Chapter 26: Chapter 26

I sniffed the chocolate scent as soon as I entered my room, so I wasn't shocked to see Aae sitting comfortably on my couch. He was staring at the glass wall beside my bed. He was probably watching the starry sky as he slowly tossed the hardball, or he was just spacing out.

"Why didn't you run away?" He caught the ball midair and placed it back on my side shelf. It was the ball my brother used to play baseball with Zack.

"What are you doing in my room?" I scoffed. "There's a saying that the groom and the bride shouldn't see each other before the wedding."

"Don't even think about it." He stood up. "The wedding will happen, and this time you know it's for real." He tilted his head as he scanned me. "I was surprised Zack didn't think about-"

"I didn't accept his proposal." I cut him off. I don't want to think about it because I was too tired of crying. I just want to lay down on my bed. "I'm going to sleep, so would you mind leaving my room?"

"Why?"

"It's our wedding. Do you want my mother to kill me if I look like a mess tomorrow?" I frowned. I opened the door for him to leave, but he didn't move from his position.

"Why didn't you accept his proposal?" he urged.

"What do you want to hear from me?" I said, irritated. "Do you want me to say because I love you, so I rejected him?" I mocked, and I saw the hurt that crossed his face.

"I want to know what's keeping you from running away when you are already a doctor? I mean, that's the reason why you agreed to the wedding," he said. "To become a doctor."

"Aae, do you think it's easy?" I shook my head. "You don't know how much I wanted to run away from this home. But, do you think it will stop if we run away?"

I moved a step backward when he tried to reach me. I was still mad at him and I was trying my best to calm myself. I might kill him the next time he touched me again.

"It will not. I know my mother. So, if I want a happy ending with Zack I want everyone to be happy with it because Zack makes me more than happy." My voice broke.

"It felt like I will never make you happy." He covered his eyes with his palm. "Do you think you are not going to be happy with me?"

"You did make me happy, Aae," I confessed. "You once made my heart flutter."

"But?" he asked. His eyes were clouded with tears as he sniffed.

"You made me hate you." I sneered. "And I don't know if I could still forgive you." I gulped the lump on my throat. "Now, can you please get out? I need to sleep."

"Happy Birthday, Zee." he greeted before pointing at my closet. "The letters were inside along with your brother's earphone. It's up to you," he said.

I wanted to jump in front of my closet to get and throw it in his face, but I remained in my position. I was too tired of everything that all I wanted was to die.

"Please do wear the necklace I gave you instead of that." He scanned the necklace I've been wearing since high school.

"If I didn't?" I creased my brows.

"Then I have my answer."

"What answer?"

He tilted his head back and was trying to say something but decided not to. He just smiled at me. It was the smile I recognized when I tried to give back his earphone. It was also the smile that captured my heart back then.

"I will make you happy," he sincerely said. He was halfway through the door as he spoke, "I promise to make you happy after the wedding."

I wasn't sure what he was talking about, but I didn't wear the necklace.

I woke up feeling blue as the sun rises. I couldn't help but think about Zack. I felt a sudden regret, not knowing where he is right now. We're now staring at the same blue sky, yet we no longer see the same clouds.

I never thought we'd be miserable like this. I wish I could back to high school without Aae in my life. I wanted to just sit next to Zack and listen to his non-sensical jokes. If only we could get back to our lost times, I would probably tell Zack to stay. I wondered what would happen if we both stop chasing our dreams before, and started chasing our love. Will it make any difference?

"Do you want to run away with me?" I stopped my thoughts upon hearing his husky voice.

I averted my gaze towards the door where he was standing while playing with his megaminx. He adjusted his glass as I raised my eyebrow. "What are you doing here, Sead?"

"Have you forgotten I'm your best man?" he scoffed. "I don't even know why. Don't you know how much it hurts for me to see you marry another guy?" He placed the megaminx on the wall shelf before massaging his temple.

"I mean, what are you doing in my room?" I asked, confused. "We were supposed to meet in the church." I was even surprised Aae allowed him to get inside our house. "How did you even get here?"

"I sneaked out."

I hissed in disbelief. "I know you're a black belt in Karate, but you can't get inside our mansion without guns."

"Who said I don't have guns?" he smirked. "Kidding, I just want to give you something."

"What?"

He gestured to the door. I picked my scrunchies to follow him outside. "What is it-" I paused upon seeing a wedding bouquet made of False Goat's Beard and inhaled the mint lingering around the handle.

Tears rolled down my face as soon as Sead spoke, "Zack made it for you." He handed me the bouquet. "He told me he wanted to see you holding that even if he's not the groom."

"Where is-" I didn't continue what I was about to ask and just held the bouquet. I smiled, realizing Zack would never fail to amaze me.

"Did he say something else?"

"He told me to do this." Sead crossed the distance between us and I was stunned upon feeling his lips on my forehead. For one second, I thought it wasn't only Zack who wanted to do that, but it was also his way of saying goodbye.

I looked at Sead. He was smiling, but there was loneliness in his eyes.

"You know what?" I asked.

"What?" he asked. It's ironic that his cold voice gave me warmth.

"I once liked you," I confessed.

He licked his lower lip before biting it. "Will it make any difference now?"

"I'm just teasing you." I faked a laugh. "But thank you, Sead. Thank you for being there for me."

He messed up my hair and smiled. He stared at me for a moment before closing his eyes. I could already sense he was about to cry, so he turned his back. "You know I love you, Zee."

I smiled. I know for a fact that Sead would always have a piece of my heart no one could shatter. So does Aae, even though I would probably hate him for the rest of my life.

"Come on, Zee. I know you will never be ready for this, but the make-up artist is already waiting for you."

No one was born ready.

The sun was already setting when we reached the church. The skies were like cotton candies I ate when I was a kid. The shade of pink was trying to win over the blue shade, but instead, they mixed up.

