Short Stories

Two Hearts That Beat As One

by Maria Franco
08/03/16
Not For Sale

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Vera awoke to the sound of birds chirping through the sun glazed branches of a huge oak tree behind her house. It was a perfect morning. The air seemed so pure and a delight to breathe in. She quickly got ready and rushed to meet her childhood friend Dane who lived two blocks away from her residence.
Ever since they were kids, Dane and Vera had not only walked to school together but also attended Sunday morning mass just as they were going to do today. They were now adults but still stuck to this childhood routine. Vera rang the bell with a jubilant stride. The door was opened by Mrs. Smith; Dane's mother who greeted Vera cheerfully. Dane was in the living room awaiting her. They both left together and walked down the spiral path leading up to a hill where on top resided the local community church. Vera was always fascinated by the tall steeples that jutted out from above the roof and housed a huge bell which was now ringing in a melodious tune announcing the commencement of the service.

As usual Vera participated fervently in the Eucharist whilst Dane sang aloud in his deep baritone voice. At the end of the service as was the usual practice, they met all the other members of the community laughing and chatting away.
Suddenly Vera saw Dane speaking to another childhood friend Shania and a young lady standing besides her whom Shania seemed to be introducing to Dane. Whilst Vera watched Dane speak to this lady, she felt a very strange and uneasy emotion surging within her. It was more like a sense of disapproval as if she could not bear Dane talking to any other woman.
She quickly brushed aside this feeling and walked up to the trio and joined in their conversation. Time passed and all departed and left for their respective homes. As Vera and Dane walked back together, she once again felt a disturbance within her as Dane raved on about the young lady who happened to be a visiting guest of Shania.

Hours later in the evening Vera sat reminiscing and scanning her own thoughts about Dane. They had shared the best times of their life together right from the school days, played together, studied together, attended the college proms and all events as one couple. She remembered how he used to have a tender approach towards her and even carry her school bag for her along with the load of his own bag. He had treated her like a princess all along.
There was no secret that she had not shared with him. He was her friend, mentor, philosopher and guide. The first person that she ran to whenever she faced any problem and as always Dane would solve them in his efficient style.
Today Dane was an established businessman and Vera too worked for a media centre pursuing a career in journalism. They were now matured people. Then why had it bothered her today when she saw him with another woman. Dane used to also have good friendship associations with her other childhood friends though not so close as with Vera but it had never mattered to her before whenever she saw him with the local girls. But today was different. Vera put this feeling down to her own sense of possessiveness about Dane which she had gradually developed over the years and she now gave herself a knock on the head that she had to relent and give Dane some breathing space as well.

Weeks passed and the weather too changed its course from the bright sunshine to a rainy backdrop. Vera exulted in the rains as well. She loved to indulge in the downpour to a favorite rain dance that she always performed ever since she was a child. The rain drops falling from the sky overwhelmed her. She loved to watch the shiny and glistening texture it left behind on the leaves and flowers of trees. The way the squirrels darted from one branch to another and the colorful hue of the landscape after the rains.
Vera hurried across the countryside enjoying the rainy scenery until she reached the Iron gates of Smith Industry owned by Dane. Dane hardly seemed surprised to see her, he had been expecting her to rush to him in the first rain that fell from the heavens. This was a yearly ritual and today was no exception. Vera caught hold of Dane's hand and pulled him out into the rain so that he could get as drenched as she was. Dane laughed and together they both recalled how they used to make paper boats on their way to school and float them in the waters of adjoining rivulets on the streets.
Soon Vera started shivering with the cold effect of the rains and Dane immediately put his arm around her shoulder. It was not the first time that he had done this but today Vera felt an unusual warmth and sense of comfort and belonging in his embrace. She could not explain it but this feeling stemmed from deep within her heart.
A few days later at an important press conference Vera relaised to her horror that she had not heard or recorded a single word of the event. Her thoughts had been constantly on Dane.

The monsoons passed and autumn soon set in. Vera's entire community was abuzz with the impending marriage of Dane's cousin Mark. Vera could hardly contain her excitement as she was chosen to be the Maid of Honour and Dane the Best Man for the wedding.
The great day soon dawned. When the clock struck four, Mark and his bride began to exchange their wedding vows. Vera and Dane stood on either side of the couple. The Church was beautifully adorned with Orchids on both sides of the pews. The choir sang as if they were auditioning for a role in heaven's choir. The setting was awesome. The altar shone with a brilliance to match the radiance on the faces of the bride and groom.

