FINAL Chapter 5: Could this be LOVE?

After doing all the formalities at home in terms of seeking permission, and promising that we won’t be late at night, also that we don’t drink any alcohol so as to drive back home safely etc. etc. etc., we finally moved out of home towards John’s car which was parked in the parking area of my home. John, as any gentleman, opened the front seat door of his car for me, I comfortably sat in and he closed the door gently and finally moved to the driver seat of his car. He drove just at the speed of 40-45 km per hour, which was not normal for him to drive at. Usually he drives faster than normal and tries to reach before time everywhere. But today, he was looking little worried, as if something was going on his mind due to which he was unable to concentrate on driving or intentionally he wants to be slow to reach. I didn't know the reason nor I asked, neither he shared. But there was something going on for sure.

We reached the location after some 30 minutes of drive. He has already a table booked for two. The location of the booked area was such that we seems to be out of the sight of everyone and also that the world around us has ceased to exit. It was a lovely atmosphere and everything was already set in place as per John’s instructions. We sat facing each other. I only started talking by posing a casual question about his life. To which he answered that till this hour everything is same and normal and may be after some minutes, this normalcy transforms to something else. To this answer of his, I had no reaction to give. I myself was clueless about what he is saying so I did not even asked for clarifications as I also wanted to avoid anything abnormal.

By this time, the first serving, of the total order already placed by him, of soup was made on our table. To my surprise, it was my favorite soup which I always enjoy to have, no matter what the occasion is or the time of the meal is. I am sure John must have pre fixed everything. While sipping the soup, John stated saying something. He asked me about what I felt when dad posed his wish of getting me married to him. To this I said that initially I had no such plans in my life ever and moreover since we were fighting all the time prior to his wish, so I could have never agreed even after his insistence. Then I took a pause. And during that short span of pause only John asked if I still feel the same or something has changed? I was shocked to hear that and at the same time I was shy to share my feelings for him now. I remained quiet but the blush on my face was enough to make him understand what I have to say. Immediately after that he hold my hand and pulled it towards him. I was little cold and just did not know how to react to it. He lifted it to his mouth and said that he wants to give me something and took out the ring box from his pocket. A soft shiver was going through my whole body by now. I went pink and cold. He took out the ring from the box and asked me in his soft voice “May I?”. I just could not believe that moment, coz this is something I have been dreaming of since the time I have started feeling for him. He pulled the ring inside my finger and place a soft kiss on the hand. I could just stay still and observe butterflies in my stomach and his breath on my hand. After that I remained silent throughout the time of our dinner. Truly speaking, all my hunger was gone and I was engrossed in the feeling of being with him for rest of my life.

We started moving towards our car after dinner. This time, we were not as distant from each other as we were while entering into the place. John had placed his arm around my waist and we were moving towards the car. In between there was a huge lawn which we had to cross before reaching to the car parking. While moving towards our right direction, all of a sudden he dragged me towards the tree nearby. That tree has a lamp shade placed in the right side of its main branch, giving a dim light around it, He placed my back on the big branch of the tree and held me on my shoulders. At that time and in that posture I could feel his breaths on my face. Then he asked me in just one line “do you have anything to say to me?” I was all shivering and cold. I just moved my head in disagreement. Then he tightened his grip and asked me again “are you sure”? I said “yes I am sure”. Immediately when I opened my mouth and uttered these words, he placed a kiss on my lips and sealed them in a way that I could not say anything after that. We stayed in the posture for about 15 minutes, kissing each other and tightening our hug. I never wanted that moment to end. I just wanted to stay like that for rest of my life with him. But it had to end. Finally we moved towards our car and the drive back home was even slower. Throughout the way, John was holding my hand and with every chance possible, he was looking at my face. On the last signal, before reaching my home, john said that he wants to marry me as soon as possible. I also showed my willingness to this, to which he kissed me passionately and I kissed him back with the same passion.

After reaching home, we both entered inside by holding hand in hand. John told dad that he wants to make his wish true and wants to marry me as soonest as possible. All were shocked to hear that and happy at the same time. I was standing nearby and of course did not show my negativity, so to anyone’s usual understanding, it seems I also agree to his proposal.  Dad was the happiest person at that time and also I and john were even happier than him.

Since that night, until the day we got married, there was no day in between that we haven’t met each other. John use to come and see me every day after office and on the weekends we use to be together for practically the whole day. Those meetings and that much closeness helped us to understand each other even better.

Today I am married to John for one year and I can say that John is the best thing till date that has happened to me. I cannot imagine my life without him being around me. Now sometimes I question myself that those fights since childhood, those disagreements and those bullies for each other, were they the gestures of disguised love? Or that LOVE happened after that. But whatever be the answer now, I am sure, love cannot be any beautiful than this. I love him to the infinity and beyond, and also being the luckiest of all, I receive the same with even more intensity from him.