“Coz I believe we‘re supposed to find this so even in a different life you still would’ve been mine—”

https://open.spotify.com/track/1HCdems7PQZRj42QDWLA0A?si=MdPZyVP0Sn6PsO6bmEbJjg

A June wedding in Paris. Who would have thought?

Well, it’s not exactly Paris; it’s a small, lovely church somewhere in South of France. I landed yesterday morning, haven’t recovered from my jetlag yet; but the bride is beaming, her light heals my weary eyes. I know she always looks good in white—I mean, she’s wearing chef’s attire all in white and always looks so good—but I didn’t know that a wedding dress could make someone look like they just fall from heaven or something.

Yikes. Cringe.

But it’s Oceanna; so every lines of compliments are worthy to be said.

“Bowtie lu miring, monyet. Bisa masang ngga, sih? Kebiasaan pake yang instant sih.”

Even when she wears a goddamn Elie Saab’s $50k wedding dress, it still doesn’t filter her mouth from calling me names. I whine. “Gue masih jetlag, nyet. Pengertian dikit napa.”

She rolls her eyes and then—after going through a bit of a struggle to walk in those full sweeping skirt—she manages to fix my bowtie. As she’s standing so close to me, I catch her scent; she smells of sun and iris. Just like how I first met her.

“You okay?”

I didn’t realize she’s looking into my eyes, worry’s written all over her face. I must’ve been lost in my thoughts for a while back. “I’m okay. why?”

“You don’t have to come, but you still do. Lu bahkan besok langsung balik ke New York for the fashion week. I’m grateful, Miles.”

I smile, and I cup her cheeks. “I’ll fly half the world for you, my Oceanna. Especially for your wedding day—especially THAT. How could I miss something like that? And also, please stop thinking if I’m still in love with you. I let that idea go ever since I set you and him up on that gallery of his, back in Polignano A Mare.”

She smiles. The kind of smile that somehow erased both of our agony in the past two years.

“Laki lu grogi gak?”

She laughs. “I doubt he ever has a moment of hesitation his whole life. He’s always been so sure about everything—so, to answer your question, no he’s not. Gue yang mules, mana belom makan seharian. Would you mind grabbing something for me to eat?”

“I’ll see what I can get.” I go out of Cea’s room to the kitchen I saw briefly in the back. I smile to few familiar faces along the way—and then I see the groom near the kitchen, just standing still, watching everyone moves around him.

“Hi, Res.”

Antares turns his back and surprised look comes across his face—and then he welcomes me in a hug.

“Miles… It’s an honor. Thank you—so much. I bet Cea is incredibly happy to see you. You guys haven’t seen each other in months, I guess?”