My father opened the car door for me and offered his hand. He saw the hesitation written in my face as he spoke, "Should I run with you?"

I faked a smile. "I'm okay, Dad." I grabbed his hand and he was too quick to catch me as I almost fell.

My knees were trembling as he hugged me. I lifted my head to stop my tears from falling. "I will be okay, Dad," I whispered.

"Enough with the drama." Dad let go of me when he heard my mother. She was fixing her hair before turning to me.

I couldn't see what was happening inside the church since the door was covered with a white curtain. I didn't even pay attention to our wedding and just agreed to every word they said. What's the point? All I wanted was to finish the vow and go home.

"You know what to do, this isn't your first wedding," my mother reminded as I sensed the presence of our butlers surrounding the place.

"Mom," I called. "Have you ever been proud of me?" I asked that made her stopped.

"What is this Zee?" She turned around with a wrinkled forehead.

I gulped as I tightened my grip on my bouquet. "Zack proposed to me," I confessed. "I thought of running away with him, but I chose you." My voice was shaking as I continued, "I choose you because I always wanted to make you proud even if it kills me."

I deeply sighed. I covered my face with the veil and looked at her. "I hope this wedding will make you proud."

I walked past her and stood in front of the door. She was about to say something when my father motioned her to stop.

"Let's get inside, we'll be waiting at the center." My father tapped my shoulder as he held my mother's hand.

I closed my eyes and waited until I heard the sound of the piano, playing my favorite Mayday Parade song. They should be playing Miserable at Best instead of I Swear this time I meant it.

I'm outdated, overrated

Morning seems so far away

The curtain slowly faded on my sight as I stepped inside the church. My bouquet felt out of place with the red roses surrounding the place. The aisle was filled with rose petals probably thrown by the flower girls.

So I'll sing a melody

An hope to God she's listening

Sleeping softly while I sing

My steps were heavy as I walked down the aisle. I tried to focus my thoughts on the interior of the church and the wedding designs they've chosen, but all I could do was to pray at the man on the crucifix.

I would lie if I tell you I didn't curse Him, because why did he give me a life like this? Did I deserve this? What did I do wrong to end up like this? Was it because I let my brother died?

And I'll be your memories

Your lullaby for all the times

Hoping that my voice could get it right

"I will marry him, but don't expect I'll make a family with him," I whispered to my mother as soon as I reached her. "Let's all live a happy life after this," I added, sarcastically.

She tried to hide her anger with a smile while I faked mine in front of the people around us.

I tried hard to avoid Aae's gaze and focused my stare at the altar. He was making me hate my favorite song. Why did he choose this song?

Oh, right! This was the song he was playing when we first had our conversation. Truth be told, it was also the day when I felt a different feeling for him. But there's nothing left of it.

If luck is on my side tonight

My clumsy tongue will make it right

And wrists that touch

It isn't much but it's enough

"Look at Aae," my mother whispered in gritted teeth. "For God's sake smile, Zee."

I rolled my eyes before turning to Aae. I wanted to just run at the altar and tell the priest to proceed on the vows as quickly as possible. Why do we need to walk? I already did this the first time.

Aae was straightly looking at me with a smile on his face like he won a game. I hated it, so I quickly turn to Sead on his side. He licked his lips and scowled. How nice would it be if I could grab Sead and ask the priest to let me marry him instead of Aae?

To form imaginary lines

Forget your scars

We'll forget mine

The hours change so fast

Oh, God, please make this last

"Zee," Gab mouthed as I passed by her seat. She looked like she was ready to grab me any moment if I gave her the signal. She was too concerned for me that she didn't even notice Laudi glancing at her. I hope they finally get back together.

I felt the hesitation in my father upon reaching the altar. My parents exchanged greetings with Aae's parents before Aae offered his hand to me.

I took it with a heavy heart and the ceremony started. I pretended to listen to everything they said. I believed I would need to pretend for the rest of my life. I should have majored in theater and not in medicine.

Honestly, I was spacing out the whole ceremony that I only got my senses back when Aae held my hand for the wedding vows.

"Do you take Aae Ocala as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?" The priest turned to me. Wait, why do I get to answer first? The last time, Aae was the first one to answer.

"I do," I answered nonchalantly.

"Do you take Zee Katie as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

He caressed my hand and kissed the back of it before smiling. I was expecting him to say I do as quickly as possible for this wedding to end, but it was already a minute.

I raised my eyebrow. He met my gaze for a second until he turned to my necklace.

"Aae?" The priest called. "Do you take Zee-"

"I'll count," he replied, ignoring the priest. This created fuss around us, especially when our family started to react as he spoke, "If you are still here after three, I will keep you to myself forever."

I blinked. "What?"

He gave me a smile I couldn't recognize. I was not sure if he was making fun of me until he started counting, "One..."

I asked, confused. "What are you trying to do?"

"Aae, what is the meaning of this?" I heard my mother and the people started to talk.

"It's okay, Tita. I promise this won't affect our business." He turned to them then to his family on our left side. "Mom and Dad, please let me do this."

I stared at him and waited for him to say it was a joke, but he didn't. He stared at me as he held my hand tight. His words were letting me go, but his hands were still holding on to me. I know he was hoping I wouldn't let go of his hand.

I couldn't understand why he was doing this, but I know I would regret it if I hold his hand longer, so I slowly lose his grip.

Our tears rolled down our face as soon as he counted, "Two."

I looked at him and for one second I thought of staying when I saw how he crumbled in pain.

"Aae," I hugged him and whispered, "Thank you."

"Please..." he whimpered. "Be happy." He kissed me in my forehead and tried his best to give me a smile.

Before I could hear him say three, I ran and the world witnessed him on bended knees.