Love Sillage

Wait!Wait for your time to come. Wait to get something. Wait for it to shine brightly. Wait for it...Haven't we heard it most of the time? Wait for the good times to come. Good things reach those who wait.What they wanted to say was perhaps 'have patience'. Waiting and patience are different things.The distinction between waiting and being patient is crucial. Expectations are so high as we wait; we pretend to be patient, but in reality, we are just waiting.Being patient means having a certain amount of trust, being open to the unknown, and not needing constant reassurance that you'll obtain what you're 'waiting' for.Now, if we change the word 'waiting' to 'have patience' at the start of the chapter, the sentence would probably make more sense.Dean was known for his extraordinary patience, which he valued more than anything else. He often opened up about his perspectives on life, his thoughts about people, and the pain he experienced.His friends would frequently nod along, indicating that they understood his viewpoint. However, in the next moment, they would express gratitude for never encountering individuals similar to those Dean had described.At that very moment, he would give a bitter chuckle and nod.Well, you are God's favorite child, and I'm life's favorite student."You can't do this," Nathan whispered as his eyes filled with tears. He looks at Dean's gaze, which is locked with him."What is my fault here? I just love you." His wrist was cuffed by the officer. "When did love become a crime?" He looks at Ethan, who is staring at him with gritted teeth.Ethan parts his lips with narrowed eyes to give an ear full of words."Do you understand the meaning of love?" Dean asked while stepping closer to Nathan.Roman looks at the duo with furrowed eyebrows and confusion written in his eyes."Love surely has different definitions for different individuals," Dean said with a tender voice. "I know, you met me. I met you. We became friends. Later, we found out that we loved each other's existence."Dean blinks and looks down while letting out his thoughts."Surely, I treasure our moments like flowers. However, your sudden disappearance turned it into thorns." He pinched his heart. "It gradually became too heavy for me to carry."He sighed and gave a small nod. "So, I heard that alcohol can reduce your pain. Thus, I entered a life that brought me to the hospital bed, where my mother is weeping and my father is disappointed."Dean locks his gaze on Nathan. "Tell me, when did your love heal me?"Nathan didn't reply.He smiled. "It's not love when your only thought is making them yours."It's not love when you want everything to be yours."It's not love when you take their freedom away."Love is seeing their smile make you smile."Love is a selfless feeling."Love is pouring everything into that person."Love is feeling their pain even though they're far away from you."Love is knowing their words even before they speak."Dean showed Nathan his wrists, which had red marks of rope on them. "Love is never hurting the special one."Nathan's eyes brimmed with tears. "I love you. I don't know how to show you."Dean pressed his lips together and nodded. "I may agree on that. However, I didn't expect you to become this way. Your way of owning me as though I'm an object. Did you forget that I'm human with feelings?"Nathan just parted his lips and closed them again. His fist tightened the metal clasp around his wrist."Whatever you have done is unacceptable. I'm not going to forgive you." Dean's voice held finality as he closed his eyes momentarily.Sighing to himself, Calder glanced at his wristwatch. "Dean, please continue later. I've got to get him to the station."Dean nodded his head. He stepped back while looking at his photo, which was decorated with his favorite flower.White roses.Calder gazed at Roman, who was staring at the coffin with furrowed eyebrows. He understands that the man is thinking something. When he thinks, something is surely going to happen."Let's go," Calder said this and gestured for his subordinates to take the culprit along with him."Please find a good lawyer," Calder whispered to Dean's parents. "You are aware of his status. His father will not accept defeat easily."They nodded their heads.