister if you don’t love her!

MATTHEW: <calmly> Your sister is not Selena, and that is exactly why I feel in love with her. Selena is my past but Cathy is my future. When I see your sister, I see a future, not just for myself, but also for her and you too. I see a future for my parents and yours. I see children playing in the garden. I see birthdays, and anniversaries, and national holidays, and weekends…

SIMON: You’re avoiding the question. If you see all that, then why are you here now while my sister waits outside?

MATTHEW: <puts his arms on Simon’s shoulders> Simon, have you ever made a mistake?

SIMON: <angry> ARE YOU CALLING MY SISTER A MISTAKE!!!

MATTHEW: Please Simon….tell me. Have you ever made a mistake?

SIMON: <nostrils flaring> Yes. But none as terrible as your mistakes!

MATTHEW: I admit. I have made far worse mistakes than you will ever make in your life. But for your sister’s sake, please listen to what I have to say. <Simon relaxes a bit but is still breathing sharply> Simon, I let myself be talked into coming here because I believed that I still love Selena. Cathy was determined that I have to face this ordeal myself and that I wouldn’t be allowed to see her again until I got closure. So I came here and every step I took towards this place reminded me of the times I spent with Selena and how happy I was. But now, when I see her, all I see are happy memories. I see a past that has gone by. The mistake I was referring to was me not trusting myself. Your sister was right. In the end, I do love her but I was too scared to admit it to myself because it meant that I would have to let go of my past. Now, I only fear losing your sister. She has been my savior and has pulled me back from the abyss of my mind. She is the one person that I would like to dedicate my whole life into showing how wonderful she really is and what value she holds in my life. Cathy has given me a new lease on life and I intend to make the best of it. I will make her happy and stay by her side. She is and will forever be the lady of my dreams.

<long pause>
MATTHEW: I think it’s time we leave…

SIMON:<snapping out of his trance> Yes…I believe so. Cathy would worry…

MATTHEW:<smiling> I agree. Also, I wouldn’t want to make her angry <winking>

SIMON: <wrapping his arm around Matthew> No you wouldn’t, brother. Let’s go home.

Of minds and mermaids

The domed ceiling was high above their heads, supported by sturdy Persian style pillars. The ornate mural, painted on the ceiling, was studded with gems and semi-precious stones. It depicted the court of the Greek Gods, Mount Olympus, in all its transcendent glory. The seated Gods were looking over the proceedings in the ballroom. There was a string quartet playing serenading the crowd in the centre of the room. The room was on the top of the mansion on the hill. There were no walls. The pillars supported the dome, and the arches opened into the night. There are small rectangular pools between the pillars, just enough for 2 people to occupy a pool at a time.

Dignitaries from far and wide had graced the occasion. Dressed in the most immaculate suits and gorgeous gowns, it was a site to behold. The large ballroom floor was almost at full capacity. Even though the people weren’t dancing, their very presence lent an aura of splendour to this already magnificent environment. Waiters milled about serving people drinks and appetizers, and Lyra was just concluding a conversation with three other people, a gent and 2 ladies. She was dressed in a black cocktail dress, the gent, in a sharp suit, and the ladies, in plain evening dresses, like most of the other women at the party. They seemed really interested in her initially, but now, it looked like their hunger was getting the best of them. Lyra could hardly blame them; she was also feeling the effects of the long flight and the ensuing 3 hour cab ride all the way up to the top of this splendid little hill.

Finally, she says her goodbye and then walks to the edge of the ballroom. Leaning her head against a pillar, she looks up at the moon. In her mind, it is a sliver of cheese tonight. She decides that she is tired enough to sit down. She takes off her heels, and in as much dignity as she can muster, sits down on the ledge, her naked legs dangling over. She slowly started sipping her champagne. After she feels her nerves relaxing, she lays the glass beside her, still half full, and starts running her hand over the surface of the water in the pool. There was always something soothing about causing the first ripple on the untouched flat surface. She sits there, looking at her reflection on the undulating water surface.

“My! My! Aren’t we having a fun night! Look at you all decked up and being the centre of attention. Must be nice being noticed by so many all at once.” Lyra ignores the remark. She was still looking at her reflection. The voice continued,” Oh! So arrogant! I leave you alone for a few days and you think you can do as you like. Looks like all this attention has gone to your head”, Lyra lookes up, tired of the voice. She knew exactly who it belonged to. “Oh do shut up Garnet! Leave me alone tonight! It’s been a long and tiring day and I really don’t want to deal with you.” she says as she looks up to face Garnet.

Garnet was on the other end of the pool, her arms resting on the edge of the pool, the top of her bright yellow dress just barely visible above the edge of the water. Multiple empty champagne glasses lay arranged in a file behind her and she held another glass in her hand that was nearly empty. A smirk appeared on her face. She had successfully caught Lyra’s attention and replied, “And that is exactly why I’m here, deary. You’re quite vulnerable right now and I really don’t plan to waste any opportunity I find. You keep try to build walls between us, strong ones at that, so it’s quite natural of me to search for cracks and holes.” She gives a small giggle and mumbles something that sounds like holes.

Lyra massages her temples with her wet fingers. The coolness of the water helps her calm down. She was hoping that she wouldn’t have to face Garnet on this trip. All of her previous interactions with the vixen at public events had led to her leaving early under embarrassing circumstances. She would often cuss and cry herself to sleep on those nights, but over the years, she had slowly grown to accept it and it looked like the people around her had also come to accept it. She was systematically invited to lesser and lesser events. Tonight’s event was her first after one full year. To Lyra, it was as if Garnet took a sadistic pleasure in watching her suffer.

