The Best Man novel Chapter 63

Nathan's POV

Roses

"Nate?", I turned around to see Tristan walking towards me after I asked one of the waiters to call him on my behalf when I picked my lunch order at his restaurant

"Hey man, how are you doing?", I held out my hand, and we shoulder bumped

"I'm good, how are you?"

"I'm good", we talked for a little while before my packaged order was given to me and I motioned he walks me outside to my car

"Did Olivia send you to check up on me?", he had that suspicions look in his eyes, already picking up what was going on

"I mean, it's not like she didn't", I laughed nervously while shrugging my shoulders a little. "But I also wanted to see for myself that you're okay man"

"Like I told her, you all have nothing to worry about. I'm perfectly fine"

"I can see that", I smiled because I noticed he was back to his old self, the Tristan we grew to know. It's been hard for him these past couple of months, especially when he just disappeared two weeks after the wedding and sent everyone to a panic frenzy. He called in later and let us know that he was okay and just needed some time away to just reflect on everything that's happened. To my understanding he admitted himself to some kind of wellness mental health retreat and used that time to make himself a priority again, keeping contact with Olivia and his family on updates about his progress.

He only got back about a month ago, and he looked so much better than the last time I saw him. He wasn't the man he was four months ago, he had more life in his eyes and his passion for food was still his daily motivation to get up every day, it kept him going.

As the society, I think we sometimes fail to acknowledge that men can also fall victims in relationships, leading to severe downwards depression, and it's not uncommon that most men don't want to speak up because of the fear of being judged and under looked by other people because "they are men" and should be strong enough to withhold anything and simply don't have time to be sad. Men also have feelings and anyone can suffer from mental health issues.

Crying, being sad and showing emotion doesn't make a person weak. It's hard to act to strong for the people around us only to fall apart in silence instead because the truth is, not everyone is as strong as they seem.

Tristan was suffering in the hands of a loved one and in some instances one question that may arise might be, if he felt he was abused in the relationship, why couldn't he just leave? Not realizing it's not that easy to leave an abusive relationship if you really love that person, it's easier to find reasons to stay instead and try to change that person.

"Are you kidding me?", he exclaimed while gesturing a mind explosion. "Count me in"

"Great, I'll also invite Kevin, so I guess we'll see you Saturday then"

"I'll be there, no doubt", he put out his hand for a dap handahake, both snapping our fingers when we released each other hands.

Later that evening, I drove to Olivia's apartment building, we were having dinner at her place tonight. She insisted on doing something special for us since it was more or less our anniversary. You might be thinking since when do we celebrate months into a relationship?, Isn't it supposed to be an annual like thing?

No. Not anymore.

Every second spent with my woman was worth celebrating

What I've realised is that Olivia has a lot of love in her heart, it's just that she hasn't been receiving the kind of love she sends out in return. She was a scarred woman, needing constant reassurance that I wasn't in her life to ruin it, fuck up and walk out, all I had to do was to prove to her that I'm the man she needs in her life. She was my angel, and I intended on being her safe haven for as long as possible because she's honestly what I would say, the best part of my day, everyday.