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇The walls of the cell were once a deep, foreboding shade of dark gray. However, they were now covered in handprints, transforming the color into a mottled and eerie mixture of grays and blacks. In one corner, there was a simple bed, its frame showing signs of wear and tear. Nearby, a solitary water bottle sat, its plastic reflecting the dim light filtering in from outside.Nathan was unceremoniously pushed into the cell, the heavy metal door slamming shut and locking with an ominous click, leaving him in solitude.His eyes glistened with unshed tears as he struggled to contain the pain of losing Dean, feeling as though it was slowly consuming his soul. He yearned for his angel to stay with him, but knew deep down that they weren't ready."What's wrong with desiring to make him mine?" Nathan mumbled and sat on the bed, which made a crick sound.Surely it's not his memory foam mattress.Calder's finger stops writing in a record book. However, he looks at Alfie, who is sitting in front of him. "Alfie, since you are the eyewitness, I want you to narrate everything you know."Alfie quickly nods his head while he proceeds to glance at Nathan, glaring at him from the lockup."I can't believe it. My friend and my brother plotted against me!" Nathan shouts with gritted teeth."You loving each other is okay. But my love is wrong." He slams his hand on the metal grills.Alfie fisted his pants while blinking his tears.Noticing the tears, Nathan's brother, Triston, spoke up. "I didn't force your friend to stay with me. I never forced my objection. I respected his decision to support you." He wiped Alfie's tears."If I had wished, I could have forced him to stay away from you." Triston looked at his younger brother. "That's the difference between my love and yours."He looks at Calder. "Sir, continue with your procedure. You've got our cooperation."Alfie turned to the officer and recounted every detail of the events that had unfolded in the grand mansion.He vividly described the entire conversation he had overheard, emphasizing how he had tightly held Triston's hand throughout the ordeal.Calder sat with wide, frightened eyes, his hands trembling as he tightly clenched them in an attempt to regain composure. Unbeknownst to him, tears began to well up in his eyes, betraying the turmoil within."The lady you are talking about..." Calder's voice wavered as he blinks his eyes and clears his throat.Alfie and Triston look at him with curious eyes."She's my friend's wife. My friend loves her dearly. She was like my sister." Calder whispered and forced a smile on his face."Mr. Raynott, I'm afraid that I shall not spare your father and brother." Calder looks at Nathan. "They have both deeply hurt my friend twice. Your father took away his wife, and your brother bothered the person he adores so much."Looking back at Triston. "Last time, I couldn't help Roman. This time, I have the power and authority."Alfie looks at Triston, who is biting his lips and controlling his tears.Triston knows that he'll lose his family now. Both his father and brother have done the wrong thing. For what? For their selfish reasons. To satisfy themselves. He's ashamed to even associate himself with them."Please do what's legal and correct. As I have previously said, you'll get our cooperation." Triston spoke while standing up and sneakily wiping his eyes.No wonder Grandpa always said I'm like my mom, and Nathan is like dad.Alfie leans forward and blinks his eyes with a worried gaze. Triston smiled and shook his head."Deputy Chief Calder."They all turn towards the tycoon, Raynott, who is standing at the entrance of his office with 5–7 advocates."These are the papers to release Mr. Nathan." An advocate spoke while placing papers on his table.Calder takes a file and gives it to the same advocate."Non-bailable orders," Calder said on behalf of the advocate, who probably didn't expect this attack."See you in court, Mr. Raynott," Calder said, taking the papers from the advocate.Mr. Raynott glared at his elder son. He raised his hand to slap him."No violence, please," Calder said, showing a paper to Alfie. "Please sign here." He points at the end of the paper."I can't believe it. This is how I raised you, Triston."Triston gulped and stood up from the chair. "Dad, whatever you have done, it has been noted. Please accept your punishment."Mr. Raynott's nose flared with anger, and he let out. "Punishment? You are going to punish your father? Kids are supposed to take care of their old parents. However, my son wants me punished."Mr. Raynott looks at his advocates. "I was planning to write the company in his name. But he is not worthy."Triston ignored his father's words and glanced at Calder while nodding his head."If you take another step from here, I'll forget you, my son." Mr. Raynott shouts, gaining attention from Nathan, who is sitting in deep thought. He quickly looked up when he saw his brother stepping out of the office and his father following him."You are no longer a Raynott. You get it!" Mr. Raynott points his finger at Triston with red eyes. "Going against your father, huh?"Triston just stared at his father while Mr. Raynott continued, "All this attitude is because of your last name. People respecting you, bowing to you—all the luxury, everything! Every single thing you have is all because of me. It's all because you're my son."Noticing Triston's silence, Mr. Raynott