Wayward

The urge to hold another person's hand—does this mean love?Does wanting to see them smile, even if it's not with us, mean love?For us, they're the most beautiful, perfect human, regardless of what the world thinks of him/her/them. Does this mean love?Is it possible to experience a sense of inner peace and tranquility simply by gazing at someone's face? Could this be a sign of love?Love is when you selflessly pray for the well-being of your loved ones before you even think of any wish for yourself. It's about putting their happiness and health above your desires and showing genuine care and concern for their welfare.Roman kneeled in the soft grass, carefully plucking the weeds that had begun to sprout around the edges of the weathered headstone. The warm sun illuminated the scene as Dean joined him to help clean the grave of Amelia, Roman's beloved wife.Together, they meticulously cleared away the overgrown grass and gently wiped off the accumulated dust from the aging gravestone, honoring the memory of a cherished family member.Dean carefully washed the weathered tombstone. As he kneeled before the grave, he lit up the fragrant incense, its sweet aroma mingling with the earthy scent of the surrounding grass.With reverence, he handed the burning incense to Roman, who placed it in a holder by the grave. As the smoke spiraled upward, he clasped a few wildflowers between his hands, their delicate petals a poignant contrast to the solemnity of the moment.Glancing at one another, they closed their eyes, their clasped hands trembling slightly as they whispered quiet prayers for the departed soul to find peace in the afterlife.The soft glow of the candlelight illuminated their solemn faces, casting flickering shadows on the tombstone. The air was heavy with the scent of burning incense, and the distant sound of an earth melody added to the somber atmosphere.Roma had taken Ayan with her and wished to visit the grave tomorrow at noon with her husband. You don't need an exact date to pray for a soul. Every other day, we can wish them to be in peace and safe.Roman closed his eyes tightly.Honey, I've been missing you for a long time now. It's been days since I have cried in your memory. It's been hours since I remember you with pain. Today, I'm not sitting alone in front of you.A person has walked inside my life carefully and embraced me tightly. Somewhere he's the reason; I miss missing you.Dean held the fragrant incense in his hand. As he closed his eyes, he took a deep breath, allowing the soothing scent to envelop him. The soft glow of the candle added to the tranquil atmosphere as he focused on the stillness of the moment.Ma'am, it's been a long time since we last met. I remember promising to meet you every week, but things didn't go as planned due to unforeseen circumstances.Life can be quite unpredictable. I never imagined that I would be back here with your husband. I will keep both you and him in my prayers. I genuinely want to catch up and know how you've been doing."Dean opened his eyes.However, here I am falling in love with the man next to me.Dean looks beside and watches Roman carefully.He really loves you, ma'am. My arms still feel the pain when he cried his heart out. He lost a precious soul and his beloved because of me. I don't want to blame others, as I know somewhere that everything happened solely because of me.He looks back at the tombstone.So, I apologize from the depths of my heart.Dean smiled, This heart also belongs to you.I will do everything in my power to give you justice and make Roman happy.Dean closed his eyes.Kindly guide me and give me strength. I wish to be Roman's strength this time. I wish to protect him.Roman opened his eyes and glanced at Dean.Honey, is it okay if I move one? Will you feel sad if I love the man sitting next to me? Could you show me some signs that you are okay?Roman closed his eyes.I wish for his happiness. Please protect him.Both thought and wished for the same thing.If Amelia was present, she would have smiled at the duo, her eyes crinkling at the corners and her warm, dimpled smile lighting up her face.Probably she must be smiling at them, her genuine happiness evident in the way her eyes sparkled and her laughter bubbled up from deep within.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"Careful," Neil said as he opened the car door for his wife to step out.Roma smiled at him and held Ayan carefully as the boy continued to sleep."I have hurt this tiny angel," Roma whispered, stepping inside the house as Neil closed the door behind him. Even before Roma could place Ayan on the bed. They heard a doorbell ringing."Do we have any guests today?"Neil shook his head. "Maybe someone related to Amelia?"Roma pressed her lips together and nodded. "Alright, you open the door. I will fix the quilt and join you there."Neil nodded and opened the main door, surprised to see smiling Freya."Sorry, so sorry. I took so much time." Freya said and smiled at Neil.Neil just hummed and nodded while stepping aside.Freya walked inside and glanced around. "Did Roman—hello, Mom, I'm sorry."Roma froze in her steps. She completely forgot about Freya. She wanted to talk with her and clear things