As Mark affirmed the first vow, Vera's gaze shifted to Dane. She then looked above to the altar where a huge statue of Christ the King was placed. As she looked, she saw the eyes of Christ gleaming and felt as if a smile was in place with a knowing look trying to tell her something. It was then that the heavens opened in her mind and the Holy Spirit jolted her to a full realization of her feelings for Dane. She looked back at Dane and there the answer was already in her heart. She loved Dane. She had always loved him right from the time she was a child. Standing here looking at him with the vows being recited in the background, she knew at once that he was the only man whom she would want to recite her wedding vows with and with no other. She had belonged to him from the time she had worn her school socks and right now standing in the house of God, the Lord had unlocked her heart to reveal to her that it was Dane who resided within. He had been with her since childhood, through her teenage years and now in heher adult years. She wanted to continue being with him until they both grew old together. He had shared the sunrise of her life and now she wanted him to be a part of the sunset in her life. They had shared the past together and now she wanted to share her future as well with him.
He was her Prince Charming, her Knight in Shining Armour and now the King of her heart!

Vera wanted to shout and dance with joy at this splendid revelation. She could not thank God enough for directing her heart. She wanted to run towards Dane and express her feelings to him then and there but restrained herself given the occasion and people around her. The wedding ceremony was soon over. Vera now began to glow and shine with the love that she had brought to the fore. Her gaze never left Dane throughout the evening. As they swayed together on the dance floor, she knew she wanted this dance to last forever.
Knowing fully well that this was hardly the place and time to reveal her feelings to Dane, she decided to save her confession to him for a special day and time when both were alone.
She was also sure in her heart that Dane too loved her but he just needed his eyes and heart to be opened to this fact.

The day after Mark's wedding, Dane left for an important business tour for a whole month. Though they communicated via e.mails and telephone calls, Vera waited earnestly and impatiently for his return to voice her love for him in his very presence.
A month later Dane returned and Vera could hardly contain herself. She was besides with joy and ran to his house early in the morning. Mrs. Smith welcomed her with a big smile. Dane was still asleep. Whilst Vera shared a cup of tea with his mother, the phone rang. Mrs Smith went to attend to the phone. Vera waited patiently for Dane to awaken.
Mrs. Smith returned to the living room, excitement all over her face. She told Vera that the call was from a business colleague of Dane. She then proudly announced that Dane was planning to marry his colleague's only daughter and enter into a joint partnership to further their business boom.

Vera's head started reeling. She could not believe her ears. She just managed to muster up enough strength to stand up and excuse herself that she had remembered an important errand. She congratulated Mrs. Smith in a feeble voice and said she would be back later to meet Dane.
Vera walked out into the bright daylight, her mind in total darkness. Her world was collapsing around her. She knew in her heart that no woman could ever love Dane as much as she did. As thoughts kept whirling in her head, she walked blindly on the road without an inkling of where she was heading. She neither heard nor saw the fast car approaching from the opposite direction. The driver slammed on his brakes but it was too late. Vera was knocked unconscious on the road, blood streaming from her head. Passerby's rushed to help her and call the paramedics.

Vera awoke in a hospital bed, her eyes trying to adjust to the light around her. The beeping noise of the machines that she was strapped to filled the room. Her head hurt terribly. She groaned in pain. At the sound of her voice, Dane who was seated next to her rushed towards her. He looked frantic and desperate.
His eyes were filled with tears. He kept muttering that he was so glad that she had opened her eyes. Vera barely managed to utter his name. On hearing this, Dane looked right into her pain filled eyes and told her in a strong voice that he loved her. Vera was astounded. She did not know whether to laugh or cry in joy. She too smiled and responded that she loved him too and had always done so.
Dane then told her that he had realised his immense love for her when he heard about her accident and rushed to the hospital. When the doctors told him that Vera was critical it was then that it dwelled on him that he could not live without her. She was his life and had always been. The deep love buried in his heart rose to the surface. He knew in that instant that he would fight death itself to keep her here with him on this earth.
Nothing could ever part them. He had held her hand throughout the night and never left her bed side. He had whispered words of love and encouragement and perhaps in her subconscious state, it was Dane's words that had pulled her towards life. As tears streamed down Vera's face on hearing Dane's confession of love, Dane clutched her hands and proposed to her. As Vera nodded her 'Yes' to him, the nurses who happened to enter the room at that moment clapped their hands in joy. They knew it would not be long before Vera recovered fully and would be discharged from the hospital.
She was now safe in the hands of her beloved. Their simplistic and pure love had won in the end! A relationship that graduated from friendship to love.

The grand day soon arrived when Dane and Vera walked down the aisle of the same church where Vera had recognized her feelings for Dane with the help of the Almighty. As they both uttered the words; "I do