Their Road to Forever
Their Road to Forever
He drove towards her house with her in his passenger seat. He silently berated himself. Was that too soon? Yes. A month of dating, and he was already asking her to marry him. Who in their right mind would accept his proposal so easily?
He kept his eyes on the road, but he was still aware of the awkward silence between him and Sara. He leaned back on his seat and stopped at the front of her house. She silently slipped out from her seat and gave him a kiss on his cheeks like she always did.
Was she running off without giving him an answer?
"You're such an idiot, Rion Stahl," he berated himself.
He couldn't really blame her. He was the one who suddenly popped the question out from nowhere. What did he expect from her anyways? That she would scream 'yes' like those girls in those chick flick movies?
The following day at the office, Rion didn't give her a cold shoulder and treated her the same way as before. He didn't want her to think that he was pressuring her to give him an answer soon. It wasn't really easy for him, but he knew she was always his priority even if it hurt him inside.
However, he would give her time. Her rejection hurt him, but he wouldn't blame her for it. It was him who should take the blame. If he wasn't too straightforward, she wouldn't have acted uncomfortable in his presence.
He wanted her to return to her usual self and wanted to see her silly grin and her cute pouts. He wanted his cute girlfriend back. If she wasn't ready for marriage, he would understand.
Sara didn't look as lively and cheerful today. Was it because of him? Did his sudden proposal make her think twice about their relationship? Rion hoped not. As much as he wanted her to stay, he had no right to keep her to himself. There was a world waiting for her outside.
"Here," Sara said and put a cup of coffee on his table. She was smiling at him, but Rion noticed that there wasn't a sparkle in her eyes. Did his sudden proposal bother her that much?
If he could only turn back time, he wouldn't ask her that question if he knew she would be bothered by it. He wasn't an impulsive man—goddammit. However, he had asked the question without much planning and consideration for her.
"Thanks," he replied. Rion wondered if he could do something to make the atmosphere less awkward.
Remembering the paper bag that he brought with him earlier, he took it from his side and placed it on his desk.
"I made some cream puffs today; would you like to try?"
The moment he asked her to try the sweets, Sara's face brightened up; and her eyes sparkled with excitement. Ah, such a childish woman. She could easily be persuaded by sweets and desserts.
"Really?" Sara asked and then took a seat at the edge of his desk before opening the paper bag. The freshly baked aroma of the cream puffs tickled her senses. It smelled so yummy.
"I made it just for you," Rion said.
She took one from the bag and popped it in her mouth. Sara could swear that she could hear the angels singing as she tasted the delicious treat her boyfriend made for her. Good heavens. She was so lucky to have Rion as her boyfriend.
She suddenly remembered what happened the day before. Sara stopped chewing and stared at Rion. He didn't look like himself today. Was he upset that she ran off without giving him a proper answer to his sudden proposal?
She wondered how he would respond if she had given him her answer. How would their relationship progress from now on if she had said 'yes'? After these thoughts, she knew that she wasn't the only one hurt by what she did.
"What's wrong? Is it too sweet or bland for you?" Rion asked, noticing when she suddenly stopped munching on the cream puffs.
Sara shook her head and smiled bitterly.
"It was perfect."
'Perfect just like you are,' she thought.
To be honest, she was happy with his proposal; but there was something inside her that told her he was too good for her. However, didn't she wish before to meet someone who would make her feel that she was worthy to be loved and cherished?
Last night, she tossed and turned in her bed, feeling restless and worried. Her mind kept her busy and awake. She was really an idiot for not answering him. She only fell asleep when her eyes were too tired to stay open, and her mind couldn't continue thinking about Rion.
When she woke up that morning, she decided to make up her mind for Rion. He was always the one who kept on making the first step in their relationship. She didn't want to lead him on, believing that she did not like to marry him.
Sara left the cream puffs on his desk before taking both of his hands, surprising him. Her smaller hands over his larger ones. She noticed how warm his hands were against hers, just like how he made her heart filled with warmth, love, and happiness.
"I'm sorry for being rude yesterday," she whispered.
Rion kept his eyes on her face. He could see the tiredness from her eyes. Didn't she sleep well last night like him? Her long hair was tied in a high ponytail only leaving some locks to frame her face. She didn't even try to dress up more than her usual outfits. She was wearing simple dark jeans, a loose shirt, and a pair of sneakers for today.
'Was her being silent the whole time wasn't already her answer?' he mused.
Wasn't it enough to let him know her rejection for his proposal?
"I take no offense in it, Sara." He rubbed her knuckles. His pale blue eyes tried to hide the hurt he was feeling inside.
"Rion…"
When she called out his name, he looked at her face and noticed her blush.
"I know that I asked too soon," he slowly murmured, getting her full attention, "but will you consider marrying me? To be with me for the rest of our lives?"
"You want to marry me? Are you sure?" Sara asked with her eyes wide. She didn't expect Rion to be so vocal about what he wanted. She should have known or got an idea because they have been dating for weeks.
"Yes," Rion said without breaking their eye contact. "But of course, we will marry at the right time. I can wait for you."
Her breath was caught. She moved and sat on his lap before she pressed their foreheads together as she grinned at him. His hand found her waist and pulled her closer to his body. Rion didn't hesitate to press their lips together. Her hand touched his jaw as they shared a gentle kiss before the hand slid to his hair. She then realized how she dearly missed his long hair.
Sara broke their kiss and slowly parted from him. She shivered slightly when she saw the dazed look in his eyes. Rion slowly blinked and let the haze from his eyes clear.
"How long could you wait?" she asked.
Rion thought for a moment. Sara was still young, a bit younger than Ririna. At twenty-three, he thought that she might not be ready for marriage. While at his age, he was ready to start a family. Sara still has some responsibilities and obligations she had to take care of.
"Until you're ready to commit," he said. "And don't you dare run away from me. If you try, I will drag you back from wherever you went."
Sara laughed and pinched his side, making him frown at her.
"Silly Rion. Of course, I will marry you only if you can wait for a while."
She would need to make a call to her older brother so Rion could meet him soon.
He could wait. Rion was sure of that. He had waited for years to meet her, and he could wait for her as long as he was assured that they would take their road to forever together. Hand in hand, he and Sara… today, tomorrow, and forever.