*****

"I cannot love anyone else the way i love you... It's just impossible."

*****

Days dragged slower than he wanted but all in all the long awaited day had finally arrived. The day his best friend and the girl he still loved were going to exchange rings.

Ironic, right?

But he was glad the day had arrived for a different reason.

Although he was going to endure the torture of watching her declare her undying love to his best friend in the presence of a congregation and in God's presence, this was the same day that he was going back to the barracks.

Going to where he belonged.

Devlin had packed everything of his three days prior. That was how eager he was to leave. His mother had been dumbfounded by his behavior but said nothing.

Dorcas just used the remaining days to be close to her son, never letting him get out of her side. Devlin did not mind anyway, he was glad she was with him and at least his mind forgot about a certain someone, even though it was for just some minutes.

Devlin had neither seen nor talked to Sharleen ever since that day. He had even deleted her number lest he be tempted to call her or accidentally send a message.

The only person that had tried to call and text him was Nicole. Devlin had to give it to her that she was indeed a persistent woman. She had been calling and texting him day and night although he neither picked her calls nor answered her messages.

How could he lead her on when there was someone already occupying his heart? How could he pretend to like her when there is someone he already loves?

It was not fair. Nicole deserved better. Better than him.

As for Kevin, they had been talking daily, through the phone and sometimes even meeting personally.

Truth be told Devlin dreaded every meeting with his best friend more than anything. All through the meeting his friend would be saying all the good things about Sharleen.

Sharleen this... Sharleen that...

How was that to make him feel?

As if that was not enough Devlin watched with a painful heart the way Kevin's eyes shone as he spoke about his soon to be wife, the way his mouth formed a full  blown smile and his face glowing radiantly as if mocking him.

Though Devlin wanted the best for his friend, he could not help but feel a pang of jealousy chocking him. What did he not have?

But today was the day all of it ended. Today was the day he will earn back his freedom and maybe... just maybe, his happiness too.
He just had to endure the wedding.

The fucking wedding.

Devlin was waiting downstairs for his friend to come down so that they could head to church. It was past ten minutes now and there was no sign of his friend.

If it were any other day he would have gone there and dragged him out and probably kicked his ass when he was at it, but since today was a big day for him, Devlin gave him a free pass knowing he was probably chickening or getting cold feet or whatever.

After another five minutes of waiting, the groom slowly descended down the stairs making Devlin mumble a 'thank God' lowly for he was really bored of waiting.

"How do i look?" Kevin asked hesitantly.

Kevin wore a black tuxedo suit, white shirt and black shoes, same as Devlin who was his best man. The only difference was the tie, whereas Devlin had on a black tie, Kevin wore a red tie.

"Dude, are you really asking me that? What am i supposed to tell you? That you look cute? Beautiful? Didn't you check yourself on the mirror or something?" Devlin asked, cringing at the thought of complimenting his fellow man.

"You are not helping man! I have been preparing myself for an hour now. Stop being so uptight and mean. A complement would be nice!" Kevin begged his friend.

"Fine! You look like me. I look good so you look good." Devlin said after a heavy sigh. The words did not sound convincing at all.

Kevin looked at his friend from head to toe as if analysing an experiment then nodded. Devlin sighed in relief that they could finally go to church.

The drive to the church was slow and silent. A silence that Devlin really appreciated. Twenty minutes later the two arrived at the church.

The sweet smell of different fresh flowers was the first thing that welcomed Devlin the moment they reached the door.

The church was colourfully decorated with balloons and flowers of different colours and sizes. If it were any other day Devlin would have been impressed by the view in front of him.

But not today.

The congregation stood the moment they saw the groom and his best man at the door. The bright smiles, joyful tears and congratulatory noises filled the room as the two walked slowly to their reserved seats.

Devlin concentrated his mind on the slow but comfortable music that was playing from God knows where. With each beat he moved a step in front and thankfully Kevin followed too.

