Sonder

Story 1: Anagapesis

Chapter 1

In the early morning of spring, when the sun is shining brightly, a slender hand with well-defined knuckles opens the red velvet curtains, making the silver ring on his finger glimmer.

A man in a white suit is standing near the window. The tailored suit is specially customized to perfectly fit the figure of the man, emphasizing his broad shoulders and muscular build. He lowered his gaze as he looked at the venue.

The area was kissed by the warm rays of the sun and was filled with a sea of white gardenia. All the seats are already occupied by the guests, who are chattering with a pleasant smile on their faces. Amongst the crowd, he saw his mom and dad. It was a rare opportunity to see them together in the same place especially after they separated. He could also see his half sister hiding in the corner while eating some cupcakes, although she's already nineteen this year, she really hasn't changed much, and his mother-in-law is taking pictures of the guest with her Polaroid camera.

The sky is so clear and blue, like God himself painted the sky to bless this day for this wonderful occasion.

However, there is only one person who is missing.

He should have expected this to happen.

On the surface, the man looked calm. However, his eyes clearly revealed the emotions he felt. He anxiously clenched the phone in his hand as he repeatedly tried to contact his groom.

Xavian looked at the wedding ring on his hand and was a little lost. He had broken out of his trance when he heard his phone ring.

"Javier."

"Xavian, I'm sorry..." His voice sounded hesitant, as if he was unsure of what excuses he was supposed to make. "I can't go back now that I'm in the hospital. Damian got into an accident." Javier explained as if he was expecting him to understand.

Hearing Javier's words, Xavian let out a dry, humorless laugh. "I see, so you're with him."

"Please don't misunderstand, Damian got into a car accident." Javier sighs, fatigue and frustration creeping into his voice as if he were trapped in this situation. "We can just replace the date of the wedding."

Replace the date?

He makes it sound so damn easy. Why is it so easy for Javier to replace the date they planned for a long time?

Replacement.

Just like how Javier sees him even after all these years. A replacement that could be easily tossed aside or discarded. Does he even have a place in Javier's heart?

The day Javier proposed, Xavian felt that their relationship was getting better. Xavian still remembers how Javier's brown eyes reflected Xavian's smile as the silver ring shone brightly under the candlelight. In those years, Javier treated him well, Xavian even thought that Javier would be the person who would grow old with him.

But it was just his wishful thinking.

Everything changed when Javier met his first love again after so many years.

Was it really a change? Or their relationship only went back to how it was originally.

Those pretentious feelings unravel their true selves, and numerous facts over the years have shown that Xavian didn't weigh much on Javier's heart. It will only become more obvious when Damian comes back.

Maybe Javier loved him, but he still couldn't let go of his feelings for another man.

Javier's eyes never shined as brightly when he looked at him. In those eyes of his, Xavian saw love, sorrow, and pain as he thought about the past.