TWO YEARS LATER

"You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen." I heard Emma's loud and cheerful voice. I looked into the mirror at the white beaded wedding gown. It was undoubtedly beautiful and seeing it, a smile made its way to my face.

After moving to San Francisco, I finished my remaining senior year and joined a nearby Art college for pursuing painting. I made a few friends who I really cared about as they did for me. My life was good. It could have been perfect only if.....

I sighed, closing my eyes and stopped myself from thinking about him. I was not supposed to think about him and be sad. Not today.

"Aww. Thank you Emma," Windy replied with a huge smile on her lips.

"You, too, look gorgeous Elise. Who would say you are the same Elise who came here two years back?" Emma smiled looking at me.

I looked into my reflection. I sure had changed. My hair was longer and reached till my waist. I had started wearing more girly dresses and I looked quite pretty. A few boys had asked me out on dates, but I couldn't say yes to any of them, maybe because none of them was my Nate. I guess I was still in pain. It took me six short years to fall so deeply in love with him and now after two long years I was still not out of it. I tried so hard to move on but failed each time.

I was wearing a peach silk dress with one strap on one shoulder. It was a simple, beautiful dress that flowed till my nude colored heels and looked very elegant.

"Just the appearance has changed Emma. Nothing else," I said and applied some lip gloss.

"That too for better." She grinned and I laughed lightly.

It was my best friend Windy's wedding day and I was the maid of honor. Windy was my neighbor when I first moved here. She stuck with me in senior year, even when I tried to remain alone. I wanted to be alone, but she never let me. I guess that's what best friends are for. She was marrying Robert Smith, whom she had met at this year's summer trip with her family. Soon they started dating and too soon Robert popped the question to her. A few weeks later they found out that Windy was pregnant and thought of marrying soon. I had met Robert twice or thrice and I could tell that he was a nice guy. I was happy for Windy.

"I have heard the Best man is gorgeous and extremely hot." Emma gushed. "You'll be one lucky girl today Elise." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "I don't mind switching places Emma. You can have him, whoever he is." I waved my hand a bit rejecting the guy I had not even seen yet.

Emma's face fell a bit and she asked, "Why are you still hung up on that ex best friend of yours? It has been years Elise, move on."

"I have moved on Emma." I lied in an instant which she clearly didn't buy. "Let's not talk about this today, please." I begged.

She smiled slightly and nodded. She turned towards Windy and went back to the earlier topic, "Who is he, Windy? Have you met him? Why didn't you tell me before? Is he hot? What's his name?" she questioned without giving Windy a chance to answer.

Windy and I chuckled. Windy straightened her already perfect gown and replied, "He is Rob's best friend from college. And yes, I have met him once or twice. He is very hot, well, less than Rob anyway." She grinned and continued, "And his name is - "

"Just 10 minutes more and the bridesmaids have to enter. You all ready?" the Wedding Planner came inside the room and we nodded.

I took a deep breath as I stood in front of the gates of the hall where the ceremony was taking place. I was supposed to make an entry with the Best man and he was still not here. Feeling a light tap on my shoulder, I turned to Emma, who was looking at me with worried expressions. "What's wrong?" I asked, concern dripping from my voice.

"Is my makeup alright?" she asked, fluttering her eyelashes lightly and making me roll my eyes and laugh lightly at her.

"It's perfect," I told her honestly.

She smiled and her eyes went to something behind me. I watched as her eyes widened and a huge mischievous smile appeared on her face. I was sure that she had just spotted a guy in whom she had developed immense interest already. "No," she said, still not looking at me and keeping her eyes tracked on the person behind me. "He is perfect," she whispered dreamily, making me chuckle at her normal behavior. "Oh God! He is looking here," she whispered, barely moving her lips. Knowing Emma it was her way of not ruining her lipstick.

Emma's such behavior was nothing new to me. She was gorgeous and was well aware of how to use her strong points when it came to the other sex. And, I was very sure that the guy standing a few meters behind me had his eyes fixed on her. She was a sight to behold.

"You can drool over him later, Emma. We've a wedding to attend. Remember?" I asked her tilting my head to the side lightly so that I was causing her to stop looking at him and focus back on me.

I was proved successful when her eyes finally settled back on me and she laughed lightly. "Yeah," she muttered.

"Good." I nodded my head in appreciation and turned back towards the entrance of the wedding hall where everyone was seated already. The light chattering that could be heard from inside made me smile as I thought about Windy and Rob. She was so lucky to have someone who loved her back just like she loved him. This made me think how happy would I have been if Nate could love me back. Nate...

'No! I'm not allowed to think about him today and spoil my friend's day.'

I shook my head lightly in order to get rid of his thoughts that always cloud my mind and my eyes went to the person standing right in front of me.

Shock. Surprise. Disbelief.

