Rhezi instantly closed her eyes as Kraius’ lips touched hers. The woman couldn’t explain what she felt when he kissed her. It has been a long time since she wished to be kissed by him. However, fate wasn’t on their side. She needed to leave to prove herself and her love for Kraius worthy.
They were kissing like no one was watching them. Savouring each other’s lips like their life depended on it. The sun that was kissing the sea seemed to be happy for them, too. Even the waves and the sand became one with their hearts, while the eyes that are on them were nothing but sparkling in happiness for the two reunited lovers.
When Kraius ended the kiss, Rhezi almost chased his lips just to kiss him again. Her heart knew how she was yearning for him when she saw him standing by the altar, waiting the woman walking along the aisle. She cried at the sight but her heart was filled with happiness when he walked closer to her.
“Seni özledim. I-I miss y-you so much, K-Kraius,” Rhezi admitted. She was leaning onto the man’s chest while the latter was embracing her into a hug.
“I never forgot you in every single second of my life. Thinking of you means living, Chubz,” Kraius spoke. Rhezi smiled because of his words. Her heart melted once more for him, because she, too, didn’t forget about him in the years that they were far apart. “Are you leaving again?”
Rhezi shook her head. “No. Never. We will be together for real, Kraius. You, me and our kids,” Rhezi smiled genuinely.
It was perhaps impossible for them to be together. They have different races and traditions. Kraius lived his life as a member of the ancient royal blood in Turkey, while Rhezi had a mixture of two bloods. Their families both had different beliefs, one of them resulting to Rhezi sacrificing herself to the Osman family just to prove herself.
The woman didn’t fail. The House of Osman treated her good for the past seven years. She worked at their house. She proved her worth and loyalty to the family. In exchange, she also learned a lot from her hard work and perseverance. In the end, Osman House released her and freed her forever with the help of Hasmet Montreal, her soon to be father-in-law.
“I love you,” Kraius muttered as he let go of Rhezi. The latter stared at him before smiling. “I love you, Chubz. I loved you then and I love you more now. I don’t know if I could still wake up in a morning without you by my side. I might sound selfish but I wanted to marry you now. Will you marry me?”
Rhezi couldn’t help herself but to cry. She was overwhelmed by him asking her for marriage. Just how many have passed when everything could’ve happened and they could’ve gotten married? She couldn’t even remember it. Or, was it almost eighteen years? Rhezi didn’t know. She didn’t mind it, anyway. There are just things that needed to happen at the right place and the right time. And, maybe. . . Just maybe, this was their right time.
“Don’t ask me that,” the woman said which shocked Kraius. His eyes were full of questions as he stared at Rhezi. His lips parted, wanting to speak yet none was spoken.
“Ask our kids, instead.” Rhezi smiled and caressed Kraius’ cheeks. “You really thought I’d reject you,” she said teasingly. Kraius internally cursed yet smiled back after a while. He thought she’d decline his offer, something that’s painful for him. “You’re time is running, Mr. Montreal.”
Kraius didn’t waste time He moved backwards and grabbed Rhezi’s hand. He led the woman towards where their kids were located. Rhezi laughed because of Kraius’ aggressiveness while the latter was filled with too much emotions he couldn’t contain.
Kraius couldn’t explain what he was currently feeling. It was as if a beautiful dream in which he wanted to remain asleep and never wake up. It was a mixture of longing, regret, and the want to feel the warmth that he was deprived of for years. How he wished to be with them, however, fate needed to seperate them in order for them to grow and change for the better-which they did. It was not a coincidence but it was fate. Just like what happened to Rhezi and him; a love nurtured by patience that made them stronger than ever.
“You’re smiling. Are you happy?” Rhezi asked, still holding the man’s cold hands. She looked at her kids and winked who were also smiling while staring at their father.
“I am very happy, Chubz. I-I don’t know what to feel anymore,” the man replied.
When they finally reached their kids, Kraius seemed to be hypnotized. Rhezi was right. Their sons were his carbon copy. From the shape of the nose, lips, and jaw. The twins also looked exactly like the triplets when they were younger.
“Roscoe, Dos and Tres look so much of you, Kraius. Quatro and Cinco got the shape of my face but still looks like you. Do you have a magic spell that cast on me? You know, it’s a bit not fair,” the woman said, hiding his nervousness.
From the sight, Kraius couldn’t contain the feeling anymore. So, he let himself to be drowned in his own feelings. He let the tears cascade down his face. He cried and wailed in front of his sons. His shoulder was shaking a lot because of sobbing. After a while, he slowly kneeled in front of the boys which startled them a little bit.
“I-I am not a good father. I may not be considered as a f-father in the true meaning of the word. I am irresponsible. I-I am not a good man, either. But, I love you. I love you with all of my heart. I-I love–”
Kraius couldn’t continue his sentence as his shoulder shook ever more. Rhezi also teared up when she saw what their kids did. Dos kneeled in front of their father and embraced him tightly, followed by Tres and Roscoe until the five boys surrounded them.
It was a magical sight for Rhezi. The scene seemed to be a masterpiece in her eyes. Her heart couldn’t help but to hurt in a good way. It was beating loudly as she sobbed softly.
“I w-wanted to marry your mom, right here, right now. W-Would you allow me?” Kraius asked when he finally calmed down from the overwhelming feeling.
“No other man can marry our Momma, Baba. Only you,” Roscoe said and helped his father stand up. “Onunla şimdi evlen, Baba.”
Kraius shifted his gaze to Rhezi as soon as he heard those words. The latter nodded at him while smiling. The man slowly calmed himself. When did he last cry? He didn’t know. He also didn’t know when he last felt true happiness. But he didn’t care about that anymore-the past wasn’t important to him now.
“Marry me now, Chubz. Marry me or marry me,” Kraius said as he stared at the woman.
“Of course! Wherever and whenever, Kraius. Now, where’s my ring?” the woman teased. Kraius cursed at that and abruptly ran back to where the wedding happened earlier. Rhezi only shook her head as she followed him.
“I need a damn fucking ring now!”
That was what Rhezi immediately heard when he entered the place. The woman observed the people who were smiling at him and shyly nodded at them. She walked towards Kraius who was talking to the phone and hugged him from behind. She smiled when she felt him stiffen.
“With a ring or none, I’ll still marry you. Calm down, Kraius. I will never say no to you. Remember that,” the woman muttered. “Now, if you’ll allow me, Mr. Montreal. Marry me. The people had been waiting for a while now.”
Kraius quickly obliged and ended the call. He turned to face the woman abruptly, startling the woman who smiled after. The man then devoured the other’s lips.
“Fuck! Don’t be such a cringe, fucker! Go in front and marry her. You’re making us wait and see your gay tactics!” Andrius complained.
Kraius only raised his middle finger at his friend while still kissing the woman. He ended it after a while and intertwined his hands onto hers as he led them towards the altar.
“Ready yourself, Mrs. Montreal,” Kraius reminded.
“I’ve been ready for so long, Mr. Montreal,” she answered.
Just like what Rhezi dreamed of, they got married in a simple way. Wearing her jeans and his khaki shorts. No rings. No bridesmaids. No anything, but their love for each other.
Fate might be cruel to them but their love was genuine and stronger. It was not impatient nor superficial. It was extraordinary. Innocent and pure.