Chapter 3

The wedding ceremony was set in the evening. The Saturday weather was charming especially when dusk settling in. The sky dyed with a combination of colors I couldn't be sure, I can even see stars shimmering already at this hour probably because of yesterday’s heavy downpour. It was good providing that even a slight dust I couldn't see floating amid the air. The storm yesterday made Will to ring me up just to assure me that the sky would be clear the next day and reminding me of the time he would come and pick me up. He's charming in a way even though I knew him not more than 2 weeks. Well, God has given him such a gift considering that he put me on a date with him in such short period of time. The only odd thing was the venue- his brother's wedding. And why.

      "The setting is spectacular." I said as we reached the venue.

      It was a very simple wedding through eyes I could tell, but for some weird reason I found it breathtakingly beautiful. Perhaps I’m a person who appreciates simplicity. It was a garden wedding. White metal chairs arranged neatly at both sides, a space was left for the aisle which already carpeted with red carpet, with rose petals spread on it, and light bulbs hanging all around the tree branches. In front of the chairs was the place where the pastor, bride and groom stand- a place for the couple to conduct the sacred ceremony. Of all, beside it was a big space where dining tables and chairs were being placed for guests to dance, forming a circular shape with empty space laid in it.

      "Isn't it? My sister-in-law has been so fussy and hard on the wedding planner and caterers."

      "Or it wouldn't be so beautiful." I stood there for few seconds and letting the breeze to kiss my cheeks. "I appreciate simplicity."

      He put one of his hands on my shoulder and said "Com'on, I’ll bring you around the place."

      As the sun setting down to the west, the bulbs hung around the old oak trees lighted up indicating another brand new day has begun at another side of the world. Will brought me into the front-most seat and sat down beside me. Apparently the vow and ring exchange ceremony was starting in no time.

      As the wedding symphony sprang into live, all the attention moved to the bride where the bride's father was holding her hand, walking her down the aisle. I took a glance on Will's brother and saw nervousness painted clearly on his face. Never the less, the joy he had deep down could cover no more.

      "I am now pronouncing you man and wife. You may kiss the bride now."

      As the pastor finished the last line, all the witnesses stood up with thunderous applause. Will was very happy and in fact, I found happiness was very contagious. Well, sincerely I was very glad for this pair of newlywed.

      The sky was totally sunken dark, the bulbs were doing great job illuminating the whole garden. It created an unspeakable ambience- a romantic atmosphere which was incredibly suitable for this occasion. The music started to play, the newlywed started to dance and down the tracks, guests joined in enjoying very much themselves.

      I was sitting calmly on my place enjoying my meal, occasionally spoke to the guests sitting at the same table with me. Will was doing the talking all the night to keep me from being too tedious, he could be really patient. As I finished and began taking sips of wine from my wine glass, Will tapped on my thigh.

      "You want to go on a walk with me?" He asked.

      "Sure. But this place is small I can see the whole place already."

      "I know this one place just behind that cottage, there is a lake." He pointed far beyond the dancing square.

      "Okay." Not that I have anything to do other than watching them dance.

      As we walked towards the lake, the surrounding was quiet and calm. Moon lit the sky bright and stars were shimmering on the night skyline. No one was looking at us at all and to be true, no one actually gave a damn. Will moved both his hands front and back at a constant pace and taking deep breathes once he felt like it. It was good walking with him. I didn't feel uncomfortable at all with his presence. In fact, it was kind of delighting.

      "How are you feeling today?" He broke the silence.

      "This is corny, Will." I said, laughing at him.

      "What? This seemed to be the right thing to say!" He protested.

      "I feel really good. The wedding. The atmosphere. It has been a while since the last wedding I attended."

      "When was that?"

      "Probably five years ago?"

      "Wow."

"Does that matter?" I could be hard sometimes.

      "No. Just asking." The silence lasted for some time until he cleared his throat. "I really like your poem."

      "You do?"

"Genuinely."

      "You understand that?"

      "Not all, but I would like you to explain it to me. Would you?"

      He turned to me and said that and I was slow that we have reached the lake already. It was really quiet. Looking into his eyes lowered my defenses, I couldn't say no to this pair of eyes.

      "Did anyone say that you have a beautiful pair of eyes?"

      "Well. You're probably the only one." He smug.

      "That can't be. They are startling pretty."

      "Are you provoking me dear therapist?" He pulled his face nearer to mine.

      "Can you be provoked? I believe I am making conversation with a patient of mine." Smiling.

      "Interesting.” He withdrawn. “Now, would do explain them to me?"

      "It's actually nothing too deep about that poem. It's easy to understand. That poem mainly talking about my hard time when I discovered that I'm bisexual."

      "That was a real hard time buddy." Will nodded as if he walked the same path.

      "Yeah I know."

      "Hmm... Bisexual. Why would you think you are?"

      "I have no idea, I just know. Sometimes I don't even know what I want, I can’t explain that either, you know? It was so confusing even until now." I paused for a second or two. "One thing I’m pretty sure is I have feeling on both male and female. You know, reaction."

      "Oh, of course." He laughed and looked away.

      “By the way, what made you bring me here tonight?” I asked. “I have been wondering since that day.”

      “I don’t know.” Will dazzled and finding for words. “It was more of an instinct when I knew you’re different. You know.”

      I sighed, pretty disappointed with his instinct. I was just an instinct for people somehow. “Please don’t be mad for this, but you are a little selfish.”

