Park bench (DISCONTINUED)

Reunited With You

Chapter 22

DALIA

AFTER Fabian had left, Joshua didn't waste a second to lift me up and swing me around, hugging me tighter each swing we took.

He finally places me down on to my feet- thank god- and he began chatting about his trip to Hong Kong.

Two years ago, Joshua had left because he was given a chance to teach at Hong Kong. Joshua is a teacher teaching older kids and he was given the chance to teach there, permanently.

He had asked me to go with him and I had declined. I told him about the bookstore I had and my friends and family. I was also secretly hanging on the hope that Fabian would come and finally decide to visit which was the main reason I didn't go.

So, I couldn't hold him back from taking this amazing opportunity and we both had a mutual decision to end things. I hadn't spoken to him for two years and now he's back to which I'm confused about.

"So Josh, what are you doing here?" I ask him once again. He laughs and grabs my hand, rubbing circles on it.

"I already told you. I'm back for good now"

"Yeah but... why?"

"Lia, I can't explain to you how much I've missed you. And it's true what they say, absence does make the heart grow fonder. And it made me realise how much I missed you and what you mean to me. I realised, that I love you and I guess I always have. So, I had to come back and tell you and also, do this" he all of a sudden goes on one of his knees and takes out a velvet box. My eyes go wide. This isn't happening right now. What the... "Dalia Grey, will you do me the honour, and be my wife? Will you marry me?" My mouth hangs open. My mouth has gone dry and I'm officially speechless, for the first time in forever.

"I- ur-erm. W-what, now?" I stutter, unable to form a correct sentence. His smile never wavers.

"Will you marry me?" He asks again, more confidently. I won't lie but when we were together, I had always dreamt of this day. The day where he'd go down on one knee and ask for my hand in marriage. I would have said yes within a blink of an eye. But... why not now? Why am I hesitant in taking this leap with Joshua? I did love him. God only knows if I still do but... that was then and this is now. Do I still see a future with him now?

I smile at him and take ahold of his arm and stand him up. He frowns and I closes the lid to the box and stands up to his full height, towering over me. If I didn't really know Joshua as a kind person who wouldn't hurt a fly, I would be seriously intimidated by his height. I'm pretty sure he's taller than Fabian.

"Josh, you just got back" I chuckle, trying to lighten the atmosphere but he wasn't having it.
Tough crowd. "I-I don't know what I'm feeling. This is all so sudden."

"You're right. Sleep on it. I've got time. You don't have to decide now or tomorrow. Take the time you need but obviously, not too long you know" he chuckles deeply and I smile. "You're worth all the time in the world" he tells me seriously. My eyes widen and my heart quickens. He steps closer and I don't back away. Cupping the side of my face, he leans down, his lips hovering above mine. "I want to try something" he whispers. His strawberry flavoured gum breath fans my face, making me salivate. I unconsciously nod my head. Why? I don't even know myself. Maybe I just wanted to feel his lips again. Maybe I'm just needing a distraction to take me away from reality so I can think about my situation.

But the more I think about it, there isn't a situation. Fabian already told me he doesn't want me because he still loves Natalia so why can't I try to move on?