Unfated Lovers

Chapter 16: The Proposal on a Special Occasion

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the city, Yumi stood in Hana's cozy kitchen, her heart racing with excitement. Today was a special day—Hana's birthday—and Yumi wanted to make it unforgettable. After their heartfelt reunion, Yumi felt inspired and determined to lift Hana's spirits, reminding her of the love that blossomed between them.

Yumi had planned everything meticulously, despite the fatigue creeping into her bones. She had enlisted the help of their closest friends to transform Hana's home into a festive wonderland. Colorful balloons floated above the dining table, and fairy lights twinkled like stars, illuminating the space with a soft, romantic glow. A homemade banner hung across the wall, proclaiming "Happy Birthday, Hana!" in cheerful letters.

As she carefully arranged the fresh flowers she had picked that morning, Yumi couldn't help but smile at the thought of Hana's reaction. She imagined the look of surprise on Hana's face when she walked through the door, her eyes widening in disbelief. Yumi wanted to create a moment that would encapsulate their love, a moment that would symbolize their commitment to one another.

"Are you ready, Yumi?" A familiar voice broke her thoughts. It was Soojin, Yumi's math teacher and a close colleague of Hana's, who had generously offered her assistance for the surprise.

"Almost! Just a few more touches!" Yumi replied, adjusting a vase filled with vibrant daisies on the table. "Hana should be home any minute."

Soojin grinned, glancing around at the festive decorations. "This looks amazing! I can't wait to see her reaction. And it's great to see you so happy again."

Just then, the door creaked open, and Yumi's heart raced as she heard Hana's voice. "I'm home! Is anyone here?"

"Surprise!" the room erupted in unison as the lights flicked on, and all their friends jumped from their hiding places.

Hana stood frozen at the threshold, her eyes wide with shock and delight. "What is all this?" she asked, laughter bubbling up from within her. Her gaze darted around the room, taking in the decorations, the cake, and the love radiating from their friends.

"It's a surprise birthday party just for you!" Yumi exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. She stepped forward, pulling Hana into a warm embrace. "Happy birthday, Hana!"

"Thank you! This is incredible!" Hana beamed, her smile lighting up the room. Yumi felt a rush of warmth in her chest, knowing she had succeeded in bringing a smile to Hana's face.

As the party unfolded, laughter echoed through the house, and the atmosphere was filled with love and camaraderie. Alongside Soojin, Joey—Yumi's supportive classmate who had been a confidant during the ups and downs of their relationship—joined in the festivities, keeping the energy high. A few of Yumi's other classmates, who knew about Yumi and Hana's relationship, had also come to celebrate, making the gathering feel even more special.

They played games, shared stories, and relished the delicious food Yumi had prepared. The highlight of the evening was when Joey, ever the entertainer, took it upon himself to lead a group karaoke session, filling the room with laughter as everyone attempted to out-sing one another. Amid the joyful chaos, Yumi took a moment to step back and observe Hana as she chatted animatedly with their friends, her laughter like music in the air.

As the clock ticked closer to the cake-cutting, Yumi felt a surge of determination wash over her. She had planned to do something special for Hana, something that would solidify their renewed connection. Taking a deep breath, she glanced around the room, gathering her thoughts for the moment she had been waiting for.

When the time came to cut the cake, Yumi stood beside Hana, who had a delighted grin plastered across her face. The candles flickered gently, and their friends began to sing "Happy Birthday," the joyful melody wrapping around them like a warm embrace.

"Make a wish!" Yumi urged, squeezing Hana's hand as they shared a knowing look. Hana closed her eyes, and for a moment, the room fell silent, anticipation hanging in the air.

When Hana opened her eyes, she leaned in to blow out the candles, and the room erupted in cheers. Yumi felt her heart swell with affection as she clapped along with their friends, her thoughts racing. Now was the moment to take the leap.

"Okay, everyone, can I have your attention, please?" Yumi called, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest. The room quieted, and all eyes turned to her, curiosity etched on their faces.

Hana looked at her with a mixture of surprise and intrigue. "What's going on?"

Yumi stepped forward, her heart pounding as she gazed into Hana's eyes. "Hana, these past few weeks have reminded me of how important you are to me and how much I love you. I've realized that no matter what challenges we face, I want to build a future together."

Hana's breath hitched, her eyes glistening with emotion.

Yumi took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "I want to share my life with you, to support each other through everything. So, on this special day, I want to ask you..." She reached into her pocket, pulling out a small, delicate ring that sparkled in the warm light. "Will you marry me?"

The room fell into a stunned silence, and Yumi held her breath, her heart racing as she awaited Hana's response. But just as Hana opened her mouth to reply, Yumi felt a sudden wave of dizziness wash over her. The world around her blurred, the sounds of laughter and celebration fading into a muffled haze.

"Yumi? Are you okay?" Soojin asked, her voice edged with concern, but Yumi could barely register it.

Before she could respond, darkness enveloped her, and she felt herself collapsing. The ring slipped from her fingers, clattering to the ground as everything around her spiraled away.

"Yumi!" she heard someone shout, but it felt distant and surreal, like she was trapped in a dream.

In a whirlwind of confusion and fear, Yumi fell to the floor, the warmth of the room replaced by an icy grip. The last thing she remembered was Hana's panicked voice calling her name, a mixture of love and terror piercing through the haze.

As Yumi lay on the ground, surrounded by concerned friends, Hana knelt beside her, her heart racing with panic. "Yumi! Please wake up!" Tears streamed down her cheeks as she desperately held Yumi's hand, fear gripping her heart.

The celebration that had once been filled with laughter and joy had now turned into chaos, the sound of panic echoing around them. Joey, who had been enjoying the party moments ago, rushed to Yumi's side, his face pale with worry. "What happened? Is she okay?"

Soojin checked Yumi's pulse, her expression serious. "Someone call for help! We need to get her medical attention right now!"

And as darkness enveloped Yumi, leaving her in a state of uncertainty, Hana realized that the moment of their reconnection had transformed into a fight for Yumi's life. The atmosphere heavy in the air, the uncertainty of what lay ahead looming ominously as they faced the unknown together.