Faith

Today is the last day of our island trip. A day full of games, dance, karaoke, endless banter and fun! But, none of it interests me, at least not as much as the thoughts of the impending night.

Hundreds of excited butterflies are partying in my stomach constantly - dancing to the music of my heart running a marathon. Every time I look at Joy or catch him looking at me, a strange rush of anticipation and excitement bubbles through me.

I feel like a shy, blushing schoolgirl all over again, smiling at myself as I think of Joy's promises for tonight. And he has been different today too, all smiles and laughs.

Whenever he is around me, he either holds my hand or my waist absentmindedly, or kisses my forehead sweetly. He also passes teasing smiles at me, whenever he catches me getting lost in my dreamland, or tickles me whenever we are alone. It is almost like he can't keep his hands to himself, and I love this feeling of basking in his warmth and proximity all day. His touch is really soothing to my soul and my nerves relax instantly when he holds me close to himself.

He looks strangely content, and happy today. And it makes me so much more happier to see him this way. This should be him, every waking moment of every single day, and I will make this my personal agenda to ensure he always stays happy this way.

As the evening keeps drawing closer, I am growing more nervous and edgy. Every time my mind wanders off into the what-can-go-wrong territory, he knowingly squeezes my hand tightly. It's like he can read my mind, he just looks at me with his reassuring smile and all my baseless fears vanish into thin air. He hasn't been nervous all day, or maybe he's doing a better job at hiding it, I don't really know.

But, I know one thing, as long as I have him by my side, everything else will fall into place eventually.

We'll be together and happy.

______

Joy

Faith's nervous.

I just can't believe my sweet, brave Faith is so damn nervous, she can't stay still for even one long minute. But she's doesn't seem scared nervous, more like excited nervous. She's been stealing glances at me all day, when she thought I wasn't looking and then kept smiling to herself. And God, she looks so beautiful when she blushes, I just wish I could dive straight inside her mind to find out what thoughts have her so worked up. I think it's most likely related to how tonight will unfold for us, and thinking about it makes my heart race faster too.

After taking our bond to a new level last night, and feeling her so close, so content and so relaxed against me, as we cuddled till dawn, skin to skin, only small fabrics separating us, heavenly is a small word to define the magnitude of what I felt.

My soul felt at ease, at home, for the first time in life. I could feel all my inhibitions and fears evaporate as I realized I finally found my salvation, my damnation, my happiness, my everything.

Watching her sleep peacefully in my arms, her warm breaths against my chest, her soft lips curving into adorable smiles as she slept a deep sleep, I realized this is what I have always ached for: Love.

I love her.

I love her so damn much, it is impossible to keep these overwhelming feelings bottled up anymore. I have known for a long time now that I love her, but now, I just can't hide it.

After our passionate night full of ignited desires, after she broke down my walls with her love and care, after she understood my fears of intimacy and tried to keep my needs above her own, after she read me like an open book and appreciated every word of it, it's impossible to not embrace our bond wholeheartedly.

After hearing how she's willing to give her all to our bond, how she's as scared of losing me as I am of losing her, how she's ready to be mine, as much as I'm ready to be hers, it is impossible now. It is impossible to not scream and tell the whole wide world what she means to me. It is impossible to hide it, especially from her.

She should know how deep she is engraved in my heart. She should know I am no longer scared of baring my soul to her. I am no longer afraid of not knowing how to be with someone as special as her.

I will learn - to appreciate her, to take care of her, to love her, to worship her. She deserves all the happiness in the world, and tonight, I will show her I will do everything in my power to give that happiness to her.

She will remember this night forever, and for more than one reasons.

______

Faith

"You're ready, babe? Lover boy is getting really anxious out there," Rosie walks into the tent where I am getting ready.

"I am really nervous Rosie, do I look okay? Is it too much? It's definitely too much, everybody is going to wonder why I changed and got ready all over again for just dinner!," I blabber in nervousness, but she just grins at me widely, her eyes gleaming with excitement for me.

"Who cares what anybody thinks? And you look really gorgeous babe! Just perfect," she says and checks out my appearance again with an approving smile.

When she notices that I am not convinced, she sighs and continues, "Stop being so nervous babe, I am sure Joy is going to swoon over you as soon as he sets his eyes on you. Just relax, okay? Anyway, I am going to sneak you out of here towards the rocky stretch where he is waiting, so nobody else will really see you. Come let's go before he gets way too anxious and marches straight in here!," she chuckles excitedly and pulls me outside.

"But what about dinner?," I ask her as she pulls me into darkness, away from the partying crowd.