grits his teeth.Why the hell is everything going against me? I always have the power to control everything. Then, why is this happening?"Dad, I will always respect you. However, what you have done is not right. You can't even seek forgiveness. You--""Me? I will seek forgiveness. What made you believe that I'd do that?"Triston sighed to himself. Alfie was quick to hold his hand and look at him with worried eyes."Do you mind me being poor?" Triston asked, looking at Alfie. "I won't be able to give you luxury, then."Alfie shook his head. "I don't mind. I'm there for you. I'll work for us."Triston smiled. "You may regret it later.""I'll not."Triston looks at his father, who is looking at the duo with a surprised face. He pointed at them and sighed in disbelief. "What the FK did I do wrong to get sons like them? Both are FKing fa*ots!""Language, Mr. Raynott," Calder said while standing next to him with crossed arms.Triston looked at his father and held Alfie's hand. "I'll respectfully accept your decision."Mr. Raynott gasped in disbelief. "What the hell is happening?""I'm accepting to be just Triston from now on.""Triston! Triston!"Triston walked out of the station.Surely, Mr. Raynott lost his older son. Nathan avoided his father's eyes as he showed his back to him.Being a multibillionaire, for the first time, Mr. Raynott didn't see any solutions to the issues inside his family.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇Dean nibbles his lips, his brow furrowed in worry, as he gazes up at the blanket of dark clouds hanging over the horizon.His attention shifts back and forth between the brooding sky and the illuminated screen of his brother's phone, his mind clearly preoccupied with concern."He won't be disturbed, right?" Whispering to himself, he contemplates whether to call him or not.He let out a heavy sigh and brought the phone to his ear, feeling the weight of the moment. He sat on the edge of the bed, his index finger nervously pinched between his teeth, as he listened to the insistent ringing, the sound reverberating in the quiet room.The rhythmic thumping of his heart echoed in sync with the persistent ringing sound.He couldn't fathom the source of his building anxiety. Rising from his seat, he strolled purposefully toward the window, the view outside offering a momentary distraction."He must be sleeping." The model whispered to himself when the line said that he wasn't picking up the call.I should return this phone. I need to buy a new phone now. That prick abducted me, and I'm the one going to face the loss.Shaking his head, he walked towards the door.The device starts vibrating, and soon a rhythm syncs with the atmosphere. He noticed the known name. He fisted his pants and sat on the bed. He accepted the call.[Hello, Ethan. I was cooking, so I couldn't pick up the call immediately. Is everything okay there?"Hello, Roman. It's me, Dean."He doesn't understand why he sounds so soft now. He heard Roman clearing his throat.[Hi, Dean. How are you now?]"I'm feeling better. I don't... I don't feel off. I'm better. I know I'm fine. I'm a man. So, I'm strong."Why am I rambling like this?Dean closed his eyes tightly and fell on the bed with embarrassment.[Before being a man. You are a human. You can get anxious too. I'm here. I'm listening to you. Is it okay for you to share with me?]Dean's breath hitched, and he bit his lower lip as it quivered. He inhaled deeply to control the clogging in his throat.[Shush, it's fine to let go. Please don't surpass your tears. It will give you more pain.]Can voices have power in them, or are they the words that hold the power?"Ro-Roman,"Roman hums from the other side. He placed more veggies on Ayan's plate, who looked at his dad with big eyes while shaking his head.Roman keeps the phone away and whispers to Ayan. "If you want to talk with your teacher, you better finish the plate."Ayan looks at his dad with wide eyes while jutting his lips. Roman placed a finger on his lips and focused on Dean.Dean, on the other hand, nibbled on his lips while sniffing. His tears are falling without control, and he doesn't want to wipe them.The tears that he fought to suppress as fear gripped his heart. They flowed when he believed it was all over. Those intense emotions surfaced when hope seemed out of reach.The tears cascaded as he wrestled with the daunting prospect of leaping from the tree. They symbolized his deep-seated fear of losing his family and the anguish of witnessing his life spiral downward in the past.He hiccups while putting the phone on speaker.Roman furrowed his eyebrows. His hands reached for the water bottle.I should distract him."Dean, Ayan is not eating his veggies," Roman said while looking at Ayan.The said boy was tiptoeing towards the kitchen, hoping his father was distracted.Ayan scrambled back to his chair. "No teacher. Papa