WHEN LOVE BECKONS

Engaged

Rose POV

His beautiful brown eyes met mine and I could feel the sincerity in those liquid irises. I knew he meant it. But was I ready for it yet? I honestly didn't know.

He took my hand and placed it on his chest. I looked at him amazed.

"Well," he said, " Don't you love me? Didn't you promise to love me forever? Are you backing out of your promise Roza?Answer me." There was so much fierceness in his eyes that I felt so vulnerable under his gaze. I felt that I was losing myself.

"I won't betray you or hurt you ever again. Believe me. Roza, if you are not ready, I can wait, I can wait forever for you if you want. But Rose...I am telling because I want us to get together before I leave."

I knew he was determined to go ahead, to take this relationship to a whole new level. I swallowed. This was going to be the biggest decision of my life. Why was it so tough?

I love Dimitri and he loves me. Life has taken it's trials on us, but our relationship has grown and blossomed over the years. Nothing could suppress our love now. Then why was I afraid? What was making me dither? I didn't have any answer.

"It's your Dimitri, It's the badass Russian God you admire and love and who is more precious to you than life itself," I told myself.

I steeled my resolve. I had to admit it once and for all. We were destined to be together.

Could he see the dilemma in my eyes ? Did he know what I was feeling?

I bet he knew even before I found out myself. He loves me with all his heart and I believe him as he speaks nothing but the truth. Still I couldn't gather enough courage even after he made the offer.

I could see hurt in his eyes as he stood up from the sofa in my room, "Fine, See you again. If this mission is successful..."

An uncomfortable silence fell across the room. And we stared into each other's eyes and sizing up one -another, he sighed dejectedly and moved towards the open door to go away.

My heart skipped a beat, some voice inside of me shouted, "What are you doing Rose? You are letting him go back? Did you realise how much you hurt him? You turned down his offer? Oh why can't you be bold enough to declare your love too. Why can't you be bold enough to accept his proposal."

Something stirred in my heart. The prick of conscience.

"Dimitri," I screamed, running up to him and slammed the door in the flash of a second. He looked impressed at my speed and agility. Putting my back to the door, I looked back up at him, towering and authoritative.

Some funny sensation in my stomach reminded me that it was Dimitri and I together, alone. I was trying hard to hold onto myself and I was at the point of breaking.

He looked questioningly at me. "Have you taken the decision yet?"

I felt a lump in my throat. I was ready to be united to him. I was ready to tie the knot. I was ready to be his forsaking all others for the rest of my life.

"Yes. I did," I said.

"And?...."

"My answer is yes."

He scooped me up from the ground and kissed me frantically.

"I knew it, I knew it. YA lyublyu tebya," he continued smiling. It had been since I had seen so beautiful a smile on his face. It brought tears to my eyes.

As my eyes moistioned up, tears threatening to spill, I felt Dimitri's reassuring hands on my shoulder as he accompanied me to the couch.

As he sat down beside me he fumbled in his pocket and took out a beautiful blue velvet box.

When he opened it, I was amazed to see the most beautiful engagement ring ever. It was platinum with a lovely white diamond, guarded by beautiful blue sapphires, ornately carved. I could only gaze at it's ethereal beauty.

Tears flowed freely as I saw him kneel down before me on one knee in a grand manner, like a knight in armour.

"Rosemarie Hathaway, Will you marry me?"

The voice melted my heart once again. I choked on the word, "Yes."

He gently lifted my hand, caressing my fingers with his rough, calloused ones. Then he brought my hand to his lips and kissed it, one finger at a time and then touched his lips to my palm.

A shock of electricity ran through me. Even after owning him for a long time, his kisses never fail to raise the desire in me for more.

Gently he slipped the token of our love on the ring finger of my hand and no more words were necessary as I broke down completely. I buried my face in his chest. I felt so relieved then. A huge burden had descended from my chest. I had him forever now.

"Roza," he said, "So this is it. I want you to be mine before I go. The bond of love will bring me back from this danger, safe. And if I don't return..."

"Shh...Don't say it," I covered his mouth with my hand, "Why are you saying this as if you won't come back. You have to. For me. You have to come back to claim me..." Tears threatened to spill again.

"Roza, it's the truth, without the sugar pill and you know it. Our life is dedicated to protecting the Moroi. We don't matter when they come in. And when it's something with Strigoi you never know what may happen." A tear leaked out of the corner of my eye.

Dimitri gently wiped it away, those beautiful hands, the perfect smile. "No I said. You promised to take me along if I agree to marry you. We are together in life and death, Dimitri, we will be together forever . I was hearing no arguments about this. I will go on this mission. And yes that's final. I shall hear no more arguments."

I looked up at his face. I saw his eyes glaze and liquid diamond shone in the corner of those chocolate brown eyes, which captivated my heart. Dimitri was crying too. My hero, my idol was crying.

Was this mission that dangerous ? I had no idea.

Dimitri crying was the last thing I wanted to see on the happiest day of you life. But I guess life gives us happiness with sorrow and pain with joy.

My tears were unbounded, he tried to laugh between the tears, "Ah my silly Rose," he said his voice thick, "Why are you crying? I'm here and you just got engaged."

"Why are you crying comrade? I heard that girls cry at their wedding!" My usual Rose Hathaway quip.

He wiped away the tears fiercely and forced a smile. I reached up on my toes and as his lips touched mine the whole world around us was forgotten. We lost track of where we were. It was the sweetest kiss ever.

When he drew back, my lips were moist and felt like they were newly born. I felt that desire burn in every nerve of my body. Just six more days to go. I told myself to calm down. I was hyperventilating.

"That was my first ever legal kiss," I remarked.

"Not until we get married, this is not legal,"He gave me one of his beautiful , mischievous smiles.

I felt like I wanted to melt in the warmth of that smile and discover the meaning of true love. No words were necessary as we stood in that position losing ourselves in the warmth of the other.

And another love story was supposed to have a happy ending...or was it?