up. However, she didn't expect to meet her sooner."Uh, hi, Freya. Please have a seat."Freya was quick on her feet. She sat on the sofa with a bright smile."So?" She looks at the old couple. "I know I must be looking too excited. I mean, Roman is—""We're sorry." Neil cut the blabbering lady with a blushing cheek.Her heart, which was beating fast with sweaty palms, turned cold with her heartbeat slowing."Huh?"Roma licked her lips and looked at Neil, who nodded his head. "Look, Freya. Roman--""He rejected yet again, right?" Freya spoke in a hurry, trying to calm her mind.She forced her lips to spread wide. Her eyes closed, and she replied, "It's okay. It's not easy to, you know, move on."She paused when she noticed the silent exchange of words. Her eyes look at the duo with questioning eyes. "Is there something I should be knowing?"Roma clears her throat, glancing at her husband. "Uh, yes." She looks ahead at Freya."Freya, we are sorry." Roma tried to find better words to make her understand. "What I'm trying to say is, uh..."Neil sighed to himself. He understood he had to take matters into his own hands now."Freya. Roman likes—he loves someone else."Freya narrowed her eyes with a forced smile. "I understand. I should leave then."Freya stood up without waiting for any reply. "I should visit Amelia. It's her birthday too."Roma gave a pitiful smile and nodded."It's all because of me. I had sprouted hope in your heart." Roma let out while glancing at her husband."It's ok, Aunty." Freya smiled and walked towards the exit.As her emotions shifted, her face transformed into an unreadable mask, betraying nothing of her inner thoughts. With each purposeful step, she exuded confidence, her narrowed eyes focused intently on her destination.As she reached for her phone, her long hair danced in the wind, adding to the aura of determination that surrounded her. With practiced precision, she dialed a familiar number, her movements reflecting a sense of urgency and resolve."I agree. Kill him, and Dean will fall on his knees." She said as soon as the phone was picked up.[Help me to kill him just like his wife. I'll give you bigger projects.]She smirks, "Of course I'll. If possible, I'll kill him myself."[Good luck.]She ends the phone call."Roman, you didn't choose me yet again. I won't give you the choice to live too."⋇⋆✦⋆⋇Eugene stood in front of the weathered wooden door, its peeling paint revealing the years of neglect. In his hand, he clutched a worn file, the edges frayed from frequent handling. His eyes, filled with a mixture of apprehension and determination, gazed at the door, and he nervously bit his lower lip before summoning the courage to knock again.As Alfie heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching, he eagerly opened the door with a warm smile spreading across his face. With a gentle push, he swung the door open wide, allowing the soft sunlight to spill into the foyer of 1 BHK House. Eugene lost in thought and shuffled in, his gaze fixed on the intricately tiled floor beneath his feet.With bated breath, Alfie closed the creaky door softly behind him and carefully matched his steps to those of Eugene.Eugene stands in front of a chair and keeps the file on it.Alfie anxiously waits for him to speak, but as the silence stretches on, he understands the gravity of the situation. With a heavy heart, he carefully places his hand on Eugene's shoulder, offering a silent gesture of support and understanding."We can try tomorrow again, yeah?" Alfie whispered while taking deliberate steps to stand in front of Eugene.Eugene stands with his shoulders hunched, his eyes fixed on the ground, as he avoids meeting Alfie's worried gaze.Alfie's furrowed brow and tense posture betray his concern for his friend. Eugene knows that Alfie is worried, and he feels the weight of that concern pressing down on him.As they stand in silence, Eugene's mind races with the realization that the path ahead will be anything but easy. He understands that challenges lie ahead, but he also knows the importance of power—the power to overcome obstacles, the power to protect those he cares about, and the power to shape his own destiny.His dad's power."They're not ready to give a job to Eugene Raynott," Eugene whispered as his head fell on Alfie's shoulder, who hugged the man dearly.Alfie's breath is uneven, shallow, and rapid, and his eyes are unable to focus on anything in particular. He closed his eyes, took slow, deep breaths, and focused on calming his racing thoughts, willing his mind to quiet down."It's ok. They can give jobs to Alfie, and Alfie is Eugene's." Alfie whispered in Eugene's ear and pressed his cheek against his cheek with closed eyes.Eugene was feeling deeply upset with himself. He was grappling with self-doubt and insecurity, consumed by the unconscious fear that he had dragged Alfie into this mess. The thought of seeing disappointment in Alfie's eyes weighed heavily on him, intensifying his feelings of failure and letting down the man he loved.The entire world seemed to disappear into thin air as soon as he uttered those few words and wrapped his lifeline in a warm, comforting hug.Eugene smiled, pulling the man closer, chest to chest, cheek to