Cocooned

EPILOGUES

Wooden Hands Church, December 20, 2020

I stared at the reflection of the handsome man in the one-body mirror that was plastered in front. Then, my shoulders wobbled as I remembered Val's message that she would only marry a man in a gold tie.

"Where's that tie?" I asked, without expecting the tie to be found. Hopefully the cleaning part of the church has thrown it away, so I have a reason not to wear it on my wedding day. I stiffened my body and laughed when I couldn't find the tacky thing. "Thank God, it's gone."

The sound of the door opening made me look. Jaya's face poking out from behind her grinned at me. "Ter, is this your tie?"

"Oh, sh—" My hand hurriedly rose to silence his presumptuous mouth. I need to stop swearing! "Hmmm .. I want to say no, but yes, it's my das. Why do you have to ruin my happiness anyway, Jay? Though, I'm glad that tie is gone."

"You should thank me. You have to remember, Val said, she's only going to marry a man in a gold tie. Well, that tie I found was being worn by a quarry worker in front of the church. Do you want Val to marry him?"

My mouth gaped at Jaya's explanation. "I would never willingly give Val into anyone's hands. Get it fast, and help me set it up."

As a bestman, Jaya approached and helped me put on that ridiculous tie. I looked at my best friend's face with gratitude. Although often said rudely, Jaya is a kind person. It's just that, his frank nature makes it easy for others to ride black if they don't know him.

"Jay, I'm sorry your relationship with Susan didn't work out."

"Ah, don't be. It was our deal, Ter. It has nothing to do with you or Val. I got a scholarship to Switzerland that I couldn't afford, while Susan had responsibility for her family's restaurant and some other branches that were due to open next year. So, it was the best decision. I can't see him waiting for me who's not sure. How can I face Susan's parents if I'm not sure I can come back soon."

I nodded at Jaya's explanation. "What you did was right."

"of course. I've been thinking about a lot of things, Ter. I'm not you."

Damnit damnit! Again he cornered me. Maybe my IQ is half Jaya's intelligence, at least I'm more lucky than her in terms of happiness. If everything is fulfilled, what is it that is sought from this life besides being happy? And although at every event people wish good luck, in reality only a handful of people find it.

"I wish you and Susan were happy."

"Look easy, Bro. There will come a time when he and I will find happiness, whether together or each."

Yeah, he's right, but I won't admit it in front of him.

"Oh yeah, Jay, next time you don't have to look for me. Next year I will move to Malang. I've bought a house here and as an associate architect, I also asked my boss to move my studio here."

Seringai Jaya expands hearing good news from me. "Ah, good for you. Good luck, Ter."

The sound of organs reverberating from the church hall distracted us. Val's wedding day procession and I'm about to begin, my fingers suddenly cold and my knees shaking.

"You okay?" ask Jaya.

"Ya—ya, sure. My stomach feels heartburn."

"Hold on it for a few hours, Ter. If you pass out, I don't mind replacing you at the altar."

"Based on a fucking friend!"

Jaya laughed loudly and grabbed me. Both of us walked out of the room, to pick up my beautiful angel in a Tinkerbell-style wedding dress.