flicker of flame|| KTH X JJK

3. Vow of love

"It's already 6:00 p.m... What would you like to eat?" Vyn asked gently, but Fathima was lost in thought, her mind drifting to Lena.

Lena, with her hidden talent, worked at "Bit Gallery," creating art under an alias. Tomorrow, Fathima would be heading back to India, leaving her concerned about how Lena would manage with her injury.

Vyn lightly tapped the table, snapping Fathima out of her thoughts. As she looked up, he could easily read the worry in her eyes. "She'll be fine. It's just a small injury. Don't worry," he reassured her, taking her hand in his.

His words, his gaze, and the warmth of his touch made her flush. Vyn chuckled softly. "This place, the weather... and your cheeks—they go together perfectly. Like the sun kissing the ocean," he remarked with a smile, causing her heart to skip a beat.

"What did he just say?" she wondered, suddenly feeling self-conscious. She lowered her head and covered her face with her hands, trying to hide her embarrassment.

"What do you want to eat now?" Vyn asked, his tone gentle. Fathima scanned the menu and finally ordered kimbap and some lime juice.

Noticing the slight widening of his eyes, she quickly added, "I’m sorry." She bowed her head slightly, "I’ve been thinking about Lena, so I really don’t have much of an appetite. But you brought me here, and I didn’t want to disappoint you. That’s why... But I will eat.
Vyn smiled warmly. "How similar we are," he remarked. "I also can’t eat when my members are hurt."

Fathima returned his smile, feeling a sense of comfort in their shared empathy. They both waited quietly for their food, the ambiance of the restaurant soothing in its simplicity. The classic decor was complemented by the freshness of the surrounding greenery, and their table was situated beside a small cluster of flowers, adding a delicate fragrance to the air.

A waitress approached, placing a vase of yellow tulips on the table before taking their orders. The cheerful yellow blooms seemed to brighten the atmosphere even more, making the moment feel a little lighter despite the concerns lingering in Fathima's mind.

You still haven’t replied," Vyn said before taking a bite of his food. Fathima looked at him, her eyes scanning him from top to bottom as she sipped her juice.

Vyn called for the waiter and ordered more food—tteokbokki, fried chicken, and cola.

A few minutes earlier, Fathima had reassured him, "She’ll be okay, Vyn-ssi. Don’t worry, Lena’s strong. Nothing will happen to her." She smiled softly, trying to ease his concern.

In response, Vyn gently took her hand and called her name in a husky, honeyed voice, "Fathi..." The sound of his voice was warm, comforting, and yet it sent a shiver through her, causing her heart to race uncontrollably. Her skin seemed to tingle with the anticipation of his next words.

"Huh?" she turned to him, her big brown eyes blinking with curiosity, her long lashes adding to the magnetic pull he felt.

Vyn was lost in his thoughts. "What is it about this look?" he wondered. "Why do I love seeing her eyes? I’ve met so many people in this industry, traveled to countless places, but with her, I feel different. I feel... human, in a way I haven't felt in a long time. Every time I see her, my heart beats faster. It tells me to take on all her problems, to share in her happiness, to make her mine."

Fathima tilted her head slightly, sensing his distraction. "Vyn-ssi, you called me, but you’ve been quiet for a while. Is everything okay?" Her innocent gaze met his, and he couldn’t help but smile.

Without saying a word, he squeezed her hand a little tighter, as if to say everything he couldn't put into words.

"Fathi... I’m going to tell you something that might make you both happy and shocked. But if I miss this chance, I may never be able to say it," Vyn began, his voice steady but his heart racing.

He gently took her hand and placed it on his chest.
Fathima's thoughts began to spiral. "What? He’s going to tell me something? What could it be? Why is he holding my hand so tightly? But... it doesn’t hurt—it feels warm. But my heart is racing faster and faster. Oh God, what is he doing right now? Why did he put my hand on his chest? Why is his heartbeat faster than mine?"

Vyn, meanwhile, was lost in his own thoughts. "If I miss this moment, I might never find another girl like her. But what will she think if I say what I’m thinking? We’ve only known each other for a day... Will she even consider accepting me?"

He looked at her, taking in her curious and confused gaze, her flushed cheeks, her plump lips, and her glowing skin bathed in the warm evening light.

With a deep breath, Vyn finally spoke the words he'd been holding back. "Fathi... You deserve to know."

"Huh?" Her eyes widened as she tried to process what he was saying.

"I've loved you since the moment I first laid my eyes on you," Vyn confessed, his heart racing. Fathima was still processing his words, her gaze fixed on his lips, waiting for what he would say next.

He held her hand tightly, the one resting on his chest. "Please, just listen. Don't say anything yet," he pleaded, his heart pounding even harder than he had expected. His cheeks flushed, and his brown eyes softened as they melted into her warm gaze.

"Fathi... We've just met, and yet it feels like we've known each other for a lifetime. I don’t want to wait any longer… I… I want to marry you." He finally released the breath he had been holding.