It was a peachy afternoon. One of those rare afternoons that the people of Happy Harbour often enjoyed.
The sun was up but a gentle breeze blew across the town. This made the sun bearable. Many took this advantage and went out to explore their surrounding.
Many went to the beach. Many went on picnics. Others chose to dine at outdoor restaurants. It was a Saturday after all. The most famous outdoor restaurant being the Rose Harbour. Loved for its seclusion and scenic view. Which made it synonymous with the term Romance.
The Rose Harbour is situated outside the metropolitan area, sitting on a two acre land covered with a variety of well managed vegetation. It was easily the main attraction. Not the fancy tables and the sparkling decor. The Backyard!
People, mostly couples, come here to escape their problems and bask in the soothing warmth that only nature could provide. Couples often chose the picnic like approach rather than the fancy restaurant. Though in this case the picnic was more expensive than dining in the fancy restaurant.
One such couple was Jacob Alavi and Rachel Thorne. After courting for six months, Jacob had felt it was time for the next step.
He looked into Rachel's eyes. Her hazelnut brown eyes. The eyes he often found himself lost in. He couldn't believe that today was the day.
Rachel sensed something was not the same with Jacob this particular day. Anyway, Rachel was madly in love with Jacob. She had often read about love in novels but never truly felt it until Jacob came along.
She remembered how they first met, seven months ago. She remembered how annoying he was. She even remembered herself saying she hated him.
The world is round she thought. Her hate had gone full circle to become true love. The kind of love that made her feel good about herself. For the longest time she had always felt like a monster. For that was how the people of Happy Harbour saw her.
This love was not built on Jacob's looks. No? Not his athletic build? Not his fine chin and straight jawline? Other girls would say yes to this seemingly superman-like man. But what got Rachel truly hooked was his attitude and behaviour. Cheesy I know...
But true. Jacob was not just a full package physically he was a full package all together. He was tough but sensitive. He was a gentleman.
Well, he couldn't dance. She didn't mind though. She knew she had forever to teach him. And she was OK with that.
"I got it!" she proclaimed
"What? "
"The necklace I gave you. You aren't wearing it. "
"Yeah, I chose not to wear it today. "
"Why? Don't you like it?" Jacob sensed the hint of sadness in her voice
"It's not that I didn't like it."
Rachel dropped her gaze to her plate. Her face consumed in a frown.
"I didn't know how much it meant to you that I wear it."
"It should mean much to you too." She looked up at Jacob,"It's a symbol."
"I used it to strike a conversation with you."
"The first day we met!"
Jacob knew what the necklace symbolised. A smile formed on his face. He continued gazing into her eyes. In a subtle romantic way. Not like Edward and Bella.
It was now evening. They stayed until they watched the sunset. Rachel was a bit reluctant to leave. Her mood had changed all so drastically. She thought this was to be the night.
Why else would Jacob take her to a pricy restaurant far away from her home? Why would Jacob plan such a romantic treat? The two usually did the simple stuff. She loved the simple stuff.
Why did Jacob go all out with this one? Was there something special to it? She only hoped.
It was eating her up inside. This distracted her enough that she did not realize she had arrived home. Jacob opened the door for her and she got out. She stood before him.
"I had a great time with you today" Jacob said while leaning in for a kiss
"Me too. "
"I have to go. There is something I have to do. "
"You aren't staying?"
"No. Not tonight. I love you. "
He pulls in for a kiss. The two lock lips. Rachel felt an intense rush of energy. It felt like a thousand kisses she admitted. Then suddenly Jacob pulls away.
"Goodnight. " he said and walked over to his car.
Rachel couldn't take it anymore. The night was not ending how she had hoped. She just had to do something.
"Wait! " she retorted.
Jacob froze first. His eyes a bit watery. Rachel walked over to him. Held his hands.
"I have to admit, when you took me to the Rose Harbour, I saw tonight ending quite differently. I waited and waited but it seemed you were not going to make that step. I love you and you love me and I'm tired of waiting."
Jacob was confused. He was not sure what was actually happening. Then suddenly Rachel went down on one knee. Was this really happening? She's not proposing. That's preposterous. Right?
"Jacob Alavi. Will you marry me? "
Jacob was speechless. His tear ducts gave way and he let the tears flow like the Nile. He was starstruck. This was not supposed to happen.
"Yes. Yes I will. "
He goes down and the two embrace each other like there's no tomorrow. Rachel was endearingly happy. Jacob's initial silence made her think she had lost him.
They got up. Arms around each other. Jacob then realised something. His face saddened by the realisation.
"I still have to go."
"Where do you have to go? "
"It doesn't matter. Cause when I come back. We'll be together."
"I like that. "
The gates open. It's Rudolph, the security at the gate. Rachel looked at him with such delight.
"Good night, Miss Thorne?"
"Really Good night Rudolph"
"Back so soon Mr. J"
There was a twitch in Jacob's right eye. "Call me Jacob, please."
Jacob had dodged the question very well he thought. He leaned in to kiss Rachel. A deep tongue kiss that made Rudolph look away.
Jacob then got into his car, waved to Rachel and was off. As he drove on, tears flowed down his cheeks. He stepped on the gas, accelerating away.
Rachel goes into her lavish house. It's Friday night so the house helps had gone home for the weekend.
She walked into the empty house but with her jubilation, it felt like the house was full of people. Her only wish was that Jacob were there.
Rachel had wrapped her blanket around her tightly, twisting and turning. She had not quite fallen asleep. She was so happy. She couldn't believe she actually proposed to someone(going down on one knee and all).
The phone beside her bed rang. She quickly got up and checked the time. Midnight.
She received the call. After a few seconds she dropped it in utter shock. She could not believe what she heard. Was it true? It couldn't. She was just with him.
She got up quickly. Went into the closet where she got off her pyjamas and yanked a black dress.
She didn't notice at the time. She opened her jewelry box but it was empty. She didn't think much of it.
She quickly put of the dress and picked the phone. She didn't need to search for the contacts since it was listed as her favourite.
She called Jacob, hoping he would pick up. The phone was off. She paused. Could it really be true? Was Jacob really dead?