I’m almost there. I can see the bright pink tape marking the finish line. I can imagine his smiling face, and his cold hands holding my hot sweaty cheeks. But disappointment is in the air. I can’t see him. He’s not there.
As the pink tape breaks against my body I search frantically for him. I had just completed a marathon, and he wasn't there. Sweat runs down my forehead and I breathe ragged breaths, placing my hands on my head.
“He’s not here,” I say softly, still searching for him. “He’s not here.”
I close my eyes, beginning my cool-down walk. One of the volunteers quickly hands me a water bottle, knowing from my red sweaty face that I definitely need it.
I feel my knees collapse from beneath me like a collapsible ladder. I am unscrewing the the top off my water bottle as I fall, the water sloshing over the rim. I suddenly feel gentle, cool hands catch me, but I take no notice. I just let the cold fluid soothed my parched throat.
“Wow! Easy there! Water can make you sick you know.”
Water sprays from my mouth as I hear the familiar voice. I quickly stand up, energy pulsing through my veins. “You’re…you’re here,” I breathe as I feel his cool hands on my sweaty, sun-burned arms.
“You didn’t think I’d miss this did you?” he asks, flashing his smile that I love so dearly. “Oh ye of little faith,” he slowly tucks a stray hair behind my ear, leaning in, and kissing me.
I wrap my hands around his neck, consuming his cologne with my sweaty stench. But I don’t care, and he doesn’t seem to mind either.
“I have something for you. Wait right here.” I watch as he runs off to the nearby parking lot, opening his car door. He takes a box from the passenger seat, sprinting back to me. He places the box in my hands. “For you.”
I slip off the top of the box, finding a new pair of running shoes inside. “Its…shoes,” I say, smiling in spite of the odd gift.
“Try them on,” he urges me, having me sit down on the summer dried grass.
I unlace my Nike tennis shoes and slip on the new pair. But my right foot halts. “There’s something inside,” I say. I pull out my foot, reaching inside and taking out a minute velvet case.
I slowly open the case, revealing a sparkling, diamond ring. I feel my heart drum inside my rib cage and tears pile up. I look up at him, tears brimming with tears.
“Will you marry me?” he whispers the question.
I can’t breathe. All the sounds around us begin to fade. I never thought this would ever happen to me. “Yes,” the simple word tumbles from my lips.
I stand up, and our arms snake around each other, my head burying in his chest. “I love you,” he murmurs in my ear.
“I love you too.”
As he kisses me again, I feel my heart flutter and feel as his hands blindly place the ring on my finger. “I can’t believe it took this long,” I say.
“I know. But no more waiting has to happen. I know, I love you.” He pulls his lips away from mine ever so slightly, kissing me on the forehead again. “My fiance.”
