Standard disclaimers applied. See Prologue for further details.

Author's Note: I'm sorry to keep you guys on such a long wait. My life has been very complicated (still is) and I don't have a lot of mental energy to write. I hope you guys will understand and million thanks to those who remain faithful to this story.

The opening lines are from the song, Walk Away, sang by Kelly Clarkson, which doesn't belong to me.


Chapter 18: With Certainty

I wanna love
I want a fire
To feel the burn
My desires


Are you gonna fight for me?
Die for me?
Live and breathe for me?
Do you care for me?

-Kelly Clarkson, Walk Away

With such a picture-perfect, almost fairy-tale like ending of the last chapter, it seemed almost natural that both Neela and Ray would follow suit with a marriage announcement of their own. In their own way, the roommates just clicked. However, a loving relationship does not always work seamlessly without detours.

Certainly, the idea of marriage for Ray was not that far-fetched. He was happy with his life and the people in it. He had a stable career, a place to live, a car and not to mention, an understanding girlfriend, roommate and colleague.

Lately, he found himself thinking about Jamie. Their engagement was short, their marriage even shorter. Sometimes, he regretted the time lost that prevented from knowing this remarkable person who changed his life. She was his miracle, the catalyst for him to make something of himself.

If Jamie was his miracle, then Neela would be his guiding light. Through a turbulent part of his life when he closed himself off to the world, she had managed to shed a gentle glow in the shadows. She was the reason for living again.

At the age of twenty-eight, ten years after his first marriage, Ray was ready to start another part of his journey again.

-o-o-

Neela was surprised to see Ray waiting for her at the appointed time of seven o' clock. Actually, it wasn't the physical act of him being there, rather, it was more his actual attire. A white dress shirt matched his gray pants and outer jacket. He had left specific instructions for her to dress formal. Neela was glad that she had gone dress shopping the other day with Sam. She had a mind for style and fashion and the girls had made a smart choice with a classic navy blue dress that shimmered purple in the light. V-shaped neckline that may look scandalous but in reality, complemented Neela's curves - one that she didn't existed on her.

Ray had reservations at a restaurant that Neela had once mentioned that she wanted to try. Over dinner, they talked over mundane subjects, laughed over redundant jokes that never failed to make them smile and shared a plate of delicate dessert. She could sense his apprehension by the way that Ray kept wringing his napkin and taking mores sips of water than the actual food itself. She assumed that he wasn't comfortable with dressing up.

So, after dinner, she suggested that they abandoned their formal wear for something more comfortable. He was surprised by her comment, "You mean, you aren't yourself?"

"No, don't get me wrong. I appreciate you the thought but you just don't look very comfortable."

"I don't mind looking uncomfortable, if it makes you happy."

She was touched as she hooked her arms through his and rested her head upon his shoulder. They walked thus as they allowed their feet to carry them on an undetermined direction. Soon, they found themselves nearing their own apartment building and they boh smiled at their destination. Ray held her in front of him as he gazed down at her upturn face. His countenance became serious as he leaned downwards for a kiss.

Beneath the gentle glow of the streetlight, he whispered, "Marry me, Neela. Make the happiest man tonight."

Neela sighed into his kiss but was surprised at his question. Her knees felt weak as she stared dumbfounded at the man in front of her, holding an engagement ring. She stuttered for an answer and she did the unthinkable. She ran without looking back. For the second time in his life, Ray found himself heart broken as he watched the back of the woman that he loved disappeared from his sight.

End of Chapter 18


AN: I was feeling sad, hence, the mood of the chapter. Sorry about that ... be sure to r/r.