Time moved quickly after Christmas. I got an internship in London, which meant Kathy and I would have to move there after we got married. Alan would also be moving, as he and Sophie will live together from now on. He is so happy he is smiling all the time. How strangely life changes. If we had gone on the road trip, I wouldn't have met the love of my life now. Alan is already chanting all day that he is the reason, and how if he hadn't gone to meet Sophie's family gathering, I wouldn't have met her. I don't believe that. Maybe we hadn't met that day, but we would have met somehow, somewhere because she is my soulmate, and I am hers. I never believed in soulmates, but when it comes to Kathy, I believe in anything and everything.

Alan snapped his fingers in front of me. "Who is occupying your thoughts? Let me guess, someone who is allergic to roses, someone who made our Theo a lover boy," Alan said, curling his lips.

"Correction, Lover Man."

Alan raised his eyebrows and shrugged.

"And are we really talking about me being a lover boy when you are turning down an internship just so you can live closer to your girlfriend's parents?"

Alan smiled. "I can always find another one."

"Not the one you dreamed about all the time. Don’t do this, Alan."

Alan looked at me, smiled again, and said, "Yes, it is, but she is even more important than that. Like you wouldn't do it for your future wife. She is moving to London for you."

"Kathy and I have discussed it. It is a mutual agreement."

"Ours is too."

"We are not crushing the other person's dreams."

"You are overreacting."

"I am being realistic."

"I am happy."

"You are not."

"I will be when I see her happy."

"I will never be happy by making Kathy leave something she has worked so hard for."

Alan sighed. "You need to make sacrifices for relationships."

"Not from one side only."

"Theo!"

"Alan!"

"I will be okay—more than okay, actually. I can only be happy with..."

"That's wrong. Nobody should be dependent on someone for their own happiness because nobody is responsible for your happiness."

Alan stood up, sat near me, and put a hand on my shoulder. "I know you care, but I’m sure no one will make me happier than Sophie."

I reluctantly nodded.

"Now, with that, we have to hurry. We have a wedding ahead, and as the best man of yours, I have responsibilities. Can't believe you are getting married before me."

"What does that suppose to mean?"

"You did?"

"No," Alan laughed. I also couldn't hold mine. Alan stood up and said, "I will change and come. I better see you ready." After that, he went to his room.

We always tried to be respectful and not interfere in people's lives, but if I had done a little more, maybe I wouldn't have lost this Alan. Who was, at one time, my best friend—the closest thing I had to a brother—to the Alan he now is, who is cold, bitter, and sees everyone as a competitor, even me.

January 14 was the date Kathy and I got married.

People sat on both sides in the front row. Mrs. Ruth was so happy. On the side, Sophie was sitting, fixing her makeup. We also had lots of kids at our wedding. A woman thought they were all our kids. "Nervous, mate?" Alan said, poking me with his elbow. "My heart will come out any time," I replied. Alan laughed.

The gate opened. Everyone stood up as the door opened, revealing Kathy. She was always pretty, but in that white wedding dress, she was something else—something so beautiful that words failed to describe her. The minute our eyes met, everything else disappeared. Tears filled my eyes, but the good thing was I couldn't cry in front of anyone except Kathy. Her wedding dress was the most beautiful I had ever seen. It was flowy, and flower-designed lace covered her arms. She didn't wear a veil on her head; she walked alone, which made people pity her. She made her way to me. We held hands, and the moment came that made us together forever: "I now pronounce you husband and wife." Everyone clapped. Mrs. Ruth wiped her tears. Alan put a hand on my shoulder. "I am so happy for you, mate."

I smiled back, then looked at Kathy, who was looking back at me with her pretty eyes. Her eyes were moist. Normally, people kiss after they are newly married, but Kathy hugged me and said in a teary voice, "Even if I thank God for every second for the rest of my life, it wouldn't be enough for giving me you. I can't believe I am lucky to call you my husband because you are my perfect soulmate." "I am so glad I have you. I couldn't imagine being anyone's but yours. I love you so much." Kathy broke the hug. "I love you too, Theo." Kathy broke out in smiles.

As people congratulated us, I saw my aunt standing at the end of the hall. I excused myself for a minute. My aunt smiled at me. "She is looking very beautiful, Theo." "Thank you, Auntie."

Then she looked at me with a weird look, almost as though she was remorseful. She put a hand on my face. "You have freed yourself, Theo." I just stood there quietly. "Don't let her go, Theo. She truly loves you." I nodded. Auntie Janet left, and that was the last time I saw her.

I went to Kathy, and we had our first dance as husband and wife—the dance I could do. "Thank you." "Why?" Kathy looked at me with a puzzled look. "Well, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be able to dance with my wife." She smiled and looked at me with her beautiful eyes filled with love and kindness.

We are going back to present from the next chapter.