Chapter 4 The Proposal

The evening sun cast a warm golden glow over the gathering, as friends and family of Maria came together to bid her farewell before her upcoming journey. Laughter, chatter, and a hint of sadness filled the air, creating a bittersweet atmosphere. Maria was surrounded by loved ones, each expressing their well wishes and emotions.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting shades of orange and pink across the sky, the atmosphere became even more poignant. The sound of music filled the air as the family gathered together to bid Maria farewell. The room was beautifully decorated with different shades of colours, and everyone was dressed in their best outfits. Selena was full of conflicting emotions as she couldn't imagine life without her best friend around.

Selena who was Maria's best friend and Romano, her boyfriend, stood by each other's side, quietly observing the emotional scene unfolding before them. They exchanged knowing glances, both feeling the gravity of the moment. Selena leaned in and whispered, "It's such a beautiful farewell for Maria, isn't it?"

Romano nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, it is. But I have a feeling that tonight is going to hold something more... special."

Curiosity piqued, Selena looked at Romano with a raised eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Romano's eyes sparkled mischievously as he gestured towards the rooftop. "You'll see."

Intrigued, Selena followed his gaze and noticed a small group of people gradually making their way up to the rooftop. As the night sky grew darker, the rooftop came alive with twinkling fairy lights, casting a magical ambience over the space. Selena's heart skipped a beat as she saw a pathway of beautiful flowers, colourful balloons, and delicate rose petals forming words on the ground: "Will you marry me?"

Her mind raced, trying to process what was happening. As she turned back to Romano, her breath caught in her throat. There he was, down on one knee, holding a glistening ring in his hand. The world seemed to slow down, all noises fading into the background as her attention was solely on him.

"Selena," Romano's voice was steady, filled with a depth of emotion. "From the moment we met, you've brought so much joy and light into my life. You've been my confidant, my partner-in-crime, and my rock. I can't imagine my life without you by my side. Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?"

Tears welled up in Selena's eyes, her heart pounding against her chest. She felt a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her, each one vying for attention. She finally managed to find her voice, her words trembling with sincerity. "Romano, you've brought so much love and happiness into my life as well. You've been my constant support and my best friend. I can't imagine my future without you in it. Yes, I would marry you!"

Romano's face broke into a radiant smile, relief and elation evident in his eyes. He slipped the ring onto her finger, and the rooftop erupted into applause and cheers from the family and friends who had gathered to witness this heartfelt moment.

Amid the celebration, Selena and Romano found themselves wrapped in a warm embrace, their hearts beating as one. The night was a culmination of love, not only for Maria's journey but for this new chapter that Selena and Romano were embarking upon together.

As the night continued, the two of them shared their news with their loved ones, receiving hugs, laughter, and words of congratulations. Maria, who had been the centre of attention earlier, now joyfully shifted her focus to Selena and Romano, offering her heartfelt blessings and wishes.

The stars above shimmered brightly, casting a luminous glow over the rooftop. It was a night of love, connection, and the intertwining of destinies. As Selena and Romano looked out at the night sky, they couldn't help but feel that their love story was just beginning and that each day, no matter how fast they went by, would be a beautiful journey together.

Selena's heart felt heavy as she embraced Maria tightly at the farewell party. "I can't believe you're leaving tomorrow," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.

Maria smiled softly, her eyes glistening. "I know, Selena. I'm going to miss you so much. But we'll stay in touch, and I'll come back to visit as soon as I can."

Tears welled up in Selena's eyes as she nodded. "You better, Maria. Take care of yourself, okay? And best of luck on this new chapter."

Maria's fingers brushed away a tear from Selena's cheek. "Thank you, my dear friend. And before I forget, congratulations on your engagement! I'm so happy for you."

Selena blushed, a radiant smile spreading across her face. "Thank you, Maria. A part of me still envies you."

The two friends shared a final embrace before Selena left the venue.

"Goodbye, Maria. Safe travels!"

Entering Romano's house, Selena was greeted by the soft glow of candlelight that illuminated a path of rose petals on the floor. The gentle strains of romantic music played in the background, wrapping the room in an intimate ambience. Selena's heart skipped a beat as she took in the scene, her surprise was evident on her face.

"Romano, what is all this?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.

Romano appeared from the shadows, a smile playing on his lips. "I wanted to create a special evening for us, Selena. A night to remember."

She felt her cheeks flush as he walked closer, his eyes fixed on hers. Without a word, he took her hand and led her to the centre of the room. Their bodies swayed to the music, each step bringing them closer together.