"I have packed some snacks for you both and given to Joy. Now, stop asking questions and hurry up," she says irritatedly, so I walk faster to keep up with her.

When we finally reach the dark rocky stretch and Joy's silhouette comes into view, my heart skips multiple beats.

He's wearing a well-fitted white shirt, that hugs his muscular torso perfectly, revealing every crevice, every bump, every stroke of art underneath the cloth. It's paired with a tight black jeans. His chocolate brown hair is lightly ruffled, probably with repeated movements of his hand through it. He's pacing up and down continuously, and for the first time during the whole day, he looks truly nervous, which relieves my nervousness a bit.

Rosie catches me gawking at him in awe and nudges my shoulder with hers and winks.

"Told you he's getting anxious. Now go quickly, I'll leave you two alone," she says and hugs me tightly. "Don't get too nervous okay, just open up your heart and embrace your happiness."

"Thanks babe, I'll see you in the morning then," I tell her and she grins.

"Of course, you will," she says, before adding loudly to catch Joy's attention, "Good luck, lovebirds! Bye."

Joy's head immediately snaps in our direction and his pacing feet stop dead in their tracks. His eyes meet mine and my heart leaps in my chest at the amount of admiration they hold.

He lazily takes in my appearance, his admiring gaze roaming over my body from top to toe, and back to top. He sucks in a deep breath and walks towards me with a heartwarming smile, his eyes never leaving me for a moment.

I begin walking towards him too and we meet in the middle. He leans towards me and places a soft kiss to my cheek, leaving delicious tingles over my skin.

"How I am going to breathe tonight if you look so breathtakingly beautiful," he whispers in my ear and my cheeks instantly warm at his compliment. "I don't know how I got so lucky, to have you in my life," he adds wholeheartedly, and I melt into him instantly.

My hands roam over his chest, moving upwards toward his shoulders as I place a lingering kiss on his cheek too and reply, "Trust me handsome, I am the lucky one here. I have the most caring and most good looking guy in my life."

"That makes us both lucky then," he says with a content smile and I feel happy to be a part of the reason that smile exists on his lips.

"Shall we, sweetheart?," he asks and offers me his arm, which I gladly accept, and we begin walking arm in arm towards the cave in comfortable silence. For a few minutes, every worry, every tension, every ounce of nervousness fades away, and I feel relaxed in his company. His calm breathing and the whistling waves, both soothing my nerves and making me feel blissful and content.

Soon we arrive at the cave and I stop walking, but Joy pulls my arm lightly and nudges me to keep walking.

"Where are we going?," I ask him curiously as he unlinks his arm from mine and places his hand on the small of my back, to make me walk along with him, his touch sending electric shivers down my spine.

"You'll find out," he says with a mischievous smile, that makes me feel double nervous and excited than earlier.

"We can't go to the waterfall at night, Joy. What if there are crocodiles in water there too? It's risky, and you promised me you won't risk your life ever again," I remind him when I realize we are walking in the direction of the waterfall.

"I know sweetheart, and more than mine, I will never put your life in risk like that. There'll be no stunts in water tonight. Just trust me okay?," he says sincerely and I melt instantly at the warmth and concern oozing from his words.

"I trust you baby," I tell him as I lean closer into his side and he instantly wraps his arm around my back. Before I can understand what's happening, he wraps his other arm under my knees and lifts me off my feet. I wrap my arms around his neck to steady myself and lean closer into his chest out of pure instinct.

"It's dark and you're wearing heels again. I know you weren't aware that I'm taking you all the way there, but I am not letting you walk over these rocks in heels the whole way. And please don't say my leg will hurt if I carry you, because it won't, it's almost healed now," he says looking deep into my eyes and waiting for my consent silently.

"What if I say, I like being here in your arms?," I whisper smilingly and his tensed expression immediately softens into a heart stopping smile.

My heart swells with love for this guy, who cares so much about me that he even neglects caring about himself sometimes.

As he carries me into a night that he promised he would make special for me, I feel so profoundly happy that my emotions overflow through my veins into every essence of my existence. I feel so overwhelmed, my heart fails to contain the affection that oozes from it at the sight of his face just inches from mine, his skin grazing ever so slightly against mine as he walks, and his caring heart that detects my pain or troubles, even before they get conceived.

How can I not love someone as amazing as him? Should I tell him how much I love him?

"Joy...", I whisper.

"Yes sweetheart?," he says, still looking ahead and walking at a comfortable pace.

"I want to confess something," I tell him, my heart beating in my chest like crazy.

His eyes immediately snap to mine as he looks deep into my eyes and searches for something. Observing my face closely, he licks his dry lips and to my utter surprise, shakes his head.