is lying.""Papa is lying? You are the one who was sneaking towards the kitchen.""I was helping Papa clean the plates."Roman placed the phone on speaker as soon as he heard a giggle from Dean."Oh really? Tomorrow you'll clean the house too."Ayan gasped and looked at the phone. "Teacher, look. Papa is being mean."Roman playfully rolled his eyes and smiled when he heard laughter on the phone."Your teacher can't see through this voice call."Roman raised eyebrows at his son, who was thinking something."Teacher help. Old Papa is being bad to young Ayan.""What the..."Roman and Ayan saw the call end. Both have furrowed eyebrows.Roman looks at Ayan. "What happened to your teacher?"Ayan shook his head.Just then, the phone started ringing again. This time, it's a video call."Yay!" Ayan exclaimed and picked up the call. His smile beamed with shiny teeth when his teacher smiled back at him.[Did Ayan eat the veggies?]Ayan transferred the carrots to another plate and showed Dean the empty plate."Yes,"[Good boy.]Roman raised eyebrows at his son's antics. He held the phone in such a way that it didn't show the other plate.I'm your dad.Roman slightly pushed the plate of carrots in front of the camera. Ayan widens his eyes as his father gestures towards the plate."Papa!" Ayan calls, and he quickly steps down from the chair. He pouted at his dad and ran away along with the phone.Roman chuckled and took the plates away. His smile widened as he remembered Dean's words about love."He has such a different view about it." Roman placed the plates in the sink as he chewed the carrots on behalf of his son."When will he grow up and eat veggies?" Opening the tap. "He is seriously a fan of his teacher." Scrubbing the pate."It is still difficult to believe that Ayan loves his teacher so much. I neglected Calder's words when he first spoke about it."Wiping the plate, his mind drifted to the words of Dean."I'll listen to his words. He must have so many things to share with me. If..." Roman looks at the tiles and says, "If what Calder said is correct, I love Dean. However, I'll..." He shook his head. "I'll never say my jumbled thoughts. We will remain this way forever. I'll see his smile, and that's enough for me."Keeping the plates in their respective places. "His happiness is most important."Glancing at the clock, he walked towards his son's room.He gazes at his son, who is animatedly gesturing while speaking, his hands moving fluidly as he gestures with excitement. His phone is propped up against a water bottle. His eyes sparkle with enthusiasm as he talks about his beloved musician."And, teacher, he sings so well. I want to sing like him." Ayan exclaimed with happiness. "You should listen to these songs."Roman couldn't help but chuckle softly as he watched his son engage in a lively conversation with his teacher. It had been quite a while since he had seen his son so animated, and it filled his heart with joy.Witnessing his son's happiness lifted the weight off Roman's shoulders, bringing back memories of his late mother, who had a similar effect on everyone around her.As Roman made his way towards his room, a gentle smile graced his lips. He couldn't quite understand why his mind was compelling him to smile without any apparent reason. And yet, his heart felt an unusual sense of tranquility and serenity that seemed to wash over him.We probably don't need reasons to be happy. Sometimes it's nice to feel content without any reason.As he sat deep in thought, his attention was suddenly drawn to a photo frame resting on the table. He paused, momentarily entranced by the sight, and then approached the table with deliberate steps.With great tenderness, he reached out and carefully lifted the frame from its place on the table, allowing his finger to lightly trace the smooth, cool surface of the frame as he held it."I don't think I have enough courage to give some space in my heart to someone else. My heart feels heavy with the thought of hurting you." He hugs the frame in his embrace. "You are my life. How could I forget that?" He shook his head. "I'm so sorry, love."After all, moving on is similar to restarting the process."Papa, the teacher wants to talk with you," Ayan shouts as soon as he enters the room."Teacher, this is Papa's room." Ayan swirls around the camera and giggles.[It's very cozy.]Ayan giggles, giving the phone to his dad, and plops himself on the bed."Thank you," Roman replied.Noticing the dry tone. It sounded as though he didn't want to talk with him.Realizing this, Dean's smile wavered. However, he quickly pulls off a bright smile.[I talked for a long time. You must be sleepy.]Roman hummed and looked away. He doesn't want to see Dean's fake smile. That smile stings his heart.Seeing Roman uninterested in talking with him.