The sun was warm on Jiko's face as he walked into the party. It was held in a beautiful place, all lit up with fairy lights and overflowing with flowers. There was a sweet scent in the air, probably from the gardenias tucked into the flower arrangements that hung from the arches. The place buzzed with happy noises – kids laughing as they ran around, an old couple dancing slowly to the music of a string quartet, and groups of people laughing near the apple juice fountain.
Jiko stopped just inside the entrance and tugged at the collar of his navy suit. He usually wore jeans and sneakers, so he felt a bit awkward in such formal clothes. But then he saw Tito, beaming with pride as he held his bride, and it made the discomfort worthwhile. Tito, always the picture of happiness, looked absolutely thrilled, his dark hair a little messy, like he couldn't contain his excitement.
Next to Tito stood Julie, looking stunning in a lace and pearl dress. The train of her dress flowed like liquid moonlight, and her bouquet of pale roses and eucalyptus almost seemed secondary to how radiant she looked. Jiko felt a pang in his chest as old memories surfaced. He'd imagined this moment so many times, both in happy daydreams and anxious nightmares, a confusing mix of unresolved feelings and grudging admiration. Julie's smile was dazzling, the kind that makes everyone believe in love at first sight. Everyone, except Jiko.
He gripped the apple juice glass he'd taken from a passing waiter. As Julie's eyes scanned the crowd, they briefly met his – a quick, cool, and polite glance. Her expression gave nothing away, but Jiko felt the weight of all their past disagreements. The awkward holiday dinners. The stiff greetings at family gatherings. The unspoken tension that always hung between them. She was his brother's dream girl, the center of Tito's world, and now, she was officially a permanent part of Jiko's life too.
"Well, if it isn't Mr. Grumpy in a suit," comes a teasing voice beside him. It's Rizvan, one of Jiko's oldest friends and the self-proclaimed expert in stirring the pot. Rizvan's mischievous grin is impossible to ignore as he clinks his glass against Jiko's.
"So," Rizvan continues, his tone dripping with playful malice, "your arch-enemy is moving in now. What's your plan? Gonna start a war during the toast?"
Jiko exhales a laugh, shaking his head. "Melt her icy heart," he says, lifting his glass in a mock toast. "She's family now, right?"
"Bold strategy," Rizvan replies, his eyebrow arching. "What if she just freezes you out again?"
"Then I'll thaw her out," Jiko retorts, a devilish glint in his eye. He leans closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Or maybe I'll just let her realize how annoying I can be when I try."
Rizvan burst out laughing, loud enough to make some of the other guests turn and look. Jiko's little smirk disappeared as he looked back at Tito and Julie. They looked so happy together, and for a second, Jiko wondered if his sarcastic attitude was just a way to hide his real feelings. He couldn't deny how happy his brother was, and Julie… well, she was hard to figure out. Maybe, Jiko thought, it was time to change things, to start fresh and try to get along instead of always being at odds.
The party was in full swing around him. Jiko finished his apple juice and moved further into the crowd, ready to join in.
Jiko approaches the newlyweds with a wide smile, his steps steady despite the buzzing nerves beneath his polished demeanor. The scent of roses and the faint tang of various beverages fill the air as he weaves through the lively crowd, his sharp suit catching the golden glow of string lights above. Tito spots him first, his face lighting up with a grin that could rival the sun.
"Jiko!" Tito exclaims, pulling him into a brotherly hug. There's a warmth to it, the kind that only years of shared memories and unconditional support can forge.
Jiko stepped back a little, a genuine smile spreading across his face as he clapped Tito on the shoulder. "Seriously, congrats, big brother," he said, meaning every word. "You really did good this time. She's great." He started to offer his hand to Julie, but then stopped himself and turned to face her properly.
Julie looked up at him, her expression a mix of curiosity and a little bit of caution. She looked absolutely beautiful, her veil fluttering in the gentle breeze, her makeup perfect. But Jiko could also see a hint of vulnerability beneath her composed exterior. He paused for a second, his usual confident attitude wavering.
"Julie…" he begins, his voice softer than expected. "I need to say this. I'm sorry. For everything. For every cold shoulder, every snide comment, every… everything." He exhales sharply, feeling the weight of the years they've spent at odds. "I was wrong. And now that you're part of this family—our family—I want to start fresh."
Julie's eyes widen, and for a brief moment, the chatter of the celebration fades into the background. She studies him, her gaze piercing yet not unkind. The silence stretches, and Jiko braces himself for a dismissive reply. Instead, Julie tilts her head slightly, her lips curving into a hesitant smile.
"Jiko," she says slowly, her voice laced with a mix of disbelief and cautious hope. "I—thank you. I wasn't expecting that." She pauses, her fingers tightening around her bouquet. "I'm sorry too. Maybe… I judged you too quickly. Maybe I should have tried harder to understand you."
There was a moment of quiet understanding between them, a fragile but hopeful feeling in the air. Tito, who had been watching them with a look of obvious relief, clapped his hands together. "Well, I never thought I'd see this," he joked, grinning from ear to ear.
Julie playfully rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling warmly. Jiko chuckled, and the tension between them seemed to fade away.
As the music got louder and the evening went on, Jiko kept thinking about what Julie had said. Could this really be a fresh start? Could they actually build a connection after all this time? He raised his glass to Tito and Julie as they walked onto the dance floor, feeling a lightness in his chest he hadn't felt in a long time.
For the first time in years, the idea of family didn't feel so difficult.