A week passed by. The vacation was about to end in a few days. Armelle had an emergency to get back to the University to continue her project. It was the right time to collect some samples for study. She received a message from her professor in charge, Dr. Sarah Emanuel.
She wasn't ready to get back to the dorm. A weird feel caught up in her making her strangely relaxed and lethargic, as she felt more relieved to be back home unlike usual. *I think that must be because of Zaike*
Nevertheless, he is the only reason for her to attend the party.
"Why do I feel this way? I should get back to the university before the date. Or else it would take another couple of weeks for the neap tides. Arghh! What makes my head clogged up??" she sighed and pulled her hair in frustration. "This won't do. I must fix my thoughts." She spoke to herself as she picked up her mobile to dial Zaike.
It wasn't too long since she spoke with him. But felt like she missed him already.
This couple has strange telepathy that no one can understand. Before she could enter the contact directory, the caller id named 'Bubbs' popped up.
*The abbreviation for bubs is Buffalo*
'Aigoo!! It seems you missed me too my puppy' she spoke to herself in excitement before picking up the call.
"Hey, Bubbs!!" she shouted in a joyful tone as soon as she picked up the call.
"Row" he called her name in a melodic voice. "Did you miss me that much? I sense in your voice." She spoke in her usual enthusiastic tone.
"Row!! I heard that you are getting back to the dorm before the end of the vacation?" he replied ignoring her noisy chat.
"Hmm, I guess that panda must have told you? Yes, we need to collect the samples. It will be easier during the neap tide period." She replied in a disconsolate voice.
"I guess you are not happy about this?" she heard him speak.
"I feel weirdly sick to get back." She replied.
"Shall we meet for early dinner tonight?" she asked him remembering his request the other day.
"I'll choose the restaurant." He replied in excitement, igniting her eagerness.
They soon ended the call.
As planned, Zaike came near her home to pick her up. When they reached the restaurant, it was past twilight. The restaurant was so dimly lighted as they walked through the pathway. They were guided by the staff to the rooftop of the restaurant. What came to the view mesmerized them. The rooftop was a luxury garden with a variety of flowers lit up with aroma candles to enhance their mood. The cabin was shielded with glass roofs. The variety of flowers around them made them feel like they were in a wonderland. There were Red Rose, Camellia, Daisies, Orchids, Red Chrysanthemums, and many more. The full bloom of flowers made the mood flourish, making the atmosphere livelier and more soulful. The flowers looked so beautiful under the moonlight with the stars twinkling, making them feel like they were in a fantasy. Armelle touched the petals of the flower. Her extraordinary smell sense sensed the pleasing aroma around.
Meanwhile, the heavens have opened to pour down their blessing. The drizzling rain around the glass cabin made the mood extremely light. They didn't get wet by the drizzle thanks to the glass cabin. The staff made an extravagant dinner table amid a flower garden as Zaike ordered.
The atmosphere was unique, which thrilled her. She was so excited; however, she was nervous subconsciously as a strange feeling caught her due to the weird arrangements. Her heart skipped a beat every time her gaze locked with Zaike. She pretended not to show her nervousness in front of him. She wondered why he brought her to such a place with a romantic setup meant for some other purpose.
No wonder Zaike pretended to be calm on the outside, struggling to overcome his Trepidation about the situation. He prepared to face this situation for a long time. Nevertheless, making a move is different from the imagination.
He felt ruffled with the glimpse of her sight. He felt as if she was peeking into his soul through his eyes.
Time passed by... When they were about to finish the dinner, Armelle noticed him disturbed as she scooped the tiramisu to feed herself. She tried to bring him to attention, "Ahem!! Ahem!!" but to no use, as he was fiddling with his cutlery scratching the plate.
She tried again but this time she bends her head to a 45° angle to make eye contact with him. She was baffled when she felt a Déjà vu. His eyes were just hypnotical which made her mind freeze.
It took a while for Zaike to get back to reality when he felt her staring at him with those cute puppy eyes. "Bubbs!! What happened?" she asked as she rolled her emerald orbit concerned.
It was unexpected which made him caught off guard. He wasn't ready to open up yet. He was in dilemma, whether to blurt out the heaviness damped up in his heart. On another hand, he was agitated from the thought of a negative outcome. He couldn't possibly find a way to come out of his messy thoughts.
"Zak?? Are you alright?" she questioned him again out of the uneasiness caused by his silence.
He felt baffled, he wished to say something but he felt like something stuck in his throat as his words couldn't reach out.
'Zaike, come on man why are you being so anxious? Be bold and voice out your thoughts which you fantasized about for quite a long time his mind voiced out inside his head.
Armelle took his palms inside hers to comfort him.
The moment she held his hand, she felt a strange sensation run through her. It wasn't so long when she realized the reason for such a fantasy setup.
'Damn!! Why do I feel something like this? No, no he will never do such things which don't make any sense. She inwardly cursed her gut feeling.
"Zaike!! I have never seen you this edgy. Perhaps anything bad happened?" She blurted out unable to bear any more silence.
He has finally chosen to pour his heart out.
"Rowan, just listen to what I'm about to say. I will be glad if you can hear my heart out."
"Okay! I'm ready Zak. I'll listen, go ahead and spill out." He took a deep breath, locked his gaze with her.
There was a deafening silence before he started speaking, which made her heart palpitate. 'Don't do anything weird Zak!!' she kept on praying to all the deities in existence.
"Rowan, I wish to be by your side till the last breath...!!" he paused looking into her eyes. All those words he spoke fell like a thunderbolt, making her bewildered.
It was unexpected. She could now make out the reason behind all this set-up and his weird behavior tonight.
Nonetheless, she still wants to make it clear. Without any further ado she spoke, "Do you need to ask me for that?" He felt her gently gripping his hand, reassuring him with her words. She entrapped him through her words and actions, making him feel good. She gripped his hand like she never want to lose him in her entire life. But that's the truth. She never even thought of letting him go from her life not even in her wildest nightmare.
Which is the reason she patiently waited for him to let it all out, not concluding anything in the beginning.
"No Armelle, I did mean more than that!