A year and a half back

**

"Emma, come on.." Rose's voice was harsh but it was required. Emma was not in the right state of mind and needed to be taken out. "Let's go, EMMA.."

Rose pulled her hand and walked back to the car. Her best friend's happiest day became one which she'd rue for the rest of her life.

Every bride wants to remember the day she says her vows to the man she loves. Emma was no different. But Emma's fiance, Paul threw a wrench at it when he decided to up and run with his best man before Emma could cross the threshold of the church.

Scared and anxious, Rose broke the news to her when she spotted the missing groom down the alter. The commotion in the room added more to her suspicion. When she trotted to Hugh, even he couldn't muster up the courage to utter those disastrous words.

'The groom had left.'

Emma was a mess and the wave of guests sympathizing at her situation was not helping in any way. She needed an out. Picking up a fallen Emma, Rose made it out through the same door they entered a while ago.

How a few minutes could alter a lifetime of possibilities. A few moments which could change everything a person holds dear. This day turned sour the moment truth reared its ugly head.

Placing the porcelain doll in, Rose moved quick to fasten herself in and drive. She was the perfect maid of honor today and all days since the announcement. Emma was her childhood friend whose family took Rose and Hugh under their wings when they were orphaned at seven. At young age, the bonds these girls shared became the living epitome of unconditional love and respect.

The drive wasn't rushed. She ensured Emma calmed completely before deciding on anything else. But the most important decision was yet to be made.

"Do you want to get out of that dress?" Rose hinted softly with her eyes. Emma nodded. She didn't expect such an early reaction from Emma. She even played it safe by calling it a dress instead of its original reference.

"Let me park near the gas station, you can change in the washroom." her eyes and index finger directed the way for Emma's sight.

"But I don't have spare" was spoken before the car was pulled up. Emma's face fell again knowing that she was forced to wear the abomination till they visit a clothing shop; closest of which was still miles away. "I knew I shouldn't have let him pick the place of wedding, it's... so..far....awayfromeverything."

Pent up anger and sadness bubbling inside spewed all over her face and dress. Pulling the car to the side, Emma took the next step. She had an un-wavered confidence at times like these. Something which made her even bag the 'Promising future' crown at the homecoming.

Opening the door, she bent down besides Emma. One hand was quick, unbuckling her seat-belt while the other played opposite; pacifying her. She hurried her inside the washroom adjacent to the station. Emma's step tried to match Rose's. A giggle left her mouth watching her friend's frantic steps. Rose didn't point it out. She was happy, at least Emma laughed.

Inside, she shut the entrance, pushing Emma inside a cubicle. "Change, I will stay guard." She shouted with her hands directing directions. Emma's confused voice came out as she hurried herself out of the puffiness.

"Genius, what I am supposed to wear after that.. Stockings?"

She must have had only a few seconds to herself in silence when a balled piece of clothing bounced off her head. She turned around to see the lavender fabric on the floor with Emma's granny's corsage on it. "Are you sure?"

Rose had taken off her dress outside the cubicle, standing in her lingerie. She too never fathomed this day to take a U-turn of this intensity. She was the only one there for her friend whom, if not for the human disaster of a fiance, would have been married and getting boned in a hotel by now.

She knew the minutest of details. Emma had meticulously planned this day since Paul's proposal an year back. From the guests lists, dresses and lingerie to her first rear ended sex she held back from the day he bought it up. It was all for today. And Rose was part of the planning since the beginning.

Her gesture was not only to uplift Emma; she felt guilty for her friend's state. Paul never seemed right to her. He worked in the same office as hers as she was the reason he met Emma. A blind date later, Emma was smitten. Paul was the office accountant. A reliable guy for the mathematically challenged Emma. The match was perfect.

Her guilt stemmed from the observations she had about Paul since they began dating. She ignored them all assuming it was her jealously about her best friend having a partner whilst she remained single. Paul was too cozy with the accounting head, Jose; the best man.

It was only when Hugh told of his elopement, was Rose able to make the connection. Her best friend's fiance was a closeted man. She saw the signs but never warned Emma. Emma was the naive one to see it for herself. Or maybe, she too saw and ignored it.

