The Bamboo Forest

Twenty Four.

"Come on! I still want to show you something!" He pulled her hand, and together, they ran up the hill until they reached the steep cliff. He took two steps forward. She took one step back. Two steps forward again. One step back. This continued until they reached the edge and sat down slowly, careful not to fall over. The girl shut her eyes tightly, afraid to look down. She was never a big fan of heights.

The girl had long matured into a young woman. Gone were the clumsy limbs, she now carried an aura of elegance around her. Her long, raven hair flowed behind her as the wind picked up, the feeling of coolness on her face. Her lips curled into a small smile. It was very small, but still there. Her large doe eyes has since narrowed as she grew up, now hidden behind thick, long eyelashes.

"Open your eyes, my Cinderella," he encouraged softly. "You are going to miss the sunset if you don't."

"Sunset?" She opened her eyes immediately, just in time to see the brilliant hues of red, orange and yellow of the sun light up the horizon. "This is...amazing." She turned to him, her eyes widening in amazement. He smiled at her, his eyes shining with love.

He had matured too, into a fine, young gentleman. There was a hint of stubble on his chin and his cheeks have lost their chubbiness to show his unusually high cheekbones. His playful blue eyes became more serious, though the sparkle was still there. His dark brown hair had been smoothened and shortened, no longer like the teenager with untamable hair that sometimes resembled a bird nest.

He stood up, helped her up and walked towards a picnic set up in the bamboo forest. "Did you do this?" she asked him, her breath taken away by the wide variety of food in front of her. He merely nodded. "Try the bread I made." He held out a piece of bread to her and she took it. Taking a few bites, she suddenly bit into something hard. Taking it out, she realised that it was a ring.

He took it from her, got down on one knee and said, "This is probably too cliche for your taste but," he looked up at her with hopeful eyes, "will you marry me?"

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Haven't updated in so long. Phew.