Kraius didn’t even dare to blink. Even when Arruba finally arrived at the altar, he was still standing still like a statue. His eyes started to water. It seemed like his vision was imagining things again, because from the entrance where Arruba previously stood was Rhezi, shoulders shaking while staring at him. He even cursed himself when his hallucination worsened and saw her walking towards his direction.
“What the fuck, man! Move!” He heard Andrius’ shout.
Kraius didn’t understand what he really meant but his feet seemed to have its on own mind that it slowly moved. It slowly walked towards the figure. His vision was blurry but he didn’t mind at all. He also didn’t care if everyone saw him crying. He was hurting. He was confused. He was happy.
Kraius’ emotions were too much that when they met at the center of the aisle, he couldn’t stop himself from sobbing. His shoulders were shaking too. You can call him gay for acting so, but he didn’t care one bit. He cried in happiness, though he wasn’t sure if it was his imagination that played him again.
“I thought you’d wait for me. Why did you marry another woman!” she accused, sounding so hurt.
Kraus lamented louder. It was the same feeling of euphoria everytime he heard her soothing voice. His heart beated further erratically and his tears fell like an endless river. He looked like a crying baby at that particular moment.
“Damn! Answer me!” she hollered.
When Kraius confirmed that he wasn’t imagining, he didn’t waste his time. He quickly held her arm and pulled her. close to him. He hugged her for a moment and felt the same intensity he was feeling from a long time ago. It was still the same. The electricity and connection was still very familiar.
When he got contented, he let go of the bewildered woman. There were tears in her eyes which the man quickly wiped away, the same goes at his own. Then, he smiled and looked at her like she was his only salvation. That his life solely depended on her.
A lot changed in her physical features. Her hair was long, curly, and blonde. Her pale skin looked paler and she also looked slimmer that before, just by looking at her shirt and jeans that were paired with trench coat and boots. But although she changed, she was still beautiful in Kraius’ eyes. The most beautiful, because after years he still loved her.
“I-I will never get married not u-unless it is y-you,” the man whispered in a stutter.
Rhezi smiled at his words despite her heart hurting because of too much joy. “You should never be! There are gonna be five people ready to gang up on you!”
Rhezi looked at her side. From not so far away, there walked the five kids that was a gift send from above. Kraius shifted his gaze at that direction and his eyes widened, curses eventually leaving his lips especially when his five sons finally stood in front of them. His five boys.
“Y-You’re–”
“I am,” the woman answered quickly. She was pregnant when she left. She stayed in Antalya for months for her safety while her kids lived in Istanbul with their Büyükbaba. It was a long story. It wasn’t that important to the woman anymore, what’s important was that she’s finally free from their family and be with Kraius forever.
Rhezi smiled at the thought. She slowly touched Kraius’ face with her right hand and closed her eyes, filling the hole in her heart from being apart from him for a long time. All the wait and sacrifices were worth it. All her pain were worth it.
“Seni seviyorum, Kraius,” Rhezi confessed as if they were the only people in that place.
Kraius heart ached in exhilaration, especially when Rhezi opened her eyes and he saw the galaxies of sparks inside. His tears started streaming again, but he wouldn’t dare to not say the words that he was longing to tell her.
“Seni daha fazla seviyorum (I love you more),” the man whispered while wiping his tears.
They smiled to each other. Longing was evident in their eyes as they looked at each other intently. The feeling of nostalgia occupied their being as their eyes fell into the abyss that only they know and understand. Their eyes said the things they failed to express.
But, the only one thing that Kraius wanted that moment was to claim what was his. And he did. He pulled Rhezi close to him and claimed her lips. Then just like that, he was home.
Finally home to the innocent love of his life.