cheek."Gosh, you mean so much to me," Eugene whispered, his nose buried in Alfie's hair.Alfie's heart raced as he clutched Eugene's shirt tightly, feeling the fabric under his fingers. He could feel his cheeks burning as he gazed into Eugene's eyes, his own filled with shyness and a hint of longing.Sometimes, during moments of uncertainty or distress, a few reassuring words have the power to work miracles that our minds cannot comprehend. It's during these times that we crave a deep, understanding bond with another person, someone who can provide comfort and support when we need it most.Freshly showered, Eugene stepped out of the steamy bathroom. The scent of his sandalwood body wash lingered in the air as he made his way into the living room.There, he saw Alfie sitting cross-legged on a plush, cream-colored mat, his fingers dancing across the keyboard of his sleek, silver laptop. The soft glow of the screen illuminated Alfie's focused expression as he delved into his work, completely engrossed in the task at hand.Eugene's easy smile spread across his face as he casually ruffled his tousled hair, settling himself comfortably near Alfie's feet.His gaze lingered thoughtfully on the man's feet as he looked up at Alfie, who returned the smile and continued typing on his laptop, the soft clicking of the keys filling the air."Almost done with this," Alfie whispered and typed even faster to finish it. He pulled his knees close to himself and kept the laptop in it.Eugene hummed a soft tune and slowly reached out to gently place his hand on Alfie's foot. With a slight tilt of the head, he tenderly caressed his foot, sending a rush of tingling sensations down Alfie's spine, causing him to catch his breath.Eugene's fingers traced the veins of his foot as he let out. "If not for you working as a freelancer. We wouldn't have—""Shush, I told right. We will be fine." Alfie whispered back and closed his laptop.Eugene looks at the laptop. "I'm sorry for—"Alfie opened his arms. "Come here. I need a hug."Eugene grinned and fell on top of the man.Alfie whined, slapping his shoulder. "I asked for a hug, not a 70 kg dumble."Eugene chuckled and hugged him tightly.Alfie's smile widened as he enveloped the man in his heart. A deep sense of contentment filled his soul despite life's numerous challenges. Despite the approaching Christmas season, he realized that he might not be able to give Eugene a truly special gift this time, but he found peace within himself.The man's decision to leave everything behind and trust in his abilities was a bold and courageous move. His unwavering belief in Alfie, even more than in himself, speaks to the depth of their bond.As a symbolic gesture of his commitment, the man deliberately set aside a precious golden spoon to reach out and grasp Alfie's hand, emphasizing the importance of their connection.Alfie caressed his wet hair. "You are adorable when you are just my love and not the person the world knows."Eugene smiled and pushed himself up. "Look who is talking." Eugene leaned down and kissed his forehead.He pushes himself up and leans down. "Pretty," kissing his eyebrow.As Eugene pushes himself up from the floor, he leans down and playfully kisses his right cheek, prompting giggles from his lover. His eyes crinkle with amusement as he flashes a mischievous grin. "Cute," Eugene exclaims, capturing the heartwarming moment."Sweet," kissing the left cheek."Sugar," kissing the nose.Eugene leans down slowly, his heart racing, as he brings his lips deliberately closer to Alfie's.Alfie's eyes flutter closed, and he takes a sharp breath, feeling the anticipation building in the air between them.As he felt the warmth of his breath brushing over his lips, he couldn't help but curl his toes in response. Looking at him again, he noticed the subtle gentleness in his eyes, which seemed to intensify as they focused on him.The fresh, invigorating fragrance of Eugene's showered body filled his lungs as he took deep breaths, with notes of sandalwood and bergamot intertwining in the air.His arms found a comfortable resting place over his lover's shoulder, providing warmth and camaraderie as they snuggled embrace."We'll get through this, hmm?" Alfie whispered with a tender caress over his cheek.Eugene's eyes lingered over his face as he nodded. "If I have you, we can manage. I'll try again tomorrow."Alfie gave a thought and looked back at Eugene. "I was thinking, We have some money. And you have new ideas in your mind."Eugene hummed and nodded, urging the name to continue. "If it's ok. We can work together for a start-up."Eugene smiled, "I'm thankful for your thoughts, dear one. But we are not in any situation to start a business. I cannot afford a loan now without a job."His eyes narrowed as he pressed his lips together, the faint sound of a hum escaping through the tense atmosphere.The soft glow of the light on the table danced across his face, casting fleeting shadows as he deep in thought.Noticing the rejection, Eugene let out. "I'll try to get investors." Alfie's eyes lit up. "However, after getting a proper job,"Making sure, you don't have to worry about finances.Alfie nodded. "Okay. You were born a businessman. You can convince investors easily.""Are you saying I'm smart?" Eugene asked with a playful grin.Alfie nodded with a hum while focusing on Eugene's shirt."Do you accept me as your husband?""I do," Alfie replied absentmindedly until his mind repeated the words.He gasped in surprise as he heard the man's hearty, booming laughter reverberating through the room. Eugene, his lover, snuggled in close to his neck, his face lighting up with a wide, joyful smile that spread from ear to ear."My adorable cutie."Alfie's face turned bright red as he let out an awkward whine, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over him.