Chapter 139: Marry Me * (2/2)
He had ruminated over it in his head. Possibly written speeches of love and passion but ended up giving me the only thing he really wished for.
I knew… in language, he could not explain his love for him despite his knowledge and eloquence. Some emotions were spoken little of. The less he told me, the more his love for me was. His reassurances and love showed in the small motions of his hand and the way he pulled me to the other side of the road, putting himself to the onslaught of cars if they were to break traffic rules.
Neither of us was young. But though we were older, we made one another giddy. Our passion hadn't faded, and I doubted that it ever would.
He took care of me afterward, giving me water to hydrate and food to replenish my energy. As I drank, he chuckled.
”I've failed. The movie is almost over,” he told me, his head jerking towards the screen. I glanced at it and shrugged.
”And I still don't know what the movie is about,” I replied.
”You didn't watch it? Even the beginning?” he raised his brow curiously.
”Of course not. Wasn't it your intent to keep me thoroughly distracted?” He gave me a shy smile, so unlike him. Like I had caught him in the act.
”When did you plan on doing this?” I asked softly. He looked up from his perch, his hand hovering over my discarded shirt.
”For a long time. Before we were officially a couple,” he shrugged.
”You had no guarantee that we would be together and still planned this?” I asked, bewildered.
”If you were never interested in me, I would have gifted the ring to you, probably coming up with some stupid excuse. I am sure I would have found something or the other to convince you to take it.” His eyes held a little sadness like the prospect might have crushed him.
”Ring?” The shocked me.
”Yes, the ring arrived a couple of weeks ago,” he admitted. ”It's in my pant pocket,” he told me.
He lifted the shirt and tentatively helped me put it on. He even buttoned the shirt and tidied the wrinkles he had helped in making.
The pant went on next and I watched with fascination.
”Shouldn't you be putting on your own clothes first?” I asked.
He shook his head. ”Of course not. You get sick easily, so you are my priority.”
What a foolish man. ”Haven't you learned yet?” my voice was slightly raised. ”It's madness to protect someone else before yourself. If you can't save yourself first, don't think about others, okay?” I demanded.
He chuckled. ”Yes, I'll listen to you.” Despite his laughter, I could sense the hint of dejection in his voice.
There was silence.
”Can you show me the ring?” I spoke finally, breaking the silence of the forest.
He looked up and nodded. He pulled out a small box and placed it in front of me. I opened the box and bit my lip to hide my smile.
This man really knew my taste.
There were no stones, just a yellow gold metal that featured two rows of hexagons to make the design tasteful but distinctive.
”Why did you choose this?”
He grumbled under his breath. ”You can wear it any time you want and people still won't find it gaudy. It's suitable for work and it weighs little.”
”Good choice.” I mulled over what I should say next. ”Put it on me,” I claimed.
He paused and his head jerked up to meet my eyes, shock evident in his.
”What are you waiting for? Put it on me.” I bit back the smile.
”You want to wear it?” he said, his voice held confusion. I could see the wheels in his head turn. He thought that I liked the ring but didn't want to marry him.
”I'll reluctantly marry you,” I told him. ”Not now. Later. In a few years. You will have a long engagement, Dr. Butler.”
The information seemed to process in his brain slowly. It must have been hard to see my expression through the mist in his eyes. And I had to say, his features seemed a bit cloudy to me as well. I blinked, letting my own set trail down my cheeks.