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Neil's POV :
"Hey, let's cut the cake?" - she asks.
Her voice sounds like a distant call to me over the loud noise of the cruise. Nonetheless, I turn to my side as I smile at her. My fiancée. She smiles back as her hand comes to rest on my cheek, stroking it gently.
"I hope you like the arrangements. Its been so long that you had taken a vacation. So, I just thought that your birthday will be the perfect excuse for a weekend getaway. Mom & Dad also look so happy." - she speaks softly. I like her voice, its calming.
I only smile as I put a kiss on her forehead and she wraps her arms around me. My heart picks up speed and breathing turns heavy but she rubs her hands on my back in gentle motions.
"Breathe, Neil. Keep inhaling. Please!" - she whispers in my ears. I find it hard to oblige but try anyways.
"It looks like it will rain!" - I say.
"We can go inside." - she assures, never stopping to rub her hands across my back.
She'd turn the rain to a rainbow
When I was living in the blue!
My pulse returns to normal and I pull back from the hug, she lets go reluctantly.
"I'm sorry, I was just..." - I fail to put my feelings into words.
"Its alright, you don't have to explain!" - she smiles but that doesn't feel right. It almost feels like I'm robbing her of her rights.
"I just don't like rains!" - I shrug my shoulders as I tell her the fact for a millionth time.
"Neither do I. Stupid sticky weather!" - she smiles, effortlessly pulling a smile out of me. I shake my head in light laughter.
"You always have something to comfort me, don't you?" - I smile.
"Well, a girl gotta protect what she loves!" - she gives me a goofy grin and a soft chuckle escapes my throat.
We stay quiet for a while, standing side by side as we stare at the ocean. She had planned a cruise trip for my birthday, well aware that I literally could make no time to meet my family & close friends on regular workdays. Sometimes, I feel like she deserves someone so much better, someone who will give as much as he takes from this relationship. But I am selfish.
"Do you think Mom & Dad feel disappointed in me? I feel like I don't give them enough time!" - I ponder, secretly looking for her assurance.
