Rana and Shane were standing before the wildflowers of the desert looking ahead of them in the wide flower field where they used to spend so much time together playing when they were still children. Rana had a straw hat on her head while wearing a comfortable floral dress and a pair of cream sandals. Shane wore a moss green shirt, a pair of khaki pants, and a pair of slippers.
"Feels like a lifetime since we've been here," Rana said as she admired the blossoms of wildflowers that span as far as her sight could reach.
The wind around them blew gaily. The ground smelled of wildflowers.
Shane expelled a soft sigh from his lips as he looked at the scenic view before them. The mountains could be traced from the horizon.
"Yeah, you're right, Enara. It's been so long ago. I now wonder what it feels like to be a kid again."
Rana laughed at his statement. Her cheeks were turning pink as she laughed with mirth.
"Yes, Shane. I could still see you on the ground always running fast on your feet," she said with nostalgia. "It does feel so long ago now."
Rana checked a bee buzzing around a clump of flowers. Some orange and blue dragonflies were also flitting around. And a few butterflies flying above the clumps of flowers.
Shane looked at the bright blue sky. The sun was smiling down the ground.
"Do you remember what I told you back then?" he asked turning to look at her.
Rana lifted her head sideways to return his look.
"Sure," she said with a smile poking out of her mouth. She didn't say them out loud.
His eyes softened while gazing at her blue eyes.
"Then, don't you think it's about time we make that promise a reality?"
He asked seriously.
Rana's eyes danced with mischief at his question.
"Would you care to repeat what you said back then, Shane?" asked Rana.
Shane felt himself blushing under her gaze. He lifted his right hand and touched the back o his neck to fight the sudden awkwardness that he felt. He averted his eyes.
Shane released a nervous laugh.
"I feel kind of awkward repeating it."
Rana laughed again.
"Would you like us to make flower rings again to feel the moment?" she teased him.
Shane lowered his gaze back at Rana's smiling face.
"Wouldn't that be too much?" he asked scratching his nape. "We're no longer kids now, Ran."
Rana walked towards the flower field. She continued to walk forward.
"Hey, where are you going?"
Shane asked looking at her back.
Rana whirled back at him with a huge smile on her face.
"Let's make them again."
Shane walked forward to the flower field treading towards her.
"We're no longer kids, Ran."
He said smiling sheepishly.
"We'll always be children at heart, Shane. So, why don't you indulge me and do it one more time…hmmm?"
She asked holding her hat with her right hand while her other hand was stretched towards him.
Shane walked towards her and held onto her hand. They walked to the center of the flower field and sat beside each other. Rana started picking flowers beside her. Shane copied her and did the same. They started making a ring of flowers.
"How come you never forget about me, Shane?"
Rana asked as she put the flowers together in a circle.
Shane was quiet for a while he made a flower ring. Then, he looked at her. His golden eyes glistened behind the frame.
"Because I've always loved you."
He said huskily.
Rana looked at him wistfully and stopped her hands for a moment and then continued fiddling with the flowers.
"I love you, too, but I've forgotten about you."
Shane smiled back at Rana.
"Just because you have forgotten me doesn't mean you never love me, Enara."
Rana looked at him squarely and bluntly said, "I don't remember loving you when I forgot you."
She said with undeniable honesty.
Shane stopped with his hands.
"Ouch. That kind of hurt, doesn't it?" Shane replied with a wry smile on his face. But his face softened back while he looked back at Rana. "But you do love me."
Rana smiled at him.
"Inside your heart," Shane added as he continued making the ring flowers.
"You're full of metaphors, Shane."
Rana observed as she looked at him making the ring flower. Shane looked up at her face and grinned.
"I'll always be."
Rana returned his look.
"You've really grown." She said with deep sentiment. "It's been twenty years since."
Rana said as she looked sideways. It was a peaceful morning around them. She could hear the birds chirping somewhere.
"I will you marry, Rana."
Shane said seriously.
Rana turned her face back at him.
"So, you will marry, Rana? Not Enara?" she asked thoughtfully.
Shane tugged a smile on his mouth.
"It's all the same. Rana or Enara."
"Hmmm…" Rana said as her thoughts sailed for a bit. She looked at Shane with tenderness. "I know you will. But Rana is different from Enara, Shane."
Shane finished his ring of flowers. He put his two hands on it, holding its edges.
"I don't care at all, Ran."
He stood up. He removed her hat and put it down beside her. Then, he put the ring flowers on her head. He sat in front of her and looked at her seriously.
"I'm marrying you, Rana."
Rana finished her own ring of flowers. She held them above their heads and put them on Shane's head. She lowered her gaze to his eyes. She could see his golden eyes sparkling behind his glasses. She could see the determination in his eyes.
Rana touched his cheek. It was warmth against her palm.
"I'm marrying you, too, Shane."
She said with clarity.
Shane held her hand. He touched her other hand, too. He bent close to her and touched his forehead against hers.
"We're always forever, Rana." He said with gentleness. He stared at her clear blue eyes.
