This felt like a bad dream. Aliya told herself the words over and over, but the ceremony kept unfolding, relentless and sharp. She watched him walk down the aisle, his black tux immaculate, his eyes alight with a happiness that felt like a personal betrayal. They shone *for her*, for Jia, radiant and complete.
She’d spent months wishing she could make him fall in love with *her*. A stupid, aching hope. She’d only realized the depth of her feelings when he’d announced his engagement. A cruel twist.
What did they say? You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone? In her case, it wasn’t *it*, it was *him*. He'd been deeply, irrevocably in love with Jia for a year and a half. How could that happen? How could she have missed it? They’d known each other their whole lives. He was supposed to be… *hers*. The questions circled, a frantic, silent storm.
The ceremony ended, and the couple was presented as Mr. and Mrs. Taehyung Kim. He kissed her, a slow, tender kiss that felt like a physical ache in Aliya’s chest. That’s when the tears started.
“Weddings get me emotional too,” Nari, Namjoon’s fiancée, sniffled beside her. Nari believed in long engagements. Their wedding was planned for next spring.
Aliya could only nod, terrified to speak. She bit the inside of her cheek, digging her nails into her palm, trying to contain the rising tide of grief. She smiled, a brittle, practiced gesture, and engaged in polite conversation.
Only Namjoon and Hoseok had brought dates. Jin’s girlfriend was abroad. The rest of the guys weren’t interested in settling down, not yet.
“There’s something different about you tonight, Aliya. A new admirer?” Nari asked casually, mid-bite of her salmon.
“A new guy?” Jimin asked, leaning in. “After Pretty Boy?” *Pretty Boy* was her ex, Jihyun. They’d dubbed him that because he was handsome enough to rival any of the seven of them—which, Aliya knew, was exactly why her friends hated him. They never liked any of her boyfriends.
“No new guy,” Aliya mumbled, avoiding eye contact. “The makeup, probably.”
“Taehyung’s and Aliya’s moms are practically sisters,” Hoseok explained to Yoo-Mi, his new girlfriend. “They’ve known each other since high school. Taehyung’s two years older than Aliya, so he’s always been like a little brother to her.”
Aliya’s face flushed. *Little sister*. She was nothing more to him. The realization felt like another twist of the knife. She reached for her wine glass, gulping down the entire contents in one swallow.
“Easy now, dear. You haven’t touched your food. Don’t want to get drunk, do you?” Nari gently cautioned.
Aliya managed a weak smile. She *wanted* to get drunk. She wanted to disappear. Every glance at Taehyung and Jia felt like a fresh wave of pain. She stole another look at the happy couple, then deliberately dropped her fork on her plate. She didn’t want to eat. She didn’t want to *feel*.
Then she caught the eye of Yoongi, sitting across from her. He gave a small, sardonic smirk before looking away.
Of all her friends, she rarely spoke to him. A casual “hi” and a perfunctory “how are you” were their usual exchanges. She remembered one long conversation, during a trip to a lake house. She and Jihyun had wanted to swim without the others. Yoongi had warned Jihyun not to risk it if he wasn’t a strong swimmer. Aliya had asked Yoongi to join them, but he’d only said he didn’t want to be blamed if something happened.
Taehyung had said Yoongi wasn’t interested in dating. Casual hookups were his thing—sex without commitment. Women fell for him, hoping to change his mind. Aliya knew he didn’t like her.
****************************************************************
A harp and violin duo began to play, creating a romantic atmosphere. It felt like a mockery of her own misery. She wanted to be happy for them, she truly did. She loved Taehyung, and she wanted him to be happy, even if that happiness wasn’t with her. She was willing to give up her own happiness for his.
Her phone rang. It was her mother, calling from across the room. She excused herself and headed towards the ladies’ room.
“I’ll take you,” Jimin offered, quickly pulling out her chair.
“I can find my way, thank you,” Aliya said, but Jimin was already guiding her by the arm.
“You look too good to be walking alone,” he said, his hand lightly on her back.
Aliya turned to him, puzzled. “What’s gotten into you? Are you trying to flirt?” They’d met Taehyung when he was in middle school, thanks to their parents’ business partnership. They’d supported her through everything, especially after her father’s death.
Jimin shook his head. “Weddings do that to me. Bring out the romantic side.”
Aliya laughed, a dry, humorless sound. “Romantic side? You have a romantic side?”
“You’re being mean. I can be romantic.” He grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Maybe he was joking, but it was true. He’d once been deeply devoted to a girlfriend, showering her with affection. She’d cheated on him. He’d sworn off commitment after that.
They passed the newlyweds’ table. Jimin waved, and Aliya mirrored the gesture, unable to meet Taehyung’s gaze. Relief washed over her when they reached her mother’s table. Jimin bowed to his parents, her mother, and Jungkook’s parents.
“Aliya, darling, you look lovely,” Taehyung’s mother said, hugging her tightly. She leaned in, her voice a whisper. “I always wished it was you…” Her husband called them for photos, cutting her off.
Aliya’s smile froze. What had she said?
So-young, Aliya’ *real* mother, intervened. “Sweetie, why don’t you go back to your friends? We’ll talk later.” She’d confided in her mother about her feelings for Taehyung. She was grateful for her mother's support.
Without looking back, Aliya headed to the restroom and locked herself in a stall. She wanted to spend the entire night here, hidden away until the party ended. Everyone else seemed so happy, and she felt so guilty for being miserable. Tears streamed down her face, silent and desperate. She’d been holding it together for hours. She stole a glance at the couple. She was losing him.
When she emerged from the stall, she checked her reflection. Her makeup was flawless, her eyes were red. She took a deep breath. She could do this. She’d managed for hours. She smiled at her reflection. She was going to get through this.