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"These books teach about basic laws," Roman whispered while forwarding a book to Dean, who was holding three bulk 500-page books."Oh, this is the 7th volume of learning all the laws in a day." Roman placed the 800-page book on top of the books in Dean's arm.Dean's arms trembled under the weight of the numerous books he was trying to hold together. His fingers strained to maintain their grip as the books threatened to slip from his grasp. His eyes widened with disbelief as he struggled to contain the overwhelming number of books in his arms.No wonder those attorneys and lawyers get paid well. Knowing all the laws, clauses, and sections and using all of them at the right time needs a genius brain.Dean keeps the books on the counter with a deep breath. "All the people working in the justice field have my full respect." Dean talked with himself while passing the book to the lady, who scanned the code and billed it.Roman swiftly settled the bill before Dean had a chance to offer his card. His gaze fixed only on the total amount."Can I rent them?" Dean was quick to ask the lady, who was packing the books.The lady nodded. "Yes, sir. You need to have a membership here." Dean nodded and glanced at Roman."Is it ok to get a membership now? As you can see, the books are very expensive for us. If it's ok..." Dean dragged the last word with big eyes. Something he learned from Ayan.The lady pressed her lips together and nodded. "You still need to pay the rented amount."Dean nodded. "Sure, sure." He smiled at Roman. "Please give me the form."Roman looks at Dean and suddenly widens his eyes. "I already have membership here," Roman said and opened his wallet. "I opened it when I was in college, which is a long time ago.""I think I have lost the card," Roman whispered, looking back at the lady."Sir, your phone number will be fine.""Ah, that's good," Roman said and kept his wallet back while reciting the number.The lady searches through the data. "You have opened the account 5 years before. So, we have to renew it.""Sure,"A form was forwarded to Roman, who filled in the data."Since you are an old customer, you'll get an additional 19% discount."Dean nodded on behalf of Roman, who smiled and continued filling in the data."Since he has already paid the amount, please return the rest of the amount."The lady looks at Dean with a baffled expression. "Ah, actually, sir, we cannot return it. However, we can credit the amount as points on the card."Dean looks at the books and back at the lady. He glared at Roman now."Are we going somewhere?"Roman shook his head."Then, why were you in a hurry to pay?"Roman parts his lips, unable to answer him.I just didn't want you to pay.Roman gives the form back to the lady, "It's alright. We may need new books in the future. I can utilize this for Ayan's study."Dean gave a thought and nodded. "I will pay you the amount."Roman shook his head and parted his lips."Please, don't say no. I already owe you a lot. So much that I won't be able to repay in this life. So, please let me..."Roman narrowed his eyes, holding Dean's hand and stepping away from the lady.Roman glanced around and asked softly. "What are you talking about?"Dean widens his eyes. He didn't realize he spoke more than needed."Never repeat it. Whatever I did. I did because you are important to me. Don't make me feel the other way around." Roman spoke with a hint that he's not liked the way his thoughts and actions are portrayed in Dean's head.Roman looks back at the counter and walks towards her.Dean stood frozen. His breath labored and eyes looked at his shaky hands. He is unable to focus on the shelf he was looking at.Is this the right time to tell him? Will you regret knowing me, Roman?Dean's breath hitched as realization fell upon him like cold water.What was I thinking?Dean's lips trembled.How could he? How dare of him to declare that he loves Roman? How could he forget that Roman is his donor's husband? He must have been someone she loved more than herself.How courageous of him to love someone; he is supposed to apologize for and owe his life! How could he? How could he love a man who looks at him as a friend—a supportive friend?I was going to cross a line.Dean's fingers trembled as he took deep breaths."I shouldn't forget my place."Someone he never wishes to meet, even by chance.A bitter smile filled with void was placed over his lips.What was he thinking? He'll win the case, and with time he'll get closer to Roman and confess his feelings. Then, happily ever after?Dean whispered to himself. "Dream on.""What dream?"