Life Of Love - A Novel

Chapter 1
He first saw her at the bus stop. One could say it was love at
first sight, but she didn’t quite notice him in return. She was
absorbed in a magazine, her legs crossed daintily beneath an
embroidered silk dress. Her auburn hair fell in waves around her
shoulders and her bright, emerald-green eyes were alive with
delight. She was beautiful beyond comparison, so much that he
made a move to sit next to her.
John Deane was a handsome, clean-shaven, 27-year-old
software engineer. He graduated in computer science at Harvard
University and now co-owned a software company with his best
friend, Michael Rawl. Michael was to be married that very day,
and John was on his way to purchase flowers as a gift. However,
his task was no longer at the forefront of his mind. He was
fixated on the woman reading the magazine at the bus stop.
He brushed a hand through his dark hair, feeling a little selfconscious that he was already losing it along the sides of his
head. He blamed it on the stress of his job.
Just as he took a step towards the bench, another man of
about thirty slipped in front of him and touched the woman’s
shoulder.
“Sarah?”
She looked up from her magazine and saw the tall man
greeting her, and then stood gracefully with the loveliest smile
John had ever seen. As she stood, shelet the magazine fall onto
the bench.
“How are you?” he asked.
“William Burnham, is that you?” She opened her arms for a
brief hug and a kiss on the cheek, and then stepped back. “I’m
well. What are you doing here?”
“I was on my way to meet a client and I just happened to
see you sitting over here.”
“Well, how nice of you to come and say hello!”
As they chatted to one another of their day and events that
had happened since they last spoke, John meandered over to the
bench and picked up the magazine. He was curious to know


what she was reading, what interested her. On the corner of the
magazine, over a stamped sticker addressed to her, he learned her
name was Sarah Jane Miller.
Her name rang in his head like a beautiful string of notes,
clear and soft as bells. He had neverfelt such a pull before –
such a desire to know a complete stranger.
Then, as if it were a serendipitous sign from heaven, his ear
caught the tail end of Sarah’s conversation with William.
“Where are you headed?” he asked.
Ahead of them, the city bus pulled up to the stop, its brakes
creaking. Sarah gestured to the machine. “I’m on my way to my
cousin Amanda’s wedding.”
“Oh, how lovely,” William replied.
John could barely listen further. His brain was buzzing with
excitement; the inertia of thoughts was unstoppable. He was so
distracted by his stroke of luck that he watched Sarah board the
bus without stopping her to hand over the magazine. The doors
were already closed by the time he realized his mistake. He held
it up to the bus window, but Sarah wasn’t looking out. It didn’t
matter, though. He had a feeling he would see her again.
He, too, was headed to a wedding later. His friend and
business partner, Michael, had shared everythingwith him since
their university days. There were no secrets, between all their
great memories together and all their aspirations.
Michael had started dating a charming girl six months ago,
and it was nice for John to see him finally tie the knot with
someone. Of course, John had met her a while back and given
his “thumbs-up” approval. Her name,just as Sarah had stated
moments before, was Amanda.

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Amanda Miller’s house was an old Victorian style with
beautiful brickwork and low ceilings. The wedding decorations
were up, strewn with lights and flowers. It had taken Sarah Jane
Miller a long bus ride and several transfers to get from
Manhattan to Montclair, New Jersey, and unfortunately she had
left her magazine at the bus stop, which deprived her of some

   


