Gilbert looked forlornly at the happy couple before him; Elizabeta and Roderich, his two best friends finally find their true happiness, which was under their noses all along. A beautiful white dress, adorned with sparkling stones of the same shape and size, was nothing compared to the sparkles in her eyes, one of happiness. She was always the pivotal pillar in his life; an anchor that always keep him sane and safe. It was until he knew that he will have nothing more to his name that he finally decided to let her go.
He did not stay long for the reception as he had an appointment that took greater precedence over his friends. It already made him felt bad about ditching them at their most important day, but truthfully, anything else to do would be better than to see the love of his life married to the friend he would die for. Their happy smiles were like rubbing salt to wound, it is painful to bear. Ludwig, his only family and confidante, came to fetch him with his black fifth-generation S-class Mercedes-Benz. He had the same serious look on his face, but it was thinly laced with a look of sorrow.
"You looked like you just came back from a funeral," Gilbert joked as he placed himself at the front seat, just beside Ludwig.
Ludwig, now obviously annoyed with Gilbert's insensitive remark, drove off with a sudden start. "You know I don't appreciate that kind of manner, brother."
Not wanting to aggravate the situation further, Gilbert chuckled and patted the irritating blond's back. "Okay, okay. My bad."
The rest of the journey was calmingly quiet. It was a nice change of pace from his usual metal music blasting through the speakers that sometimes shook the car. Gilbert absent-mindedly gazed at the scenery that changed from the dull, white and grey buildings to the vibrant green and blue of the nature that he had always loved. He was reminded of the time when Eliza would play hide-and-seek with him when they were residing in their childhood homes. Eliza would always climb the trees, and Gilbert would always desperately tried to climb it to get to her. He never was able to climb one. The trees hated him, he claimed.
Eliza's smug smile relishing in her victory was the most endearing in his memories of her.
"We're here."
Ludwig's voice jolted him up from his melancholic recollections. That startled both of the silly brothers, in which Gilbert ended by laughing it off. He did not realise how quickly the scenery changed from his favourite blues and greens to the usual dull grey and white again. He must have been so deep in thought that he had not noticed that they had arrived at their destination.
Seeing Gilbert so nonchalant about the situation he was in had Ludwig in ease; at least he would know Gilbert was still his usual self despite had just witnessed the love of his life had just gotten married to his best friend. Yet, because he was too carefree about this, he was still alarmed about leaving him alone in a hospital where he could not tend to him. The papers for his transfer here was suspended as the hospital he is working in had a shortage of staff. But the hospital did not have the facilities that could offer Gilbert more accurate results that could explain his ailment and how to cure it. The brothers made a decision and decided to take the plunge. Gilbert's recovery takes priority above all else.
"See you when you're not busy, Luddy! Don't forget the magazines when you want to come and visit me." Gilbert tucked himself in the bed and flashed his pristine white teeth.
"I will, brother. Would you prefer Playboy or Schwulissimo?" Ludwig jotted down his request in a leather-bound notebook.
"Both!" The jovial albino grinned. He was pretty much looking forward to Ludwig's visit. It was his fault for forgetting to pack his magazines. At least he brought his notebook with him, a place where he would write his life every single day, without fail.
Ludwig excused himself once he was done with the papers. That left Gilbert alone in his room, still in his tuxedo. He was told to change by his brother time and again, but being in such a plain pyjama, with surrounded by these beautiful nurses frolicking, would shatter his confidence. He decided to "casually" walked around the hospital and flirt with the nurses. Maybe that would distract him from the thoughts of Eliza now belonged to Roderich.