"I love you," he declared.
Rana smiled back at Shane. She held onto his hands.
"Yes, we are," she agreed. "Always forever. I love you, too."
Shane smiled back. He cupped her face and dipped his mouth to hers.
Rana felt his lips on hers. She kissed him back. Feeling the softness of his lips on her. Touching. Tasting. Reveling into each other's mouth.
Under the sunny sky, their touch and their kiss were what they were only aware of. Aside from the soft gust of the wind and the warmth of the sun under them.
They were panting as they removed each other's mouths.
Rana had a small smile on her lips. Shane looked at her with wonder.
"You're really good at kissing, Shane," Rana remarked looking at him.
"Am I?" he asked.
Then, he tilted her chin once more and lowered his mouth on hers.
He tasted her lips tracing her lower lip. Biting into it. He kissed her more until they exchanged their tongues into each other's mouths. Shane loved the taste of Rana's lips.
She tasted of strawberry and softness that he wanted to hold in his arms forever. He felt heaven inside her arms. She was his bliss.
Rana moaned as he kissed her deeply. Shane felt his desires spiked. She was so soft and wonderful in his arms. He could feel himself going hard.
He released from the kiss.
Rana looked back at him with unfogged desire.
They caught their breath waiting for it to be steady before they spoke again.
"Sorry," Shane mumbled looking apologetic to Rana.
Rana had a smile on her face while she gazed up at him.
"Uhm-hmm…" she said shaking her head. "You're a wonderful kisser, Shane."
She threw one last smack on his lips surprising him.
"I could get lost in your kisses for eternity."
She said dreamily and laughed. Shane joined with her laughter.
"Let's plan the wedding."
Rana burst at him.
"Maybe we should use these flowers here for the wedding," she said with a pensive expression looking at the flowers around them. "Don't you think?"
She asked waiting for his reply.
Shane looked at her. His gaze deepened as it settled on her face. A smile broke on his face.
"Whatever you wish for, Rana."
"Then, it's decided. We'll use the flowers here for the ceremony and the reception."
Rana rose and dusted off the flower petals that gathered around her skirt. Shane helped her in removing dirt from her dress.
They walked into the flower field and went back to the ground.
Rana's arm hooked with his as they continued walking.
"How many kids do you want to have, Shane?"
She asked as they trudged back their way to their home.
"Hmm…" Shane said thinking. To be honest, he hadn't thought of it. He was only concerned about getting Rana's life then. Getting her life back in order, in complete peace, free from any more danger. As for marrying her, of course, he would love to. But having kids?
Shane thought for a while. He looked at Rana's head that was comfortably leaning on his arms.
"I haven't thought about it yet," he said calmly.
Rana looked up at him.
"You haven't?" she asked.
Shane shook his head.
"I haven't really, Ran. I've only ever thought of marrying you though."
"Is that so?"
"Yes," he replied. "How about you? Any ideas?"
Rana looked up at him one more time before she shifted her gaze back to their front. They continued walking.
"I'd like us to have a boy and a girl," she said lifting her eyes back to him. "Wouldn't you?"
Shane looked back at her.
"So long as I have you, I'll be happy enough."
"So, you don't want kids?" she asked almost pouting.
Shane laughed at her.
"Not really about that. We can have them later. Right now, I'm just plenty happy enough to have you at my side."
"Yeah, you're right."
They continued to walk until they reached Rana's home. They entered the house and found Helios and Ethos talking with Ethiara.
"You two are back," Ethiara said as she noticed them approaching. She turned to Anisa who appeared from the kitchen. "Anisa, please bring more drinks and snacks."
"Yes, Ethiara." She said and left the room.
Rana and Shane settled on a couch. They looked at everyone in the room.
"We have an announcement to make."
Shane started. Ethos looked at him while he leaned on the doorway. Helios was helping himself to a biscuit. Ethiara was sitting on a sofa in front of him.
"We're getting married."
Rana said looking at everyone.
"Isn't it about time?" Ethiara asked with a smile on her lips. "With what you displayed last month on the high ground, I was wondering when you were ever gonna pop the question to Enara, Enos."
"Congratulations, cousin," said Helios smiling at him. He looked at Rana.
"Welcome to the family, Enara."
Rana smiled back at him.
"Thanks, Helios."
Ethiara turned to look at Ethos who has turned quieter than before the couple came into the room.
"You've turned silent, Ethos. You have nothing to say to them?" she asked raising her brows at him.
Ethos threw Shane with an irritating glance. Then, he turned to bore his gaze longer on Rana. Rana stared back at him in silence. He averted his gaze after a while and scowled.
"Aren't you going to congratulate me, Ethos?" asked Rana looking at him.
Silence filled the room.
Anisa entered the room bringing the tray of drinks and snacks and left.
Ethos merely looked at the food that was served on the table.
Shane spoke to break the silence.
"Are you not going to congratulate us, brother?"
Ethos looked back at him.
"No."
He said with simplicity. It was followed by a deafening silence.
"I object to this happy union."
Ethos said and left the room.