much needed entertainment. She had vowed not to bring any
work on the trip, which was a difficult promise for a busy lawyer
like her to keep. So instead of magazines or work to occupy her
time, she had to enjoy the passing scenery of traffic and old
buildings on the ride.
Although she was very close to Amanda, it had been six
months since they last saw each other – right around the time
Amanda had met her husband-to-be. Still, they kept in contact
via email and texting. Sarah blamed her workload for their lack
of face-to-face communication.
Her uncle greeted her at the front gate. He gave her a kiss
on the forehead, his mustache tickling her skin. He was a jovial
man, always welcoming people to his home – even strangers –
and greeting them with a warm smile. It was something Sarah
always loved about him.
“How are you, my dear Sarah?” he asked, a smile crossing
his face.
“I’m doing just fine. What about you, Uncle?” she asked,
mirroring his grin. “You still look the same, young and fit.”
“Oh!” he laughed, flattered. “I’m getting older, but I’m well,
thank you. I’m very happy to see you, my child. It has been
ages.” He held out his armand Sarah took it, allowing him to
lead her up to the doorway. “Amanda is right inside.”
“I’m very excited to see her in her dress.” Sarah’s smile
widened. “I’m sure she looks absolutely gorgeous.”
Inside, Sarah made her way upstairs to Amanda’s room. She
knew her way around the house like the back of her hand, having
spent many nights sleeping over as a child and wrecking havoc in
the living room trying to make the best fort possible out of
blankets, pillows, and couch cushions. Amanda’s room was the
second door on the right in the upstairs hallway, and the door
still had the script writing of her cousin’s name carved into it.
Standing at the full-length mirror near the closet was
Amanda, and she saw Sarah from the reflection and flashed a
smile at her. She wore the classic white bridal dress, beaded at
the front with a lace sash and long, trailing veil. As she turned to
greet Sarah, the layered dress ruffled softly.




“Wow!” breathed Sarah, shaking her head. “You look so
different, Amanda.”
Amanda gave her most teasing smile. “So, I had to get
married for you to finally find time to visit.”
Sarah looked mortified. “I am sosorry,” she apologized.
“You know how much I want to see you. I’ve been really busy
with a new assignment.”
“Is that so? I think you’re just using your lawyer tricks on
me right now.”
Sarah laughed. “I’m not lying to you, my wonderful cousin. I
am thrilled to be here. And believe it or not,” she quickly added,
“I left all of my work at home.”
“I don’t believe that for a second,” Amanda replied with
another smile. “So, tell me, how do I look as a bride? Good or
bad? And no lying.”
“Hmm.” Sarah put a hand to her chin and circled her
cousin, pretending to inspect the lovely dress. Finally, she said,
“It’s decided. You look extremely hot, sizzling, and sexy.”
Amanda laughed and shook her head. “Thanks a lot. I feel
better now. By the way, I can’t keep it a secret any longer. I’m
going to introduce you to someone special today.”
“You mean Michael? I’m looking forward to meeting him,”
Sarah replied. She felt somewhat bad that she hadn’t met her
cousin’s fiancé yet. Six months wasn’t exactly a long period of
time to date before being married, but Sarah had heard so much
about Michael that she knewhe would make Amanda happy –
whether they were together six months or six years before
marriage.
“No, not Michael,” said Amanda.She played with her veil as
she spoke, tossing the soft fabric and watching it float gently
back to her side. “Well, you’ll be meeting him, of course, and I
know you’ll love him, but that wasn’t who I was talking about.”
“What does he do again?” Sarah quickly asked, interrupting
her cousin. It was just like Amanda to try to set her up with
someone, and it was just like Sarah to bea little hesitant. Since
work occupied so much of her time, she didn’t have much room
for a romantic life, though she secretly wished it wasn’t so …

   


well, so nonexistent. And while she was grateful of her cousin’s
efforts to find her a companion, it was all a little embarrassing.
“Michael? He’s a software engineer and runs a business with
his friend, for the millionth time.” She smiled slyly. “Is that
another lawyer trick, trying to change the subject like that? You
know, I might be distracted with getting married and all, but I’m
not going to leave you without someone to dance with tonight.”
“Dance?” Sarah cringed a little. “You know I hate dancing.”
“Oh, don’t be like that. John is very outgoing. Handsome,
too.” Amanda winked and turned back to the mirror. She
smoothed the skirt of her dress, examining herself one more
time. “This dress isn’t wrinkled at the back, is it? Ugh, I’m afraid
to even sit down in fear of ruining it.”
Despite herself, Sarah’s curiosity had been stoked a little.
She pretended to help Amanda examine the back of the dress for
wrinkles, but her mind was elsewhere.
“Sorry, who is John?” she asked.
Amanda didn’t reply. She simply flashed a silent, knowing
smile at her reflection in the mirror.
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John stood at the church altar, next to the groom as the best
man usually did. Michael was looking good in his tux, an excited
smile playing upon his lips. He felt happy for his friend, but also
anxious with anticipation. He was waiting for his suspicions to be
confirmed, and as the string quartet started the soft pizzicato of
Pachelbel’s Canon and the bridesmaids emerged from the back,
the crowd all turning to watch, he saw her. At the front, Sarah
started down the aisle holding a bridesmaid bouquet in her
hands. She was beautiful in her pale dress, her hair tucked up
over her neck with flowers weaved into the locks. Her lips were
shockingly red, as though she had been pulled out of the fifties.
The other girls came out, all lining up across from the
groomsmen. The bride emerged to the sound of the Wedding
March. She looked lovely, donned in pearly white, and John
knew he was supposed to be looking forward, but he couldn’t





