Just before the wedding - 3

"I promise!"

A fake promise from his side, but the genuineness in his voice moved her. It was all that she wanted to hear. There was no way in which her heart could afford to lose a precious friend like Dr. Nelson. With an elated heart, she inched closer and asked,

"Then can this friend of yours get a hug?"

He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath for this was going to be agonizing as hell. He didn't want to embrace her for just a moment, he wanted to embrace her for life. He was scared of - what if he didn't want to let her go.

Amidst all the trials and tribulations of his heart, he opened his arms slightly and took a step ahead. Looking into her eyes, he knew she wanted to be comforted. So without waiting for her to come close, he took one step more and wrapped his arms around her and she caved in.

Tears started rolling down her cheeks as she had found back her lost friend.

"Why did you ghost me for a week?" she said and pounded on his chest lightly with her fist.

He didn't say a word but let out a gasp of air which was the silent spectator of the pain inside his chest. The thought of leaving her tonight seared his heart and he hugged her tighter as he knew that probably this was the last time he would be this close with her.

She tiptoed in return and wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered into his ears - "I am so glad to have you back. You are our knight in shining armor."

And his heart just stopped when he heard - "Our."

A second before his heart was warmed up with the warmth of her skin, a second before he found solace in that familiar smell of hers, but in the next second, she shattered him, bringing him back to reality.

"Erm..."

"It's getting kinda late. Let's run!" said Dr. Nelson and distanced himself from her. Then he turned and pulled a face tissue from the box on top of the writing-table and handed it to her and said,

"Wipe those tears away. You have only happy memories to treasure from now on!"

Akira beamed hearing his words and wiped the corners of his eyes and when she was done, she looked at his jacket and sighed,

"Oh no! I ruined your jacket!"

Dr. Nelson slightly bent his head to look down at the area which had been stained by her tears. A light smile curled upon his lips and he said,

"This isn't the first time!"

Akira giggled.

"Akira! Akira! Ah! there you are!" exclaimed Katherine as she entered the room. Looking at Dr. Nelson she commented, "What is wrong with New York? Do they only have handsome doctors around?"

Dr. Nelson smiled and said, "I would take that as a compliment!"

Akira gently dabbed the area under her chin and then looking at Dr. Nelson she asked, "How do I look?"

"Perfect as always!" he replied with a genuine smile on his face as he fondly looked at her.

"Then no touch up needed! I am ready! Somebody just- get me, my groom!" she chirped and Mike entered the room to escort her again.

The band had left, but Shwan made the perfect arrangement for the song with his iPod and iPod speaker dock. The number of people who stood there for her entrance was few, but they were the ones that mattered.

So taking a deep breath she walked on the aisle again, her heart pounding non-stop for didn't know what was next in store for her.

She wanted an eventful marriage day, but this was too eventful for her. All that she wanted was a normal mundane wedding now.

As she walked towards the stage, she looked at her man and found the same excitement and same expectation in his eyes as before and that somehow brought solace to her heart. The only thing that was left for her was to say - "I do."

As they both stood at the center of the stage, Dr. Nelson went up with the mic and stood there for a while trying to calm his frayed heart before he began the officiating.

"Friends and families!" he said and then looked around as he took a deep breath.

"A couple of days back this man had asked me to be his ring man and I had denied due to some personal obligations, but little did I know that I would wind up here, as the officiator of their marriage. Fate huh!"

Everyone laughed and cheered for him.

Even the couple smiled and looked at him fondly.

"I am not a man who is good with words and since you guys have already done your vows, I guess we should just proceed with the final part."

Raymond gave him out a light thumbs-up for his man had justly understood the need of the hour.

"With the power vested by the state of New York, I hereby officiate your marriage."

Then looking at Raymond he said, "Since this man has already agreed, I would now question the bride."

Then, taking a deep breath, he asked her the question that his heart was dreading to ask,

"Do you, Akira Peyton, take the Raymond Walker as your lawfully wedded husband in sickness and in health?"

His heart raced and his mind just numbed for he didn't want to hear what followed his question.