Darkened Room

Chandeliers glistened, clinking wine glasses, happy chatter around the bride and groom but all I could think of was wishing I was anywhere but here. Not that I didn’t want to celebrate my friend Louise’s big day, it just happened to fall on the day my long term boyfriend decided he didn’t want to be with me anymore. Surrounded by happy couples was the last place I wanted to be.

I wanted to run away or to forget my sorrows. But alas looking down at my wine glass, it was unfortunately empty, could this night get any worse. I looked around for an exit and spotted one near the kitchen.

“Hmm I could fill my glass for the road” I said quietly and made a beeline.

“Jennifer darling, come here,” I stopped in my tracks at the sound of the bride Louise,”Oh no, there goes my chance”.

I spun around and as expected the blushing, beautiful bride was coming up to me, excitedly waving to guests as she hurried to me.

“Darling, I am about to throw the bouquet come to the front, perhaps you and John will be next” she hinted, giggling with the amount of champagne she had already consumed.

“No worries, I will be there in a sec Lou” I responded, having no intention of staying. “You go ahead”.

I turn around before Louise could see the tears slowly dripping down my cheeks and made my beeline for the exit. The door didn’t lead outside, but to an adjoining hall which was empty and dark. Glancing around I saw a dark corner with heavy looking red drapes, took my heels off and made my way to this dark spot to disappear for a while.

“Crap, I should’ve filled my glass up on the way” I looked down at my empty, sad glass and sighed.

“Ask and you shall receive” a booming husky voice interrupted above me. My head shot up.

Standing about three feet from me, was a fairly tall guy in a suit with a bottle of wine in his hand.

“Excuse me, I am not in the mood, can you please go?” I said, wanting to be alone with my emotions.

“Sorry for scaring you, but the way I was brought up, was to never leave an upset lady on her own” he replied smiling, “You can thank my mother for that” he grinned.

“I grew up with five sisters, and my mum always instilled that compassion is key”. “So is there anything I can do to help?”

I burst into tears, my hands over my face, as I knew I cried ugly, and my shoulders shook as I sobbed. I felt movement next to me and the sound of liquid being poured. I look up a fraction, and my now empty glass was now full. I glance up further and he held a bottle and was smiling as he filled his own glass.

“Let’s just sit here, and have a glass of merlot” he motioned for her to take the glass “I am in no rush, I can wait” he grinned.

I sat up and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand.

“Trust me I am not the best company tonight” I said sadly “I was dumped this morning, so a wedding is the last place I want to be.” I pause and take a sip, mmm this merlot was good.

“So why are you here? How do you the know bride and groom?” he asked.

“I have been friends with Louise since college, so it was kind of given that I would attend” I replied.” How about yourself?”

“Ahh the old friend connection, I have a familial connection, I am kind of Louise’s brother, we haven’t spoken in years though”, he replied but also looked a bit sad.

“What? I didn’t know she had a brother, does she know you are here?” I enquired, suddenly interested.

“Nope, our dad mentioned the wedding and I am hiding in here”, he said “I didn’t want to ruin her big day. But I couldn’t not be here, right?”

“Oh I see, yeah true.” I said.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, drinking the merlot and just listening to the celebration sounds in the next room.

“My name is David” he reached out his hand. “Jennifer” I reply, shaking his hand.

“Nice to meet you. Forgive me if I am direct, but I spotted you earlier and was drawn to talk to you.” He said, leaning closer. “Your boyfriend, who dumped you is an idiot for letting a gorgeous girl like you go”.

“You don’t know me though? Maybe he was right in dumping me. I have been playing it all over in my head, he said I was too needy and he wasn’t ready for commitment”.

“Look I am sorry, I can’t do this. I need to go,” I stood up, and put my heels back on and him my glass. “Thanks for the merlot, it was lovely”.

I raced off and didn’t look back. I never heard footsteps behind me.