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IBC WC: Contestant #18

Contest #18

Title of Story: Tragic 214

Wattpad Username: aryanugh_

Genre: Romance

Theme: There's always a rainbow after the rain.

"Happy Two One Four Day, love." River's thin pink lips curved into a sweet smile as he stretched his unmuscled arms out wide in front of me, as if he was expecting me to answer him a hug.

My heart seemed to melt in joy when I heard that sweet greetings from my husband. Yes, it was our Two One Four Day-the date for Valentine's and our 5th wedding anniversary. This day served as a one-year addition to our simple married life.

I just came home from the publishing house. I was tired from our five-hour novel editing. Though exhausted, bliss seemed to rule my system as I saw my husband standing at the open door of our house, with a sincere smile plastered on his face. He was probably waiting for me.

Because of sudden happiness, a playful idea suddenly popped up on my mind. It was time to do a little prank for my husband.

I crossed my arms and raised one eyebrow. "Didn't you buy me flowers?" I asked, trying not to burst out into laughter.

Regret suddenly crossed my husband's smoky grey eyes. "I'm sorry for being a loser and sick. I couldn't even buy you one bouquet for our special day. If I could just go out, I would. But..." He heaved a deep sigh and continued, "Unfortunately, I can't."

I could hear the sadness in his voice. And that didn't make me feel good at all. It made me feel guilty for my careless mouth.

To give him comfort, I threw myself against River's body. "Don't overthink about it, love. I was just copying my heroine's character. Besides, you are more than enough for me."

With the great speed of my heartbeat, I managed to wrap my arms around his waist. We both locked our bodies into a tight embrace. It was easy for me to rest my head above his left chest since he stood tall with a height of 6'1. And I was just a five footer, voluptuous wife with a flowing raven hair.

"I know, love. You've been saying that a lot lately," River sounded hoarse as he whispered those words. "But I couldn't help but feel sorry about being your husband. I couldn't give you the best of everything. I couldn't give you a child. I could't even hand you a single flower from our neighbor's garden. I am a worthless husband."

I felt my heart crumpled when I heard him sigh again-for the nth time. It was, I guess, a sound of disappointment and pain.

"Dear husband," I gently pushed River as I released myself from our tight hug. "It's not about what you can give. It's about what you can offer."

"You do know how to be deeply poetic at times, love." He chuckled a bit and pinched my nose, making me squirm. "It's hard to digest your words on my mind especially now that my head's aching a lot."

Worry started to creep up on my system because of what I've heard. My forehead were meeting halfway. "Haven't you drink your medicine? I reminded you this morning to drink those tablets I prepared for you."

"I'll drink it later." He held my hand and squeezed it gently. "But before that, can you elaborate what you have just said, love?"

"No way! It would be a long explanation," I playfully whined. "But to make it short and simple," I paused and snaked my arms around River's neck. "I will just say I love you. And I mean it, forever and always."