The Wedding

‘Sorry, have we met before?’

‘I’m Ray. We met on a plane from Seattle to New York. We met a few days ago and I happened to help you find a piece of paper you dropped.’

‘A piece of paper?’

‘At the airport gate B37.’

‘Ooooh. Right, right, right. Of course you are! Hello!’

‘I’m glad you remember now!’

‘I apologize that I can't remember meeting someone the first time until I meet them for the second time.’

‘It’s okay. So, what’s the occasion? Do you know any of these couples?’

‘Well, the bride is my best friend from college. We have known each other for about ten years now. What about yourself?’

‘Nice. Mine is the groom. We were coworkers from the same office for a few years then became close friends. He said I was one of the people who got invited, and I was honored once I received his invitation.’

‘Sounds like you guys are best buddies.’

‘Yeah. I don’t know much about his girlfriend, Alex, but he shared a lot of her stories about why he falls in love and wants to marry her after their five years together. Listening to him talk about her… it stays with you, you know? But I don’t want to sound like I’m envious of him. Because everyone has different life paths, right?’

‘Interesting. And yes, that is very true. I thought you knew Alex too.’

‘Well, nah. I have never really had a chance to get to know her personally. I know much about her from Mike’s stories. But maybe I’d have a chance to get to know her a bit today at the wedding.’

‘Sure. Good to know. And also, I’m not sure I believe in that kind of love.’

‘Would you like to come and dance with me now?’

‘If I say no, then what are you going to do?’

‘Well, if you say no then I think I’ll find someone else to come and dance with me. It’s that simple.’

‘And what if.. If I say yes?’

‘Then I’d be more than happy if you could join me. It’s that simple.’

‘I think I’ve heard this song before but I can’t recall. Have you ever heard of it?’

‘Come Away With Me.’

‘I’m sorry, what?’

‘That is the title of the song by Norah Jones, by the way. I thought you asked for it and I answered. Your squinted eyes give me a little hint that you have doubts about me asking you to go somewhere. Don’t worry. I’m not asking you out. At least not yet.’

‘Hmm. Nice try there. You know we have barely met for a few days and now you’re asking me for a dance. And I know who Norah Jones is. I like her songs but I can’t recall her song names.’

‘And do you think asking me for a dance is awkward to you though? And good that we both know the singer. I like this song already. It used to be a song that put me into sleep. But I’ve been listening to this on repeat and it becomes more hopelessly romantic.’

‘Well, I’d say.. Unusual. I never got any invites to join a dance before.’

‘Wait. Even at prom back in the day you never had this thing?’

’I didn’t have anyone at prom. Sad girl I was. I know. I was that nerd.’

’I see. But look at you now. Someone is inviting you to have a slow dance. Do you think this is romantic?’

‘Maybe.’

‘Just maybe? So this is not very romantic to you now?’

‘I don’t know. But I’m accepting your invitation to have a slow dance with you and I’m kind of enjoying it.’

‘Look at you. You’re smiling right now.’

‘Yes, I am. You’re smiling too, I bet.’

‘I am indeed smiling too. And you look so familiar to my eyes.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Like I kind of feel like we have met before in the past. Even before we met at the airport.’

‘Oookay. But I have never met you before though.’

‘I’m trying to remember you just look like someone I once knew for a short period of time and she’s long gone now.’

‘What do you mean? Has she passed away?’

‘I don’t know, but I haven’t been in contact with her ever since.’

‘Oh. Perhaps yours in the past means your ex then.’

‘Well, nah. Well, sort of. But we never really had that kind of relationship bond. We never really had labels and you just look like her.’

‘Good to know.’

‘The moment I accidentally met you and how you talk reminds me of her. I can see you are an introvert.’

‘I really am an introvert. You can see it without me explaining it though. Good guess there.’

‘Can I ask you a question?’

‘It depends on what you are asking. Go on.’

‘If you don't mind me asking, what was the paper that fell on the floor that I accidentally picked up last time at the airport gate?’

‘Oh that one.’

‘Yeah. But no pressure if that’s a personal thing for you. And I’m sorry if it sounds like ruining the moment now.’

‘Oh no, no. It’s not that. It’s just.. I haven’t really talked about it to people in general. The paper comes from a diary that I picked up in my home garage and it actually doesn’t belong to me.’

‘Oh. Sounds a bit personal now. Okay, I won’t ask you any further then. I’m sorry.’

‘Please do not apologize. I can share a bit of a story now. The diary belongs to my mom and I’ve just started reading without her acknowledgment. It’s supposed to be a secret and you’re the only one who knows about this now.’

‘Do you think she’d get upset if she knew you read her diary, though?’

‘I think she’d be hurt. And I’d feel very bad about it.’

‘Do you think you want to return it to her or you just want to keep reading?’

‘I’m going to keep reading. There are many things to unravel. I feel I want to know all about this now before she finds out. I think I’m going to be ready for my consequences.’

‘That sounds dangerous.’

‘It does, but I’ll deal with the consequences — if they come.’

‘You don’t sound like anyone who likes to do dangerous things.’

‘I don’t. And I feel I’m crossing a line. Can you keep a secret for me though?’

‘I will for sure zip my mouth from now on and not tell anyone. Like, who am I going to spill your secret anyways? I have barely known you too.’

‘That’s funny. And you’re right. It feels like we’ve just met and I somehow can feel safe sharing this secret with you while having a dance.’

‘Are you enjoying the dance now? We can stop if you don’t feel comfortable.’

‘No, we can keep going until the song ends. I am still on duty to oversee the circumstances here.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Oh, sorry, I haven’t told you that I’m a wedding organizer and I shouldn’t be a part of this dance. I should be a part of checking the invitees like you to make sure the wedding goes smoothly as planned.’

‘Well, too late. But you should have told me earlier.’

‘It’s okay. Alex already let me. She wanted me to help her wedding and she also gave me a chance to join the dance with you. So you’re all good.’

‘I’m glad to hear that. Can I get your number so I can ask you out sometime?’

‘Isn’t that too quick to ask?’

‘Sorry. Well, I should have not asked that.’

‘Haha, kidding. Why does asking my number matter to you though?’

‘It matters to me so I can learn about you more because I think I’m interested in you.’

‘That’s too fast to judge. I’m enjoying this dance, but I don’t think sharing a phone number would be a good idea for now.’

‘Oh. Okay. I’m sorry I’m keeping my expectations a bit high though. But let me know if you change your mind.’

‘The song has ended. Thank you for letting me be a part of your slow dance.’

‘You know what Sierra, here’s my phone number. Reach out to me if you would like to go out for a coffee and I will be there.’

‘You really want this date to happen, huh? Nice try.’

‘You are welcome. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.’

‘I’m going to be on duty now. I appreciate it but I can’t guarantee if the date can happen.’

‘I very much understand. I get rejected a lot.’

‘But I will let you know if I change my mind.’

‘I am looking forward to it.’