      We walked along the lake and speak of nothing for a long time. We were just enjoying the walk, the air, the silence, the songs playing by the crickets, and our stepping sounds. Couldn't say how much I loved them and at the same time, hated it so much.

“Fucking conversation.” I thought.

      "Don't you afraid of how people look at you? How differently they see you then judge you and all sort of things?" Will broke the bubble of silence.

      "Of course I am, I’m not quite as ready as you see but when you think about it, seriously you can't do a thing to stop them thinking of you that way." Will paused this time, for a long time.

      "I... uhmm... gay... I believe." Will stuttered.

      "I believe?" I asked in bewilderment.

    "I mean, I’m not too used to tell people who I am yet. Not too comfortable."

      "I understand that, so am I." I stopped walking and turned to Will. "But if that's the case, you're not ready. Why would you ask me out?”

      Will looked down to the gravel road and finally looked back up to me and said "That's because I wanted to get out of this shell."

      I was pondering his answer. "You acted so naturally in the clinic back then."

      "That's because you're my very first person I invited out for a date and I was excited, and most importantly, I want the ‘someone’ stays comfortable." He squeezed out a light laughed. "Even though this is not much of a date."

      "It is good enough, I like the fact that you trust me enough to bring me to your brother's wedding. And you have a good heart, Will. Your date is well taken care of, trust me."

     

He smiled shyly.

      "Uhmm... Bryan, are you openly out? Do your parents know about it?" Will started to get really straight forward.

      "Not to say totally out of the closet but I’m on my way. You have to understand one thing, I don't walk around people and declare to them that "I'm a bisexual man", you know? This is a personal thing which I would only tell the people who truly mattered to me, or somebody who so happened to bump into me.” I looked at Will and he laughed. “About my parents, I think they know but this is not something that we put into open discussion. We don't talk about things like this." I answered honestly.

      He nodded. "I wouldn't have known that you're a bi if I didn't see the poem."

      This was my turn to nod. And I gave a brief smile. "But seriously, I wouldn't hide that if people bumped into this fact."

      Slowly we walked back to the place where we were at first and there were a lot of people dancing at the square. The music was still playing and everyone seemed to enjoy very much.

      I turned and looked into Will's beautiful eyes, waiting his to meet mine. When he did, I walked up to him so close that I could feel his breath, his heat.

      "Would you like a dance?" I put up my hand and opened up my palm, waiting for his response.

      "Yes, very likely."

      His hand held mine and we began dancing blissfully among all other people. Will was really nervous at the beginning. Not that he didn't know how to dance but something was holding him back. Judgment I believed. His body hard as stone and head turning here and there. I knew he was trying very hard to overcome his fear.

      "Hey, relax." I continue moving blissfully, doing the lead. "Will, look at me." He did. "I'm your partner tonight, you would just need to look into my eyes. Calm down, feel the breeze and enjoy the dance, with me." He nodded.

      "Now take a deep breath." I ordered softly.

      As he finished he looked intensely into me, he was then laughing like a silly boy. This was the real Will, he came back here finally.

      The night spent on the dancing square was worthwhile, dancing again and again following one and another songs until the guests were all leaving. A man came up to us, Will and I stepped apart from each other.

      "Gentlemen, it was a very great night!" He was the groom, Will's brother. Will hugged his brother fiercely and turned to me.

      "Oh Dan, meet Bryan." Said Will.

      "Bryan, I hope you enjoy yourself here." Dan moved forward and we exchanged a diplomatic hand-shake.

      "Very much. And congratulations to you too." I greeted.

      "Thank you! You must be somebody special to our little Willy aren't you?" Dan laughed.

      “Hmm his brother knew that.” This thought made me smile.

      "Hey! Drop that Willy joke it was ages ago!" Little Willy protested.

      "Hmm Willy, I like that name." I smiled.

      "These gentlemen are really enjoying themselves." The bride walked up to us. Dan hugged his wife gracefully and planted a passionate kiss on her lips.

      "Ohh yeah very sweet keep it for tonight in bed." Little Willy sneered.

      "Who's this?" The bride looked at me, smiling.

      "Oh called me Bryan, Will's friend." I hugged her softly.

      "Natalie. You must be a special friend." She laughed. "What a dance, you both are inseparable!"

      All of us laughed in unison. I felt my cheeks were burning hot, am I blushed?

      "Well, Bryan and I are about to leave and this chaotic place I will leave it to you!" Will said.

      "Oh Dear Lord what a brother I have!" Dan cried and Natalie smiled.

      "We have better things to do. Gotta leave now! Ciao!" Will and I walked away from Dan and Natalie, saying good-bye.

      "Enjoy the night dear newlywed!" I said before they vanished from my sight.

      "Thank you for coming." Will said as I jumped out of the car. The journey back was quiet and my house seemed farther than ever. “What has he been thinking?” I thought.

      "It's my pleasure. Thank you for inviting me." I closed the door and walked towards the porch. As I unlocked the door I heard my name called from distance.

      "Bryan!"

      It was Will, obviously. He ran towards me. He held my cheeks, closing up our face and kissed me straight to my mouth. His tongue like a little fish invaded my lips: what an affectionate kiss! We were both breathless at the end of it. His forehead resting on mine, we were looking at each other intensely as if we could communicate through eyes, panting. He wasn't just charming but an amazing kisser too.

      "You know..." Will saying. "I have always thought love at first sight is shallow but..."

      "I think I fall in love with you."