She said no to him

The priest asked him, "Do you wish to marry her?" He said, "Yes." He was so genuine and humble. Then the priest turned to her and asked the same. She said, "No."

People started looking at each other, shocked. This was not usual. I thought to myself, Is this for real? After saying this to him, she walked straight to her friends, who were already waiting like it was preplanned. Then she got into a car and drove away.

I looked at the groom. He was still smiling, even though his eyes told a different story. He was sad, but he was holding himself together in front of everyone.

This shouldn't have happened. She could have told him earlier, at least privately. Why here? Why during this ceremony, in front of all his relatives and neighbors? The guests slowly started leaving the church, some standing outside in small groups, gossiping and whispering.

He stood there in his new wedding clothes, ashamed and unable to face anyone. Then he walked toward a wooden bench and sat there, his head lowered.

People were still watching him, judging him. I felt bad for him, so I decided to sit with him, even if it was just for a few minutes. When I sat beside him, he smiled faintly at me before looking down again, lost in his thoughts. I noticed the talcum powder on his neck that hadn’t even been dusted off properly. It made me think of a small child who had tried so hard to look perfect. He was so genuine, so pure-hearted.

I saw a group of elderly women standing nearby, covering their mouths with their hands as they gossiped. What’s their problem? I thought angrily. He’s a human being. He doesn’t deserve this kind of judgment.

An idea struck me. I turned to him and said confidently, "There’s a place under the metro bridge where many homeless and poor people live. Shall we give the wedding food to them? It’s not worth giving it to these gossiping people."

He looked at me and simply asked, "Where are they?" That question came straight from his heart.

We packed the food into paper packs and drove to the metro bridge. It was cloudy and slightly dark. The atmosphere matched his mood. When we arrived, we saw many homeless people sitting on the ground under the bridge, tired and forgotten by the world.

He didn’t hesitate. He began handing out the food, and the people accepted it with both hands, grateful and respectful. Some smiled in happiness, while others were too lost in their struggles to express emotion.

I watched him closely. He was fully immersed in the moment, smiling warmly at everyone as he handed out the food. Why would she do this to someone like him? I wondered. He had such a kind and generous heart.

When he handed food to an old man who couldn’t walk, my eyes filled with tears. Whenever someone smiled after receiving the food, he would look at me with a big, heartfelt smile. I could see the energy and joy returning to him.

SM