I packed the last of my items and went to sit on the sofa to wait for Nathan. Finally! After 2 years, we were moving in with each other. And we could find a day where we could actually move. That lad is busier then the Prime Minister. With the touring and the appearances and breaking thousands of hearts, it was a miracle he had time to eat. I was just about to call him when I got a phone call.
"Hey babe! Before I say anything, I just want to remind you how much I love you," he said quickly.
"I don't like the sound of that... Is that the guilt talking?" I said, tiresome of the excuses that were being thrown to me.
"I'm sorry.. I know i say this all the time But I'm really sorry. I want to move. You know how excited I am but the lads really need me here and it's important. The lads know how important this is to me. They wouldn't interrupt our plans if it wasn't vital for me to be here. We have to record some parts of this song again. I'm really sorry," he said pathetically.
It took everything I had not to hang up on him. I was shaking in anger. I packed my whole flat alone because he's been busy. All he had to do was fetch me from my old flat and to our new flat. I took a deep breath, trying to clear my thoughts. You know what, maybe he wasn't ready to move in. I prayed fervently that this was the case.
"Nath, you know what. If you're not ready to move in with me, it's fine. I don't want to push you to do anything you're not ready for. We can postpone it. I've survived this long without living wiht you. I reckon I could wait a bit longer," I said as calmly as I could.
I wanted to give myself a pat on the back for keeping the disappointment, angst and heartbreak out of my voice. That was the biggest lie i'd ever told anyone. I can't wait any longer. We cannot postpone this. On the other side of the line, he stayed silent, getting me worried.
"Atiqah.. I really want to-"
"Mate, get your arse over. We really have to get started," Tom shouted in the background.
"I'll make it up, promise. I love you."
I sighed sadly as the phone went dead. Well that was nice. I stood up and went to the kitchen. I opened one of the boxes and took a spoon out. I opened my freezer and took my tub of Ben & Jerry's out. I ate it slowly and thought about whether I should unpack all my things. Ouh fuck it. I lay down on my side while eating Ben & Jerry's while I thought about life-Ouhkay I was thinking about Nathan close enough- when I felt my phone buzz. I saw that it was a text from Nath and opened it.
"And we try, and we fall and we live another day and we rise like a phoenix from the flames and it burns but it turns out golden. x"
Lyrics? From his own song? How conceited of you Mr Sykes. What was this boy on about? If he wanted ot apologise, turning up would be nice. I stared at the phone a little longer before I realised that I wasn't ready to forgive him just yet. I tossed my phone away and begin eating my ice cream. I looked up at the clock and realised only 15 minutes had passed.
I went to unpack my copy of Parade's End and began reading it. I can't belive I let him take the telly first. I'm bored out of my mind. After abouut an hour, my phone buzzed again. It was another text from him.
"I won't let you surrender and I'll heal you if you're broken. x"
I read the text over and over before realising it was a line from another TW song. I rolled my eyes and almost smiled at how cheesy he was being. Almost. I put my phone by my side and see how long he could keep this up. True enough, I got another text from him.
"Give me a chance and I'd make a permenant reservation. In your heart In your heart In your heart. x"
I rolled my eyes. This was getting painful. But despite that, I was waiting for his next text. I was such a girl.
"She is my weakness. x" I received an hour later.
Ouhkay. Time to give the boy a break. 4 hours is long enough. I picked up the phone and rang him.
"Finally! I thought you died," he said sarcastically.
"The texts were getting on my nerves. And besides you took my telly. I was thinking of reclaiming it," I said equally sarcastic.
“You don’t know how awful I feel. You know damn well I want you in my life. I just don’t even know what to say here because my schedule is just something I can’t help sometimes. I'm really upset too darling," he said sadly.
Guilt coursed through me and I felt my heart soften at his short speech. I was bing sort of selfish I guess. I mean I know what I was getting myself into when I agreed to be in a relationship with him.
"I'm sorry sweetheart. I just.. I guess I should have gotten it," I said softly.
"It's alright. Let's put this behind us. Can you come over to the new flat now?" he asked.
"Yeah alright. Be there in a few," I said, hanging up.
I quickly went to my car and drove to the new flat, leaving all my things behind. I wonder why he wanted me over. I mean if he wanted me to move it, he should have come over ot help me carry my things. I was about to get out of the car when I saw my reflection in the mirror. I hastily tried to fix my hair but it was matted from the hours of lying down. I grumbled and quickly applied some lip gloss. I sighed and got out of the car.
I saw him leaning against a post at the porch with his hair tousled under his superman cap. I smiled and walked up to him, feeling self conscious. Whatever insecurities I had disappeared when I saw him looking at me. His face lit up like he was seeing me for the first time. He looked at me for such adoration that I wanted so much to run up to him and just stay in his arms forever. Which was exactly what I did,
"Hey there beautiful," he whispered in my ear, his warm breath tickling my ear.
I looked up at him and he leaned down to kiss me softly. This was probably the millionth time he kissed me but the butterflies in my stomach are still very much alive and my heart still palpitated like mental every time our lips touched.
"I'm forgiven then?" he said hopefully.
"I don't know," I shrugged, pulling away, smiling teasingly..
He suddenly went behind me and covered my eyes. I started to protest but he told me to trust him. I relaxed and just let him guide me. I heard him open the door and slowly stepped over the threshold.I was greeted by the smell of vanilla scented candles and roses.
"Sit down slowly," he said softly as he gently guided me down to a sofa I never knew we had.
"Open your eyes," he whispered.
I opened my eyes slowly and looked around to see that the living room was littered with rose petals and was dimly litted by candles that were placed all around the living room. I looked in front of me to see Nathan down on one knee with a ring I've seen on his mother's finger before.
"Atiqah, I love you. I can't imagine living my life without you. When I wake up, you're the first thing on my mind. You are my last thought before I go to sleep. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you and spoiling you and giving you everything you want. Would you please give me the honour of having your hand in marriage?" he asked.
My heart stopped for a moment. My mind was reeling as I tried to soak in what was happening in front of me. My mouth went dry and tears were pouring down my face. The hand that was holding his was shaking and my other hand covered my mouth. Is this real? Is Nathan James Sykes really on his knees, asking me to marry him? I looked from the ring into his eyes. His blue-green eyes were probing deep into my soul.
I cradled his face and whispered, "yes."
