The Devil's Sweetheart

It was a wonderful day for an outdoor wedding, the early sun peeked out occasionally, a pleasant breeze from the north rustled the surrounding shrubs cooling the guests as they took seats on either side of the gazebo. Sweet strains of music drifted through the crowd, balloons, and streamers were fluttered around the railings with a festive mixture of blue, pink, and white.

Guests and the people in the house got prepared early in the morning for the wedding, except for one person.

Leena smiled staring at her reflection in the mirror proudly. An elegant sea-green off-shoulder dress snuggled her body flawlessly, a mixture of stars and flower-shaped beakers were spread all over the dress with the sleeves loosely hanging around her arms.

Her hair was in a slightly messy semi updo with undone waves which matched with the rustic themed wedding. A pair of lilac flower drop earrings dangled from her ears which paired with her sea foamed green dress.

"Indeed, I am the most beautiful girl in the world. Why did I_"

Her words died off when she heard the familiar footsteps clicking on the marble floor. Since yesterday Devin disappeared like a spec of dust and Leena waited for him until late at night anticipating his arrival. But still, he did not turn up. Only when Drew informed that he would come back for the wedding tomorrow, Leena went back to sleep. As much as she dared to admit, he was slowly laying a stronghold in her heart. Her heart was too frozen to get broken but when he crashed into her life, it started to drown.

"How long will you take to get_" Devin's words ceased when Leena swirled over with a smile, the smile which he fell in love with, over and over again.

"How do I look?" As if happiness passed in waves when she saw him again, Leena twirled around instantly and glanced at him with a smile that reached her twinkling eyes.

Leena swore, she would get drowned in his eyes one fine day. With eyes as bright and spellbinding as lodestars, they would bewitch all those who fell under his steady gaze. As she expected, he was dressed in a simple white shirt, paired with blue pants but the only difference is that Leena would always see him wearing darker shades on the usual days. Her eyes scooted to his wrist, which she always does, and to her surprise, he was wearing the watch she has gifted him.

"You are some kind of wonder.." Eyes can't withhold her charm and Devin couldn't find words beautiful enough to describe her beauty. She always makes his heart beat faster without her knowledge.

Without a word, Devin bent down and knelt on his right leg.

Leena flinched when he suddenly grabbed her right hand. Pushing aside her loose sleeves, he opened a small box and draped a flimsy charm bracelet onto her hand which now rested gently on top of her wrist.

The moment his fingers touched her wrist, she felt a surge of electric current passed through her heart and the same jolt she felt in her soul whenever she feels his touch, and whenever he whispers sweet things and it intensified when they shared their first kiss.

"What's this?" Leena asked digging her left hand into the palm to calm her nerves with his touch.

"To make the evils in your life go blind," Devin recited, getting up from the ground after he locked the bracelet. He never believed in Talisman which claims to have magical powers and bring good luck casting the evil away. Even when Drew and his brother carry the charms all along to protect them from the ghosts and evil eye, he would reprimand them for believing in that silly stuff. But here, like a lovesick fool that he is. Even if it is the slightest thing concerning to Leena, it's worth taking a risk. He doesn't want to keep her in a bubble, he doesn't want anyone to hurt her, and especially, he wanted to protect her from all the evil eyes.

Just when Devin was about to walk away, Leena held his hand stopping him. "Why did you give it to me?"

"Figure it out by yourself." Devin unclasped her hands and strolled away leaving the girl in confusion. Devin wanted to slowly make her understand his feelings before he threw a bombshell. He was terrified that she would freak out or worse try to push him from her life if she knows his feelings. So he started moving in a reverse direction.

Only when he was out of the room, Leena came back from her stance.

"What does he mean, figure out by myself? Did he just leave me in an endless maze now? Can't he give a proper response? Should I take it as he likes me or did he mean something else?" Leena mumbled massaging her temples. If Leena has not seen the contact name on his mobile, she would have concluded that he hold feelings for her. But right now, he has put her in a big dilemma.

She surged out of her room to talk to him about it right after the wedding. The moment she went and sat next to Drew, the music stopped and all the heads turned to face the far end of the walk when the opening to the bridal chorus began to play. Down the aisle, Leah came in a strapless wedding gown, rhinestones and pearl beads are sewn onto the gown flawlessly. Holding her dad's hand, she reached the last step and Mark finally placed Leah's hand on to Austin's hand. Austin was looking stunning in his black single-breasted tuxedo with a white wing collar shirt.

After the preacher led them to their vows, the bride and groom exchanged their wedding bands.

....

Devin searched the entire crowd for his sweetheart's face to tease her when he got an idea to mess up with her again. There he found, looking gorgeous as always. Devin knew the very moment that more than anything he wanted to see Leena walk up towards him in the wedding gown.

Leena and Drew were staring intently at the bride and groom kissing and out of blue, she turned towards her left and there she noticed Devin looking at her intently.

He gave her a little wink and mouthed a kiss when he got her attention.

"Stupid fellow! He is the most shameless idiot I have ever seen. He is behaving like a maniac." Leena ran away from the place turning beet red.

"She is just a paper tiger when I am involved.." Devin smiled shaking his head.