Reaching their seats, the two sat and silently Devlin breathed a sigh of relief. That was pure torture.

The sermon continued as they waited for the bride. Devlin had tuned out everything the moment he got comfortable on the chair. His mind occupied with thoughts of the upcoming mission that awaited him.

Kevin on the other side was calm on the outside but on the inside it was a different story. His heart was completely restless as he waited for his bride to arrive.

What is taking them so long? He thought.

A few minutes later, the distant sounds of horns beeping made everything in the church go silent at once. Everyone kept quiet, listening with a sudden interest as the cars loudly and rhythmically signaled the arrival of the bride.

Even the music stopped playing. Much to Devlin's disappointment.

Everyone stood, including the groom and his best man, who now stood in the middle of the pulpit together with the priest.

The bride's maids entered one by one, each of them taking her time as they danced joyfully to the music that had now resumed.

Devlin really wanted to roll his eyes, or better yet go out and drag in all of the bride maids so as not to waste his precious time. He had a plane to catch for heavens sake!

What is the purpose of bride maids anyway?

Devlin exchanged his weight from one leg to another. He was not tired from standing. No. Not at all. He was a fucking soldier after all. What he feared was what was coming next.

The joyful cheers and whistles from the congregation made Devlin look towards the door.

A big mistake.

Waves of emotions that he had kept hidden all this time filled his chest. His breathing became hard and his mouth involuntarily opened.

There she was.

The bride.

She wore a beautiful, white and radiant wedding dress. She walked gracefully with her best lady, Nicole, at her left side and someone who Devlin presumed to be her father on her right side.

As she walked towards them, Devlin could not help but notice the full blown smile she wore inside her veil. A smile that was not directed to him. A smile for her to be husband.

Devlin's heart hurt but his only console was that this would be over. It was just but a matter of hours.

The bride and her two accompanies finally reached the pulpit. Devlin noted how Sharleen's eyes never wavered from her husband. The way Kevin's eyes too locked with hers as though they were poler opposites of a magnet.

It hurt. It really hurt.

Devlin watched as Sharleen's father hugged Kevin all happy and with pride. He watched as he handed his daughter willingly to Kevin and go down to his seat.

The only person that acknowledged him was Nicole. She flashed him a smile as a greeting and when he smiled back it probably came out as a grimace since Nicole replied with a frown.

Devlin watched as his best friend held Sharleen's two arms while the priest was saying some things that he did not even care to pay attention to.

Is it too late? Devlin thought.

Can't i still fight for her love?  Devlin thought bitterly.

Can't a person be selfish just for once in a life?

Evil and selfish thoughts filled Devlin's mind for a moment but he brushed them off. Kevin was his best friend and he would not do that to him. Furthermore Sharleen told him loud and clear that she loved Kevin.

Unknown to Devlin while he was deep in thoughts, the two love birds were partaking their vows, joining their bodies, hearts and souls.

The cheering and whistling sounds of a happy congregation filled the church but Devlin heard none of it.

A statement from the priest was what brought him back to reality. Just one statement.

"And now you may kiss the bride."

Devlin did not know that just seven words could make a person's world crumble. The words were simple and relevant to the occasion but Devlin wished the priest never uttered them.

The two love birds reduced the gap that they had. Devlin watched as Kevin slowly opened the veil as if opening a Christmas gift while the congregation cheered once more and cameras flashed.

Devlin watched as heads met and lips greeted each other and danced for a little while.

He watched as Sharleen's eyes glittered with tears of joy and Kevin being the romantic one used his thumb to dry away the tears and kissed both of her cheeks finishing with her forehead.

The cheers of the congregation doubled and Devlin felt like his ears were about to burst. The camera flashes worsened you could think  lightening had stroke the church.

Everyone was happy. The congregation was happy, the newly weds were happy and even the priest had a smile plastered on his face.

All except Devlin.

That was the moment that the truth dawned on Devlin.

He fell for the wrong girl.

*****