Time seems to have suddenly stopped for a while as they were rooted in the same spot, bewildered and astonished then Josh's rationality immediately washed over.
He immediately jumped off her and pulled her up from the floor, then turning his back to her as he blushed fiercely, he couldn't get what just transpired out of his mind and Anna wasn't having it easy either.
Her face was now a shade of crimson red as she stood behind him awkwardly lost in thought.
"Err . .". Josh scratched his head obviously awkward. "I think . ."
Anna immediately took her chance and interrupted him mid sentence. "Aren't you curious about why I was all alone, crying".
That seems to ease the awkwardness as Josh turn around swiftly, curiously eyeing her.
"Well, I thought you didn't want to . ."
"That was earlier". Anna took a deep breath and sat down on the rock nearby patting the space beside her, indicating for him to join her which he did with no hesitation.
"Actually, my father's forcing me to marry someone I don't like and I hate that he doesn't even understand me or try to even for once".
"All my life , you know I've been living under his control, my whole life has been under his palm. He controls everything I do but can't he just understand me for once, he's so fixated on getting me married to him".
"It must hurt so much, having your life been dictated". Josh croaked out after a moment of eerie silence ensued between them.
"I know that it's common, marriage of convenience is much more common in this era but . . Have you tried explaining to him.
"He so fixated on getting me married to Caleb either dead or alive. You know perhaps I would have agreed after going against him for a while, I'm such an obedient and understanding child".
"But this time, I just wanna stand up for myself for once. To fight for what I want. I have someone I love so much and would never sacrifice myself like that . ."
"You're in love with someone else?". Josh asked, suddenly nervous and uncomfortable, he wiped his clammy hands on his clothes ready to get his heart shattered upon her answer.
"It's a one-sided stuff". She muttered under her breath but her answer was still very much audible in the silence.
"Josh, I don't know how this happened nor when it did. I just know that I have this feeling for you, the overwhelming feeling I can't understand and I want to spend the rest of my lifetime with you". Anna finally blurted out, fidgeting in her seat .
"Wait . .". Josh paused unable to believe his ears. "Me , you love me ?". He scoffed and gave his shadow a self deprecating smile.
"You know, you don't have to feel the same. I just thought to let you be aware of my feelings for you". Anna immediately stood up feeling awkward.
"Wait, you truly love me ?". Josh grabbed her by the arm and turned her around to face him and Anna nodded in response.
"OMG". Josh palmed his face. " Anna, you know not how much I am so in love with you, I love you so much. I thought it was one-sided so I never bothered telling you".
He helped her hand and positioned it on his chest, his heart precisely.
"Can you fell the beating of my heart, can you tell how excited I am ".
"I love you so much". He added and slammed his lips against hers, gently at first and then so ever passionately that he almost sucked the life out if her and she responded with equal vigor fueled by months of unspoken desires and longing.
The clung onto each other like a magnet as they relished each other with reckless abandon.
But their passionate embrace was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. Startled, they broke apart, their cheeks flushing with embarrassment as Anna's mother, Mrs. Williams, appeared in the doorway, her expression a mixture of shock and disapproval.
"Anna !" Mrs. Williams exclaimed, her voice tinged with dismay as she took in the scene before her. "What on earth do you think you're doing?"
Anna's heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to find the words to explain, but before she could speak, her mother turned her gaze to Josh who was worried sick, her eyes narrowing in suspicion before returning back to Anna in embarrassment and disapproval.
Embarrassed and lost of words, Anna rushed past her mother running into the house leaving her mother alone with Josh who was so nervous that his vein popped out.
Mrs Williams sat on the rock Anna was seated on earlier then she turned to face Josh who was staring everywhere except her face.
"You love my daughter and you know she loves you too right". She began with no hesitation and Josh nodded positively in response.
"I won't beat around the bush Josh, you should also know of the arranged marriage right". She said and without waiting to hear his answers she continued.
"My husband is bent on getting her married so that means you don't stand a chance . .
"I do". Josh interrupted curtly. "Actually you do know that I love her and vice versa, on one hand you're happy that your daughter has found true love but on the other hand you're nervous and worried that our love stands no chance in this treacherous water".
"You've just read my mind so perfectly". She sighed. "I want the best for my daughter, I want her to be happy, to live a fulfilled and happy life but this arranged marriage. Trust me I've done everything in my power to convince my husband but now I'm starting to give up, he doesn't plan on giving in at all".
"I don't know if perhaps I'm being naive but I know love is the strongest bond in this world and in love there is no impossibilities, all things are possible. I know that eventually one day , Chief will eventually give up on forcing Anna to marry Caleb when he finds out that we won't also give in to him".
"I hope so ". Mrs Williams sniffed
"I don't hope so, I know so ". Josh corrected. "Because I'll make it happen, she'll marry no one else but me ".