He hugged me tightly, and I got lost in my thoughts again. Finally, after a long time, I finally hugged him back and I sensed he heaved a sigh of relief.
"I don't know if I will ever be able to trust you, Jake. I will live in insecurity of you pushing me away whenever life would become difficult again." I shook my head in denial as I whispered back.
"I will do everything in my power to regain your lost trust Emm. I will try every second of my life, you will see." He persisted.
I had my doubts, and I wasn't sure of what lies ahead in future for us. But for now, I felt drained.
I rested my head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around me. Forgetting everything else, I felt his beating heart.
"I have lost the strength to stay away from you, Emma." He slowly whispered in my ears.
I closed my eyes, reminiscing his touch and soft words; this moment was deja vu.
"Then don't.... don’t stay away". I whispered back.
"You are precious, Emma, I lost, and found you, I do not wish to let you go again" He said while tightening his grip around me.
"I promise I will do better this time. I want to give us one last chance, Emma. Do you?" He asked while giving a soft kiss on my head while still hugging me.
These words and feeling felt so familiar and made me revisit his exact same confession in Lofoten for the very first time. My heart fluttered even if I was uncertain about a lot of things, which only time would tell and decide.
However, for now, I just let out the words, "I will like to give us one last chance Jake, and mind you, if you ever think of pushing me away, I will unleash my temper, break your bones and murder you in cold blood."
He let out a slight chuckle, as he replied,
"I am yours to love, yours to keep, yours to break and yours to kill if that's what your heart desire. I love you; Emma and I will never hurt you ever again."
I was breathing deeply, inhaling his scent; and that's when I suddenly felt many other warm arms embracing us from all the sides.
All our friends came running and were now hugging us, squeaking and swearing along, as every minute of our confrontation, made them gasp and pinned their nerves in anticipation too.
"God, you guys. You scared the shit out of us. If need be, I might just tie you both together; you can't do otherwise. Jerks!" Niki screamed as she gave a playful push to Jake, followed by a loving kiss on my left cheek.
We all hugged and smiled, and in this moment, I felt my life was complete, except, one person stood afar, both his hands in his front pocket, silently observing everything. I could feel a painful smile curving up his lips too, as I mouthed a "Thank You".
He read my lips, blinked and nodded; and gradually walked towards us, as I waved my arm telling him to come along and join us. Niki jumped and was the first to embrace Mark, followed by everyone else, who hugged and cheered him too.
"I owe you with my life, Mark. Thanks a lot for everything, buddy. I will be forever indebted to you." Jake said in soft, heartfelt words.
"Take care of her Jake; she is precious. I will always love her and long for her happiness; I hope you won't put us down this time." Mark said, looking at Jake, straight in his eyes.
"I won't. I promise." Jake replied as my mind slid in deep thoughts. In that instant, my heart melted to hear Mark's words, and I knew it with all my will, that I have found a lifelong friend in him, the one I will treasure all my life. I loved him too, with all my heart, and wished nothing but the best for him.
This marked the end of a treacherous journey, and also a fresh start to a new era of friendships.
With that, we all forayed into our plans for the evening, the moonlight shone upon us, as we all settled down around the bonfire, holding onto each other.
Epilogue
Emma
One year later
I woke up from my slumber stretching my inert limbs, slowly I put my feet down on the cold marble floor.
I tiptoed to the huge window that overlooked the twilight of the morning sky, leaving behind curled up quilts entangled on my empty bed.
A fresh gust of breeze brushed my hair as I heaved a contented sigh.
Medley of gold and pink shades adorned the dawning horizon, paying a perfect complement to the current state of my solicitous heart.
It felt magical as I reminisced the blissful memories that ultimately led to the present day.
The birds chirped a symphony of merry songs; the air felt poetic, and it all seemed to be nature's sweet little conspiracy to make today a beautiful day.
Today was special indeed, and even though I received innumerable lectures on the importance of beauty sleep, the joy and fervor of uniting with my one true love surpassed every other bodily need.
Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes into hour, as I sat silently in admiration, reflecting upon life. Soon enough, the sun rose high in the sky, and Jake's family home was now bustling in preparations.
The house was decorated like a beautiful Indian bride, the fragrance of rich bundles of flowers, of all shape, color and type, bloomed through the corridors. Every corner was glorified, and every section of the house told its own magnificent story.
We mutually agreed
