S I N G L E - H E A R T E D
adjective [sing-guhl-hahr-tid]

Sincere and undivided in feeling or spirit, dedicated; not reflecting mixed emotions.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

"What about that boy?"

"What boy?"

Your mother raised an eyebrow and stocked peeling the potato in her hand, "There is only one boy [y/n]."

You furrowed your brows and bit your lip, "Um... Robbie?"

"Of course love, what about him?"

You laughed a little, "What on earth are you on about mum?"

"He seems... appropriate-"

"He's not an item mum. He's a person, a 'boy'... and I have not the faintest clue of what you mean by bringing him into this conversation," You continued to mix the bowl of sliced fruit while your mother went back to peeling the potatoes.

"You only love someone once in your life [y/n], you shan't waste the chance."

"What on earth does that mean?" You sucked in a sharp breath. Your mother went on talking about Robbie and the concept of romance. She talked about your father and her, and their story.

"Robbie is the perfect candidate for a future and long term husband, mum. I love him with all my heart," You said in a rush then shut your eyes, hoping to not regret the words you had spoken, "And he... loves me just the same."

"How would you know that? You know not a thing about affections!" She scolded and you grabbed the dishcloth hanging around your kitchen apron and threw it onto the table.

"The fact that you think of me like that is appalling," You said bluntly and stormed out of the room towards your bedroom.

You collapsed onto your bed and let a couple years roll down your cheeks to channel your inner sadness, then looked to the window.

You watched people walk and pass by, a horse carriage roll forward and then-

You squinted your eyes, you knew his stature too well to know that he was standing in the distance. You glanced to your room door then ran to it and locked it, before getting your coat and wearing a pair of boots.

You took a deep breath before slipping out of the window and putting on your coat. You carefully walked out towards the fence then jumped over and ran into the field ahead, to where you think Robbie is standing.

"A little more time and I think they should be good to harvest," Robbie told a friend whom he works for as a gardener, "You have fantastic quality of land, you could eventually earn a tidy sum for it."

"You think so?"

"Yeah I believe it," Robbie knelt down and took a little dirt in his hands, "Such fine and rich soil, I rarely see it in these-"

"But what about down by the lake? Fresh water helps Robbie," You said and stood right behind him. While staying knelt, he turned around and smiled brightly when he saw you.

"Oh hello love, what are you doing here?" He got up and you gave him a hug that made him laugh. "Nothing I just..." You pulled away and stared at his face for a moment, glancing to his lips and moving closer to him.

You've never kissed him... you've never kissed anyone really. You were curious to know how it feels... and how it would feel to kiss Robbie.

You shook your head slightly then ran a hand through your hair, "I saw someone in the distance looking rather like yourself and I thought I'd stop by."

"Well I'm glad you did," Robbie said and kissed you on the cheek. You bit your lip then stepped away from him. "By the way [y/n], this is Mr Bennett. I work for him down by the Thompson's house," Robbie introduced and you nodded your head at the men.

"Pleasure to meet you Sir," You said with a smile. Mr Bennett said goodbye to you and Robbie shortly after, leaving both of you to your privacy.

You stared at Robbie and he raised a brow with a smile. "What's wrong love?" He asked, "You look like a statue all of a sudden."

"N-Nothing I just... Never mind," You mumbled and he looked at you with pity.

"Are you sure?" He started to walk ahead and you held onto his arm.

"It's just... I had this conversation with mother and-"

"Oh what about?"

"Y-You."

Robbie smirked, "Me? Is that so?"

"Yes and I love you but mother repels the idea of giving away my time to love that she thinks is all in my head! I told her that you love me too but..."

"And that is so true [y/n], I love you with every fiber in me," He kissed you on the cheek and you smiled softly. Robbie suddenly dug into his pocket and took out a folded note, "This is for you and your family. Mother and father have invited the [y/l/n] for early dinner tomorrow at our home. We will be delighted to have you in our company."

You smiled widely, "Robbie I... Thank you though I hope it won't be of any trouble to you."

"Trouble? You'll be there, it can never be deemed as trouble."

*****

The next day, 5:45 PM

You took a deep breath as your father knocked on the house door. You gripped the basket of fresh vegetables in your hands and tried your best to contain your nerves.

