Once done, we walked out as she held on to my arm. Jake and Savannah had left us and headed back to my roundhouse. They had fallen in love with it and found it fun, as it was like a big tent with a fireplace and it was outdoors.
As walked down the street, Sarah asked, ‘you know what James would do if he knows you are back?’ to which I answered, ‘yeah, I know, I have experienced it, remember? Anyway, James is busy with Rebecca this very moment’
Sarah looked down at the pavement and said, ‘yeah, she came back for our wedding. Have you met them? Does mother know you are here?? Last I checked, you two didn’t get along’
Not wanting to tell her the truth just yet, I told her, ‘mother knows I’m here, yours and mine. We are cool now, all issues cleared and in the bin’ I tell her with a twinkle in my eyes.
There was a moment of silence until we reached her home, Mother and Nara greeted us at the door. Sarah then suddenly grabbed my arm and hinted at the swing, as we sat down, with me swinging gently, she asked, ‘will you be here for my wedding?’ to which I answered, ‘are you happy with your wedding?’
Just as either of us was about to answer each other’s questions, James came up the stairs with Rebecca and said sarcastically, ‘look who do we have here, if it isn’t Mr. Connor!’ and Rebecca added, ‘Mr. Handsome Hunk, it’s a pleasure to meet you, once again’ she said as she tried to peck my cheeks which I avoided by moving back and waved my arms.
Rebecca was stunned and becomes embarrassed and moved back as she comes to hug Sarah and say, ‘congratulations dearest! Your big day has finally arrived!!’ she tells her excitedly.
‘So, Aidan … will you be staying for our wedding?’ James asked as he came face-to face with me. I laugh and thought to myself, ‘mortal man has no clue what’s in store for him on his wedding day!’
James catches my laugh and asks curtly, ‘what’s so funny?’ to which I reply, ‘Nara, I’m taking my leave now … see you soon’ I tell her as she comes to the door, ‘nothing! Sarah, I’ll be there, hear me roar!!’ I tell her as I winked at her and walked down the steps with my hands in my jacket, telling mother telepathically that I would be at home. Mother followed me and we vanished once we were out of James and Rebecca sight.
Chapter 20 - The runaway bride
The ambience in Sarah’s home was bustling with excitement. Relatives from near and far had assembled and were mingling and catching up on the latest happening and gossip. Everyone who came hugged and pecked Sarah on the cheeks and she felt elated too. But, she also questioned herself if she was making the right move by marrying James. She had been convinced before that Rebecca was a passing fling, but, as the days of her wedding drew closer, she suspected that James and Rebecca were back together. They claimed they were just friends, but rumors spoke otherwise. However, so as not to spoil the ambience and excitement, no one said anything when Sarah was around and Sarah didn’t want to believe any of it either. On the other hand, she missed Aidan dearly. He was a good friend and she wondered what he meant when he said, ‘hear me roar’
Jake and Savannah were away as they were not used to the house having so many visitors in the house. They told Sarah that they would return later at night. It was the night before the wedding, as Sarah was sorting out her honeymoon clothes on her bed, Nara came into the room and said, ‘Sarah dear, please come with me’
‘Yes, mother. Is everything alright?’ Sarah asked as she met Nara at the door. ‘No dear, I want you to follow me. But, please, just watch. You can decide what you want to do later’ Nara continued as she held her daughter’s hands. Sarah looked surprised at her mother’s comments and said, ‘mother, I don’t understand’
‘Close your eyes dear, you will understand soon’ Nara said as she held her daughters hand as both of them vanished into a cloud of mist. Sarah had closed her eyes and when she opened her eyes, she was shocked at the sight that greeted her. ‘Don’t worry dear, they can’t see us’ Nara said assuring.
Sarah saw James and Rebecca, in bed. They were both lying down on their elbows facing each other and talking. Sarah was visibly upset, just like Nara had expected. James had always promised that there was nothing between them and that they hadn’t communicated in a while. James then began unbuttoning Rebecca’s blouse, revealing her plump breasts. Rebecca did the same as the both began caressing each other. James kissed Rebecca on the neck, lips and ears, licking them as he went along. Sarah stood stunned as a tear rolled down her cheek. She did not expect this from James. Nara, seeing Sarah in tears, held Sarah’s hand and vanished into a cloud of mist.
