The doors of the church slowly swung open… the breeze flew in… bringing with it the scent of the roses in the bouquet in her hands… there she was… dressed in white… like an angel… my best friend…

The people gathered in the church turned to the central aisle… the bride had arrived… she gracefully walked forward… she was scanning through the crowd… she saw me & waved at me… I waved back at her…

We had met on our first day at school… about twenty years ago… a talkative little girl… a chatter box… she talked about anything & everything… & always I got punished for not listening to the class… she was naughty too… stealing others snack & keeping in my lunch box… she got me into a lot of trouble…

As we grew up… our friendship grew… it was she who supported me when I broke up with my first girlfriend… it was she who helped me through my graduation… she is the best friend anyone can ever get…

The bride & groom were at the altar… he looked handsome… dressed in a black tuxedo… the perfect match for her… he was holding her hand… the priest had declared them husband & wife…

I am very happy to be at her marriage… to be part of her happiness… or was I really happy??? I felt a sting in my heart…

I slowly started walking out of the church… my heart felt heavy… was she more than just a friend for me??? What if I knew earlier??? Would my life be any different??? Would I be the groom in the altar now???

I walked down the steps of the church… got in my bike… oops… our bike… the Royal Enfield… I bought it because it is her favourite… while riding out of the church compound… I could almost feel her behind me… yes… I was leaving a big portion of my heart behind…

I wish I had known this earlier… I wish I had her with me…