help glancing at Sarah more than once, drawn to her.
Yes, the bride was beautiful, but Sarah was breathtaking.
The priest cleared his throat and finally the ceremony was
underway.
“A marriage is a way of accepting love and commitment of a
man and woman in front of God, before moving to a new life.”
He said a few more words, most of which John missed while
sneaking glances at Sarah, and continued on. “If there is anyone
here who believes Amanda and Michael should not be married
today, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
The church was silent, a silence so roaring that it made John
slightly uneasy. The priest continued. “Let us proceed. Do you,
Michael, take Amanda to be your lawful wedded wife? To have
and to hold from this day forward, forbetter or worse, for richer
or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, to honor, until death
do you part?”
“Yes, I do,” he affirmed with a smile. John could see the
excitement in his eyes.
“And do you, Amanda, take Michael to be your lawful
wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward,
for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in
health, to love, to honor, until death do you part?”
“Yes, I do,” Amanda replied.
John let out a sigh. He liked weddings, especially what they
symbolized: eternal love, unconditional love. He had grown up
with two loving parents who exemplifiedwhat it meant to love.
He still lived with his adoring, soft-hearted mother, Jessica,
whom he was very fond and proud of. He had promised to be
there for her ever since his father,Robert, died ten years ago. He
had fought a rough battle with stomach cancer and lost. His
passing was heartbreaking for the entire family. His parents’ love
existed “in sickness and in health” until death eventually pulled
them apart.
The exchange of rings came and went and the ceremony
closed with a passionate kiss between the couple. The crowd
erupted into applause and the string quartet burst into music as
they made their way back down the aisle, this time as husband

   


and wife.
As everyone made their exit to get to the reception, John
tried to walk next to Sarah. Once again, he went unnoticed. He
brushed his hand through his hair and craned his neck to find
her as she became lost in the crowd.
In the evening, at the reception, John was sauntering by the
bar, waiting for another glimpse of Sarah. Almost all of the
people at the wedding were at the reception, and some who
weren’t at the ceremony were present here, probably for the free
food and booze. John was about to seize himself a drink when
Amanda popped out of nowhere and grabbed his arm. He
opened his mouth to speak but Amanda beat him to it.
“I want to introduce you to my beautiful cousin, Sarah,” she
said.
John’s heart skipped a beat.Serendipity. He couldn’t believe
Amanda was offering to introduce him to the very woman he
had his eyes on. “Yes, please,” he quietly said, allowing himself to
be tugged along by his friend’s new wife.
They approached a table where Sarah was merrily chatting
away with an elderly man whom John took as a family member.
Her eyes alighted when she spoke, her lips curving into a striking
smile. His heart elevated.
Amanda cleared her throat, interrupting the conversation.
“Sarah, this is who I wanted you to meet, John Deane.”
Sarah turned, blushing slightly for some reason. John
realized that Amanda musthave been trying to set them up, and
mentally thanked her. Sarah was looking at him as if she knew
him from somewhere but just couldn’t place it. Finally extending
her hand, she said, “Nice to meet you, John.”
He shook her hand briefly, the feeling of her smooth skin
sending a rush of exhilaration through him. “Isn’t it a
coincidence?” he asked.
“Coincidence?” She furrowed her brow.
“I saw you at the bus stop this morning in Manhattan.” He
shuffled his feet, feeling rather awkward that he had realized this
and she hadn’t.
Amanda interrupted with surprise. “You’ve met before?”





