C35: Lancelot

The day of Erika's wedding finally came. I waited for Evangeline to come out of her house as usual and I'm the one who'll drive. As someone who didn't grow up in her own hometown, she's clearly not familiar with different places. It's a good and a bad thing – good because she wouldn't survive this far if her parents let her live here. Bad, because her country is foreign to her.

Around 10 minutes later, Eve stepped out of the house and I can't help but examine her appearance from head to toe once again – a fuchsia V-neck gown made of lace that fits her perfectly, the cloth hugging her curves. Her long, Swarovski earrings moved back and forth as she walked away from the gate with confidence, her gown swung in tandem to her steps, exposing her white stilettos.

She smiled as she opened the door of the passenger's seat – a smile brighter than the sun, even if the sun is close to setting. She moved her wavy hair gently in front of her as if to cover her left shoulder.

"You look stunning as usual," I commented, trying not to sound like a creep. "You didn't wear a necklace though."

"Just as usual? Hmph," she scoffed in disappointment and shrugged it off. "I have lots of necklaces to choose from, and I couldn't choose, so I thought maybe I shouldn't because it's stressful."

I chuckled in amusement and shook my head upon hearing what she's stressing over all this time.

"Anyway, I don't think this will suit your attire, but I got you this." I pulled out a red box with a ribbon from my pocket and handed it to her.

"A gift?" she asked, and she pulled the ribbon away to open the box, revealing a peacock rhinestone brooch with a flower design made of pearls. "Oh gosh, this is so beautiful! Thank you. It looks expensive, and it's kind of overwhelming. Why this much?"

IT IS expensive, but the person is worth it. "How can you tell that it's expensive?"

"Here's the Evangeline trivia for today – I'm into jewelry, and I have a keen pair of eyes that's good in identifying which is real and faux. So, yeah." She answered. "I feel like I owe you, you know? How can I repay you?"

"It's a gift, and a gift is free. But if you'll keep on insisting, it's the smile. I want you to smile more often. Not literally, of course."

Evangeline paused, processing her thoughts, her mouth slightly opened. "A-Ah," she stuttered as she answered, and broke eye contact. "I'm flattered."

"Don't be. Anyways, let's get moving," silence fell between us, but somehow makes me wonder if telling her about my dream is the right thing to do. It's too late not to, though, since I told her that I'll share it. The only thing I should consider is how to say it without her being uncomfortable.

Two hours later, we finally arrived at the restaurant next to the beach where Erika's wedding would be held. There's a maximum of 100-110 guests all in all, and most guests look like they belong to the upper-class category which isn't surprising, because both the bride and the groom belong to that category, anyway. In fact, I don't think 'upper-class' is enough to describe the two of them, but elites.

Everyone rose to their feet as the bride walks along the aisle as if practiced. Gregory, her husband-to-be in an hour or less, started tearing up in joy as he reached for his bride's hand, and flashed an embarrassed smile as he wipes his own tears. Erika looked worried and yet held herself from chuckling. With her eyes, she said, 'C'mon, it's our wedding, cheer up now.' It's interesting to see a man shedding tears when he realizes the reality that, perhaps after a relationship's ups and downs, it all ends in marriage.

It's been ages since I last attended a wedding and it was Nate's wedding. He didn't cry when his bride came, but his typical blank default facial expression softened at the sight of her, which makes me think … will I be a groom one day?

I can't even imagine it.

"Hey Eve, I'm not a big fan of dancing, so can we only dance for a short time?" Eve blinked as she tries to create an impression from my words, and bent her head a bit.

"Why's that? Isn't it the main reason why you invited me here in the first place? If we're not going to dance for long, then that defeats the purpose," she looked at the bride and groom as if forgetting that she's talking to me.

"Because I want to show you something, and I think you'll like it," I smiled a bit, and she nodded, even if she has no idea what she's nodding at.

Classic Eve.

Everyone gave them a round of applause right after the couple sealed their vows with a kiss. Gregory held Erika's hand as they turned around to face the crowd this time as a married couple, and they stepped down the stairs and headed to the center of the room, and began their first dance.

When the host announced that everyone's free to follow just like they do. That was the go signal for me to stand up and do what I should. I stood up and offered my hand to Evangeline, and she placed her right hand on my hand. I broke a sweat and mentally took a deep sigh, slightly feeling self-conscious when her hand landed into mine. Her hands are cold, and I believe both of us are uncomfortable with what we're doing. Our dance hasn't even started.

I assisted her as we walk closer to the open floor, and her body getting stiff.

"Keep hold of my hand and relax your body, because you're too stiff right now," I said, breaking the silence. I took her by the waist, which made me feel even more uncomfortable. I led her through the moves slowly. But as we do, I felt something soft over my foot. "Do you really dance?"

Eve's face turned red, and she bit her lip in embarrassment as she looks up to me. "I do. It's just … I'm not used to dancing. Not with you at least. We didn't practice at all," she admitted, breaking eye contact after due to discomfort.

"Look at me," I said, and she did. If she's this uncomfortable, I should make a way for her to feel less tense. Not only it'll benefit her, but it'll do the same to me. "Remember when I told you that I'm going to tell you a story when this day comes?" I stepped backward and she followed my lead by stepping forward.