"Are you sure Rooosseeyy?"

Emma's voice broke her trail of thoughts. "Yes.. Yes.Now please hurry. I am cold."

Goosebumps trailed over her skin every time the draft from someone trying to open the door hit her. Although September, the weather was chilly with the sea breeze.

"Here.."

Rose quickly slid back in front of Emma's cubicle, ironically to catch her dress instead of the bouquet. The dress flew up and Rose grabbed it, suspended in the air like a trained hound. Pulling the puffiness, she moved quick to open the zip and enter the world of nets and corset.

Once she wore it on, the door creak open. Emma was standing in lavender, her straps adjusted to cover her ampleness. Rose twirled. Her face lit up when the dress made exclusively for Emma hung right on her.

"It suits you" she sighed. Emma's legs were ready to give up but a supportive set of hands held her still.

"N-O.. NO.. Not today.. Not anymore" Rose's voice commanded her fallen comrade to march on. "He left you.. YOU didn't do anything wrong."

A few more confidence inducing words and Emma was back on her feet. Holding her guardian angel's hand, she moved forward. "Where are we going?"

Rose's mind racked up all places nearby in the flash of a second. What does a broken-hearted person needed the most? Food- No; Alcohol- Maybe later; Fresh air- Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner.

"Beach.. We are walking to the beach.." holding onto her hand, Rose walked out, a pride march of two adults who kicked life back. Their steps paced together and their walk was silent. Best friends who never needed words to express feelings. The water boasted it's thickness to blood today.

The beach has less crowded for a Saturday. Maybe it was the cold breeze, Rose thought. She didn't let go of her friend's hand till the confident squeeze assurance was delivered. Emma ran like a wild child, arms open and into the sea. She had no care in the world. She was free. Somewhere deep down, she was happy to be single, although it came with a heartbreak.

"Come in.. The water's fine" she laughed and thrashed water blurting the most cliched line, people use for all water ads. She laughed and fell back. Rose accepted the challenge.

Soaring through the wet granules which scrubbed and tickled her feet, Rose ran screaming her lungs out. The veil she took over from Emma during the walk now floated behind. A fairy who accompanied her friend for a celebratory heartbreak party at sea.

Thrashing water, they transported back to their childhood days when all they cared about was summer and ice cream. Emma ran out of the water, crying jellyfish but Rose hardly cared.

"I lent you my dress, if need be, you pee on my leg." she quoted the unscientific observation her brain had stored from a sitcom. She wasn't worried for the pain. Thrashing water around, she heard Emma call her name. Rose was enjoying her friend's single status. She was enjoying the fact that Emma won't be moving to another town; an information that Paul asked her to retain till their marriage.

"Rose.. Get out now.." her voice had no effect on Rose who was blissfully unaware of two men who were having the time of their life, shooting a girl in a bridal gown, soaking. Emma's hand knocker her out of the dream world.

"What.."

She turned to Emma who made her body shield between the men, their camera and her. "You have no right to take her photos without permission." Emma screamed at them, hurling water to no avail.

"Photos" Rose crocked before walking out of the happy place. "What photos?" her questions were directed towards the men who had their hands held up, guilty. One of them spoke.

"We were doing a photoshoot and then we saw you and then you were..." he gestured to her dripping material. "And you looked like the bride everyone would want to be on their wedding day.."

"Carefree." The other man spoke.

Emma and Rose scuffed in unison. If only they knew the truth. Another masculine voice made its way siding the two men.

A man with a goatee and rectangular glasses. He had more studs on his cartilage than there are stars in the sky. He walked to the admonished men, who pulled their cameras and showed him their achievement.

Hey! cried out Rose, now feeling shy. All her thought now were hinting at one thing. Was she exposed? Did her dress ride up? Will she form a part of the nip slip hall of fame.

Instead, the gotee guy kept tapping his index to his lips, clicking his tongue for all the photos the men ran him through. Rose was relieved. He was not impressed and she would get them deleted. Probably save a copy for herself secretly.

Instead, the man looked at her, walking closer and cupping her face.

"You darling, are my Muse."

~~~

Author's notes

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Love

S