~~
Sarah ran and slumped herself to the bed as she began crying profusely once they reached her bedroom. Nara consoled her by combing her black tresses with her fingers and said, ‘Sarah, we knew of his character a long time ago. He wasn’t going to change and it was obvious he still loves Rebecca’
‘We? Who are “we”?’ Sarah asked Nara as she rubbed her eyes and dried her tears.
‘Aidan, Marella and me’ Nara said as she continued, ‘Aidan saw them together yesterday at the beach and he read their minds and was very furious. James had planned to leave you at the altar, again, tomorrow. He has no interest in you’
‘That’s when Aidan came here and met you. He misses you as much as you miss him, but I don’t understand is why can’t both of your express yourselves’ Nara said. ‘It’s too late now, mother. Our wedding is tomorrow!’ Sarah said as she hugged her mother.
‘The wedding is tomorrow, but, it isn’t your wedding. Now, listen to me carefully, tomorrow morning, get dressed, and be at the altar, just before James receives an urgent call, you will hear a roar, and if I were you, I’d run towards the roar’ Nara said as she kissed Sarah’s forehead.
‘But, what about you? Jake and Savannah?’ Sarah said as she looked at her mother. ‘You are forgetting who we are, Sarah, don’t you worry about us. Now, go get some sleep’ Nara said as she laid Sarah in bed and covered her with a blanket. ‘Good night Sarah’ Nara said as she kissed her daughter’s forehead to which Sarah replied, ‘good night, mother … thank you for everything that you have done. Love you!’
~~
At the sun rose over the horizon, Sarah slowly opened her eyes to a bright sunny day, the birds were chirping and she could hear the commotion that was happening in the house as everyone was getting dressed, wanting to look their best. There was a thud on her door, ‘Sarah! Sarah! Wake up!’ Nara said as she continued knocking the door. Jake, who stood by the bed, nudged Sarah to get up. Savannah, who stood at the other side of the bed, placed Sarah’s wedding gown on the bed. Sarah had woken up late and there was little time to get dressed.
Sarah smiled at Jake and Savannah and although Sarah was still in a daze, she slowly got up and opened the door to a surprised Nara who said, ‘Oh my! You aren’t dressed yet! Go get ready!’ as she pushed Sarah to the bathroom while giving her a towel. Marla and Janet stood behind Nara and they came forward as they instructed Nara to ‘leave everything to us. She will be ready in time’
After freshening up, when Sarah opened the bathroom door, she saw two of her bridesmaid, Marla and Janet, who instructed her to get into her bridal gown. Marla was James’ eldest sister. She was plump woman with an attitude to go with it. It was known among the townsfolk that Marla was not a woman to be messed around with. In fact, Nara had told her that Marla demanded Sarah that she was to be made of the bridesmaid. Sarah and Marla didn’t talk much, as Sarah felt that it was Marla who did most of the talking, never giving a chance for others to speak up. Janet was James’ youngest sister. She was about the same age as Sarah and was the docile one compared to Marla. Sarah and Janet could get along, if they had been given a chance, without Marla interfering.
Somehow, as Marla and Janet were getting Sarah ready, tucking and tugging at the gown ensuring that the gown fell into its place, Sarah felt lost and disinterested. The scenes of last night of James and Rebecca played in her mind. All she needed right now, was Aidan. Final
ly, after Janet had completed Sarah’s hairdo, Marla gently placed the tiara and veil over Sarah’s head.
‘Sarah! It’s time!’ Nara shouted from the base of the staircase. ‘Yeah! She is coming!’ Marla shouted back. ‘Now, gently and slowly walk down the staircase’ Janet said as she held onto the trail. ‘Sarah, you look gorgeous. James is a very lucky man!’ Marla said as she winked at Janet.
Once down the staircase, Sarah was rushed into a waiting black Chevrolet limousine. James had wanted Sarah to arrive in the best and she did. Along the journey to Penwith Parish Church in St Just, Sarah looked out of the window and only thought of Aidan.
