The Veil | Prompt a Day

Six month passed and still Valencia's vision of the perfect veil had yet to transform itself into an already available accessory. Handmade was the only alternative. No expense would be spared in ensuring her perfectly planned day.

Waiting for the designer to return, she thought about the day Karlton took both her hands and asked if he could spend the rest of his life with her. The swift answer overshadowed her now dark reflection in the mirror as if the chapter of his former life could be tucked away in the corner of her bookcase. Now, the wedding was only two weeks away.

Valencia squeezed her eyes tightly. By the time they opened, visions of the extravagant gala she'd planned slowly came into focus. She quickly canvassed the wedding planner's studio to ensure no one caught a flimpse of her actions. Nervous bride she told herself others would think if anyone happened to notice. But the pounding against her temples threatened to thrust the headache of doubts forth and force her to acknowledge them. She didn't want to remember that peculiar day.

As she stood looking at the red bricked, beautiful mansion through the dimly-lit streetlight, she desperately wanted to retreat. Something inside warned her to avoid his parents. Both she and Karlton didn't need nor want their blessings.

But she was curious, in a foreboarding way, to hear what was so urgent they needed to tell her. The meeting lasted only half an hour. During that time, an attempt at polite conversation ensued. Then his dad handed her a photograph while his mom looked down in silence, clasping her hands together tightly. Valencia frowned, not understanding what the photograph meant in correlation to their upcoming wedding.

"Has he told you yet?" his dad said quietly.

"Told me what?" Valencia answered while studying the images in the photograph, one of whom was Karlton.

His dad pointed to the picture again, but refused to explain. Finally he said exasperated, "can't you see what's right in front of our eyes? Are you that stupid?"

She studied the images again. This time slowly. She looked at his parents and with a cracked voice said hoarsely, "if you won't tell me, then I'll ask Karlton to explain. I won't rush to judgment.

The next day and several times thereafter, she asked Karlton if there was anything he needed her to know before they got married. His only reply was that he loved her.

The designer surprised her with a beautiful sketch of the veil she envisioned. It would be ready in a few days. Plans in order, all was ready for an elegant ceremony and reception.

^{Photo by Aahna M on Unsplash}

She couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. All family and friends attended, including his parents. As she and Karlton readied themselves to give their vows, Valencia took a swift glance toward his dad. Karlton followed her eyes. Then they looked at each other again.

His heart now pounding, he thought about the numerous opportunities she gave him to explain the passionate embrace outlined in the photograph. But he couldn't. He couldn't explain it himself. How could he make her understand that it was out of his control how he felt about Jim. He couldn't help how he felt about her either. It all ran together in his feelings. Why can't one be free to love whom they choose with no restrictions attached? he reasoned.

He silently damned his parents. But he damned himself more for not having the courage to confront his feelings to Valencia. He'd do it later, he thought, after things had settled down in their lives.

But you have to go into any permanent situation with full disclosure. The road ahead, no matter how many years in the future, comes to a devastating dead end at some point without it, he thought. His hands were now shaking visibly as he looked into his finance's eyes.

^{Image by wedding_photography from Unsplash}

With a swift flicker of her wrist, the veil floated smoothly down the back of her dress. Low murmurs and whispers darted close to her ears. Falling a short distance away, she continued to look deeply into his eyes. She studied the wrinkling of his brow. Refusing to allow the scathing words of his dad to penetrate implying she was stupid, she could now release her own.

"No more," she said softly.

She released his sweaty palms and slowly placed one foot behind the other. Karlton smiled. A look of relief seemed to creep into his face as his shoulders heaved a slight sigh. In that instance, he understood that she already knew what he so desperately wanted her never to discover.

He smiled and nodded. She smiled, as glands formed a tiny drop of tears and threatened to spill over on that perfectly applied masquera.

They both turned and walked away thinking,

It's finished. It's done.