Ben
"What's taking so long?" The priest came up behind me and whispered in my ear. He was getting impatient.
"She'll be here soon, Father," I answered. "She's probably stuck in traffic."
But the congregation was beginning to get fussy. People were muttering and grumbling, but quietly, careful not to make too much noise in the house of God.
I stood there at the altar, heart thumping beneath my new suit, as I waited for Shirley, my lovely bride, to show up.
I turned to my twin brother, Benjamin.
"Try her number one more time."
"I have, she's not picking up. And just now it's switched off," he answered.
I nodded, but the anxiety was beginning to gnaw at me.
"What if I go and look for her?" He suggested.
"No, Ben. I need you here with me. You know I can't handle this big crowd alone." I said as I removed my glasses, and cleaned it for the hundredth time.
It was a great suggestion but I needed him. My introverted nature can only handle so much at once.
As we stood whispering to each other, my father came up to us on the altar, bending slightly in reverence as he approached.
"What's going on Benedict?" He directed the question at me.
"Why aren't they here yet? It's been half an hour and people are starting to leave. The investors took their time to be here today and now this?"
"Investors? My bride could be lying in a ditch somewhere and you're worried about business? Dad, please." I cautioned him in my most calm voice.
My father is a good man, but sometimes his dedication to business can be obsessive, making it seem like his only priority.
By now, the priest had retired back to his altar chair and kept glancing at us in displeasure as we huddled together and held a mini whispering meeting right there on the altar, in front of the congregation.
Hands on my waist, I paced back and forth within the small circle we'd formed. Every two seconds, I would look towards the church entrance, willing her to appear already.
What if she really got in an accident? Or got kidnapped by some psycho?
"Let me go and look for her, Ben. You stay here in case she comes back before I do, so you can get on with your wedding and not have to keep people waiting." Benjamin suggested again.
"Yeah, okay." I nodded profusely. Anything to find my bride. He was my best man and I was grateful to have him by my side at that moment.
Benjamin immediately left to find her.
One hour later, a figure finally appeared by the church entrance. I was engrossed with my phone, trying to reach my bride or Ben.
But the murmurs forced me to look up, only to see someone walking on the aisle towards me. Since I was nearsighted, I couldn't see her clearly unless she came closer into view.
The congregation looked on in awe as she walked down the aisle, towards the altar.
Finally.
I was already smiling. I straightened my suit and stood erect, shoulders high. But my smile soon faltered as soon as she came into focus.
It wasn't Shirley, my bride. It was her Chief bridesmaid, Chloe.
What was she doing? Chloe has always had a thing for me but this was not the time to play games.
She came up to join me on the altar.
"What the hell is this Chloe? This is no time for your games. Where's Shirley?" I demanded furiously. "You're her bridesmaid and yet here you are, without her?"
Ignoring my questions, and to my greatest shock, she hugged me and pecked me on the cheeks, her eyes filled with pity. Not the usual love or admiration, pity.
"I'm sorry, but Shirley won't be coming." She said.
The crowd gasped. The sounds of oohs and ahhs reverberated through the packed church.
If Chloe thinks I'll marry her in Shirley's place, she must be delusional. What was she trying to pull?
"What do you mean she won't be coming? Is she okay? Did she get in an accident?" I asked in trepidation, hoping my fears had not manifested.
"She's fine, Chloe answered resignedly.
"Then why isn't she here?" I probed.
I was ready to pounce on Chloe if it turned out she'd done something to my bride.
"Because she doesn't want to marry you, Benedict. She left you." Chloe's face didn't seem like that of someone who was joking or lying.
The church erupted in chatters; they didn't even bother to pretend to be discreet this time. All of a sudden, they were utterly unconcerned with offending the Lord.
A sickening feeling swept through my entire body and I felt nauseous. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead and gradually trickled down my armpit, my back, and my thighs.
I felt hot all of a sudden as my navy-coloured suit instantly became drenched in sweat.
I wished Benjamin was here to offer me some much needed support. He's the one with the most backbone out of the two of us.
"With who?" I finally summoned the courage to ask, completely shaken by the next word that came out of Chloe's mouth.
"Your twin, Benjamin."