Substitute Bride For Young Master
Last Journey
The clink of the piano is soft, echoing in a room filled by several relatives. The final piece of farewell song resounded as the coffin containing Elizabeth's body was finally closed. The motorcade walked slowly to the family cemetery. Even the bright sunlight could not dissipate the overcast from everyone's heart.
Elizabeth was a good wife, mother, and friend. His departure leaves a deep sorrow, especially for Billy. His wife's departure was too sudden. Last night they were still comfortably in bed discussing their daughter's wedding next month. Then now, everything felt like a nightmare that absorbed all his happiness. His wife will never wake up again. The sun and the light of his life were gone. For eternity ....
Billy was only sculpting when finally the entire coffin had been lost in the heap of land. Her swollen, red eyes could not hide her deep pain. Now he understood what Alex had been feeling all along. The loss that makes you want to die. The crying sounds of Eleanor and Russell, her son and daughter made her want to hug and calm them down. But for now, he himself needed some consolation.
Alex walked up to his best friend and patted his arm slowly. He knew that not a single word of comfort could lessen the pain of being abandoned by the most loved.
“This is what it feels like?” whispered Billy slowly, still staring at the pus on the mound of land filled with sprinkles of flowers, “Is this what you've felt for years?”
Billy doesn't understand all this time, but now he understands why Alex went berserk when he suggested that his best friend look for another woman.
Elizabeth was just buried a few minutes ago and she just wanted to die. Imagining waking up every day without the woman at his side makes the tears that Billy has been holding back hard. No more babbling and heartfelt laughter will be heard in the house. There will be no more lavender and coffee in the morning. There is no more ....
“I'm sorry,” Billy said sincerely, “I'm sorry, Lex ...”
Alex grabs Billy's shoulder and says, “Everyone is sure to leave, Buddy. It's just our departure in a different span of time. Strengthen your heart.”
***
The sound of dry leaves screeching from being trampled became the only sound of the silent morning. Nature was so silent, even the usual wind whistled as if unwilling to reveal itself. The sunlight broke through the trees, not too hot, but also not too cold.
Alex stopped in front of the navel where his soulmate rested quietly. As usual, the man was pensive for a while before crouching down and replacing the withered wreath with a fresh new arrangement.
After breathing as much air as possible to fill his lungs, Alex said, “Baby, Billy is grieving. Elizabeth .... she left first .. same as you ...”
As he had done during his visit to his wife's grave, Alex sat on a grassy patch and leaned against a pine tree. He looked up and watched the moving clouds. Clumps as white as cotton look changeable because of the wind that began to blow slowly.
“Billy is like a living corpse now. All the ridiculousness just disappeared. You know ‘kan, he always pisses me off with all his shitty behavior. But now, he looks even more pitiful than me. I feel sorry for him. Really ... but at least, she can still be with Lizie for .. um, forget it. Shouldn't I compare it .. I just .. You know, I just miss you.”
“Baby, I've done my job well. Caring for our children, not allowing them the slightest lack of affection. Lately it's been getting heavy on me. Next week Amber will follow her husband to Europe, Aslan and Aaron busy taking care of the company. I'm really lonely, Honey ..”
A long silence paused in the air. It was as if the entire dimension of space and time had come to a halt for a moment. Alex closed his eyes slowly, unraveling all the memories he could never erase from his head. There are times when he just wants to die because all the memories are sweet and torturous. However, at the same time all those memories gave him the strength to endure ....
“Can I catch you now, Baby?” sighs slowly.
Two clear feathers flowed in the corners of his eyes. His breath feels heavy. He managed to complete a long journey that was not easy. It's okay if he wants to rest, isn't it? Just a moment .. only a moment ....
“Baby?”
Alex opened his eyes and blinked softly when he sensed someone standing nearby. His eyes were blurred by tears. Even so, a dazzling flash of light made Alex squeak. He could see a white silhouette standing about five steps before him, as if he was holding out a smooth and wiggly fingers towards him.
“You picked me up?”
The radiant face was like it was smiling and nodding gracefully, as if beckoning for him to approach.
The wind broke the silence. Forest insects swiped their wings, producing a melodious symphony that combined with the rustling of pine tree shoots, as if to be a song of introduction for two souls who could finally let each other miss.
***
I dedicate to all loyal readers, thank you for accompanying Alex until the end of😍
please read their story in: Remember me, Baby.
See you 🥰