Chapter 32: Chapter 32
James wakes up an hour early than his usual schedule. He would need to check some things and make sure that this day would work out as planned. It is a significant day for the person James owes a lot to, the person who worked just like Cinderella’s Fairy godmother and made his dreams come true. James' day started with a cup of coffee and a series of phone calls while he was preparing for his morning run. The series continues with a thread of emails while he is having his morning coffee and eating his breakfast and a couple of chats before he takes a bath and prepares to leave.
James checks his incredible body in front of the mirror and nods in approval as he reaps the result of his morning exercise and diet. The towel slips on James’ thick thighs and shows a happy thing in between. He put on his boxers, followed by the OOTD of the day consisting of a natural beige three-piece suit that is the theme of the wedding.
Today is the wedding of Dr. Winston Seva, who became James’ some sort of fairy-godmother who turned his life around after a series of unfortunate events that happened to him ten years ago.
Ten years ago in a car accident happened that took the life of James’ abusive father. Who would have thought that this sorrowful event is what would mark a better life for him?
James lived in an exclusive village where only the rich could afford to buy a house. His parents are well-off as they have a couple of businesses, so from the outside, his family was able to portray a perfect family picture in the eyes of most people. However, it is a very different story once you look into the looking glass and unlock the accurate picture behind the one portrayed as perfect.
Domestic violence is something James is very familiar with. He had learned to be familiar with his father’s footsteps, and even how he snorts and spits inside the house is a typical scene before he gets hiding in the closet as his father beat his mother to death.
Blood spits everywhere as this little boy covers his mouth and closes his eyes, trying to not hear the shouts, slapping, and punching that his mother endures just so he will not get hurt- just so this monster, whose blood happens to run on his veins, will not look for him.
Being accustomed to years of beating, even when this little boy turned into a young man who could fight back, just like a tame lion, he chose to be quiet. James was chained into the belief that he was weak and could not defend himself. His mother is also partly to blame, as she always says to this boy’s ears that this demon is still his father and that he should understand this man as he is just feed-up with work. James often asks himself the question of what extent this understanding should go and would take them? The young man shakes his head and sincerely wishes that his mother’s understanding would not bring them to the grave. He proved himself wrong….
Rage is still present in James' eyes as this sudden rush of memories reminded him of those days. These are the memories he buried back at the back of his mind, best left forgotten. He ran from this past, changing his name and face to be someone he is not but is happy to become.
James checked the clock, and it was half-past eleven. The ceremony was done, and it was now time for lunch. Dr. Seva went to James with a smile.
“Thank you for arranging everything. You might find it weird that I had this wedding when I am now old and grey,”
James smiled and responded, “ This is the least I can do to show my gratitude, dad. It is not even that hard. Your wife is waiting,” James pointed to the doctor’s lovely wife, who is way younger than James himself.
It is clear to everyone, and even to Dr. Seva that this marriage is not purely out of love-but; who cares? As long as his old man is happy, James is okay with any setup.
James assisted the guests in the reception hall. He watched as his father happily laughed with his wife and wondered if he would also laugh that way at his wedding.
James initially dreaded the idea of marriage and family because of his abusive father. His life living in hell inside their house full of expensiveness and the flawless family picture that his father painted in the eyes of everyone made him swear against having a family and loving anyone rather than his mother and himself.
This plan was tested when he saw a lovely person riding a bike while watering the plants in front of his window. For the first time in his life, James became interested in another person. He slowly found himself waiting for this beautiful teenager every afternoon.
One afternoon, while James was waiting for this beautiful maiden, his father suddenly went home. James was not prepared as this was too early for his father to be home. He did not even hear his footsteps because he was too busy waiting for his happiness to pass by; his joy did not come that afternoon, and that was the last time he saw her again, at least wearing his face and his real name. That is also the last time he saw his father ever again.
In that afternoon, it changed their life, a twisted afternoon that bore witness to how each character is bound together. Whether that afternoon is a blessing or a curse, it all depends on how they see and realize everything once the truth- the whole truth is served to them in a silver platter- is not necessarily appetizing, but it is the truth that they need to swallow.