“What do you want tonight?” she asks. Garnet looks at her with faked innocence, “I just want to be loved” and then bursts out laughing. “I don’t care for you. For all I care, you can be dead in a ditch and I wouldn’t look at you twice” replies Lyra. Garnet’s eyes fill with rage. She throws her now empty glass over the edge and moves with inhuman speed across the water to face Lyra with half of her body still submerged and not a single ripple on the surface of the pool. “You don’t have the luxury of not caring for me. You know the deal. If I go, you come with me. If you lose me, you will lose yourself. Whatever fragments of sanity and control over your life that you think you have, will be drowned out in your mindless screaming. I promise you that.”

Lyra moves back as Garnet’s anger subsided and suddenly another full glass of champagne appears in Granet’s hand. She lazily fondles the stem of the glass looking at the people. “This really is a nice party.” She says, “You are lucky to be able to have such a bash thrown for you. It’s been what…a year since your last invite? You shouldn’t be sitting here, go out there and have fun. Get drunk and go crazy. You know you want to”. She winks.

Lyra snorts,” As I recall, that didn’t end so well the last time I listened to you.” Garnet giggles annoyingly,” Of course! How could I forget Hawaii! You, running around topless, with enough alcohol in your system to make even the worst drunk quiver”. “I’m lucky to be alive!! You were nearly the death of me”. “Nearly is the key word here”. Lyra sighs, “Why are you so adamant to make my life so miserable? I can never have a calm night and leave with my dignity ever since you started showing up”. “I’m here to show you what you want to do. You can’t get rid of me that easily”. “I don’t want to be wild! I’ve told you that many times!”. “And yet I’m still here”. Lyra is now exasperated. She sighs and finishes the rest of her drink all at once.

“You know what your problem is?” continues Garnet, “You have no idea of what you have. You pass it off as irrelevant or normal or whatever you want to call it”. Lyra smirks,” And how is that connected to tonight?” Garnet looks at her and then puts her glass down. She makes her way to the far edge of the pool and quite energetically hops out of the pool revealing a large red fin as the lower half of her body, her shining golden dress perfectly melding into the crimson scales of her waist. She screams,” YOU ARE ALL SCUM AND DESERVE TO ROT IN HELL!!!” Nobody turns to look at her. She waits for a few seconds. The rich sound of music and the buzz of human conversation fill the air. She starts flapping her tail and throws her arms into the air, trying to get their attention again,” WHO WOULD LIKE A WILD NIGHT WITH A GIRL WITH LOOSE MORALS?” Again, nobody reacts. Garnet noisily flips back into the pool and makes her way back to Lyra. “Was all that necessary?” she asks. Garnet stakes a deep draught of champagne before answering,” You can say anything you want and people will hear you, they will react; they will at the very least tell you that you are insane. Me? I get to spend my days looking out into the vastness and think, ‘what would it be like to be heard’. It gets quite lonely…especially when the only person I can ever talk to is you, and if you hadn’t noticed, you’re not much of a conversationalist.” Lyra let out a weak sigh. She looks back up at the moon. The sky was clear and cloudless. The wind was cool. Garnet joined Lyra. That was one of the very very few things that they seemed to have in common.

The three people, which were talking to Lyra before, walk past her and notice her sitting all by herself. One of the women has her arm around the gent’s waist. She says, in a not so quiet voice, “I feel sorry for Lyra. Must be so hard being called mad and not be taken seriously by people.” The other woman chimed in, “Don’t feel sorry for her. This is her choice. I think we are being nice to her by even inviting her to any public events at all. It’s a disgrace to us all, the way she acts. Having a mental illness is no excuse”. “That’s a bit harsh. I’m sure she’s doing her best…” “Like hell she is! Look at her! She was talking to the air right till just a few minutes ago. Everyone here is really polite in not calling her out in public. It takes all my will power to not say anything. She has issues. She should solve them. This community would gladly help her in any way it can, but at the moment she’s imposing her presence on us all.” The gent empty’s his glass and firmly says,” Enough….both of you. We’re here to have a good time. Don’t waste the night discussing depressing things. Lyra is amazing in her own right, even if she is slightly….defective.” The first woman looks at the man and pouts, “Looks like someone has a tiny crush on lady snot-for-brains there”. The three of them then slowly walk off, the gent trying in vain to defend himself, while the two women take immeasurable pleasure in antagonizing him.

Garnet turns to Lyra, aghast. “Is this really what goes on with you?” Lyra smiles weakly,” It used to be a lot worse, but it also used to be a lot more tolerable. People see me talking to you, arguing with you and well, you can understand why they would think I am crazy”.  “Well, you can’t help talking to me. I’m very demanding of attention.”. “I know that…but they don’t”.

Garnet looks back over her shoulder. She looks at all the people, well dressed, well groomed, politely going about talking to each other, laughing. Then she looks back at Lyra. She looks into her eyes. The same eyes which she had been looking into for years. The same kindness lay in them. “Well, you’ve got a talent that none of the people here have. You can see the goodness in people, look at their bright side. Not many people like you are left in this world.” Lyra replies,” Is this really happening? Are you actually trying to comfort me?” She laughs as Garnet’s face turns red. Garnet replies,” Well... you… I… can’t have you getting all depressed by these loons. You’re mine after all”. “Ya, ya. Sure thing” says Lyra mockingly. She looks back at the three people who commented on her. “Hey. Garnet?”  “Yes?”  “You told me that I can see the goodness in people. That it’s my….talent?” “I did. What about it?” “So why can’t I see anything in these people?”