These were very few of the numerous emotions that I felt the moment my eyes landed on him. My eyes widened in surprise and my lips parted like I wanted to say something. But, there was nothing I could say as I looked at him and he looked at me with so many emotions crossing his green eyes and the most prominent one being relief. I felt cold and for a split second, my heart stopped beating as I stared at him standing just a few feet away from me. I had goose bumps all over. Shivers ran down my spine as the person I least expected to see again was standing in front of me. His green eyes, which looked like they have just deepened in color and became much more beautiful with time, were staring back at me with so many questions in them, and all I wanted to do was to run away from this place too, like I had done two years back.

There was a part of me which wanted to escape, right now. And then, there was this very familiar part of me which wanted to run towards Nate and hug the life out of him. I had missed him so much.

I watched as Nate slowly moved towards me and it made me panic. I was not ready to meet him. But, then why I was craving for his touch, his hugs, his 'Elise-exclusive' smiles, and the twinkle in his eyes? I was too lost in Nate that I didn't notice the Wedding Planner as she stepped in front of me and waved her hand in front of me.

"Huh?" was all I could manage to utter.

"Oh, not you too," the Wedding Planner, Aria said, rolling her eyes at me. She was a cute blonde in her mid twenties and she was perfect for her job. The expressions I had on my face were still very much the same since last five minutes or so. Noticing them, she continued, "I really thought you were different, but here you are wearing your heart on your sleeve for the gorgeous Best Man." She motioned towards Nate with a mischievous smirk on her face.

Oh! Only if I could tell her that I was not wearing my heart on my sleeve for Nate. He already had it.

"What do you mean?" I whispered, finally finding my voice and discreetly sneaking a glance towards Nate who now had his tensed back towards me.

Wasn't he happy to see me here?

Why would he? I left him and our friendship without any word. I had let our friendship down. I had let him down. He wouldn't even want to talk to me.

"Well," Aria's voice brought me back and my head snapped towards her. I had forgotten that she was still present here. "Every girl is fangirling over him. I mean, C'mon, look around," she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

There was no need for me to look around as I was sure that whatever Aria was saying was true. I had seen enough of such scenes in my six year long friendship with Nate, that I didn't need any more proofs of the same.

My lack of response made Aria frown a bit and she changed the topic, thankfully. "The wedding is about to start in a minute and the moment you hear the music play, you've to enter with the gorgeousness standing over there." She pointed towards Nate and winked. Before I could say anything, she started moving towards Nate, probably to instruct him to do the same.

I lowered my head and stared at my nude heels. That was my only way to gather the strength I needed. I could feel Nate's gaze boring into my head, but I refused to look up and meet his green eyes.

Emma's voice made me look at her from over my shoulder. "Elise, will you calm down? It's not your wedding. Why are you so nervous?" Her voice held humor in it and just forced a fake laughter.

Before I could reply to her, music started playing, indicating my entrance in the wedding hall with the Best Man. A palm was spread in front of me and I lifted my eyes to see Nate, who was now looking at me with a blank expression on his handsome face. Trying to be the perfect Maid of Honor, I entangled my arm with his and avoided his gaze.

Together we stepped inside the beautifully decorated hall. The decorations, the music, the people looking at us with smiles on their faces - all these things were something that I was least bothered about paying attention to. I was too confused and surprised at the turn of events, that all I could think about was the person whose arm was entwined in mine. All I could think about was the distance between us that probably measured just a few inches. All I could think about was what am I supposed to say if he asks me anything. My thoughts were clouded.

He didn't say a word to me, which made me both relieved and disappointed. The distance between the entrance door and the stage seemed too short, yet too long to me. We parted ways once we reached Rob. I went to stand where we, the bridesmaids, were asked to stand and Nate stood behind Rob.

My eyes refused to leave Nate's beautiful face. I just couldn't bring it in myself to look anywhere else. How could I leave him like that two years ago? I was so wrong when I thought that the distance between us would allow my feelings to disappear. My feelings had just increased manifolds. My thoughts, two years back, were so wrong. Why had I even left him?

Because you loved him madly and he loved Cassie.

Cassie...

Involuntarily, my head snapped towards the hundreds of guests gracefully seated on their seats and looking towards the entrance as Windy was about to make a beautiful entry with her father. As quickly as I could, I glanced at every face present here. I was sure that Cassie would be here with Nate. But, she was not here.

I watched as Windy made the most graceful entrance and all eyes went to her. Everything here was wonderful; just perfect. Everything was just the way I had dreamed of my wedding with Nate. The only difference was I was not the one walking down the aisle and he was not the one waiting for me with a goofy grin on his face.

My gaze returned to the green eyed boy standing opposite me. His eyes were trailed on me. Everything from Windy walking up to Rob, Rob taking her hand in his, both of them saying their vows, both of them saying 'I do' and to them kissing as lawfully wedded husband and wife, happened in a blur. And, during all these wonderful moments of my best friend's life, my eyes didn't leave Nate's eyes even once. It felt like we were in our own different world. And that world contained the uncountable questions that Nate probably wanted to ask me; the questions which I wasn't ready to answer.

Once the ceremonies were over, everyone started moving towards reception hall. I was one of the guests to enter that place first because I was running away from Nate; I was running away from the questions he would ask me and most importantly, I was running away from the truths of his life he might tell me. I didn't want to hear how wonderful Cassie is or how they were so amazing together. I didn't want to hear anything.

