It was
a beach wedding and I could see everyone enjoying. Songs, dance and laughter filled
the air. My husband came from behind and hugged me tight and asked me,”Honey,
are you happy?” I looked at him and then
looked around. I couldn’t have asked for more. This was a marriage that any
girl would have dreamt for and above all, this was my marriage. He held me
tighter and repeated himself. I kissed him and nodded in approval. I have known him through the church we have
been seeing each other for some time now. My pastor was happy for both of us
when we announced our decision to get married and he came with his wife and
kids. It was a joyous moment for both of
us and I am sure we were going to cherish it for the rest of our lives. I was
still absorbed in my own thoughts thinking of the way I have been blessed.
“Can you come over here for a minute, Mark?”
Someone called my husband. “Yes, of
course”. My husband hugged me and kissed me again and whispered, “Will be right
back, Honey” and he slipped his mobile in my hands and left. I moved towards a
group and sat there talking to them and posing happily for selfies. The phone
in my hand rang and I realized that my husband’s phone was with me. It
displayed as “Mom” and I picked up the call. For some reason, she was stuck
abroad and couldn’t attend the marriage and Mark has promised that we were
going to meet her soon after the marriage. I answered the call and a frail but
happy voice spoke “Is Mark there? Or has he already left to Europe?” Before I
could reply, she continued, “Isn’t it a great achievement? All his hard work has paid off. I am very proud of him. He was supposed to
meet me but he said that he was going to Europe for a week’s business trip
along with his Managing Director. He took up the family’s responsibility after
his father passed away……..” She kept on talking but I was already numb with
every drop of blood drained from my face. I walked away trying to register what just
happened. I tried dialing my Contact
Number from his phone and it displayed “Managing Director”. It slowly started
hitting my brain as what might have just happened. So I was the “Managing
Director” with whom he was going on a business trip and our beach wedding was
the trip to Europe.
The world under my feet started trembling and
I didn’t know what to do. I started to walk away trying to figure out why it
has happened to me. “Honey,” I have been looking everywhere for you”. Mark came running and hugged me. I gave him
his mobile and he looked at me and asked” Are you ok Honey? You are looking
pale and worried.” “I am fine” I said. “Just that I am a little
tired. Will you please look after the guests?” “Sure, sweetheart”. I walked towards the rooms
and told him “Your mum called up.” ” Oh! Did she? We will meet her soon.” I walked away giving
no response.
There were two suites
which were customized for the bride and the groom and I chose to use other
normal room. I sat there on the bed crying my lungs out trying to understand
how I have ruined my life. Why did I not ask him to take me to his mother? Why did
I trust him blindly? Why did he save my name as “Managing Director? Was he
already married? What is left of my life now? I don’t remember how long I sat
there lost in thoughts. Someone knocked the door and I forced myself to open
the door. Invasion of privacy is what I wanted least at this time. It was my
Pastor’s wife. “Were you not supposed to be sharing the room with Mark?” She
asked looking surprised. It’s quite late and you haven’t gone to your room yet?
I mumbled something which I myself couldn’t hear and looked around. It was dark
and I realized that I was there quite for some time. I had to escape from there
before she had any questions for me and then started slowly moving towards the
suite. I didn’t know how to face him for the fear of anger and hurt that I was
cheated on. I walked into the room and saw Mark sleeping there. Not willing to
disturb his sleep and certainly not being interested in a conversation, I
slowly closed the door behind me and turned off the light and was walking
towards the other corner of the bed. All of a sudden Mark sprang from the bed
and grabbed me by his hand and pulled me closer towards him asking where I was
the whole time. I tried freeing myself from his arms and he was muscular and I stood
no chance. I told him that I overslept. I wanted to confront him. I couldn’t
control my tears and as they ran down my cheeks, Mark was genuinely worried. “Hey
Honey!” I was just worried when I didn’t see you. I am sorry if I shouldn’t
have asked you that.”
“I
want to know why you cheated me. “ I asked him between sobs. “Cheating you? “What
are you talking? Don’t you know how much I love you?” I could make out from his
voice that he was hurt. I told him the conversation that I had with his mother
earlier in the afternoon. I wanted an explanation as why he ruined my life. He
looked at me carefully and still holding me tight to his arms, he took his
phone and dialed a number. There was a voice from the other end and Mark spoke
gently. “Mrs. Elizabeth, I know this is an off time but can I meet my mother
now? It’s really important that I see her”. There was silence and after a minute,
Mark said “Thank you. We will be there in half an hour”. He was in his pajamas
and I was yet to change my bridal gown. Mark held me by his hand tight and
closed the doors behind us and called the driver. He instructed the driver to
drive to a place. I was wondering where we were going at this hour but was
satisfied that we were finally going to meet his mother.
After 20 minutes, the car stopped in front of a building and the board
read “Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Center.” Mark was still holding my hand in his’ though
there was silence. I had enough surprises since morning and had no energy for
whatsoever. I just wanted the day to end.
After the security guard announce our arrival and upon approval to let
us in, he opened the gate and directed the driver. Mark signaled the driver to
stop in front of the Office Room and a lady came out. “Thank you Mrs.
Elizabeth. And meet my wife. It was kind
of you to allow us to see her in such a short notice.” The lady in a soft tone
replied- “I heard an anxiety in your tone and guessed it might be necessary
that you should meet her”. We walked through and I couldn’t help but notice the
rooms. The rooms were good enough to accommodate two beds and a study table. After few minutes, Mrs. Elizabeth knocked a
door and someone opened it. “Mum!” Mark went and hugged her and the lady
slipped into his arms and was beaming with joy. I was even more confused. But
wasn’t Mark’s mum supposed to be abroad and weren’t we supposed to be meeting
her there? Both of them were lost in a conversation. I slowly skipped and sat
on the bench in the lawn. I could hear her enquiring him about Mark’s Europe
trip. Mrs. Elizabeth followed me.
“When
Nathan passed away in that accident, we were worried about his mother’s
condition as she was already schizophrenic. But Mark was continuously by her
side taking care of her like her own son. For Mark, she was the mother whom he
never had. And, Mrs. Kinsley started recovering and hopefully she will be
discharged in a month or two. I am glad that Mark has found his partner in you.
He keeps telling how affectionate you are.” I remember Mark narrating an incident
involving his childhood friend Nathan who passed away in a fatal accident and
how that left his mother shattered. His mother had always dreamt of Nathan
making it big in life and couldn’t come to terms of her son’s sudden demise. Her
only hope was Mark whom she was very attached to and wanted his time and
presence around her. She had pinned all her hopes on Mark and his career.
Slowly
everything fell in place. Mark was waiting for Mrs. Kinsley to recover to bring
her home and then reveal our marriage. He felt it was his responsibility to
take care of her. He didn’t want her to be upset about his long absence and
hence the “Europe trip” story and my name as “Managing Director” were to
convince her that whenever he was on a call, she wouldn’t be upset. Mrs.
Kinsley was emotionally attached to Mark and Mrs. Elizabeth decided that marriage was not the right topic to be
disclosed to her keeping in mind her recovery phase. I ran back to the room and
whispered in his ears, “I am sorry. I should have waited for you to tell me”.
He smiled and I instantly knew I was lucky. Mark made her sit in a chair while
he sat on the bed and signaled me to sit next to him. Mrs. Kinsley looked at me
asked, “I am sorry but what did you tell your name was?” I winked at Mark and replied “His Managing
Director”.
