Anagapesis

(n.) No longer feeling any affection for someone you once loved.

A strange sense of deja vu began to overwhelm her, except this time she was the one stood at the side, out of the way. The orchestra's hit its crescendo and the other guests burst into a polite applause. Even in her lilac cocktail dress she managed to float around in the shadows undetected.

Then she caught sight of them. They were stood on the empty, softly lit terrace, holding each other close swaying in their own slow dance, his lips occasionally grazing her forehead. It was as if they were the only two people in the world, as if they didn't have a ballroom of wedding guests on the other side of the door. He held the young woman with so much love and she couldn't help but smile at them.

Many thought she was a fool for even thinking about accepting the invitation. That she should be furious considering the circumstances. Elsa knew better.

Over the summer, Elsa had seen the sweet way Georg would look into the young fräulein's eyes. Observed the way she would laugh when he hadn't said anything particularly funny. The way his fingers would wiggle agitated, more so when she wasn't around. The way she blushed in his arms the night of what was supposed to be her own engagement party to the dashing captain. Once the fräulein had bravely come back, she could tell he was denying his feelings in his attempt to avoid two broken hearts. No one else saw the turmoil he was in after she had disappeared.

An engagement ring was the main reason she had travelled back to Salzburg with him, but the more time went on she realised that it wasn't fair to either of them. She loved him dearly. She loved him enough to let him find happiness again. She owed it to Maria, a life of love and freedom rather than living a life of sadness and 'what ifs'. Anyone who met the girl knew she would have had an awful time being a nun, adding heartbreak to the list wasn't fair. Elsa had already experienced love, and so had Georg, but Maria was young. It wasn't fair to deny her the rarity of true love amongst other things she'd have to miss out because of a life in the convent.

The music had started again and the champagne in her glass was getting warm. She allowed herself one last look at the newlywed couple and made her way back into the ballroom. A sudden feeling of contentment surged through her. This is how it should be-

"Elsa?" She turned her head sharply at the unexpected call of her name.

"Georg."

They stood in silence, neither sure what to say to the other. Whilst they had parted on good terms, it was still a little awkward.

"I believe congratulations are in order." She started politely, but with absolute sincerity. "You do make a lovely couple."

He smiled at her.

"Thank you, Elsa." There was something new about him that she'd not seen for a long time. He looked calm, peaceful and utterly in love; it suited him. "It is nice to see you. How have you been?"

"Well, I did have some trouble trying to find a dress for such an occasion" She gave a quick swish of her skirt. "but other than that I've been good." He laughed at her. It was nice to be able to joke with her dear friend again. She didn't have many genuine friends as of late.

After a moment of sipping from their glasses, there was another change in music.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked. Elsa regarded him for a second before taking his hand.

As he led her around the ballroom, all the tension and history between them dissipated. No more hard feelings. No more bitterness. No more heartbreak.

She enjoyed being in his arms again. To feel his hand in hers as they danced in the smooth 4/4 rhythm. Except this was different to the other times. She no longer had an engulfing feeling of possessiveness at the thought of a certain woman watching. He matched her smile and revelled in being in the company of a friend.

After being twirled around a few more times, their dance came to a natural end.

"That was lovely." She beamed. "It's been a while since I've been asked to dance."

"I am sorry for everything. I treated you unfairly and-" She interrupted him by putting her hand on the cheek.

"Georg, darling, never apologise for being in love." She looked at him sincerely. And as if on cue, the beloved in question was slowly making her way through the guests towards them.

"Gretl and Marta are all tucked in and sound asleep. Far too much excitement for one day, I think." She giggled. "Oh, Frau Schraeder. Hello."

"Darling, do call me Elsa." Maria smiled and nodded. "Oh how lovely you look! I have never seen such a beautiful wedding gown."

"You are kind. Thank you." Elsa smiled at the young woman. Georg had wrapped his arm around his new bride's waist and gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek, then nodding at Elsa, before moving back across the grand room again.

Anyone could see that the Captain was head over heels for his bride. Pangs of jealousy no longer surged through her body. Maria glowed now that she no longer had to hide how she felt, especially when she was being looked at the way Georg looked at her. He never looked at her like that; the way all girls wanted to be looked at. This was how it was supposed to be.

"Congratulations Maria. We all knew you were never going to be a nun." Elsa laughed at Maria's blush.

Maria looked back at Georg as he swiftly made his way through the crowd towards Max.

"No, I suppose not." She replied, smiling shyly at the floor.

There was a beat before Elsa broke the comfortable silence they had found themselves in.

"I can't apologise more for how I treated you. To deny you happiness; it was inexcusable."

Maria took her in for a moment and smiled.

"I'm so glad you could make it, Elsa." The girl who was never going to be a nun wrapped her arms around her in a quick hug. When she let go, Elsa grabbed her hands.

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world, my dear."