1: Betrayal

Life is like fireworks, it’s fun to watch but burns like a goddam bomb. I never knew life could get shitty for someone as jolly as me. I have always had my way around life and I thought I had everything but turned out I didn’t. I was the best kid, the favorite brother, and the best boyfriend. I did everything for everyone without any complaints, I was the nicest, most kindest person and I thought that was my biggest strength but in the end, it wasn’t. I guess the famous American actor Chuck Norris was right “Good people are often taken advantage of because they are good."

I was taken advantage of my personality. I never realized that until I was about to marry the love of my life…. or so I thought. That day was supposed to be a special day, a day that will forever etched in my heart and while it did, it really burned me down. I never thought I would experience the pain of being alone as I have never been alone. I never thought I would experience heartbreak as I have never been heartbroken before. I never thought love could be one-sided until I was left alone in the thick of reality.

On that particular day, it dawned on me that being happy in your relationship doesn't necessarily mean your partner is happy too. I was indeed happy, I thought that she was happy too but she wasn’t because if she was, life wouldn’t have been the same. It would have been a bed of roses like it always was but she chose something else- something she wanted more, something that made her happy and that was definitely not me.

I vividly remember the day it all began. The sun rose, painting the sky with its brilliance, and a smile lit up my face, but that day felt different. It was like a surge of happiness in my gut, a feeling that this day would be unforgettable.

Standing before the mirror, my reflection smiled back at me. Today was the day, after years of waiting and longing, the love of my life would finally become my wife. I had envisioned this day the moment I met her, it was finally going to be “Theodore and Laura; forever” The anticipation, the butterflies in my stomach, all leading up to this momentous occasion.

"Look at that smile, why don’t you keep that smile until you see her, Theo." A voice said from behind and I could easily recognize it. No one has that annoying most familiar voice other than Kelly. I glanced at him through the mirror, he and Jamil were walking towards me. Jamil is my best friend, while Kelly is a childhood friend. We’ve known each other for a decade if not more.

"You’re talking about the smile and I’m only concentrated by the glitter in his eyes. Theo is fucking in love." Jamil chimed in

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes as I said "Oh please, could you stop with the teasing."

Kelly and Jamil wouldn't let up on the banter about my upcoming wedding. They sensed my excitement and couldn't resist teasing me. Almost as if reading my mind, they chimed in together, "We can’t help it, bro. We are happy for you."

Being the first in my friend circle to tie the knot had them all buzzing with excitement. Kelly, moving closer, caught my reflection in the mirror, "I still can’t believe you’re getting married, Theo."

I couldn't help but notice the faint scent of alcohol on Kelly. "Oh, come on, don’t start with the small talks and why do you smell like alcohol? Please, don’t tell me you're drunk."

"I’m not," He denied. I turned my gaze to Jamil knowing that he’d definitely spill the beans and just as I thought he did "He drank four damn cups of Long Island."

"Are you serious? You got drunk on my wedding day?" I exclaimed, knowing Kelly's tendency to misbehave when intoxicated. His struggles with alcohol stemmed from his past, a coping mechanism to drown his sorrows.

"I’m not drunk, just a little bit drunk but not too much." He defended

"But you fucking promised not to get drunk." I reminded him

"Again, I’m not drunk. I just had a few sips."

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. I can’t deal with this right now. Kelly is addicted and I can tell that he can’t stop himself from drinking no matter how he tries. He’s not

I was on the brink of saying something when the music started playing, signaling the beginning of the wedding. In an instant, any tension I felt dissipated, replaced by a rush of nervous excitement that spread a wide smile across my face. Locking eyes with my friends, I couldn't help but declare, "It’s time."

After one final check of my appearance, I exited the room and made my way to the garden where the ceremony was set to unfold. Opting for a garden setting was Laura's choice, a reflection of her adoration for nature and simplicity. As for me, I didn’t care about the wedding setting, all I cared about was getting married to the love of my life. The garden was a vision, adorned and arranged beautifully for the occasion. Guests had already taken their places, and I caught sight of my dad among them. His smile met mine, and I replied with a wink, eager to commence this momentous occasion.

