Seven years later. . .
Where do broken hearts go?
That has been Kraius’ question to himself for the past few years. Love and it’s consequences. Does it really have to be so painful and lonely that he couldn’t even determine why he was still breathing? Does it really have to be unfair that it still kept on hurting him like hell?
While overlooking at the vast ocean of Surigao, the man couldn’t help but to curse consecutively. The emptiness and torment that he was feeling was just too much that he wished to stop breathing at all. However, he also wished that the thing that was keeping him sane would be granted sooner. That the impossible would be possible.
Everyone knew him as a cheerful lawyrr, but behind his masked persona was an endless torture that his heart had gone through. Like the vast and boundless sea in front of him. The water may look fine and peaceful, but the waves of it still wanted to kiss the sand. To reach for each other despite everything pulling them apart.
“Are you okay, Kraius?”
From nowhere, Kraius heard Anya’s soothing voice. It was his friend, Andrius’ wife. He abruptly turned his head to see her. And just like the first time he saw her, he couldn’t help himself but offer her his smile. The other also smiled back before sitting beside him. She also tapped his arms like she didn’t have a possessive husband. Then, she leaned her head on his shoulder. The man only shook his head at the action.
“You kept on smiling, but I know you’re hurting,” she whispered.
“Am I that obvious?” he asked playfully.
“Yes!” she answered quickly. “Very obvious that your actions were telling me to slap you hard so that you will be back to your senses,” she added with a teasing tone.
Kraius laughed. The woman was really blunt and he felt like he couldn’t hide anything from her. She knew everything, even the reason why he remained single in the past years until now. She’s just like Rhezi.
His heart instantly contracted when he remembered the name. He stopped from laughing and looked back to the vast sight of the ocean and sighed heavily. The sun has already started to set, so now they could enjoy watching the beauty of it kissing the ocean. The beautiful horizon was just like his salvation.
Rhezi.
It was the same name that kept him hurting, since time immemorial. The name that his heart desired. His possession. But just like how fast she came to his life, she also vanished just as fast. Her effect on her was as swift as a lightning and as loud as a thunder.
“What did you feel when you left Andrius?” the man asked after a while. He didn’t want to sound hurt but his voice still lacked conviction. Every time he reminisced what happened, he can’t help but to deceive his own emotions.
“It was sad,” Anya replied. “You know what Kraius, that girl really loves you. As a woman, being away from the man we love is torture. But, she made it. She did it just to be with you in the near future. Just to be worthy for you.”
“I guess it is,” the man muttered.
Kraius couldn’t help himself but remember the most painful time in his life. That was when Rhezi told him that she was leaving. That he can’t stop her from doing what she wanted. That she wanted to prove her worth to his family.
He cursed nonstop in that certain moment. The man would have preferred having a simple life like the others. That just like them, he wished it was just as easy for him to be with Rhezi and their kids. But, being in line with royal blood sucks. What he wanted doesn’t matter, even if he kneels in front of their family’s ancestor.
“Do you miss her?” Anya broke the silence.
“In every single second of my life.” He sighed. “I miss her and my kids.”
“I know, she missed you, too,” Anya saud in a serious tone. “Fuck you, Kraius! I’m not used to seeing you being so blue and down.” The woman removed herself from leaning on his shoulder. “Cheer up, okay! This is Callen’s wedding. You’re the best man, so let’s go!”
Kraius nodded and forced himself not to think about those things for a while. He let himself be pulled by Anya, both walking together towards the reception of Callen and Arruba’s wedding, one of his close friends.
It was only a simple wedding. There were white fabrics surrounding the place, flowers on the corners, and some simple-looking tables and chairs. Their guests can probably be counted by hand. Aside from the fact that both lost their parents, they also wanted an intimate and private wedding ceremony.
While walking, Kraius couldn’t help but to feel envious towards his friends. His friend Andrius was very happy being a husband to Anya. Callen was about to be married, too. Yet it seemed to be neglecting him who wanted it for a long time. Perhaps, it’s just not meant for him.
His heart throbbed once more. It’s just that, when he was desperate to shrug the thought off, it kept on popping on his mind nonstop. His heart dwelled on the pain but it was also keeping the memory. Hoping and dreaming that miracle would come and the love of his life would come back to him.
How he wished that miracle would come. Perhaps the years that passed were the only reason why he didn’t give up and still waited patiently. The only reason why he remained strong. His love for her made him the man he couldn’t even think he could be. His love changed him for the better.
When they arrived at the reception, Kraius only shook his head as he saw Andrius’ piercing gaze. His forehead was creased while walking towards them. If staring was deadly, he probably would be in a funeral instead of a wedding.
“Stop touching my wife, Montreal!” he greeted aggressively.
Kraius smirked. “Stop being clingy, Andrius!” He put his arms around Anya’s shoulder which made Andrius even more furious. “Seriously? Anya is like a sister to me. Calm your tits, motherfucker.”
The man kissed the top of Anya’s head before walking towards the altar. He even tapped Andrius’ shoulder while chuckling. When he saw Callen, he shook hands with him and waited for the bride.
It wasn’t a typical extravagant wedding. Everyone wore simple clothing, the men clad in casual white shirts and boardshorts while the women wore simple white dresses. Callen’s bodyguards also looked casual, standing from not so far, even Anya’s Pappi was also present.
“Don’t be nervous, Dude,” he comforted Callen.
The latter turned to face him. “I am not!” he instantly answered although the nervousness was evident in his voice. Kraius shook his head at the response before shifting his sight towards the venue’s entrance which were decorated with sunflowers and daisies. They were Arruba’s favorite flowers which became the wedding’s concept.
As the song You Are The Reason by Calum Scoot reverberated across the room, the man straightened his posture. Along with every step of Arruba in her simple wedding dress was Kraius’ seemingly accelerating heartbeat. He couldn’t define the feeling he felt from watching her walking slowly along the aisle. That was his the sight he yearned to see with Rhezi walking in the middle instead.