Everglow | on hiatus.

everglow: one

Love is messy but life is messier, if that makes any stupid sense.

Flashback - Exactly ONE year ago.

The handful of happy guests scatter around the beautiful garden like little insects. Fairy lights drape around plants and the music softly plays in the background. The couple are tenderly dancing to a music of their choice, wrapped in their own little world as they start a new chapter together.

Away from the crowd and with tears threatening to ruin her perfectly set makeup, Nia watches this gentle moment. There's a glass of scotch in her hand and the glass subtly shakes as she watches in bitterness.

This was supposed to be a beautiful day celebrating their friends and now there's bile hanging her throat.

The moment anyone attempts to ask her if she's okay, she's going to be a weeping mess and she knows it.

Right opposite her, there he stands. Nia avoids his stare as she flashes a fake smile to the overjoyed mother of a bride. Of course, he's bloody handsome and looks like the star of the day. Those curls have been lightly trimmed after working on a movie set and he looks extra pale from spending a lot of time indoors. Something makes him look fragile and it disgusts her.

As if on cue, he picks up a glass from a server and makes his way to her. Harry cannot help but admire her in the fluffy pink bridesmaids dress with her curly hair pulled into a sleek updo. As usual, their outfits are weirdly coordinated.

Together, they look like a dream and the older women present cannot help but wish them luck. Everyone assumes they're next in line to get married and it makes Nia feel sick.

"You shouldn't be standing alone," Harry clears his throat.

"And, you shouldn't be talking to me," Nia doesn't look at him.

With a dark chuckle, he nods in agreement and takes a swig of his drink. It burns his throat and that's perfect for the mood. They stand shoulder to shoulder, tension being the only thing between them.

Some weeks ago, they couldn't keep their hands off each other and right now, Nia cannot stand to be so close to him.

"I guess you haven't told them," he continues.

"Why hurt them on their wedding day?" she shrugs.

"You seemed pretty eager to break the news," he scoffs.

"Trust me, I'm pretty eager to tell everyone." Nia rolls her eyes.

"Of course, you can't wait to be done with me," Harry bitterly replies.

"You truly think everything is about you," she controls herself as an older woman approaches them.

"Nia baby, I need you to get Ekta's slippers from the room, please," the mother of the bride softly says.

"No problem, Aunty. Anything else? Is she ready to change?" Nia puts on her sweetest smile as she speaks to the woman.

"Not yet," the woman pauses and looks at Harry with a brighter smile. "You two are so beautiful together."

"Thank you Mrs. Banerjee," Harry says, pointedly.

"I pray for you two. I send all the protection and harmony to you beautiful kids," she tenderly touches their cheeks with a hand each.

This makes Nia feel extra sick and Harry controls his smile to stay steady.

"I'll get Ekta's slippers and extra painkillers, just in case," Nia speaks up.

"Thanks my darling!" Mrs. Banerjee happily returns to her circle of friends.

Saying nothing else, Nia turns and starts walking into the massive cottage rented for the wedding. Harry discards his glass and calmly follows her. This irritates her more and she picks up the pace. He doesn't react and he continues walking behind her.