As everyone settled down, the music changed to the processional sound indicating the bride was walking in. I felt my heart swell up with joy- a joy I didn’t think would turn into tears. I found myself smiling more than ever, the feeling in my heart was greater than anything I have ever experienced.

The music just kept on playing, and I could sense that any second now, she would appear in the garden with my sister. That feeling was incredible, the anticipation was both agonizing and satisfying in a way that words couldn't capture. But as the music continued, a tinge of worry crept into my veins as I started to wonder if everything was going smoothly. It's been a while since the music started, and Laura still hasn't arrived. A part of me wanted to panic, but I didn't want to cause a scene. I waited patiently, but when a sense of urgency gripped my heart, I turned to Jamil and asked him to go check if everything was okay. Laura is supposed to be here but something seems to be holding her back. I just hope it’s not a family issue. I know that her family hates me and that’s only because I don’t meet their standards. I am not as wealthy as they are and well, they want their daughter to be with someone richer and better than me. I don’t understand why though because she’s happy with me and I love her more than anyone.

As I turned to Jamil, he quickly moved to check on the situation. But before he could leave, my little sister Tamara, who was supposed to walk Laura down the aisle, rushed into the garden. Her face was filled with concern, tears welling up in her eyes, speaking volumes without saying a word. "Theo," she called out breathlessly.

I hurriedly approached her, my heart racing. "What’s happening? Why are you crying, and where is Laura?"

"She..." her voice faltered as tears streamed down her face.

"What happened? Where is she?" Fear gripped me as I dreaded her response.

"She left." Her voice broke as she handed me the letter, her words unable to convey the weight of the situation.

"What the hell do you mean she left, and what the hell is this?" I demanded, snatching the letter from her trembling hand. Laura's familiar handwriting stared back at me. As I began reading the first paragraph, a wave of dread washed over me, the world around me crumbling into chaos. With each word in the subsequent sections, the letter slipped from my grip, a blaze of fury sparking in my chest, swiftly doused by a flood of anguish.

She walked out on me.

I couldn’t believe she could do such to me. How could she just walk away like that? It felt as if I was living a nightmare but the words written in the letter kept replaying in my head as I found myself intoxicated by pain. I wasn’t angry, I was hurt- hurt by the words she said and I thought was true. Hurt but every single action of hers toward me was just a facade. She used me and left me for someone richer; I guess her mom was right when she said ‘One day Laura is going to come back to her senses and leave you because she deserves someone richer and better’

My thoughts were rampaged and it only got worse when everyone around me kept asking me if everything was fine, Jamil’s voice especially filled my ears. "Theo, what’s going on? Are you okay?" He asked, his voice dripping with concern. That question of his was never answered, I just couldn’t tell him or anyone that Laura left me, however, they did find out eventually. To date, I try not to talk about it, I was beyond hurt, but something in me isn’t just ready to talk about it nor would I ever be. However, something in me definitely changed - actually, everything changed. The lover boy in me screwed up, the Mr nice guy in me tarnished and I just knew that everything that I believed in was a facade.

From that moment onwards, I learned a good lesson and I will always tell my friends that "she may love being loved by you," but that doesn't necessarily mean she truly loves you. That line is exactly what Laura wrote in her letter. She never loved me, she just loved the idea of me loving her. I never knew it was a thing until now.

The shades of my memories with her danced in my eyes as I tried my hardest not to fall apart. This is the second time a woman has betrayed me, first, my mom left me and my dad for a richer man, and now my girlfriend leaves me for a richer man. I now understand the logic of ladies, they love to be loved by the kindest hearts but they love to live with the guy that has the biggest bag because apparently, their hearts beat for two things: money and solely money. But in all cases, money always comes out on top, that's why I now preach, "screw love, chase money." Otherwise, you'll be standing alone at the damn altar, waiting for the bride who ditched you for a wealthier man.