[Good night. And sorry for bothering you.]Dean's eyes gathered tears again as he quickly blinked them away and forced himself to smile.Roman closed his eyes and heaved a deep breath. He just cannot see tears in Dean's eyes."What good night? We have so much to talk about."Dean looks at Roman with wide eyes.[Ok.]"Wait for a few minutes. I will fill the water bottle and return."[Hmm, ok]A genuine smile falls on Dean's face as he sleeps comfortably on his bed. Pulling his knees close to himself. He snuggled inside the duvet."Ayan?" He calls, wishing the boy would take the phone and talk with him.[Hmm, teacher...]He saw Ayan's eyes turning small, and the boy was yawning."Aww, my baby is sleepy. Take the duvet over you, dear. The weather will turn colder at night."Ayan agreed and lay comfortably on the bed. He blinks his tired eyes."Can we talk like this every day?"The innocent request brought warmth to Dean's heart. His gaze lingered on the boy, who was waiting for the reply.[Of course, I would love to. Even I will get a reason to stop thinking.]Ayan was over the moon as he beamed a smile.[Now, be a good boy and close your eyes.]"But I want to talk with the teacher."[I'm here. You close your eyes, and we can still talk.]Ayan hummed and closed his eyes. "Why didn't you come to school, teacher?"[Some things happened, and I was stuck with them. Tomorrow, I shall return to school.]"Teacher, can't you always teach us?" Ayan asked with closed eyes. His eyes felt so heavy that he kept them open.Dean pressed his lips into a thin line.[The teacher's life is a mess. I will return to teaching once everything gets better.]Ayan pressed his hands together. "Then, I wish teachers to always be happy. A teacher should get all the gifts in the world. My teacher's wish will always come true."The innocence children hold is remarkable. What goes wrong when some of us become different? Why are children associated with angels and adults are not?[Sweet dreams. You are a blessing in my life.]Dean quickly wipes away his tears. "All because of you. I met your papa. Your papa is..." His throat hurts as he just parted his lips and was unable to utter a word.[Shush,]Dean looks at the phone, which is held by Roman now.[Not everything needs to be said. Many things are understood.]Dean nodded his head. "Ay-Ayan, is he sleeping?"[Yes, he played a lot with his friends today.]Dean nodded and snuggled inside the comforter, feeling calm.Roman could just gaze at the male. His eyes locked with Dean. They continued staring without saying anything.[What was troubling you?]Roman asked, sitting on the bed and placing the duvet on Ayan. He leans forward and kisses his hair.[Sweet dreams.]Roman smiled at Dean and leaned comfortably on the bed.Dean noticed this and parted his lips.[I'm fine this way.]He bit his lip and nodded."I'm... I'm worried about the case." He peeks at Roman through his eyelashes. "What if I did wrong and risked my loved ones' lives?"[So, can you forgive him?]Dean looks at Roman and remembers his wife. Amelia lost her life all because of him. If he didn't get himself into Nathan, neither the drinking habit nor getting a heart transplant.[Hey, hey. Get back to me, hmm? You can't forgive him, right?]Dean's lips wobbled. "More than him. I can't forgive myself. Everything happened because of me. I'm the sole reason for misfortune. It's always me. I'm a curse in"[Never.]Dean looks at Roman with wide eyes.[You are not a curse. You are happiness to Ayan. Your brother adores you so much. Your parents—I saw them today. They love you a lot. I saw how broken they were. Your breath is that of your parents.]Dean listened to everything keenly.[Now, tell me. Do we feel those emotions for curses? Most importantly, nobody is a curse in anybody's life. You step into someone's life for a reason or a lesson.]Tears fill Dean's eyes.Will you say the same after knowing I own your wife's heart?A soft sob slips as he fists his pillow and hides his face in it.Why can't I get the courage to tell him? I'm so scared... I was so scared to lose him. I'll be unable to face myself if I see hatred in his eyes.Can I die with this secret? But Amelia still didn't get justice."Wh-what am I to you?" Dean whispered, looking back at the phone.Roman's breath stopped in his throat. His finger caressed the screen."Silver."He smiled at Dean's big eyes, looking at him curiously.[Silver?]Roman nodded, lying on the bed, and kept the phone on the nightstand."Silver, because you are pure. You have a tender heart. You are sensible. Your eyes shine like the moon when you are happy. You're a gorgeous being; who can make anybody love you? Just like the moon."Dean felt his cheek turning hot.[The duvet is making me hot.]Dean pushed it away and fanned his face.Roman chuckled while watching him."Gosh, you are cute when you're shy."Dean avoided Roman's eyes and felt his ears turning crimson.-----------------------------------