"Yes, I remember," she answered, and she started breathing normally, little by little.

"Can you promise me not to laugh when I share the story?" I lifted her hand for her to spin, and she finally smiled.

"No guarantees. Is it a funny story? Something that I can laugh at?"

"Technically, it's not a funny story, but who knows? You might find it funny or unbelievable," I shrugged. "Whatever. You might find this crazy, but long before we met personally, I already met you." I began, and she just looked at me, hoping to hear more. I was expecting that she'll ask how is that possible, and yet, nothing. She only let me talk.

"You see, I had this dream that there was this lady who threw a house party, and when I isolated myself at the balcony, that lady came unexpectedly with two glasses of wine, giving one to me. Then she asked what was I doing all alone at a party. I answered that I was only thinking 'if I did the right thing or not.' She asked for my name eventually, and so I answered. We discussed the horrible meaning of my name which you know. Then when I asked her name, she introduced herself as 'Hana.' She told me the meaning of her name, but as she talks, I've been wondering why she left her party just to talk to me. And yeah, that happens to be you, only that you introduced yourself as Hana, and not Evangeline. The dream was vivid, so I can't be wrong that it's you." I paused as I looked away for a second, and our eyes met again.

"… and? You sound like you're not done with your story." She added.

I let go of her hand, a signal that I no longer want to dance, and she didn't react. "Let's talk somewhere else. I'll show you something."

We left the restaurant where the ball and dinner was, and I led her to the beach. The breeze was gentle against my coat, and the dark night sky was filled with countless glimmering stars, with not a single cloud in sight.

"Beach!" the corner of her lips rose into a smile once again, the smile that I've always wanted to see.

"I told you that I had plans for Wednesdate, and this might not be much, but this is it." Eve suddenly bent down and reached for her stilettos, removing the pair off her feet.

"What are you doing?" with her stilettos between her fingers, she walked closer to the seashore and looked back to me, inviting me to come over.

And so I did.

We walked along the seashore, completely leaving the venue's premises and continued our talk.

Our hands brush together as we walk, and yet she didn't seem to get bothered.

"Where were we again?" my stomach back-flipped as I realize how forgetful I am. It's not the most embarrassing moment in my life, but this is probably one of those since I got caught off guard.

"Your story. You sound like you have something else to add," she reminded, her eyes fixed on the direction we're going through.

"… and I was stunned. End of story." She looked at me, her eyes filled with curiosity. "What? I was just being honest. Stop giving me that look."

She smiled teasingly and looked away. "So, in your dream, you found me stunning then? That's interesting. It's strange though, and I don't know what to think about it. Anyways, I also told you that I have a story to tell, didn't I? And please don't laugh."

I narrowed my eyes and let out a breath. "Copying my line again?"

"What? No! Because my story is embarrassing and I'm not going to repeat the story twice so you better listen," I nodded upon hearing her condition, but she paused in silence, and her struggle is written all over her face.

"Look, you don't have to tell me if you're that uncomfortable," that moment, I know I have to do something for her to loosen up a bit.

I grabbed her hand and we walked closer to the seashore where the sea is. I led us closer to the water and grabbed her away from it when it came closer, giving her the hint that we're going to get close to the water and step away from it before we get wet by it.

Her facial expression softened as we walk closer and step farther from the beach. But as we continued walking along the beach, clueless on where to go, she suddenly let go of my hand, her expression falling.

"Eve?" I gave her a closer look, and tears started forming in her eyes. She faked a smile – a smile full of grief and pain.

"I'm sorry, but even though I'm enjoying this, I can't stay here any longer," without adding more words to make it clear to me what happened, she ran away as if she's not with somebody. I chose not to run after her because she seems to be in need to process whatever triggered in her mind.

She probably needs space. It somehow feels like a waste that I wasn't able to hear what she has to say. It's strange how a person can experience the extreme level of emotions – from being euphoric to suddenly be in grief.

Women surely can be hard to understand.

When I got back to the reception, Eve was sitting alone on our table, her face still full of grief, reflecting a pain that I can't imagine, nor understand.

"Hey," I sat down next to her and called the waiter's attention to give us our food, and he just nodded. "How long are you planning to keep everything by yourself?"

"I'm sorry for leaving you there like that. It's just … the last date I had with Justin was at the beach." Her voice was softer than usual and weak. "I thought I already moved on somehow, but some things still remind me of him. Life sucks, really. How come he's hard to forget? Why does it aches so bad that all I want to do right now is cry?" she bit her lower lip, squeezing her eyes shut as if to hold herself back from shedding tears.

"Now I understand why you're struggling. If I knew that was the case, I shouldn't have brought you to the beach in the first place."

"It's fine, it's not your fault. There's no one to blame. I just hope that I'll get over him soon because remembering everything about us stings. You see, I don't regret meeting him, but being with him felt like the greatest mistake in my life."

"I don't know if I'm in the position to say this, but he's not worth the tears. I believe everything has a reason. In fact, it's better that you knew that side of him instead of knowing it when you two are already married. That'll make things complicated."

Eve didn't respond at all to my words, as if to give me the hint that I shouldn't meddle with her personal life.