I was listening to sermons at Osraka Church when I got another call from Alvin.


    “Zoe, it’s almost 11 o’clock. Why aren’t you here yet?” His voice sounded a little frantic.


    “I’m almost there, just wait a little longer,” I replied, dragging it out on purpose.


    I had loved him for ten years. I wondered, ‘How many times have I waited for him?’ I couldn’t even remember anymore.


    Today, I wanted him to wait for me, just for once. It felt like a small way of collecting some interest on the ten years of youth and love I had given him.


    “Hurry up, don’t miss the time the priest gave us,” Alvin urged again.


    At that moment, I was sitting in front of Hubert, who hadn’t said a word about my wedding. Clearly, he had no idea I was supposed to be registering my marriage with Alvin today, let alone offering any “auspicious” timing.


    I gave a soft “Okay” and hung up, then turned off my phone, returning to Hubert’s sermons.


    Alvin had turned to Christianity after a serious illness when he was a child. Michelle had prayed at the church for three days and nights, and he recovered. Ever since, she had embraced Christianity, and Alvin had be a disciple under Hubert.


    As his “essory,” I had to tag along, of course. the priest even tied a red string for us, symbolizing our connection. But sadly, that red thread between Alvin and me had already snapped.


    I didn’t leave Osraka Church until 3 p.m. I hadn’t turned my phone back on, but I drove straight to the city hall.


    By the time I arrived, Alvin was already gone. I wasn’t surprised at all. I didn’t know how long he’d been waiting, but I knew it wasn’t anywhere near as long as the countless hours I’d spent waiting for


    him.


    I parked the car and turned on my phone. My notifications exploded-dozens of missed calls and messages, most of them from Alvin. There were fifty-three missed calls and seven messages.


    Alvin: [Zoe, are you here yet? Why is your phone off?]


    Alvin: [Zoe, the time’s almost up. If you don’t get here soon, we’ll miss the lucky moment.]


    Alvin: [Zoe, what’s going on?]


    Alvin: [Zoe, pick up your phone. Answer me.]


    Alvin: [Zoe, in twenty minutes, the city hall will close. We won’t be able to get the license.]


    Alvin: [Zoe, are you messing with me?]


    :


    Alvin: [Zoe, you really know how to push my buttons…]


    As I read the messages, I could almost picture Alvin’s panic slowly turning into frustration and, eventually, full-blown anger. Thest message was sent at 11:55, so his patience barelysted an


    hour.


    I stared at the fifty-three missed calls and called him back. The phone rang once, but then he hung up. It was clear—he was angry. Angry that I stood him up today, and now, he wasn’t picking up my


    calls.


    I didn’t try calling him again. Instead, I sent a message to Jasmine, since Alvin had already contacted her to find me, and she was also asking where I was.


    I didn’t type out a response, just sent her a voice message. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Just went to the church.”


    Jasmine immediately called me on video. As soon as she picked up, she asked, “What happened?”


    I bit my lip. “It’s a long story.”


    Jasmine replied, “Then make it short.”


    I smiled faintly, about to speak, when Alvin-who had just hung up on me-called again.


    But I wasn’t nning to pick up. I hadpletely given up. I wouldn’t be like before, when I’d always answer his calls first, no matter who I was talking to or video calling.


    Jasmine heard the phone ringing and immediately understood. “Is that Alvin?”


    “Yeah.”


    “Just pick up, he’s been driving himself crazy trying to find you.”


    I thought, ‘Really? Does he ever lose his mind over me?’


    A mocking smile tugged at my lips. Jasmine, always sharp, immediately noticed something was off. “Zoe, don’t tell me you found out about him and that widow?”


    Of course, she knew my


    my boundaries.