"Not now, sweetheart, later", he says with a knowing smile and continues walking.

I can't help but wonder, does he already know that I have fallen head over heels for him? Does he know how I feel for him? If not, he has to know how important he is for me. He has to know how special tonight is for me. I want to pour my heart out to him, even if he doesn't feel the same way yet, it's okay. Because I love him enough that my love will be sufficient for both of us.

"I just wanted to tell you how much -", I begin to say but he immediately cuts me off.

"Faith! Later!", he says impatiently and my heart clenches at his words.

I look at his face for any hint of emotion, but he stays expressionless and silent. I wonder what is going on in his mind that makes him avoid this conversation.

When he doesn't say anything for a while, the silence becomes overwhelming and the earlier nervousness turns into full blown anxiety.

What does he mean later? Why can't he let me confess my feelings for him? It's not like I expect him to reciprocate them immediately.

Doesn't he feel anything at all for me?

My heart breaks at the latter thought and I nuzzle closer into his chest and bury my face in the crook of his neck, while he holds me tightly and keeps walking. Warm, silent, traitorous tears begin trickling from my eyes, and before I even realize, I am sobbing into his shirt. He tries to lift my head a few times, but I don't let him. He can't see me crying, not tonight! Tonight is special, and I can't let this ruin it.

I promised myself I'll be okay with taking this as slow as he needs. Then, why does it hurt so much? Why does it shatter my heart to know he still isn't whole heartedly ready for us to be together? His actions scream loudly how much I mean to him, but the words he doesn't say make me second guess everything.

Is he that scared of commitment that he isn't even ready to hear about the extent of my love for him?

"Faith... Are you crying?", he asks suddenly and I shake my head against his shoulder. But, a muffled sob accidentally escapes my lips and betrays me instantly.

"Shit!," he murmurs in panic and I instantly regret thinking about all of this tonight. Tonight was supposed to be happy and memorable, and here I ruined it again. Perfect!

He sits down on a rock nearby, with me in his lap. He slowly pulls my head away from his shoulder and cups my face.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?," he asks looking into my eyes impatiently for an answer.

I muster up all my strength and flash a smile at him. "Nothing's wrong baby, let's go!," I try to persuade him, even though I know he won't buy it.

"Don't lie to me Faith, you promised me your honesty," he says and somehow all the pain hidden in my heart overflows instantly.

I break into ugly sobs and his face immediately contorts into worry. He wipes away my tears and kisses my forehead gently, as he says, "Tell me what's troubling you Faith, we can work through it."

"It's nothing, I-I just, wanted to let you know what you mean to me before.. tonight," I tell him but before he can say anything, I immediately cover up by saying, "I don't even know why I was thinking that, I am so stupid, I just thought.. uhh, it's nothing really, let's just forget this okay?"

I watch his worried expression slowly turning into a full blown frown and my heart sinks to my feet. Shit, I ruined this!

He grabs the side of my face tighter as he looks deep into my eyes and says, "Don't call yourself that, Faith. You're not stupid."

He hugs me tightly and I feel even more stupid as he didn't acknowledge anything else that I said. But before I can say anything, more tears fall down my face into the crook of his neck, making him break the hug instantly and cup my face again.

"Faith, sweetheart, don't shed these precious pearls baby. Believe me, I feel the same way," he says with a smile, but I feel a wave of anguish wash over me.

How dare he lie to my face to make me feel better?

"No you don't, Joy. You don't have to lie to me to make me feel better. I can handle this," I tell him and his frown deepens and he shakes his head.

"I am not lying Faith, I mean every word of it," he says with a conviction that leaves me utterly confused. But I know, it's not worth it to ask him anything more, or to extend this conversation, he wants to talk about it later, so it's better to drop it for now.

"Let's go Joy, we'll talk later," I tell him and he instantly nods in agreement.

He lifts me up again and starts walking, so I bury my head into his shoulder again. My mind goes into a frenzy as I keep replaying his words over and over in my head. Does he really feel the same way? Was he really not lying? Why is everything so damn complicated?

I shouldn't have brought this up tonight, I am such a big idiot!

"I'm sorry Joy, I hope I didn't ruin tonight," I murmur in a whisper, hoping he would just hear it and let it slide silently.

"You'll ruin it if you continue like this," he murmurs and my heart shatters all over again.

He stops walking and puts me down instantly, looking deep into my teary eyes for God knows what!

"Faith... If you don't stop being upset over this, you'll ruin my surprise"

My jaw drops in shock and he smiles sweetly at me.

Surprise?

"Yes, I have a surprise for you, but if you keep shedding these precious tears, I will have to drop that surprise and tell you right here, right now, that you're crying over nothing. Because I truly feel the same way!"