After the cake cutting ceremony and once the couple finished their dance, I slipped out of there as discreetly as I could. I reached the balcony which had the view of a beautiful garden and stood with its support. I kept both my hands on the railing and sighed.

Why did he have to come back? Why-

"You left." Nate's deep voice shook me out of my thoughts and my head snapped towards him. He was standing behind me, his hands dug in his pockets and he looked at me with slightly clenched jaw. I wished that I could run away from here too. I was a coward.

I opened my mouth to say something, but I just couldn't find any words. "I... um... I ne-needed some fresh air," I managed to say.

He ran his hands through his chestnut hair, which had grown slightly in these two years and it suited him well. He looked grown up and so handsome. He took two steps towards me and mumbled in a voice that was loud enough for me to hear, "I'm not talking about leaving the Reception Hall, Eli." My breath was caught in my throat and I just kept on looking at his questioning, caring green eyes. Hearing my name from his mouth after such a long time was something I couldn't express. He continued, "I'm talking about me. You left me."

There was so much hurt in his eyes, in his voice and on his face that I cursed myself for ever leaving him. I left because I wanted to protect myself from getting hurt, and unintentionally, I had hurt Nate in this process by stealing his best friend from him.

"I'm sorry," I apologized wholeheartedly.

"No," he said in an instant. "I'm sorry. I must have done something that made you so mad at me that you left."

I found myself shaking my head in a 'No' and I told him a lie, "It was Dad. He wanted me to live with him."

He laughed humorlessly at my reply and looked straight into my eyes. "He had been calling you since your parents divorced, Elise." He was angry at me and I didn't have the courage to tell him the truth.

So, I did what I thought was the best. I changed the topic. "How's Cassie?" I smiled tight lipped at him, trying to not let tears form in my eyes.

A frown covered his face at my question and he said, "She's fine."

"Gr-great," I uttered, and faced the garden view again. I heard Nate take in a sharp breath and after a second, he came and stood beside me. "So, is she... is she in your college?" I had expected them to be together, but still hearing these things from him made every pain alive.

"No, she is in London," he answered.

My head snapped towards him and I saw that his eyes were fixed on me, watching my every reaction. "Long distance relationship, huh?" I tried to force a chuckle as I said this and again, looked back at the garden.

"We're not together, Eli." His voice was firm and confused at the same time. I looked up at him in shock and he continued, "I broke up with her a week after you left."

My head was spinning with questions and the reasons for which he must have broken up with her. He loved her. He must have been so heartbroken and he didn't even have his best friend with him at such a time. Now, I knew why he was so angry with me. "But you loved her," I whispered as I forced myself to say these words out loud, the words that had haunted me every breathing moment of these two years.

"I never said that I loved her," he told me and I looked at him confused. Noticing my confusion, he added, "I told you that I might fall for her, but..." He ran his hand through his hair and I knew, by that gesture that he was irritated and angry.

"But what?" I pushed him to say further.

His eyes held so much emotion in them and I again realized how much I had missed him. He whispered in a somewhat strong voice as he said, "No matter how hard I tried, I could never fall in love with her or anyone. How could I, Elise? I was in love with you."

The tears that once threatened to leave my eyes now flowed freely as I heard him say what he just said. How could he love me? How could I not notice that he loved me? This has to be some kind of a joke.

"I have always loved you, Elise Williams," he whispered and held my shoulders. His voice held so much sincerity and love that I couldn't bring myself to not believe him. He wiped the tears that were on my cheeks using his thumb and said, "Hey, please don't cry. Forget that I said anything. We can be friends again if you want. I'll try my best to get rid of these undying feelings I've for you. Please stop cry-"

I stopped his rambling by doing what I've been dying to do since all these years. I stood up a little in my heels to reach his height and pressed my lips to his, making him effectively shut up. He was too shocked to do anything and in just three seconds, I pulled away from him. His eyes were wide with surprise and I couldn't help the huge smile that took place on my face.

"I love you too, Nate," I told him the one truth that I've been dying to tell him for so many years.

The worry that was stretched on his face was replaced by huge, breathtaking smile and it didn't take him even one more second to complete what I had started. He kissed me and I could feel his smile against my lips and I was sure that he could feel mine. Once we parted, he touched his forehead against mine so that our noses were touching and our breaths mingled.

We were lost in each other's eyes, in the smiles that were planted on our faces, the happy tears that were flowing from our eyes and the love that we had for each other, the love that was engraved in our hearts since the very beginning and I was sure, that it would remain engraved, forever.

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A/N

So, here is the short, sweet, happy ending of this romantic story. I really hope that you all liked it. :)

I'm thinking of putting Nate's POVs as well, but it might take me time as I'm busy with my other story 'And We Meet Again', but whenever I'll get bored while writing it, I'll post Nate's pov... maybe in about two weeks or so. Not sure!

Tell me, whether you liked it or not... Was I able to make you all emotional? I'm not sure about this chapter coz I've written it in a rush!

Do VOTE, COMMENT & FOLLOW.

Thank you! :) <3