A Lost Object [h.s]

Chapter 68

Aurora

"We are going to find it Aurora. Don't worry."

I wasn't worried. I was upset. I was in disbelief. I was furious. But most of all I was sad. Sad that I no longer have my ring. My finger felt bare. It felt wrong to be without it. It also felt like betrayal.

"We have been to every pawn shop in Cambridge Odyssey. Where else can we possibly look?"

"We can drive down to Boston and check the shops there"

I shook my head no "she couldn't have gone that far in the matter of twenty minutes to an hour."

"What do you want to do then?"

"Let's just go home please." I didn't want to give up, but it was my only option at this point. We have spent two hours going around to every pawn shop and jewelry store asking around if anybody bought my ring. We searched long and hard, but to no avail. I was disappointed. Especially in myself for even parting with it in the first place. I have never taken off my ring, that was my first mistake. Taking it off.

It was time to let it go. Letting go was going to be the hardest part of it all, but it was time.

"Are you sure Aurora?"

"I'm sure."

•

I sat in the bathtub, my knees pressed to my chest and my head resting on my hand. I stared off into nothing, moving around the bubbles. I felt numb. All the sensation left my body and I was no longer immobile no matter how hard I tried. The bathroom door creaks open, catching me by surprise. I sat up, quickly wiping away my tears with water.

Harry closed the bathroom door, locking it then kicking off his shoes. I slid myself under the water, in hopes the bubbles would cover me up, "What are you doing?"

"I could use a bath. If you don't mind company." I stared at him uncertain of how to respond. I nodded once, turning around as well to let him get undressed. The sound of water indicated that Harry was now in the bath. I turned around to look at him once more. He gazed back at me, silently.

After sitting in minutes of silence, Harry spoke up, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine." Harry reached over to grab my hand. He entwined or fingers, pulling me closer to him.

"Can we talk?"

"What about?" I asked him.

He looked down at our linked fingers and I did as well. My hand fit perfectly in his like it was meant to be. Harry squeezed my hand before looking up at me again. "About the wedding. Our plans after the wedding I should say. I know you have heard enough about the wedding these past months from your mother, but we never actually got to talk, just the two of us, about what we plan to do after the wedding. No one is mentioning anything about it so I suggest we talk it out now."

"I don't know what the plans are after the wedding Harry. I haven't thought that far out, what did you have planned?"

"I don't know as well." Silence overtook us once more. Harry's hand left mine. He proceed to play with the bubbles instead. I watched as he did. His head hanging low with his long, currently wet locks covering his face. I studied Harry for a long time, trying to figure him out. Ever since I met him I have never been able to read him, not like he can me. I had a lot of questions for him, but there was never a right way or right time to ask. 

"Do you want to marry me?"

His body stiffened, but he didn't move from his position when I asked the question. I waited for him to respond. Giving him time to think about it. Although, if he needed to think about it I already had my answer. Harry stopping moving around the bubbles, scooting closer to me. His legs intertwined with mine. He brought up his hands once again placing them on my shoulders.

"I do. I want to marry you." I wanted to believe his words. I badly wanted to believe those words were true, but I knew they weren't. It was obvious Harry didn't want to marry me, he was obligated to say this. I leaned towards him, resting my hands on his face and pressing my forehand against his. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I leaned in even closer and pressed my lips against his.

I brought my hands to hold the back of his head, as I disconnected our lips and proceeded to press my forehead against his. "I like you Harry. A lot. I had a lot of doubts about us and this marriage, but I believe we can make it work. I want to believe that we can turn this arranged marriage into something more. Something other than just an arranged marriage. If we try. I need you to be honest with me. Do you really want to marry me? If not please let me know right now, I need to know the truth so I know what to expect once the wedding is over and we begin our life together."

Harry closed the gap between us, lowering his lip to mine before fully attacking my lips. "I like you too. A lot, but I don't think we can get past the fact that this thing between you and I is just an arranged marriage. That's all it'll ever be, nothing is going to change that."

It pained to hear him say that, but it was the truth. If Harry didn't want to try and make this marriage have more meaning to it then yes, all it will ever be is an arraigned marriage. Something we were forced into. A marriage and a life that was completely out of our control.   

I detached myself from him and pushed back to my spot in the bath tub. Harry did the same, leaning his back against the tub. I continued on what I was doing before, playing with the bubbles. "Have you ever been in love?"

He didn't answer. I was almost certain he wasn't going to as well. I decided to ask another question instead.

"Who is Priscilla?"

"Who gave you the ring?"