Unexpected

Chapter 9

Eight months into their marriage, Sky and Nani had settled into a quiet friendship, a delicate truce that had blossomed into something softer, something neither of them dared to label. They spent their days sharing casual conversations, exchanging smiles that lingered a bit longer, and making each other’s company a little warmer, a little lighter.

Sky found himself hopelessly attached, his heart swelling with every small kindness Nani showed him. But he held back, fearing that if he confessed his feelings, Nani would pull away. Nani, on the other hand, was caught in an endless cycle of uncertainty—unsure if his heart still belonged to Dew or if he had fallen for Sky, his husband of convenience who had shown him nothing but kindness.

One evening, Nani had a sudden craving to eat out, to break the routine with a night in the city’s warm, bustling atmosphere. He suggested they meet at a nearby restaurant after Sky finished his work. Sky, thrilled by the invitation, agreed immediately, promising to join Nani as soon as he wrapped up at the office.

Nani arrived at the restaurant a little early, sitting at their reserved table by the window. He fidgeted with his phone, checking the time every few minutes, finding himself unexpectedly excited to share the evening with Sky. Just then, a familiar figure caught his eye.

Dew.

Dew sat a few tables away, alone, his expression melancholy as he gazed absently out the window. The sight was both startling and stirring for Nani. Despite everything, the familiarity tugged at his heart, the memories of their past clouding his thoughts. He hesitated, but before he knew it, his legs carried him over to Dew’s table.

Dew looked up as Nani approached, his face lighting up with a sad, soft smile. “Nani,” he said quietly, his voice barely a whisper, filled with longing. “I missed you.”

“Dew…” Nani trailed off, caught between nostalgia and confusion. He felt something shift inside him, but he couldn’t tell if it was genuine affection or merely the remnants of an old attachment.

Dew reached for Nani’s hand, his touch familiar yet different. “I’m still waiting, you know. I know you’ll leave him soon. This… this marriage wasn’t supposed to last forever, right?”

Nani felt a pang of guilt, his original plan flashing through his mind. He had meant to separate from Sky after a year, just enough time to avoid any family complications. But somewhere along the way, he had forgotten about it. Sky’s kindness, his infectious optimism, the gentle friendship they’d developed—it had all blurred the lines.

But in that moment, Nani found himself slipping, his confusion surfacing. He leaned forward, hugging Dew, his touch half-hearted, as he whispered, “It’ll happen soon.”

Unbeknownst to him, Sky had arrived just moments before. He’d walked into the restaurant, a hopeful smile on his face, scanning the tables for Nani. But instead, he saw Nani embracing another man—Dew. And what he overheard shattered his heart. Nani’s whispered promise to Dew echoed in his mind, blurring out every other sound in the room.

Unable to bear the sight or the pain, Sky slipped out unnoticed, his world falling apart as he left without a word.

By the time Nani returned to their table, Sky was long gone, his seat empty. Nani waited for a while, sending a few messages, wondering why Sky hadn’t shown up. Hours later, as he entered their home, he found Sky waiting for him, standing near the doorway with an expression that was both unreadable and heart-wrenching.

“Sky, why didn’t you come to the restaurant?” Nani asked, frowning as he shrugged off his coat.

Sky’s face was pale, his eyes rimmed with red. He didn’t answer. Instead, he reached into his bag and pulled out a stack of papers, handing them to Nani with trembling hands. Nani looked down, recognizing them instantly.

Divorce papers.

“I heard you tonight,” Sky whispered, his voice breaking. “I heard you with Dew. And I… I finally understand. This marriage was forced on you, wasn’t it? You never wanted this. You wanted him.”

Nani’s heart dropped. He opened his mouth to protest, but the words caught in his throat as he took in the pain etched on Sky’s face.

Sky continued, his voice soft yet resolute, each word a dagger in Nani’s heart. “I love you, Nani. I love you so much that it hurts, but… I can’t be the one standing between you and your happiness. I can’t be the reason you’re kept from the person you truly love. So, if being with him makes you happy, I… I’ll step aside.”

Nani was stunned, the weight of Sky’s words pressing down on him. This wasn’t how he had imagined things, not at all. And yet, the raw vulnerability in Sky’s voice made something inside him twist painfully. He suddenly realized that maybe he had been clinging to a past he no longer wanted. Maybe he had already fallen for Sky and just hadn’t admitted it to himself.

Sky took a shaky breath, his eyes shimmering with tears he could no longer hold back. “All I ever wanted was to make you happy, Nani. Even if that means letting you go.” He brushed a tear from his cheek, his voice barely above a whisper. “So, if Dew is your happiness, then… then go to him.”

With that, Sky turned to leave, his shoulders hunched, his heart breaking with every step.

Nani watched him go, his own heart pounding with a realization that came far too late. Sky was leaving him, walking out of his life because he believed that was what Nani wanted. But in that agonizing moment, Nani knew that it wasn’t Dew he wanted by his side—it was Sky.

As the door closed behind Sky, Nani sank onto the couch, clutching the divorce papers, his mind swirling with emotions he hadn’t even begun to process. For the first time, he found himself truly, desperately longing for Sky.