"I've walked in high spirits, drunk in love,
Many ways i' ve thought of making you mine,
In fear , yet with joy , am thrilled
Of the rest of my life,
Have fallen short in so many ways, but one thing I know
I'll never fall short of my love for you.
Take me as I am , a thousand years of wait
Seem like a century
This road was made for us to walk through.
Beauty in your eyes, pierced through my heart,
Your voice in my head,tell me am not dreaming,
Am taking the risk ,not to loose you to the world,
Take my hand am taking you home.
Home,home,am taking you.
You're mine forever,till the wheels drop
Baby am taking you home.
Mhhh hhh hhh hhh hhhhh
taking youuuuuu home.".....
The soft melody of the guitar filled the air,as a hush fell over the crowd. Tony's voice,low and soothing,resonated with a deep , heartfelt emotion that captivated everyone.Each note was tender,each word imbued with sincerity that made the lyrics shimmer with meaning.The band backed the song so beautifully as it told a story of love so beautiful and profound that transcended time and space .
His voice ,the lyrics and his face carried the weight of his emotions drawing tears from everyone as he went on and on with the song that painted a picture of his love ,so pure ,so enduring and about to make it eternal.
In that moment,he walked towards Hailey, beautiful smile on his face ,his voice becoming shallow and in fear ,he said" Hailey,I have always wanted you since the day we met at eight years.I would smile every time you smiled.I would long for your presence everyday and when you joined highschool far from home,I became worried.I didn't know why, I couldn't stop to question of your health,school and your whereabouts.I was worried you would find a better friend than me.It made me work so hard to join you in your favorite college.Back then I kept a diary,that had so much about you than me.I new your favorite everything.your favorite college became mine.I grew to love your favorite fruits ,food and tamarind juice,which is now my favorite.Crazy, right?Haha,am living your life Hailey.I'm into everything,you are into.I am so much into you that I can't stand a few minutes without you.I want you forever in my life,to wake up next to you .I want to have babies with you.I want you by myself alone.I want to be selfish with you and selfish for you!"His voice quivered with emotion,as a palpable wave of goosebumps rippled through the audience.Tears streamed down their faces ,and each couple held the other tighter,moved by the raw beauty of the moment.
He went on his knee,eyes fixed on Hailey with a small black box in his hands.He opened it,took out a big sparkling stone and said," Hailey,will you be mine forever?Will you marry me?All the couples in the deck cheered and applauded as they together said."yes!yes!yes!" .If Hailey had some change in mind,she had no chance to say no. Everyone had said yes for her.Tony hands were shaking waiting for the response.A no from Hailey would have broken him beyond recovery.In tears and a beaming smile on her face ,she said "Yes!".
We celebrated the engagement with drinks, found ourselves drawn to the center of the deck as the live band played a soulful music. It was enchanting, inviting everyone to take to the dance floor. Peter and Tara captured in celebratory moment and glowing in happiness, were the first to step forward. Hailey and Tony, eyes locked, smiles radiant, and heart beating as one , they moved in perfect harmony. Inspired by the newly engaged couples, other pairs joined in. Jessica and Rob swayed closely, their bodies moving in unison with the rhythm of the music.. their dance was intimate, a silent conversation of love and connection. Rebecca and Allan danced with a playful Elegance, laughter escaping their lips as they spun each other around. Every couple on deck seemed to be in their own world, sharing private moment of affection and joy.
As the night wore on , the music slowed and the dance became more intimate. Joseph and I were lost in each other's embrace, our bodies pressed tightly together as we moved to the rhythm of the music . His arms were wrapped around my waste,my head rested on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. He lowered his head ,tilted my chin up,his eyes locking mine ,leaned in for tender kiss , brushing his lips against mine. I felt my passion for a kiss ignited as the kiss deepened. For a moment I felt like the night stood still for us as the world around us faded. The heat between us became palpable with every touch as the kiss deepened. The music came to a stop and immediately, I forced stop. We still lingered in embrace as Joseph refused to let go. "I'm.. I'm sorry Joseph. I was drawn for a moment into you , I mean, everything around happened so fast.. I'm ... I'm sorry. I understand you care about someone and I don't want this to be a reason not to pursue the girl you love." I stuttered, as I watched everyone around us. They seemed to steal a side glance with smiles on their faces.
"I was lost in the moment too, but I wanted to do it Bella!.I like you. You are like a magnet that I don't want to detach from.It took me a while to gather courage to talk to you Bella. Meeting up with boys, who their girlfriends talk highly of you, made me think I might loose the chance to atleast get to know you. You remember the night you helped the man who passed out near the school cafeteria? I couldn't help but admire the noble act of you saving the man. I was there . That night you crossed my mind alot. The skills,the calm, your composed demeanor and how you executed the whole medical rescue especially administering CPR made me see you in a different light. I was happy to know we shared a class with you. I looked forward every week into meeting you. I would stare you alot and little by little I fell for you without knowing."Joseph explained.
Still lingering in his embrace, I wanted to walk around the deck. To catch some breath, to digest everything he said. He read my face and let go , as he watched me walk away to the other side of the deck. Those were sweet words he said, but to the wrong person. If I accepted him, I would be his second wheel. Having someone you love and like, are two different things. I may not have someone but when I do, I'll be selfish with my love. It would be mine and mine alone without competing for it.
Men can be caught up in a flash of emotions. Acting on anyone near their reach to quench their desires . It's one of the things my mother reminded me about during our private training.Thats what happened to us. I can't blame him but understand he's also a man.
We retired to our respective cabins, the memories of the night lingering like a sweet dream. Still in my dress I decided to lay on the deck outside the cabin , enveloped by the soothing sea breeze while watching the stars. My hair was spread out on the cabin trapping some more fresh air too. It was calming and healing. Joseph joined me still dressed in his clothes, layed on the deck with me for some minutes before we decided to strip them off and jump into the vast waters.
Minutes later, rapped in our towels , we stood by the guardrails watching the stars, water dripping from our hair. Joseph turned and looked at me , his gaze gentle and unguarded, filled with profound affection that made him seem both vulnerable and completely at ease, whenever he looked at me.
With a tender touch he took my hands into his big palms as he slightly whispered. "Bella, am in love with you. I don't know if we will see each other or be together after this, but I have to say it. I have never felt this before. I know this is too much for you to take , but Tony's proposal made me think of what to do next. I'm in my final Year, I've got three months to see you around. I'm not sure what you feel about me but it doesn't matter. What matters is the fact that I love you." In my college years, I have never met anyone who makes me feel the way you do.I know you are terrified of letting someone in, you are afraid of someone loving you because it means you'll let your guard down. I don't know what happened to you , but I want to protect you. I'm asking for a chance, to love you properly."