Within a few minutes, they reached Penwith Parish Church. The church was large and built with granite blocks. The body of the church as well the church tower was of the fifteenth century. The aisle within the church had alternating windows with two patterns. The arcade had limestone piers. There were two medieval wall paintings, both restored; one painting portrayed St George while the other portrayed a warning to the breakers of the Sabbath.
When Sarah lifted her gown as she descended from the limousine, she looked up to the skies and she could see that dark clouds were beginning to form a cluster. ‘Aidan, please don’t let it rain now but please come’ she pleaded as gazed towards the skies. Then, as if, hearing her, there was a loud thunderous roar which made Marla and Janet jump and hold their palms to cover their ears. Their eyes were closed until the thunder subsided and her gaze was interrupted as Marla tapped her shoulders and motioned her to walk inside the foyer.
Once inside, Janet placed Sarah’s veil down saw that the guests had stood up as she made her entrance with the wedding march of ‘here comes the bride’. The south aisle chapel was small but it was packed to the brim with family and friends who were already seated. Sarah walked slowly, calm and composed towards the aisle where James was already waiting for her. Just as she reached James outstretched hand, she saw Rebecca. She was standing and smiling and placed a congratulatory hand towards Sarah who ignored the outstretched hand and walked towards James, looking straight into his eyes. After seeing Rebecca and James waiting for her at the altar, Sarah remembered what she had seen the night before and became disgusted. When she reached James, Sarah gently held James’ right hand, just barely.
The ceremony soon started and Sarah felt as if she sensed Aidan’s presence. She turned around, but saw no one as the guests looked at her, bewildered. She did not see Aidan earlier and wondered where he was, ‘he did say he would be here! Why isn’t he here yet?’ she asked herself. Just then, she heard a loud roar. James and her both turned, startled by the sudden noise which had interrupted the calm silence of the ceremony. Sarah looked at James, briefly and gently released her hand from James’ grip. Sarah looked at her mother, who smiled, knowingly and mouthed ‘Aidan’ silently.
The rumbling roar was gentle now, as it waiting for someone, and still there was no one to be seen at the chapel door. Sarah glanced one last time at James, then turned and smiled at Rebecca who looked confused at that gesture. She hugged and kissed her mother and waved goodbye to Jake and Savannah. She then lifted her wedding gown and ran out, leaving James speechless at the altar.
Outside, she saw Aidan, dressed in an all black ensemble. Aidan wore an outdoor casual jacket, unzipped at the top just enough to reveal his pale golden chest. He wore his black cotton jeans and to complete his attire, he wore his dark Ray Ban sunglasses. He was resting one leg on the swing arm mufflers of the Harley while another leg was resting on the ground. He turned to look at Sarah as he removed his dark sunglass, revealing his flaming blue eyes. Sarah was stoned at her place. He laughed as he walked towards her. All Sarah remembered was Aidan came towards her, picked her up and swept her off her feet and placed her on his Harley, in slow motion. She remembered leaning her head against his back as her arms tightened around his waist. There was a thunderous roar as Aidan started his Harley and rode into the pathway along the woods. The thunderous roar of the Harley signaled the beginning of a drizzle which slowly engulfed Penwith Parish Church. As Aidan and Sarah made their way ahead, the rain trailed them behind.
James, who had come to his senses, ran out and just watched as Aidan took Sarah away. He went down the stairs and began kicking imaginary footballs in the air, in the rain, as Rebecca watched him. Rebecca turned towards a smiling Nara and said, ‘you knew he was coming, didn’t you?’ Rebecca asked Nara angrily as she raised her voice.
‘Yeah, I knew but Sarah didn’t and if you are in your senses, I would advise you and your friend to go back to London and to never ever mess with my daughter’s life again!’ Nara warned her voice rose higher than Rebecca’s. ‘And don’t you ever raise your voice when talking to me! Is that understood?’ Nara said as she walked out once the rain had come to a drizzle and the sun began to shine.
