I have always had a large family on my mothers sideshe had three brothers and a sister. We rarely saw each other, usually meeting around the dining table during holidays, as everyone was grown up and many had families of their own. Of course, my wedding was an exception. I entrusted the arrangements to my mother and older sister; they helped my fiancée choose her dress, hair, and make-up, booked the venue, coordinated the menu, and drew up the guest list, inviting everyone. Our parents covered all the expenses. Many guests were invited, including my cousin.
Sarah and I were busy receiving congratulations and gifts when my cousin approached us to offer his best wishes. He glanced at her and seemed rather puzzled for a moment. He congratulated us quietly, clearly embarrassed, and melted away into the throng. Afterwards, we moved to a restaurant to celebrate. The place was bustling with people, every young lady eager to dance with me, and my friends wanting to dance with Sarah. My cousin was among those lining up for a turn on the dancefloor. While dancing with Sarah, he spoke with her at length. My curiosity got the better of me.
What were you two talking about? I asked him later as we crossed paths at the dessert table.
Oh, just the festivitieseverything is so wonderful and lavish. Your parents have pulled out all the stops, he replied, still smiling. Your wife is lovely. But you know, she once ran away from a wedding. From ours. So dont let her escape.
He patted me on the shoulder and made his way back to his seat and his date. His words lingered in my mind all evening, and later that night, when Sarah and I were alone, I asked if she knew him.
We met at university, she admitted. We dated for a short while, right up to our first quarrel.
He said you ran away from your own wedding, I pressed.
Sarah chuckled awkwardly, a bit embarrassed by the memory. Well, yes. He jokingly proposed, and then suddenly wanted to whisk me off to the registry office. Wed only known each other a month and already he was planning a wedding… naturally, I fled. Thats how things ended between us. We hadnt seen each other for four years.
Afterwards, Sarah laughed a great deal and urged me to join her, but I kept thinking about my cousin, and his intentions back then. He hadnt been jokingit was earnestand meeting his former sweetheart now as the bride must have been quite a shock.
The only saving grace is that its unlikely well see each other again anytime soon. Still, its unsettling knowing that my wife once dated my cousin, and for him, it seemed to have meant a great deal.
