Everything seemed to move in slow motion at the pop of the champagne. As the bubbly drink frothed to the top, Segun playfully sprayed it on the happy couple as everyone burst into laughter and cheers.
I forced a smile as I watched my best friend pull his fiancée into a tight embrace and spin her around. Laura squealed with delight before succumbing to David's kiss.
A twinge of longing filled me seeing Ijemma spray confetti over the couple. Her eyes lit up with joy as she showered more colourful streamers, creating this beautiful, happy scene anyone would wish for.
Her smile faltered briefly when our eyes met. She was on one side of the room and I on the other side. We were separated by friends and family but at that moment, it felt like we were right beside each other.
The soft rise of her chest as she sucked in a breath.
The gentle movement of her neck as she swallowed a lump before averting her gaze.
She remembered just as I did.
If she had said yes, we would have celebrated, just like David and Laura. Instead, she let me down when I most needed her.
I was nervous and had everything planned out—a small band to sing John Legend's All of Me, mouthwatering finger foods and champagne laid out on a table with servers, and our friends (including David and Laura) were present.
I wanted to surprise her so I got her sister to play along and trick her to arrive at the venue with a blind fold.
My heart melted at her excited laugh. I went on one knee, carefully opened the ring box and watched as her sister took off the blind fold.
Pain unlike anything I'd felt squeezed through my chest as her beautiful smile vanished at the sight of me on my knee.
Ijemma staggered back, shaking her head. “No. I….no,” she whispered to my dismay. “I’m sorry, Deji. I can't marry you.” She ran out of the hall.
I had no idea how long I stayed on my knee, staring at the floor until David gently squeezed my shoulder and helped me to my feet. The small band had dispersed and the servers stood awkwardly close to the table, wondering what to do.
Culture and language differences were her reason for turning me down. “We have to be realistic,” she blurted. “Our people will make life difficult for us. I don't want that and neither should you.”
David and Laura were from different ethnic groups and were ready to brave the storm, if it came.
Not Ijemma. She gave up too quickly.
I nodded, raising my glass of champagne with a smile. A genuine one because despite everything, I still loved her. Her responding smile was with relief. This was a time to celebrate and not dwell on the past.
Maybe our fates were never meant to be intertwined.
“pop!”.I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by Freewrite #dailyprompt word or phrase
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Image credit: Evgeniy Volivach