James stopped Nara and said, ‘what are you talking about?! Your daughter left me at the altar!’ James shouted at Nara, as he stood in front of Nara, drenched. Nara calmly replied, ‘have you forgotten, you did the same thing, once to my daughter. We are even now’. Jake and Savannah had a good laugh seeing James all wet. ‘Finally! He has got a taste of his own medicine!’ Jake told Savannah as both of them began tickling James which resulted in James moving his hands in the sky. The other guests, who were left, looked in amusement at James. He then said, ‘I told you and Sarah that there is nothing between Rebecca and me?’ James continued in a raised tone, towards Nara. ‘Don’t you raise your voice with me, young man …well, then if there is nothing … explain THIS!’ Nara said as she threw photographs of the love-making scenes between James and Rebecca the night before. Nara had managed to conjure the photos after seeing them in action the night before. With Aidan’s help, she was able to convert those images to photographs. ‘Don’t you ever come near my daughter again, or else …?’ Nara said calmly as she pointed her index finger at James.
‘Or else, what? What are you going to do to me, you old woman!?’ James shouted at Nara.
‘Or else, it’s Aidan’s wrath you would be facing and not mine!’ Nara said coolly as she walked into the woods with Jake and Savannah following behind. James and Rebecca were embarrassed as the photos which were thrown into the air, fell onto the ground and was in full view of the guests who had began picking them up and began commenting and whispering about the act. James and Rebecca grabbed as many photographs from the stunned guests and made a beeline for the wedding car. They drove off as fast as they could, away from Penwith, headed for London. Nara, Jake and Savannah then vanished into a cloud of fog that had gathered in the woods.
~~
As the rode through the woods, Sarah felt raindrops gently falling on her head and skin, but she didn’t mind. She was with Aidan and that was all that mattered. ‘You alright back there?’ I asked as he came towards a stop in the path. He gently waved his right hand, instructing the rains to go forward while reducing the rains to drizzles at every meter.
‘Yeah, I’m good’ Sarah said as she gave a wide smile while lifting her gown and trying to come down from the Harley, trying to come down as lady-like as possible. I laughed as I bent down and gently carried Sarah and walked towards a dry rock further into the woods, carefully avoiding puddles which had formed onto the ground. Sarah’s veil had fallen down and covered her face. I lifted up her veil to see Sarah blushing, her cheeks turning crimson pink. She felt a flush come over her as their eyes locked, briefly with mine. I continued removing the hairpins and the tiara and the veil. I placed the tiara and the veil on my lap as I sat next to her on the rock.
There was a brief silence as Sarah and I both looked down to the ground. Sarah then suddenly turned her head just as I turned mine and she raised her hand and said quietly, while holding her gaze into my eyes and said, ‘I’m sorry’
‘Sorry … for?’ I asked curiously, as I still couldn’t read her mind, while placing my left elbow on my lap.
‘I always felt that Jasmine Halle and you were a couple, I mean the way she b
ehaved with you, it was as if, and she really loved you’ Sarah said as she continued looking down.
‘Sarah, Jasmine Halle isn’t who she really is’ I said as I gently placed my hand above hers. ‘Please listen to me and let me finish and then you can interrupt all you want’ Sarah said while grasping one arm around mine and placing another palm above mine. ‘Go ahead’ I said as she continued and said, ‘I know, she is Nemesis. She met me as Jasmine Halle and showed her true self to me as Nemesis. She asked me for forgiveness and I forgave her, she had repented’
‘And I was thinking; what is it with me and Gods?’ Sarah laughed as she smiled at me and looked into my eyes. ‘I didn’t think much about her or Gods after that, but I knew I missed you, dearly’ she said as she laid her head on my shoulder. ‘And what about James’ I asked teasingly, in a playful tone.
‘James … James … I was so sure he had changed, but, whenever I was with him, I could only think of you’ Sarah said as she removed her grip from my arm and began patting her wedding gown downwards without looking at me. ‘You know, whenever James was with me, he would be on the mobile and when I asked him, he would always say it was about work, I guess once a liar, always a liar’ Sarah said as she continued looking downwards.
After a brief silence, Sarah said, ‘mum must have told you I am Iris. Did she?’