PROPOSAL AT CENTRAL PARK (The Writer Of Darkness)

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It was a chilly fall afternoon in New York and despite of it about to rain any minute, John Walton Jr., insisted on inviting his fiancé, Janet Gilchrest, for a quick walk around Central Park, as he needed to ask her something important.

So, that afternoon, as many people tried to rush around, wanting to be protected from the incoming rain, the couple found themselves walking arm-in-arm around the park, enjoying each other's presence. Suddenly, John broke the silence, in the most award-winning way.

''You know, after all these years, I finally understand how the wind smells when its about to rain,'' he said. ''It's so pure and refreshing, like a new page about to be turned in a book,'' he said and from his side, Janet laughed.

''What an interesting way to describe the change of weather,'' she exclaimed. ''But I suppose, John, you didn't invite me for a walk when it's about to rain just to talk about the weather,'' she said and as if on cue, it began to sprinkle.

''Oh, yeah... Is there a bench somewhere near?'' John asked with a laugh.

''Ten feet from here, there's a covered bench near the lake, come on!'' she said and they walked as fast they could till they reached the bench and sat down, already almost soaked from the rain.

''Oh boy!'' John shook his head and felt around his pockets before dropping his cane. ''Listen to this sound, Janet, it's a lot of different sounds, the rain hitting the water, the roof, its amazing,'' he said.

''It is indeed,'' she agreed, resting her head on his shoulder. ''You remember the first time we met?'' she asked and he nodded.

''How could I forget that day in the library,'' he said, remembering when almost a year ago, they had first met at the library and become friends. Coincidently, that had also been a rainy day. ''Janet, I'm happy your parents accepted me. At one point, I thought they would forbid you to see me again.''

''Oh John, how can someone not like you? You are such a great man,'' she said. ''Hard working and determined, the kind of man they wanted for me basically,'' she said and they laughed.

''I think I got that from my father. He is more determined than anyone I've ever met. He taught me and my siblings that we need to work hard to get what we want. Even after I lost…after my accident, I mean, he did everything to prevent me from just sitting around and doing nothing. Of course, my mother on the other hand, almost had a heart attack out when I decided to move here in the height of the war.''

''I can't wait to meet them. You talk so much about your family,'' she said.

''Well, I have an announcement to make, so I was thinking about going home to the mountains next week, and I want you to come with me.''

''An announcement?'' Janet asked, confused, and he nodded.

''Janet, could you please close your eyes?''

''What are you planning, John?'' the woman asked with a playful tune, and he laughed.

''It's a surprise''

''Okay…'' she said, closing her eyes, and once John placed his hands on her face making sure her eyes were closed, he got down on one knee despite the wet ground and reached into his pocket.

''Janet, thank you for accepting my invitation to walk in this horrible weather; thank you for accepting me for what I am, and thank you for being part of my life,'' he said. ''Even before the accident, I never thought I would get married, and especially after that I thought no one would ever be with me. But since the first time I heard your voice, I thought 'that's the girl I want to spent the rest of my life with' I just hope the ring isn't horrible as I picked it up myself,'' he said. ''So, will you marry me, Janet?''

By the time the man she loved had finished his speech, Janet had already opened her eyes and upon seeing the ring in his hand, gasped. She had been waiting a long time for a proposal, and she felt like her heart was going to explode with happiness.

''Yes…'' she gasped. ''YES!'' she said again and in response, John-Boy got up and pulled her into the rain with, spinning her around as best he could. ''No, John, what're you doing, we're going to fall on the lake!''

''I love you, Janet, I love you so much!''

''I love you too,'' she said, and they shared a wet kiss and walked back home arm in arm, wishing that the rain had earned them luck in the new life they started for themselves, and that their lives would be as bright and clear as the sun.

END