"Romano, you didn't have to do all this," Selena murmured, her voice filled with emotion.

He smiled warmly, his gaze never leaving hers. "I wanted to. You mean everything to me, Selena."

As the music swelled, Romano's arms wrapped around Selena, pulling her into a tender embrace. His lips brushed against hers, a gentle and passionate kiss that sent shivers down her spine. The world around them seemed to fade as they lost themselves in the moment, their connection growing stronger with each passing second.

Their lips parted, but their closeness remained. Romano's eyes held a mixture of love and desire as he spoke. "Selena, you make every day brighter. I want to spend my life cherishing and loving you."

Tears welled up in Selena's eyes as she looked deep into Romano's gaze. "I feel the same way, Romano. You've brought so much happiness into my life."

He smiled, his fingers gently wiping away a tear from her cheek. "I have one more surprise for you."

Before she could respond, Romano led her towards the backyard. As they stepped outside, Selena's breath caught in her throat. The warm glow of the moon illuminated a hot tub surrounded by more candles and petals.

"Romano, this is... incredible," Selena whispered, her heart swelling with emotion.

He took her hand, leading her towards the hot tub. The water was warm and inviting as they slipped in, their bodies sinking into the soothing embrace of the bubbles. Romano's arms wrapped around Selena, pulling her close as they gazed up at the stars.

"This night, this moment, it's all about us," Romano murmured, his lips brushing against Selena's forehead.

She closed her eyes, savouring the sensation of being in his arms.

Their laughter echoed in the night as they talked, sharing dreams and aspirations. The sound of their voices was a melody that blended seamlessly with the rustling leaves and the distant hum of the city.

As the night drew to a close, Romano and Selena remained in the warm water, their bodies relaxed and their heart's content. The connection they shared was stronger than ever, a testament to the depth of their love.

As the stars shone above, Romano and Selena knew that this night would forever be etched in their memories-a night of love, surprises, and the promise of a beautiful life together.

Selena lay in bed, her mind a battlefield of conflicting emotions. The decision ahead weighed heavily on her heart. She had been with Romano for years, building a life together filled with shared memories and experiences. Yet, the allure of a fresh start in the US was a tempting prospect, pulling at her thoughts like a gentle breeze on a warm summer day.

As moonlight streamed through the curtains, casting soft shadows on the walls, Selena turned to look at Romano sleeping beside her. His peaceful expression belied the turmoil that raged within her. She had always admired his unwavering commitment and the way he stood by her side through thick and thin. Tonight, though, doubt crept in like a stealthy thief, whispering questions of what might lie beyond the horizon.

"Selena," Romano's voice broke through the silence, his eyes still closed. "Are you okay?"

Caught off guard, Selena hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yeah, I'm just thinking about the events of today, with Maria leaving and all."

Romano turned to face her, his eyes now open, searching her face for any hint of what troubled her. "You miss her, don't you?"

Selena sighed, unable to hide her unease. "Yeah, I do... because she is moving to the US," Selena responded in an attempt to hide her true feelings.

Romano reached for her hand and gently squeezed it. "You know I am here for you, right? I'll always be here for you."

A rush of warmth spread through Selena as she looked into his sincere eyes. It was moments like these that made her heart flutter with affection. "I know, Romano. Thank you."

He nodded, understanding her internal struggle. "Selena, I love you. And I want us to be happy."

She squeezed his hand back as she responded. "You're so good to me, Romano."

He smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Because you deserve it. Now, let's get some rest. We can talk more tomorrow."

They settled back into bed, Romano's arm wrapped protectively around Selena. As she closed her eyes, Selena's thoughts drifted between the life she had built with Romano and the unknown possibilities that awaited her abroad.

In her dreams, Selena found herself standing at a crossroads, torn between two paths. One led to the familiarity of her life with Romano, filled with comfort and love. The other path was shrouded in mist, hiding both challenges and opportunities. As she hesitated, a figure emerged from the mist – a version of herself, confident and resolute.

"Why are you hesitating? You have to choose." the vision of herself asked. "You deserve happiness, Selena. Don't let fear hold you back."

In the dream Selena looked back at Romano, who stood on the other path, his eyes filled with understanding. "It's not about leaving him behind," the vision continued. "It's about exploring the world and discovering who you can become."

Selena woke up, her heart pounding with a newfound determination. She gazed at Romano sleeping beside her, his presence reassuring and comforting. This was the man who had stood by her side through thick and thin, who had seen her at her best and worst, and who had loved her unconditionally.

As the first light of dawn crept through the window, Selena made a silent promise to herself to embrace love and her new life with Romano.