JUST ONE MORE CHANCE

chapter 12

FREEN'S POV

Gosh! How gorgeous she is tonight!

God knows how hard I'm trying not to kiss her right now and here. But I don't wanna freak her out. I should behave like a gentle-woman.

She is now eating her favourite cherry chocolate ice-cream and her lips got messy. So I wiped it with my thumb and she smiled at me shyly.

Awwwww......so cute!

After finishing our dinner and paying the bill, we came out of the restaurant.

"There is a lake and a nearby park here. Would you like to go for a walk?" I asked her, trying to sound as gentle as possible.

"Yeah sure." She smiled.

"Okay. Please wait a minute. Let me grab my jacket first." I said and walked to my car to take my jacket and came back. I put it on and intertwined our hands. Then we started walking towards the lake.

The night has draped itself over the lake, the sky is speckling with countless stars. The moon is hanging low, casting it's silver glow across the water, making the lake shimmer as if it were made of liquid light. The only sounds are the quite rustling of the trees and soft crunch of the leaves under our foot as I walk beside her.

My heart is racing with every step. My thoughts are circling back to the small box tucked into my pocket.

I couldn't stop looking at her. The way the moon light catches the edges of her face. The way her eyes shine under the stars. She has no idea what I'm planning, no clue that this walk will change everything. I had rehearsed the words a hundred times in my mind but I feel like I forget everything. All I know is that it has to happen tonight. This is the right moment.

She sighed, looking up at the sky. "I'll never get tired of this view." She said in a soft voice. "The moon, the stars, the lake, the weather, everything is perfect."

"Yeah." My voice thick with tension and nervousness. "It's perfect."

I stopped walking and faced her. She looked at me confusedly. I smiled nervously, trying to keep my voice steady. "There is something I need to tell you. Something I've been wanting to say for a while."

She frowned but there is a softness in her gaze. "Okay. I'm listening."

I held both of her hands and caressed them softly, "You've always been my best friend. From the day we met, you've been the closest person to my heart. And somehow along the way, I realised that you're also the person I want to spend my everyday with."

Her eyes widened, her lips parted in surprise but she didn't say anything, waiting for me to continue.

"I didn't want to rush all of this." My voice is tumbling but soft and gentle."But I also don't want to wait anymore. I don't want to regret for not being able to tell you. At first I didn't understand what I was feeling. It was all new and strange to me. But I found myself drowning deeper into this feeling. It was overwhelming me. And thank God I realised it before it's too late." Now I'm getting really emotional and her eyes are also getting teary.

"I feel so happy and peaceful whenever I'm around you. And I want to spend my life making you as happy as you've made me." I said with a shaky voice as I let go of her hands.

I knelt down in front of her as I pulled out the box from my jacket with shaky hands and opened it. The ring inside glimmered in the moonlight. I looked up at her, my heart is beating very fast. I feel like it will come out of my chest anytime.

"Rebecca Patricia Armstrong, I love you with all my heart. And I want to continue loving you for the rest of my life. So will you be my girlfriend?" I said letting my tears fall.

Her tears are rolling down as well. But she is not saying anything. It's like she is shocked and speechless. Now tension is building up in me. I'm still on my knees and my hands are shaking.

"Please don't say no. Please Bec." Now I'm begging her.

Suddenly she jumped on me and I fall on my back. She is on top of me, hugging me tightly. "Yes, yes Freen! A million times of yes. I'll be your girlfriend." She said excitedly and we both screamed and started crying in joy, in the same position.

After a few minutes, we both stood up. And I dried her tears. I took her left hand and put the ring on her ring finger and kissed her hand softly. Then I pulled her in for a soft kiss, pouring all my emotions into it.

After a few seconds, we broke the kiss. She looked at me lovingly and said, "You have no idea how long I was waiting for this moment. I love you so much Freen. I have been in love with you for years but I wasn't brave enough to tell you. I never thought you also feel the same for me. I wasted so much time hiding my feelings but I'm really glad that we are here today. I'm glad I can freely express my feelings to you now." Her eyes are welling up again.

So I wiped away her tears and said,"I'm so sorry for realising my feelings so late. But we are together now, my love. And I'll never let you go. I promise." I smiled at her assuringly and she smiled back.
Then I hugged her again. And we stayed like that for a long time under the sky. The moon, the stars, the lake everything is witnessing our love.

_____

We are in front of her house now. And it's time for me to go home.

"I don't want to go home" I said hugging her.

"And I don't want you to go. Please stay here for tonight." She said gently.

"Sorry love. I have to go. But I'll stay with you next time." I said, parting us. But she is pouting.

Awwwww my poor heart. How can I handle this much cuteness!!!??

So I cupped her cheeks and gave her a peck on her lips. "Awww don't be a pouty baby now. We will see each other tomorrow right?"

"Umm but I'll still miss you." She said with puppy eyes.

"I'll miss you too. But I have to go now. It's getting late. So smile please." I said trying to make her smile.

"Okay okay. Bye! Good night baby." She said smiling sweetly.

"Good night my love. Sleep well and take care of yourself." I said and got into my car. I waved at her for one last time and drove off.

To be continued.....