From Bitter to Blissful: An Arranged Tale of Love

Chapter 10

As Jiyang left Zhan, alone, confused with mixed emotions. the weight of his emotions hanging heavily in the air. He clenched his fists, trying to contain the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. Unable to hold back any longer, he let out a sigh and went to get some drinks to change his mood. He took the oldest wine from the bar, sat on the couch, pouring himself a glass. He downed it in one go, the bitter taste barely registering as it burned down his throat. He looked at the beautiful flowers on the table, a bitter smile crossed his face. His heart was burning more, so it was not enough to console it.He wanted to forget everything that has happened between them in the past.
He poured himself another glass the sharp smell of alcohol burned his nostrils, he swallowed it in one gulp, feeling the warmth spread through his body. then another, drinking until the world around him became a blur. He wants to let go of these emotions; sadness, hurt and everything, he wants to forget all of this.
He got so drunk that the alcohol numbed his senses and drifted him back to the time when everything was alright, when he was a playful child, carefree from every type of responsibility or burden under the love of his parents. He could see his mother patting his hand, tears falling down his eyes as they were in the cage for eternity.
"I miss you mom, this world is so cruel," he said, hiccuping. He felt his mother's soft touch at his head.
"You know, I can't think straight It's like I'm in a rollercoaster of emotions he was my best friend that I never wanted to lose but everyone changed, as you left me alone with this cruel world.
I never complain about anything but I always cried a lot alone when kids were mocking me that I have no mother to take care of me." Because I thought it would hurt everyone around me especially father. I was happy when Yibo became friends with me, I thought a missing part filled in my life, someone who can listen to me and show tricks to make me smile.
The noise of hiccups echoed in the room, there was no one there to calm him down.
"I felt he understood me after you, he was the one I wanted to take care of. I wanted to be successful in getting him everything he wants. I want him to be with me as we were but he changed, he ruined everything I love, my passion, my dream, everything."
"I'm crying now; I also cried that day when you left. I cried river after that. I cried when I lost my chance to achieve my dreams, I cried when everyone made fun of me because... a hiccup broke his words.
"I feel sad mom," he curled on the couch as if laying on his mom's lap.
"Yibo why, why you ruined my dream why you make me lose everything that I want".

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Yibo took the cake from the car that he bought for Zhan. As he entered, he heard hiccups he looked at the source of voice, his heart tore apart at the view in front. He felt his hands numb, his grip lightened, and the cake slipped from his hand and hit the floor. He ran towards Zhan who was still crying yelling "Don't go mom, please don't leave me alone". He cupped his face with both hands, looking at him drunk. He tapped his face lightly, trying to wake him up.
"Zhan, are you alright, What happened to you?"
He shook him from shoulders gently
Zhan slightly opened his eyes with so much effort, looking at him in the eyes, trying to touch his face.
"Why are you here again, there is not the Zhan you're finding" his voice trembling with anger and sadness
"What are you talking about, Zhan what happened exactly".
"Don't ask me, you already knew it. You are the reason, Yibo,  you shattered my dreams into pieces, if you hadn't ruined my project I will be doing the work that I loved the most, if you hadn't talked bad about Ziyi (Zhan's college friend)I wouldn't have lost my friends, you ruined everything, Wang Yibo" Zhan yelled, but his voice is slow because of the impact of alcohol.
He was looking straight into Yibo's eyes, listen don't try to console me with these things if it weren't for our mother's sake I would never have married you. The look in Zhan's eyes made him feel guilty. He felt a pang of pain in his chest as if someone had thrown bricks in it.
"Leave me alone, I don't need you. I trusted you but you made me bad in everyone's eyes. Please leave me alone I don't show me your face at least leave me alone in my dreams," he pushed Yibo with all his might.
Yibo watched helplessly as Zhan's words cut through him like a knife. Guilt gnawed at his insides, and he struggled to find the right words to comfort him. He wanted to explain himself to make Zhan understand, but he knew that words alone would not undo the damage he had caused. He felt his body numb and pain in his heart. He composed himself and got up, leaning towards Zhan he lifted him bridal style and went upstairs.
It feels like this way is long enough for him as he suddenly felt tired. He entered the room, laid him on the bed, and went towards the closet with heavy feet. He took Zhan's clothes, cleaned him with a wet cloth, and changed his clothes. He set sheets on him, looking at him take a deep breath and left the room.
He came down and sat on the couch, took the notepad, wrote something on it, and left it on the table.
"I'm sorry, ge," he left the house with a heavy heart as Zhan's words echoed in his mind.