Vows To You


22: Counting


The first time he saw her was when they were young. His parents took him out to this local ice cream shop along with his baby brother. The dessert was commendable and though he didn't showed it, he is grateful for his parents in bringing him here. It's a nice change since he's grown bored of all the fancy luxury his family name alone showered him.

Just when he was about to take a lick on his vanilla cone, he saw her prance over to the glass, pointing eagerly at one of the displayed flavors while pulling a boy a year or two older than her by the arm along with two people- he assumed were their parents, following behind.

He turned his head and paid the happy family no more heed. Then when he left the parlor he heard her voice, accompanied by cheerful laughter. He did a double take and watched her for a few moments as her brother and parents wished her a happy birthday.

~0~

The second time he saw her was a few years later at the junior national chess tournament. He outdid his opponents like a breeze so it comes to no surprise that he stood on that stage with a bored look. That was until the champion in the girl's division came forward and stood beside him with a happy smile on her lips. He didn't hear nor even cared what the emcee was saying.

They turned to each other after the medals were wrapped around their necks and their trophies given to their parents, his eyes still transfixed on her happy expression. They shook hands and he didn't realize that he held her hand longer than necessary. When they let go, she giggled and smiled wider at him before saying that he did a great job and that she'd like to challenge him one day.

He saw her walk down the stage and turn to the girls she defeated. Her smiling face did not falter as she shook their hands and some, she even hugged- all the while thanking them for a great match and that she hoped that they could play again.

He turned to the palm that shook her lithe hand, the warmth that she shared didn't go unnoticed to him and though minutes have passed, his palm still felt warm.

Turning to his previous opponents, he didn't say anything but they understood the meaning behind it when they all shook his hand- his other hand, the one that didn't touch hers.

~0~

The third time he saw her was another few years later. It was a sad, rainy afternoon as he stood alone in front of this grandmother's tombstone. The funeral was months ago and it brought great grief on his father's heart now that his mother is gone. He liked his father's mother; she was someone he could rely on and become himself.

After saying his last respects, he walked back to the limo until he heard and all-too-familiar voice. However, this voice did not contain the same cheer and glee he heard twice in his life. Something's wrong and at the sight of her knelt form in front of two tombstones, her hands covered her face, her brother behind her weeping as he gripped the umbrella to shield his and her body from the cold rain- he knew what had happened.

Then, for the second time since his grandmother's death did he felt that pang of pain hit his chest and he knew that it was because he saw her so sad, depressed, broken, and crying.

After a while, her brother held her up and they both walked away. He knew that it wasn't rain that soaked her black dress.

He paid his respects to the graves where her parents laid, and judging by the sight of fresh flowers surrounding the two stones, he knew that it was only recent. After that, he left a bouquet of flowers.

~0~

The fourth time he saw her was when he was at a restaurant years later. This is the third time he's gone to another date set up by his meddling grandfather who, apparently, did it for 'the sake of the company'. The old man never cared about what he wants anyway.

As he grew more and more impatient with the woman in front of him who couldn't stop talking about her shopping spree in Europe; he saw her again a few tables back. She was so beautiful, more beautiful than any woman he's ever seen. Especially in that midnight blue dress that hugged her frame. She was breathtaking and Kei is everything and being observant is one of them. He saw her smile at the man in front of her and he knew all too well that the smile was unlike the ones he saw before. Her smile was forced and seeing her gaze shift from side to side only made him smirk in amusement.

She was looking for an escape route and coincidentally, he is too.

She saw that opportunity when she excused herself to the ladies' room and he copied the idea. He slipped out at the back of a stall's open window and bravely rounded around where the ladies' room was; just in time to see her slip out at the slim window as well.

Unfortunately, her dress was caught in the window's frame, making her lose balance and as if by reflex, he opened his arms to catch her on time.

She looked up at his honey-gold eyes and for the first time in his life, he genuinely smiled.

~0~

The fifth time he saw her was on their first date. After they both ditched their dates that night, their relationship started off with a number of curses, mocking gestures and childish insults. However, she held dear about gratitude and favors so when he saw this opportunity, he jumped at the chance and asked her out- to show her how a real date should be done.

Now he stood patiently in front of the biggest amusement park in town with two all-you-can-ride tickets in his fingers. He should've known he was early- too early, 30 minutes early to be exact. But how couldn't he? He never felt so eager and giddy in his life.

Then when the clock struck five minutes till nine, she arrived with that bright smile on her face and he felt himself smiling as well.

~0~

He's seen her more and more since then. Both enjoyed each other's company and neither denied that both felt attracted to each other. Though it took a while for her to register what exactly she was feeling. It took some time but it was fine, he never lost hope that she would one day return his feelings.

Then their relationship grew more serious but neither of them lacked in the effort of showing their opposing, reluctant family members how they felt for each another.

Society and family name be damned, he'd rather cut ties with it all if it meant being together with her.

When the tension subsided, the other party finally conceding; her brother finally accepting him, his family –having already- welcomed her in open arms, and his grandfather blessing them and even insisting him to use his grandmother's ring… the relief and happiness he saw when she finally turned to him, her big bright smile lighting up his dull world, did he realize that it wasn't that time when they went through their first date, nor was it when he saw her in that restaurant… no, it was during the time he first saw her in that ice cream parlor that forever bounded him with this girl.

He realized, that he has loved her ever since.

That's why when he stood there on the altar, watching her walk down the aisle on that beautiful wedding dress, her hand hooked under her brother's arm- when he finally pulled over the veil and stared at those midnight blue eyes…

He stopped counting.


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