Undoubtely Strange

All I wanted to do somehow capture her attention and caught her smile that directed to me. But, never cross in my mind that my pure intention to cheer her up would burn me.

Coming to Scott’s Celebration party, I never imagined that event kept stuck in the back of my head. Scott held a party to celebrate his marriage. It was a long ago, but it was still lingering in my head as a plague. Scott was like second brother to me, I did know also his wife, Mia. Of course I could not miss that so I came and be part of his happy day. 

While sat and waited the happy couple to enter the venue, first I noticed a girl, a petite girl with pale pink lace dress standing in front of the reception. Her simple dress hugged her curvy body perfectly, her simple make up made her more enticing. She clasped her hands, her bea…, I meant her face even couldn’t hide her nervous.  

As the happy couple coming down to walk to the centre of the room, for a moment, I forget about her. Scott walked hand in hand with Mia, he wore white tux that matched perfectly with Mia’s dress. He had stupid smile on his. I couldn’t blame him; finally, he made her his wife. Mia was nice girl and I could see they love each other. Her white dress made Mia more beautiful tonight. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t like her that way. But, I had no idea if, she was also there, behind the Scott and Mia’s parent. That petite girl, she was walking with them with her soft smile. I intentionally caught her shy smile trough my phone when I took the couple’s picture. She was more charming when she smile.

Scott and Mia stayed on the centre of the room to greet their guest and I saw that petite girl was moving around and had some words with some people who in charge in that party. So she was the bridesmaid also?

••••••••••••••

Coming from the toilet, and then I saw her again. She was talking with a guy in the corner of the room. From where I stood, I didn’t know what they’re talking about but worry and nervous was still clear in her face. I wondered, what made her that worry?

She changed her pouted with brighter smile when that guy gave her view words and put a hand in her shoulder for reassurance? And then something very odd and strange seemed to stab in the pit of my stomach. Shook myself free from the unfamiliar sensation, I couldn’t help but wondering who the hell was that guy? What was he to her? She tilted her head to him and grasped his other arm. A glint of the ring on her left hand shocked me to the core. What was the matter with me? It was absolutely none of my business. Why should I care? I was coming here for Scott and Mia. I was coming here with Anna, my girlfriend. I shouldn’t feel this way to the mere girl that I met minutes ago. It was nothing but pure curiosity. I put the uneasy feeling aside and decided to enjoy this party. So, I moved my feet to where the food and drink were.

After few drinks and I went back to the main area, a minute from now, Scott and Mia would give little speech and I wouldn’t miss that moment. I joint my brother, Anna and the other guest that sat on the left side of the room. As Scott read his speech, the guess and I laughed to what he said. He was really enjoying his time telling us about his love life. I couldn’t blame Mia who was smiling ear to ear with what he said. He had a romantic and funny side. I almost envied him, he was happily married to the love of his life.

••••••••••••••

After talked with my brother who sat behind me, facing Scott and Mia, then I saw her. Standing on Mia right side, she was murmuring something in Mia’s ear. So, she was Mia’s family? Was she her sister? I couldn’t go wrong, you could see the resemblances; she had the same cheek bone as Mia’s but that petite girl was curvier than her. When Mia, her mom and her took a picture together, they had something similar on their face. But wasn’t about the resemblances that capturing my attention. When the camera man took their picture, a smile appeared on her lips and she blushed shyly. That sight of her smile had my blood singing.

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A brush from Anna pulled my head in her direction. Anna commented about the simple yet beautiful decoration. She showed me with her finger; hanging flower above your head and on each other side the room. I barely heard what Anna said, when she poked my with her finger to look to my right, I just followed her finger. I felt guilty not to pay attention to her talk but something or someone caught my mind. Of course she didn’t know what possessed my thought and I wouldn’t say anything to her.

There she was. A glimpse of light that drew my attention like a moth to a flame. She walked towards me; I meant she moved pass where I sat. My lips curved on its accord. I could see her black irises enlarge, taking me all in. She was watching me with an expression so intense that I immediately felt conscious. She wore the look of innocence and surprise when she caught my eye. Walking away to other side the room, she didn’t even return the smile that I offered.

As the event continued, she passed my way again. I didn’t think that my pure intention to just give her smile will affect me this bad. I couldn’t look away. As she come closer, she curved in the sweetest smile had I ever see. The way she smiled was like driving stake straight through my chest. Her eyes sparkled with curiousness. I couldn’t tear my eyes from her dark one. I didn’t know that until she was gone I finally let go of the breath that was subconsciously holding.

Shaking the foreign though from my head, I followed Marcus, my brother and Anna. We met our old friends; Ben and Sam. As I talked with the guys, Marcus, Anna and the other got back inside to have last words with Scott before catch our flight. A phone call from Marcus reminded me to be back and joint them so we didn’t late for flying back to our home. So I said goodbye to Ben and Sam to meet Scott.

