Right thing to do

Good thing

Brett sat on the couch, absentmindedly. Stared at the wall, half-dressed, only on his dress pants, oxfords, and undershirt. He glanced at his watch, almost 9:00 AM. With a grunt, he stood up. Then fetch the remainder of his clothes lying on the bed.

In front of the mirror, he put on his dress shirt, the crisp fabric slightly wrinkled as he tucked it in. Wore his cummerbund, "Fuck." cursed under his breath, he hates it. Lifted his collar for the bow tie and secured it, almost suffocating. Folded the cuffs, attached the cufflinks. "Fuck it!" Another curse. This time for he was not yet done but was already sweating buckets.

Brett reached for the tissue box by the bedside to wipe his sweat with. Next, he picked up the jacket, removed some visible lint on it before donning. Folded neatly, he put his pocket square. Brett also wiped his glasses, put it again, slightly askew, fixed it. Hair brushed up neatly.

Being a musician had its perks, he knew how to dress up formally to occasion. No need to help him. That was the excuse. He just wanted his peace and quiet, to be alone with his thoughts.

He then glanced on the man on the mirror, turned into a proper groom. Good. Good enough.

His black suit contrast the white interior and neutral decorations of the hotel room. Brett looked around, noticed that his brother already left. From what he remembered from their conversation earlier, a friend of his is unable to attend.

The room was silent, only the rustling of the curtains as it gently flows with the wind was heard. Just like the wind, his thoughts flowed.

'I am scared of this change.' Brett thought. What will happen next? Does he have regrets, that he had to bear with throughout his life? Was he really sure about this? What if that day, instead of keeping it to himself, he--

The sudden knock on the door startled him. "Come in." Said Brett.

The usher entered. "It's time Mr. Yang." The usher smiled politely, "Congratulations on your wedding, sir." He added.

"Yeah, thanks." Brett showed him half a smile then followed the usher to the wedding hall.

-

Sure a wedding is a grand occasion. One that every woman dreamt of having, but how about him? Simple, extravagant? Beach, church or civil? Brett would want it in any way as long as he and his love are present. His love.

As the ushers tried to get the members of the processional in their proper places, especially the rowdy kids, the technical team gestured that they can start any time.

Once they signaled that everyone is in their places, the wedding march theme started playing. It cued the procession to begin, they are composed of the cute flower girls and excited ring bearers, their giggly friends as groomsmen and bridesmaids, their proud parents, then the gorgeous bride.

The other guests clapped and congratulated them as they passed by. Sang them praises. Took photos. All are in awe of the bride's beauty.

Brett glanced at the place where his best man would be standing. Empty. Out of nowhere, he let out a relieved sigh.

He imagined if he was there. Standing on that very spot. He'd be smiling to him, mouthing a "Relax" or "You look good." Then a thumbs up.

Or he'd be as nervous as him as if he were the groom. Puffing out lots of air, filling his cheeks, fanning himself with his hand or fidgeting with the hem of his suit.

With a thunderous entrance, Eddy crashed the wedding. He rushed in from the main door and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Stop! I object this union!" And ran through the aisle. All heads turned to him, gossiping about him, some trying to stop him. Amid all that, he'd reach out to take Brett's hand and the both of them would run away. Leaving the bride, leaving their parents, leaving their expectations.

Together they fought through the crowd. With Eddy blocking him from the opposing waves of people, he held his hand tight. This time Brett was not engrossed with his phone, this time his whole heart, body, and soul was Eddy's. This time Brett was holding on Eddy's hand too.

As they exit the venue, panting, they still ran. There are others that chased them but gave up midway. They laughed the instant their eyes met. The both of them didn't look back, only ahead, for starting today they have each other.

Brett took off his jacket, tie, everything that holds him down from running away with Eddy. Even in the process it slightly slowed down his running, Brett took off his shoes. "Wtf bro!" Eddy said while giggling.

They laughed loudly, roamed freely, ran hand in hand to the future that they would always be together. Leaving from the commotion they've just done, not minding the hot sun on their skin, ignoring the fact that Brett was half-dressed like he was before, pretending that Eddy did not almost trip from a manhole cover of that one-way street, yeah, that day would be the brightest.

Brett smiled at that reverie, though his eyes were starting to water. He mentally held them in.

Why he'd always think of him, now that he really shouldn't? He was here to marry her, but his thoughts are full of him.

They are just daydreams. Nothing more.

The bride's father handed his daughter's hand to Brett, he gave a nod of approval, then a smile.

'It's a good thing that you're not here...'

Brett reached out to take Jasmine's hand.

'...I don't want to cry today.'