Chapter 8: The Gift of Love

Chapter 8: The Gift of Love

The soft glow of my phone screen illuminated the quiet room as I stared at Kiara's message, my heart skipping a beat with each word. Her reply was unexpected, yet it carried warmth that reached deep into my chest.

"It was so obvious how you secretly looked at me," she wrote. "It was cute. You know, you were the talk of all the staff members. At first, I thought you were just a fool, but as I got to know you, I started feeling safe around you. I could see how hard you were trying for me, and I really like that about you."

I sat there, staring at the screen, my thoughts tumbling over each other. "Was I really that childish?" I wondered. "That jerky?" The truth hit me like a wave. I had never taken life seriously before—never really cared about the consequences of my actions. I always acted on impulse, doing whatever my heart told me. I thought that was freedom, that was living life to the fullest.

But now, with Kiara's words sinking in, I began to understand something deeper. I realized what it meant to care for someone and be cared for in return. I realized the importance of people in our lives—the responsibility we have towards them, and the ways in which they shape us. Kiara had opened my eyes to the meaning of love. From that day on, everything changed. I started working harder for my future, not just for exams but for the knowledge I wanted to gain. I began exercising to clear my mind, not to show off. I took life seriously, and I did it because of her.

I couldn't help but smile as I thought back to that day in the park.

We were sitting on a bench, hunched over our laptops, working on our thesis. It had been a long day, and we decided to take a break. Kiara turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Close your eyes," she said, a playful tone in her voice. "Don't open them until I say so."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but complied, closing my eyes as she instructed. My heart raced a little, wondering what she had planned. Moments later, she told me to open them. I blinked, adjusting to the light, and there it was—a small cake, sitting on the table in front of me. Kiara handed me a box, her smile wide and bright.

"Happy birthday, Sai!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "Here's your gift."

I was taken aback. My birthday wasn't something I usually celebrated. At this age, it felt almost childish to make a big deal out of it. But the thoughtfulness behind her gesture struck me deeply.

"Can I open it here?" I asked, feeling a bit awkward but touched by her gesture.

"Yeah, you have to open it here, of all places," she teased, her eyes sparkling.

I carefully opened the box, and my gaze fell on the watch inside. It was a sleek, elegant piece—perfect in its simplicity. But what caught my attention was the fact that it was a 24-hour watch. I looked up at her, puzzled.

"For a while, I noticed that you started acting more mature, working hard toward your future," Kiara said, her voice soft but steady. "That's a good thing. I don't have any complaints about that. But I also think it's important to celebrate the small moments of life together. To make memories. Because memories matter, Sai."

Her words hit me like a revelation. I had been so focused on my goals, on what I needed to achieve, that I had forgotten to celebrate the little things—the moments that truly made life worth living.

I glanced back at the watch, then back at her. "Thank you, but... why a watch?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Kiara's lips curled into a playful smile. "Because... now we're matching," she said, showing me the watch on her own wrist. It was identical to mine.

I laughed, feeling a warmth spread through me. This wasn't just a gift; it was a symbol of the bond we shared. I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Later that night, after a bit of quiet reflection, I did what I always did when I wanted to understand something more deeply. I Goggled the meaning behind gifting a watch. The search results revealed something that made my heart flutter: It's a lovely way to show your interest in someone, and a subtle way of indicating that you see a future with them.

My heart swelled with emotion. Kiara had just given me the most perfect birthday gift—one that would forever remind me of our connection, of the future we were building together. That watch became more than just a gift; it became a treasured memory, a symbol of everything we were becoming.

Months passed, and life began to move forward in ways I couldn't have imagined. My hard work finally paid off when I landed my first job. It felt like a dream come true, but it was also a reminder of how much I owed to Kiara. She had been my rock, supporting me every step of the way.

To celebrate, I took her out to a local restaurant for dinner. We sat across from each other, the soft glow of the restaurant's lights casting a warm atmosphere around us. Kiara's face radiated with happiness, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Congratulations on landing the job, Sai," she said, her voice full of cheer. "I'm so happy for you!"

I grinned, handing her the menu. "You can order anything you want, and get anything along with your favorite dish."

Kiara's eyes widened. "Okay, I'm not holding back today, then!" she said with a playful laugh.

I chuckled. "I'm glad to hear that."

After a few moments of silence, I felt a sudden surge of emotion, something I couldn't ignore. My heart beat faster as I looked at her—this woman who had been everything to me, who had helped me become the man I was today.

"Hey, Kiara?" I began, my voice shaky.

She looked up at me, sensing the change in my tone. "Hm?"

"I'm going to work hard," I said, my words slow but steady. "I'm going to make a lot of money... and I want to marry you."

Her eyes widened, her fork freezing halfway to her mouth. The shock on her face was clear, and the silence between us felt like an eternity. My heart raced, and I immediately regretted being so blunt.

"What?" she asked, her voice quiet but filled with surprise.

I felt my stomach twist with nerves. "Do you not want to...?"

The words hung in the air between us. I wasn't sure if I had rushed things, if I had messed up the moment. I looked down, embarrassed, but just as I was about to pull away, I felt her hand gently squeeze mine.

I looked up, meeting her gaze, and she smiled—a soft, radiant smile that melted the worry from my chest.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I'm just a little surprised by the suddenness of it all. But honestly, I think I'm the happiest woman in the world right now. I want to be with you for the rest of my life."

My heart soared. "So... in the next few years, we're going to get married?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

She smiled even brighter, her cheeks flushing a soft pink. "Yeah," she said, her voice filled with certainty. "We are."

At that moment, I knew everything had changed. We were no longer just two people in love; we were building a future together—a future that was ours to shape. And as we sat there, hands entwined, I couldn't help but feel like the luckiest man in the world.

But that was the beginning.

Little did I know, the journey we were about to take was far more complicated than I could ever have imagined.