A Broken Code of Promise

His POV They decorated the church building’s interior walls with colorful flowers and covered the floor with a white, fluffy carpet. The chairs’ linens blended beautifully with the colors in the building. The decoration was a sight never to be forgotten, just as the wedding would have been to anyone in town. When my eyes were content with the decoration, I returned home, although I stopped by Cassie’s gate. The distance from the gate allowed me to see the movements in her family’s house. I watched her friends and family fitting clothes while others were busy doing her hair. She looked gorgeous and pleased, assuring me she was ready for our wedding. At that moment, my mind took me to a dreamland. I saw myself entering the church building, following a pathway that led to the podium where the priest stood holding his Bible. Everyone stood up as I proceeded to the podium. People’s gazes were all over me, their faces full of smiles. When I reached the priest, he held my hand while people sat down. Silence filled the building as people stared at the entrance. The piano man graced the moment with a soft, rhythmical sound that echoed across the building. People threw colorful flowers as she entered the building. She was beautiful in her white gown. The flowers in her hand glowed with a gentle elegance, blooming the beauty of the wedding moment. A sudden ring of my phone jolted me awake from my dream. I quickly checked its screen and answered the call. “Hello, Mom!” I screamed, moving away from the gate. “Jaxon, where are you?” she asked, sounding worried. “I am on my way home, Mom,” I said calmly. “Please take a cab so you can be home in time. It’s your wedding day tomorrow. Many things need to be done,” she said and cut the call. My mom thought I was far from home. Thus, she suggested I take a cab. She didn’t know there were lots of things in my head. I couldn’t have taken a cab even if I were towns away. The only thing that mattered to me that night was my fate. My wedding with Cassie was hours away, and I needed to make a decision that would have changed my life. Everyone was eager for my wedding, but it was strange to me because I felt fear every time I closed my eyes. Wedding Cassie was a danger wrapped in beauty. No one was aware of it except me and a few of my close friends. “Hey, do you need a cab?!” The cab driver screamed, seeing me dragging along the road. He didn’t know I was already home, so I waved at him to go away. As I entered the house, everyone was busy preparing the food, washing dishes, making phone calls, and doing many things that were supposed to be done before the wedding. My mother saw me, so she called me. I went to her and gave her a light hug. “I love you, Mom,” I said. “Oh, Jaxon, today you said it,” she smiled, adding, “You rarely say it.” “Mom, I love you.” We hugged again, this time tighter than the first. “Just tell me what you want, son,” she said, smiling as we released our hug. “Okay. You got me. I want your motorbike,” I stated, looking at her facial expression as she disagreed with me. “No, son. Do you remember what happened the last time you rode at night? You ended up in the hospital. It’s late now. You should relax; tomorrow is your big day,” she said, pulling some boxes and shifting them out of the room. She was creating space for more guests who were going to come. I helped her while trying to change my luck on her motorbike. “Where are you going?” she asked, looking so worried. “To invite my friends from Mt. Seal,” I said. “You can invite them over the phone. You know this wedding is crucial to the family, so you shouldn’t ride this late. It can be dangerous for you,” she explained. “Their phones aren’t reachable, Mom. I think they will love to see me showing up,” I explained, looking at her squinting eyes. She usually did that when stressed. Without expecting it, she agreed to give me her motorbike. I jumped, thanking her. Thereafter, I rushed to my room and packed a few clothes into my bag. I took my passport and the money I had saved after high school. After that, I threw my bag through a window and walked to say goodbye to my mom. When I started the motorbike, it was my last night in Gwanda town. I ran away. Her POV I watched myself in a big, curved mirror while my friends were dressing me up. I was happy, blushing when I thought of him. Life with him was my dream since I was young. He was my charmer—always fun and available to me. My love for him was like the North Pole—unchanging. People filled the church, taking their seats row by row until every pew held families, friends, and quiet expectation. There were many people because our parents were famous. Jaxon’s mother was a city mayor, so no one wanted to miss the wedding. My best friends for over decades—Faith and Mary—were busy perfecting my makeup before I was going to bloom in front of Jaxon. We were having girls’ chat, trying to feed our anticipation before the wedding. While we were at the peak of our conversation, Linx knocked on the door. He was Jaxon’s best friend. When he entered, we realized he had his friends behind him, and our beauty sucked their eyeballs out. Linx came straight to me. He held my shoulders while watching my uneasiness in the mirror. I stood up and held my long white dress off the floor. After a few breaths, Linx had my attention, and I was eager for him to explain his mopey face. He cleared his throat and breathed in. His actions made my hands shake with uncertainty, my heart pounding. “Cassie, did you see Jaxon?” he finally asked. I froze, my mind spinning as if the world had suddenly become a puzzle I couldn’t understand. I couldn’t understand the direction of his question. “What are you asking, Linx? You’re the one who knows better about your friend’s whereabouts,” Mary said. She looked more perplexed, just like Faith and I. Linx looked back at the door as if checking if there was anyone nearby, but Faith had already closed it. He nodded and said, “I am sorry if this is true.” It was clear he carried a storm with him. His eyes were somber, his mouth trembling, and his face shadowed by the weight of the unwelcoming words. “Linx, speak!” I yelled, impatience burning in my eyes. He slowly shoved his hand into his pocket and came out with a letter. “This letter remained sealed since Jaxon handed it to me weeks back. I don’t know the words in it, but he asked me to give it to you if he wouldn’t show up after nine o’clock,” he muttered, gazing at the watch that was hung on the wall. My hand met his as I quickly snatched the letter from his hand, tearing the envelope open. The silence tightened in the room when the words from the letter speared my heart. Jaxon had left me. I reread the letter again. Cassie. You are reading these words, which means I am gone. I know they might have made you believe we are good together, but I can’t do this. I am sorry! Jaxon My heart pounded as I trembled, looking at the letter that was still in my hands. I fell on my knees, tears already eroding the makeup on my face. It was a heartbreaking turn—an unanticipated one. I paddled in the pool of confusion for a moment, thinking he was going to show up. But he never did. My happiness became so volatile that I couldn’t contain it. It faded, and it crushed me. Faith and Mary tried to pacify me, but nothing helped.