Epilogue
Vik
One Year Later
We lie beneath the stars, surrounded by friends and family, with drinks flowing freely and food sizzling on the barbecue. The sun said goodnight hours ago, and the fields of wildflowers around us have long since tucked themselves in.
Yet I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than the woman resting against my arm.
“Don’t tell me you’re falling asleep already,” Hannah’s mother calls from the picnic table.
It took Hannah a while to get comfortable with our parents seeing us like this.
Curled up together. Like lovers. Especially after we all once shared the same roof.
Their opinions didn’t bother me. Not while they were adjusting. Certainly not now, when teasing us has become one of their favorite pastimes. Because our happiness isn’t dictated by what anyone else thinks.
“No, not sleeping,” Hannah answers for both of us. “Just enjoying the view.”
She usually speaks for us when it comes to our parents. I’ve made peace with my father over everything that happened. Healing demanded it.
But old habits die hard. Most of the time, I still stay quiet unless someone speaks to me first.
“You can say that again,” Dad says. “Vik hasn’t taken his eyes off you since you sat down.”
Even beneath the soft glow from the lanterns, I see Hannah’s cheeks flush.
“Can you blame me?” The words are meant only for her. Even if everyone else hears.
“Vik...” She bites her lip, trying to hide her face.
I don’t let her. I slip a finger beneath her chin and gently lift her eyes back to mine.
“I love you, Hannah,” I whisper, hoping to save her from dying of embarrassment.
“I love you too.”
Those four words hit harder than they ever have before. Maybe it’s the fresh air. Maybe it’s spending the day surrounded by the people we love. Or maybe it’s simply because I can’t imagine my life without her anymore.
Whatever the reason, I know one thing. I want every tomorrow to begin beside her.
“Marry me.” Two words I’ve rehearsed a thousand times.
I spent months planning the perfect proposal. The perfect location. The perfect ring. Every tiny detail carefully mapped out.
None of it matters now.
The spectacle, the grand gesture, the perfect timing are all meaningless.
I’ll still take her on the trip. I’ll still give her the ring she’d be proud to wear for the rest of her life, but I can’t wait another second to hear her answer.
“What?” She swallows so hard I wonder if she simply didn’t hear me.
So, I say it again.
“Marry me, Hannah.”
“Vik...” Her breathing catches as she twists towards me.
For one agonising moment, I can’t tell what she’s thinking.
Then...
“Yes.” A laugh escapes her.
“Holy shit... yes.” She throws her arms around me.
“Of course I’ll marry you, Vik.”
I pull her into a kiss. She kisses me back just as fiercely.
Around us, everyone erupts into cheers, laughter and happy disbelief.
But their voices fade into the background.
Because in this moment, there’s only us.
Us… and a love born in chaos.
THE END.
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