Moments follow and the door swings open, Robbie's father stands there with a jolly smile. "Welcome [y/l/n]s!" He greeted and took everyone's coats.

You greeted Mrs Turner then looked around curiously for-

"Right on time huh? I always admire your punctuality.

You turned around and smiled, lowering your head and rubbing your fingers. "Hello Robbie," You said quietly and he licked his lips, watching you intently. He glanced over his shoulder then lifted your chin.

"You can act as you would in your home alright?" He informed and you nodded your head, "Come, let's eat."

You both walked into the dining room, your mother and Mrs Turner were bringing plates and dishes of prepared meals into the room to place on the table.

"Where is [y/s/n]?" Mr Turner asked, "That young girl is a basket full of cheer!"

"She had to attend a small gathering at her friend's house, the Bateses. She had been planning it for weeks," You replied and he nodded his head.

Your and Robbie's parents tool their seats and awkwardly enough, two seats on one side of the table next to each other were left empty. You glanced to Robbie and bit your lip a little.

*****

You had not the faintest clue of what your parents were talking about. After the first ten minutes you couldn't really bring yourself to keep your attention on their words... and neither could Robbie.

You twirled your spoon in the pilpe of mashpotates on your plate, staring at it while you thought about Robbie. From time to time you'd whisper something to him when the grown ups were deep in conversation.

He suggested getting out of the dining room and going for a walk in the backyard though you didn't think your parents would fancy that... alone time with Robbie.

You placed a hand on your lap and took out a spoon of gravy, pouring it onto the mashed potatoes. You felt a hand slip onto yours and you startled a bit.

You looked at Robbie who appeared to be unaffected by anything. He held your hand tightly and rubbed it slowly.

You moved your hand down, making it hang to the side of the chair. Your fingers touched his lightly, he started tracing the bracelet you were wearing. As time gradually went by, a feeling rose inside you. You wanted to spend your time alone with Robbie all of a sudden... you yearned-

"What are your future plans?" Mrs Turner asked, bringing you back to reality and you snatched your hand away from Robbie.

"I-I... I'm sorry?"

"You are a beautiful young woman, what about marriage?" She further questioned and you clenched your jaw.

"I don't-I'm not sure about... I-I have not found a-anyone yet," You answered nervously and Robbie glanced to you quickly.

"Um everyone, I'd like to bring a topic to the table," Robbie said suddenly and cleared his throat, "Mr and Mrs [y/l/n], I would like to have your blessing and approval to ask your wonderful daughter [y/n] to marry me."

You felt yourself grow numb, you couldn't process the words he had just said. You questioned if it were true.

There was a wave of silence in the room, everyone looked at each other. Robbie turned to watch you while you stared at the table blankly, unable to gather the courage to look at your parents for a response.

"And why should our daughter decide to marry you Robbie Turner?" Your father interrogated and raised an eyebrow. You didn't want your parents to-

"Because I have never loved anyone as much as I do her. The reason I am the man today is because [y/n] brings out the best in me. I've known her for almost a decade and ever since I met her that day at the market, I knew that I wanted to impress her... and her family, I wanted her to be with me for as long as I live," Robbie said and held your hand under the table, "I adore everything about her, in my eyes she's the perfect picturesque image of a young woman. I wouldn't want to change a thing in her. I would treat her well and I would make sure to keep her joyous for her entire life."

You bit your lip to stop the ever-growing smile on your face. "I love you," You mouthed discreetly and you spotted a shimmer in his eyes.

"Please Mr and Mrs Turner, nothing would mean more than to have [y/n] as my companion in life. I am sincere in my passion for her," He closely begged. Your father eyed you then shifted his gaze to your mother.

"[y/n]..." He started and you dreaded the talk after it, "Your mother and I had conversed about it."

"Father, please I love Robbie as much as he does me-"

"We'll discuss it further but... I think it's more than done Mr Turner. Consider our daughter a part of the Turners," Your father smiled slightly as he took a sip of water.

You widened your eyes and beamed. You looked at everyone one by one then said, "Really? But I thought-" Robbie tightened his grip on your hand and you hugged him.

You pulled away moments later and shared a deep but awkward glance at each other as everyone watched you.

You went back to finishing your dinner, hoping that you could finally enjoy some alone time with Robbie after it.