"Thanks for understanding my words too, child," replied Mr. Carter Heiden back.Gracia smiled. She felt that her father conceded her. She didn't expect her father's response but she felt prompted now. She still wondered who her father's childhood love was. She then continued completing her homework.After dinner, Gracia was fixing her bed sheet for a night of beauty sleep. She lay down on the bed with pillows beside her. She always kept 5-6 pillows surrounding her since she was afraid if she falls from the bed during sleep. She set her eyes closed and wondered about the conversation that transpired between her and her father in the afternoon.She felt happy reconciling the fact that though Werner was a Nazi and she belonged to the Jewish community, her family was ready to accept their relationship. But at the same time, she wondered if Werner's father, Mr. Fischer, would approve their relationship. Gracia felt that he was a strict and disciplined man. He would never accept their relationship, therefore, she made herself conjecture that she should never think of his acceptance even in her wildest dreams. She only hoped that Werner would make efforts to make his father understand their deep love. Considering all the facts that her father told her today, Gracia's mind was clear with two things: First, you should always love yourself before loving somebody else. And second, her love for Werner was not teenage love. They both were serious for each other. She knew she was with the correct man and she was confident enough to spend her entire life with him.
The next day, during lunchtime at school, Gracia wanted to discuss everything that occurred between her and her father with Werner. She was eagerly waiting for him to come. She felt that this was the right time when Werner could also talk to his father about their relationship.Werner arrived five minutes late."Sorry, Grace. Mr. Collin gave too many questions to solve and I …" before Werner could complete, Gracia stopped him in the middle and said"I have a really serious matter to discuss with you," Werner sensed that Gracia was going to say something really important. "What is it?" He asked, feeling callous."Dad knows about us," she paused. Werner's eyes widened."What? But how?" he felt numb."I don't know," she replied."But how did you come to know this?" he inquired."Because last afternoon, when I was in my room completing the homework, he came to me and asked me how I felt about you,""Then?" He was paralyzed with fear and questions were intruding his mind."Then, he asked me again, telling me to be confident and tell him the truth. He told me that he will understand me so I told that I loved you,"Werner felt unresponsive."Then he asked me if you too loved me to which I said yes,"He was completely silenced."And you will be amazed Werner but dad has approved our relationship. He feels you are my right choice," Gracia exclaimed with joy."What?" said Werner surprisingly."Yes, aren't you happy?" Gracia couldn't figure out why Werner was only surprised instead of being happy."Yes, I am but how did this happen?" He wanted more answers so he kept questioning."I don't know really but I think dad did recognize our love. And what came as a surprise to me is he discussed with me about his childhood's love. He said that he too loved a girl once but since they belonged to different castes, therefore, their families never accepted their relationship,"Werner was still numbed. Gracia laughed at him."Oh, Werner. Cheer up. There is nothing to worry about now. My family has accepted our love and I am so much happy about this, aren't you?""Yeah, I am happy too, Grace" he replied."So, now…?" Gracia's eyes questioned Werner but he couldn't understand.She wanted him to talk to his father about them so that things could get sorted and she can have a clear and beautiful future with him."So, what's next, Grace?" he asked."Won't you ask your father for the same. I hope he will too accept us," she said in a low and polite tone.Werner did not answer."Werner? What happened?" she couldn't understand his silence."Nothing,""Don't you also want us to be together?""No, it is not like that, Grace""Then what is it like?""I can't talk to my father""But why not? Don't you love me? Are you not serious about us?""I am serious, Grace, but I can't talk to him at this moment,""But why not, Werner? You promised that you will marry me. You promised that we will spend each day loving each other more. You promised the world and I felt for it. What happened to that?" Tears shattered from Gracia's eyes. "Please don't cry, Grace. I don't like them on your face. Please, stop crying," Werner wiped off tears from her face. He held Gracia's hand in his hand and said"Look, I will talk to him. But give me some time. I can't speak to him suddenly. I need time to prepare myself and present him with the best contentions to prove my love for you." Gracia wiped off her tears too."Have this," Werner provided his napkin to her."Please don't cry, Grace. I do love you a lot and I will try my best to convince my father. Don't worry at all."Gracia shook her head in affirmative."Today is Tuesday. I will talk to my father this weekend. Okay?"Gracia nodded."Do you want me to come along with you? So that we both can explain to him our love for each other?" she asked, sobbing."No, I think I can manage it. If I felt your need, I will let you know my baby girl," and Werner hugged Gracia tightly and hid her face in his chest."Now, let's have lunch and then don't forget to wash your face before you go to the class. Cheer up now, I am with you," he said."Yeah…" They both continued with their lunch.After the school, Gracia was in her room wondering if Werner would talk to his father about their relationship? Would he be able to convince him? what if he couldn't? do they have to separate, forever? "Don't overthink, Grace," she said to herself, "Everything would be fine. And remember what dad taught you, Love yourself before loving anybody else,"She waited for the weekend to come. ***It was Friday morning when Gracia woke up a little worried. She dreamt that Mr. Fischer had not accepted her love for Werner. Therefore, they had to separate, forever."Just a dream, Grace, relax,"She removed the pillows surrounding her and stepped out of the bed to get ready for the school. ....To be continued...PS:Hit the like button below, it's totally free:)Do drop your suggestion in the comment section below.Also share it with your near and dear ones.Have a great day:)