Stepping back into the main area to meet Scott before I go, I was frozen in my track. My eyes were drawn to one girl in particular. There she was, talking animatedly with Scott, Scott’s Mum, Jane and his dad, Peter. Jane words made her giggle and she was laughing to what Peter, said. My feet cemented in place, I even could not utter a words to get the happy guy’s attention. To my benefit, Scott’s back was facing me, so she was the one who saw me approaching. I opened my mouth but closed it again when she tore her eyes from Scott to me. Her laughing died immediately when she caught me standing two feet away from them. She said something to Scott and finally the guy turned his head with his bright smile.

She stepped a foot away to give Scott and me more privacy. I had pretended to not to look at her but every nerve in my body was only too aware of her presence. From the corner of my eye, I see her redden cheek still appeared in her tanned face. When I looked up and met hers, I couldn’t help but think about how gorgeous she was. I could felt my heart pumping faster inside my chest. I almost lost my words Scott’s talk pulled my mind back to him.

I was unable to ignore her when suddenly she spoke. Her voice was smooth and low. Her dark Asian eyes lit up and a smile appeared on her lips. A blush covered her cheeks when she finished her talk. She told him that she would walk me to the reception. Scott was agree to her suggestion and hugged me before I walked away. Nodding as replied, somehow words was lost in my mind, I couldn’t even say anything. She waltzed ahead towards the reception. I could only follow hot on her heels. I stared at her back, sure that she could feel my gaze boring into her as she walked.

There was something about her that drew me in that I couldn’t describe. It wasn’t even that she was knockout beauty. That was Anna, My girlfriend and other girls I’ve date. I tried to put finger on why I had an attraction to that girl but I gave up after moments. It wasn’t anything specific about her, just the fact that she reminded me of sunshine, a day after the rain, sitting on the grass under the trees; the sun warmly against blue skies and the wind blow your face. It was like summer day.

I couldn’t pinpoint the specific reason I was reacting strongly to the girl except she inspire the feel of beautiful summer day was unsettling. The realization worried me a little. I had a girlfriend who right now was waiting with my brother here, somewhere. She was amazing and we have a really good relationship. I didn’t need another drama in my life. That petite curvy dark eyes girl was just a girl who can make the world lit up a bit with only a smile. I felt a pull towards her that couldn’t be explained. But she wasn’t my type at all. She was just a random girl that I found it interesting, that must be the only reason. Nothing more! I shouldn’t have thought this way. I should have put this unsettling think to other side of my mind. Anna was waiting and so my plane. I had to have going.

She stopped in front of the reception and then turned her body to face me. Taking wedding gift and held it in her small hand. She had been smiling when she looked up and met my gaze. What I could feel was breath rush inside. She was said something when I stood in front of her, I was too absorbed to have caught it. My eyes glued to her pink lips. I blinked my eyes when I heard her said about “flight, my flight”. I managed to reply her without lost words. She even told me that in fact she was Mia’s sister. She was surprise when I told her I know about that fact. Her eyes widened at surprise of my words. She didn’t believe that I knew that she was Mia’s family. Her dark eyes searched my green one, waited me to tell her how I know that fact. So I told her that she had the same structure cheek bone as Mia’s. She smiled and blushed after hearing my talk. She seemed like a girl who wore emotions plain in her face. She opened her mouth about to say something but closed it up when she saw the moving from my hand.

Putting both my hands in my chest, I was having hard time to focused to keep my mind on track so I didn’t do or say something I wasn’t hope for. I was close to lift my right hand from my chest to grab hers when I saw her hand. Shaking hands was simple gesture when we meet people but I didn’t know why I couldn’t do that. I thought that was the right way in that moment. I was acting so out of my character. This wasn’t like me at all. I always love to meet new people; there was nothing to lose than be friendly. But not towards her, I didn’t even trust myself when she was standing too close for my comfort. What I could do was blink my eyes to shaking from this unfamiliar experience. What was happening to me?

What I didn’t imagine that sad were so clearly expressed in her face. Disappointment quickly shadow and a sigh unintentionally left her lips while her eyes transfixed on my hand that almost pulls hers. There was so much confusion and hurt in her eyes that it pained me to look at her. But I was also afraid to just doing that simple movement. I was afraid I would do something out of control? I even did have no idea what I might to do. This was really crazy.

She breathed in deeply and lifted her hand to give me the wedding gift without brushing my hand. I stood dumbly in front of her and take it forgetting what I supposed to do after that. Her last smile disarmed me completely but I knew I couldn’t stay. Not because I had to catch my flight but because I couldn’t do what she expect me to do. She seemed know that I couldn’t give an answer to her unspoken questions. Trying to hide her disappointment, she said goodbye with her weak smile.

There was a pang guilt fill my heart but I knew that was the best way. I should go then farewell were definitely unavoidable. I nervously waited her to say something, more questions or more words before I go but nothing come for her lips. Realised the breath that I was holding, I should know that was what I hope for. After all I got my wish but still there was pressure in my chest. She gave me one more smile and tilted her head to the exit door.

Goodbye was hard, but never getting one was worst. It leaved a door that should have been shut. It made you believe and hoped for things you shouldn’t.