All I could do was stare helplessly as she walked down the aisle. She was about to be betrothed to a man she didn't love.

I yelled for ceremony to stop. Yelled because I knew she deserved better. Yelled because I wished in my heart that it was me that she was walking towards. But no one could hear me. She couldn't hear me. She kept walking towards a future I know she didn't want.

I ran to stop her. Ran to prevent her from making a mistake she would regret for the rest of her life. Ran to her because she still meant something to me and I wasn't just going to let her cry the rest of her years away. But I couldn't reach her. No matter how much I pushed forward, she was still out of my reach.

She turned back. Her sorrowful eyes pleading not for help, but for forgiveness. She has made her choice and there is nothing I can do about it. Once upon a time it would have made a difference what we did. Now, what's left is the fleeting memory of our pasts and promises that will never be fulfilled. Her eyes moist with tears she looks at me one last time and mouths the words.

I wake up to the sound of an incoming text message. My arms wrapped around the one I now love, cradling her gently as she sleeps. I check my phone. My eyes still groggy and my mind echoing the words spoken to me in the dream.

"Je rêve de toi"

I read my message. "I dreamt about you today…"

Sometimes I wished she'd just call in advance.