“No, no, I just saw her in passing …” John tried to explain,
but he cut his own words short, feeling heat under his collar.
“Oh? Sorry, I didn’t notice you,” said Sarah, eyeing him with
a look of uncertainty. “I didn’t realize I was so memorable.”
John smiled at her teasing. “You left a magazine behind.”
“Oh my god, I was in such a hurry I forgot it.” She smiled
bashfully and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Did
you find it?”
“Yeah. I have it if you want it back,” he said.
Sarah waved her hand in the air, dismissing the notion. “Oh,
don’t worry about it. I’ve almost read the whole thing.” She
quickly added, “Though, I wish I could have gotten it before the
bus ride.”
Amanda suddenly decided that this was her cue to leave.
“I’ve got to see some other guests. I’ll talk to you later.” She
squeezed Sarah’s arm, gave her a triumphant smile, and dashed
away.
“She’s trying to set us up, isn’t she?” John asked, chuckling a
little. He was secretly glad.
Sarah sighed and leaned against her hand. “She does that to
me sometimes.”
At that moment, the band began to play. People started
towards the dance floor, dragging their partners along with them.
John – like Amanda – suddenly decided that this was his cue to
do something.
“Sarah, would you like to dance with me?” he asked
hopefully.
Sarah hesitated, covering her mouth with her hand to hide a
shy smile. “No, I can’t dance.”
“Don’t worry. I think anyone can dance with the right
partner.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “Give me a chance. I’ll
guide and support you on every step.”
She looked surprised for a moment, but her expression was
quickly covered by another timid smile. “As long as you promise
not to laugh when I embarrass myself,” she quietly said.
John gazed dreamily into her bright eyes. He wanted to tell
her that she would look lovely doing anything, that she should

   


never be embarrassed. Instead, he slipped his hand softly into
hers and led her to the dance floor.
He kept his promise to lead her in every step, and while
Sarah stumbled on his toes on occasion, for the most part they
were in sync, moving across the hardwood as one. He pulled her
closer and said, “See, you’ve got the hang of it.”
Sarah quietly laughed and red touched her cheeks as she let
him pull her closer. There was electricity in their fingertips as
they touched, a wave of emotion enclosing them as the dance
continued on. John’s mind was filled with thoughts of her, his
emotions leaking into his eyes, and Sarah’s shyness had soon
withered, becoming just as lost in his gaze as he was in hers.
Two songs had already passed and John and Sarah forgot
the music and the people around them. By now, the other guests
had circled around them, focused on their passionate dancing.
When they finally stopped, Sarah wanting a glass of water, she
started at the round of applause they received. She blushed, her
shyness returning, and she fled from the dance floor, her hand
still locked with John’s. She pulled him behind her.
In the safety of the crowd and loud music, Sarah began to
laugh. John joined in, feeling completely silly and … and
something else, something he had never felt before. It was a first
for him – this feeling – and he held onto it. In his university days,
many girls had asked him out, but he never felt interested. He
only dreamed of becoming the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates.
Romance and feelings never seemed very important. But when
he looked at Sarah, something changed within him, a warmth
that he liked.
They spent the rest of the night talking, and John was even
able to coax another dance out of Sarah. It was all perfect, and as
the hours pushed on, the bride and groom made their flowerladen exit, sending up another round of applause. By this point,
John realized he had found someone truly special.
It was not until he glanced athis watch that he realized how
late it was. He excused himself and explained that he had a long
drive home to Manhattan.
“I have to go, but I had a lovely time talking and dancing





with you,” he said, faltering slightly on his words. He badly
wanted to kiss her cheek.
“Yes, it’s been really nice,” agreed Sarah, and added, “And
fun.”
He shook her hand, wishing to feel her warm skin just once
more before he left. The breathless feeling returned and he
disappeared outside before his urge to kiss her also came back.
While walking to his car, he thoughtof their dance, of how his
heart had felt so full and alive in that moment.
And he suddenly realized he hadn’t asked for any of Sarah’s
contact information. No phone number. No address. Not even
an email. He turned to the door, only to see her driving away
with her aunt and uncle. He almost considered chasing down the
car, but the opportunity was lost.
Sarah Jane Miller. What a beautiful name, he thought, as he
gazed upwards at the star-filled sky.
And since fate had been so good to him already, he had a
feeling he would certainly see Sarah Jane Miller again.