"I asked you a question last year, and you laughed it off."

"I wasn't ready then."

His eyes flit to the foreign rock on her finger, "Obviously."
You weren't ready for me.

"You never asked again. I waited and waited."

"I didn't have the courage to ask again."

His mother can't stop fiddling with her wedding dress.

"Thanks for helping me out, Auntie. Your designs are the best."

"Oh, darling, your man will love this! You look beautiful. Doesn't she look beautiful, Ariz?"

His gaze slid over her, deliberately giving her a thorough once-over. Never meeting hers.

"Beautiful." His lips move.

"I wanted a picture of her. For my portfolio." His mother fiddles with her phone.

"I can take it with my phone." He blurts out before thinking.

Her knuckles are white against the red silk. Her shoulders stiff. She smiles, though. Through click after click, after click.

She smiles, as he commits her to memory, for the last time.

She smiles.

Just like he does...

On the wedding day when he greets the happy couple.

She smiles back, because that's what happy brides do.

He takes a selfie, because not taking one is suspicious.

He laughs as he teases her groom, because that's what best friends do at each other's weddings.

The subtle twist of his mouth never leaves.

As if the smile is a passport to the event. As if he'd be caught and evicted, if he's without one.

They smile. Because that's how you say goodbye.

Author's Note:

Word count: 250

Inspired by the fakest smiles I've ever seen. 😊

Word of advice for lovers: not knowing is more painful.

Quote: Pinterest