Oh my God! Is this really true?!

My heart leaps in my chest, and millions of joyous butterflies start dancing in my stomach again. The heartbreak I felt moments ago is gone and is replaced by excitement of what the night ahead holds. He must have read my changed expressions, because he chuckles and kisses my forehead.

"Come sweetheart, let's save the talking for a few more minutes, can we do that?"

I nod instantly and his smile widens. He kisses my eyes one by one and then pecks my lips. But as soon as he pulls back, he kisses me again, this time more deeply, more firmly, more passionately, like he's pouring all his unsaid words, unconfessed feelings into it. He possesses my lips like they contain an elixir and he needs every drop of it to stay alive. His touch leaves me senseless, igniting fire under my skin, making me want him right here, right now without worrying about anything else in the world. All my worries, all my doubts fade away, and my heart flutters at the silent confessions his lips make to my lips.

He feels the same way!

When we finally break the kiss with sweet smiles plastered on both our happy faces, his eyes drift to his watch impatiently, as if he's worried about getting late for reaching somewhere. He says hurriedly, "Let's go sweetheart, shall we?"

I nod and he lifts me again, carrying me towards the waterfall beach silently, turning his attention towards me smilingly every few minutes. His eyes shine with an unmistakable adoration for me and my heart paces in excitement at the thought of the surprise he has planned for me.

When we finally arrive at the edge of the beach, he puts me down on my feet. Since the sun is already down since long, and it's a moonless night, all I see is darkness everywhere. The sound of gushing water from the waterfall and the ever whistling waves play music to my eager ears.

Joy turns me towards him and places a soft lingering kiss on my forehead.

"Stay right here baby, I'll go and start the fire okay?," he says as he points to a nearby rock for me to sit on. I take a seat at the rock and watch him walking towards the middle of the beach where a small bonfire comes into view as my eyes begin adjusting to the darkness.

Joy looks at his watch again and crouches down to light up the fire. As soon as the bonfire is lit up, Joy turns around, still crouching, and looks at me with a sheepish smile playing on his lips. My crazy heartbeat paces even more and turns erratic at the sight of his nervous expressions.

That's when I see it.

My breath hitches in my throat as tears of joy start trickling down my face at the beautiful scene in front of me.

The fire from the bonfire lit up a thread, that connected to the wicks of several tealight candles nearby, which lit up one by one until a huge heartwarming, soul soothing, mind wrecking message became legible.

I love you.

The words that I was dying to tell him. The words I never thought he'll say to me so soon. He loves me?

Oh my God, He loves me!!!!

My heart does multiple somersaults in joy and I instantly run towards him as he gets up and opens his arms for me to embrace. As soon as I reach him, he lifts me off my feet and I smash my lips against his in a deep, passionate kiss, all my longing and pining for his love pouring out into moments of pure bliss. He kisses me back with same passion and persistence, as if telling me he has waited too long for this moment to finally arrive too. We dissolve into each other, our hearts dancing to each other's beats, our lips tasting each other's love and our tongues savoring each other's essence. No more insecurities, no more doubts, no more inhibitions, no unsaid words, no misunderstandings, nothing stands between us now.

He loves me and I love him.

We finally break our kiss and lean our foreheads on each other's, panting heavily for breath, huge smiles plastered on our faces, and our eyes doing the talking until we finally find our voices back.

"Joy, this is really beautiful, I wasn't even expecting this," I tell him and his smile widens.

He kisses my forehead, then steals another look at his watch and smiles, making me instantly wonder what is going on in his mind.

When he looks back at me, all air is knocked out of my lungs at the emotions visible through his eyes.

"You thought I'd make love to you before telling you how much I really love you?," he says with a naughty glint in his eyes, making my heart flutter at his words. "I told you, I feel the same way sweetheart, didn't I? Just like you wanted me to know what I mean to you, I wanted you to know what you mean to me too. You mean the world to me, my love...", he says and I feel so overwhelmed that all words fail my vocabulary, leaving me utterly speechless.

"I love you, Faith," he says with utmost sincerity in his eyes and choking emotions in his voice. He gulps nervously, but doesn't move his gaze away from me for even a moment.

"The first time I set my foot on this beach all those days ago, with you sleeping peacefully in my arms, this beautiful waterfall in front of my eyes, I knew... I knew no amount of beauty would ever match yours in my eyes. I knew I had fallen hard, just like the water of this waterfall, I had fallen head over heels in love with you," he says and a tear falls from his eyes but he quickly brushes it away. But I let the tears from my eyes fall, because the words he says are too overwhelming. He has loved me since so long? And, I didn't even have a clue!

"It was scary, this feeling I had for you. It made me hate who I had always been, it made me want to become someone new, someone worthy of you. It made me want to keep you close to me, always in front of my eyes, so I can protect you, and take care of you, and love you. But instead you were the one who protected me, saved me, took care of me. I couldn't be more proud of you, and couldn't be more grateful to whatever power sent you - my equal, my soulmate, my love - into my life and made it meaningful."

He looks up at the sky as he continues, "Before I met you Faith, my life was like this night. Dark, scary and lonely. But, then you came along and it wasn't so lonely, so scary anymore."

He pauses for a moment and looks into my eyes lovingly. Then he points towards the far end of the sky, above our usual side of the beach and that's when I notice it.

A flying lantern.

"Before I even realized it, your presence shone through the darkness of my life so beautifully, that I fell in love with not just your light, but my darkness too. And, while I was trying to comprehend this beautiful change, my life kept lighting up with your presence, you shone through every ounce of me.. just like this sky," he says and points upwards, and my teary eyes are mesmerized at the beautiful sight.

The sky full of several beautiful flying lanterns.

"Wow Joy, this is so thoughtful, so beautiful, you did all this for me?," I ask him as I look at the mesmerizing sky with awe.

"Yes but it's not as beautiful as you, though. I love you, Faith. I love you so much, since so long, I can't even think of spending another moment of my life without you by my side," he says and my heart does multiple somersaults in my chest, my stomach flips and backflips, the butterflies twirling around in joyous dance.

"I love you too, Joy. I love you. I love you so so much, I never thought this day would come so soon, when I'll be able to say this out loud to you. I love you with every bone of my body, every drop of my blood, my heart hurts whenever I am away from you. I tried to deny it, I tried to fight it, I tried to call it attraction, I tried to push you away. But nothing worked. Everything just brought me closer and closer to you. I was a mess when you came to my life, broken and bottled up. Your gentleness and care brought me out of my shell, your love kept breaking down all my walls, and before I knew, you became so important to me, that even the thought of losing you made me want to die too."

He shakes his head at me, but I don't stop.

"So I fought, Joy. I fought all dangers, I fought my innermost demons, and I fought our destiny, and your love gave me the strength to keep fighting everything that came in our way. Your presence gave me the courage to pick up every broken part of me, and your care helped me glue it back. You made my soul whole again, Joy. And, I can't even imagine going back to being broken again, I can't imagine living another day without you by my side either. I love you, I love you so much that I want to scream and tell the world that you are mine and I am yours."

He smiles lovingly at my heartfelt words and immediately goes down on his knees. My eyes widen in surprise and he immediately chuckles at my reaction.

"I'm not proposing, Faith, not yet," he says with a heart melting smile and my heart flutters at the hint of a proposal in future.

He continues will all seriousness, "But I want you to know Faith, I have good intentions for us. I imagine a future for us, a future where I wake up to your smile every morning, and I sleep in your arms every night. A future where we are together and happy. Someday, when we're both ready, I want to have my own happy family, I want to have my own peaceful home, and I want to have it with you."

Happy tears trickle down both of our eyes, as he sniffles and continues, "But till then, I want to learn how to love you right. I want to take care of you, and cherish you, and pamper you. I want to be officially yours, and I want to call you officially mine, if you'll let me!"

His honest words and heartfelt promises make my overwhelmed heart melt into tears that fall non-stop from my eyes. He pulls out a small box from his pocket and reveals a simple, yet beautiful pair of promise rings, making my breath hitch.

"Will you be my girlfriend, Faith?," he asks nervously and my eyes widen in surprise as I take in his words as well as the beautiful rings in his hands.

"Wow... Oh my God, Joy!," I say but he doesn't seem to listen to me, as he continues.

"I know, these aren't too expensive Faith, but I wanted to buy something for us from my own money, not from my parent's. So when I got to know that we won that football tournament against St Louis, and all the players, including me, won some cash prize, I went to a small shop first thing with that money and bought these. I just didn't find the right time to show these to you. I promise I'll work hard Faith, and the real engagement ring will be-," he goes on and on, but I cut him off by kneeling down next to him and pecking his lips with all my strength.

"Just shut up and put it on quickly. These are so beautiful, I love them!," I tell him wholeheartedly and he chuckles in response. We both exchange the rings and I can't take my eyes off our hands that proclaim our immensely deep love for each other.

He didn't just ask me to be his girlfriend tonight, he gave me a promise ring too! Wow, how did I get so lucky?!

I scream internally with joy and hug him tightly.

_____

To be continued ~