HER

OUR URGE

TED's POV

I froze for a minute as I tried to process her words. I should be concerned; she's in tears, but I'm more concerned about Mun agreeing to marry me. My hand was glued to her waist, unable to move. If that's where the magic lies, I don't mind maintaining that position so it could last forever, but I felt a slice in my heart as she continued to cry, although I couldn't deny I was more than happy.

"What happened to you, Mun?" I asked, calmly, cupping her face in my palm. Her eyes were swollen with tears and I couldn't bear to see her that way. I could tear the whole campus apart if it meant finding the person who had made my woman cry this much.

"I- I'm sorry...". She managed to say in between tears.

"You're sorry?" I was losing my patience already, but she was obviously too overwhelmed to put her words together.

"Come here," I pulled her closer and hugged her tightly, as if my life depended on it.

As she whispered, "Please take me home, I'm tired." Her voice cracked and, without hesitation, I swept in, gently grasping her hands in mine. I guided her to my car, parked in the parking area. I drove off at speed as soon as we entered.

***

As I stepped into Mun's room, I was welcomed by a fresh breeze that escaped between the black linen curtains. The light was dim amber, and it suited the shades of black and pink wall paint. It seemed she never changed the whole setting of the room five years ago. I gently placed her on the bed. My heart swelled with relief as I recalled her peaceful sleep during the drive home. I knew better than to disturb her. I knew sleep was her escape from the pain that lingered.

She curled herself, her hand wrapped around the duvet, as I sat beside her, caressing her hair lightly. It was a side of her I'd never seen before, a vulnerability she'd always guarded.

Memories flooded my mind, remembering our childhood bond even before we made friends with Alex. She had always kept me at arm's length, her room was a no-go area, even though she made mine her entitled space.

As I reached for the duvet, intending to cover her naked lap, her hand shot out, catching mine. My heart skipped a beat. I knew I was in for it but instead of getting angry as she would normally react, her eyes fluttered open, locking onto mine.

A soft, gentle smile spread across her face, and my tension melted away.

"Thank you for today," she whispered audibly. Her smile deepened, and I felt my heart rise. My affection for her grew more than before.

"You're welcome. If I'm not there, who else would be?" I teased her, at least to get her to smile. She rolled her eyes and threw a playful punch at me.

"You can't stop showing off, can you?".

I smiled but quickly became sober. "So... Are you ready to tell me what happened and why you suddenly wanted to marry me? Last time I remember you didn't want to, and you went as far as to decline my mum too." I was silently dying to know what had happened.

She pulled the duvet from her body and walked towards the mirror. Did she just act like I wasn't speaking to her? I guess she's finally back to the original Muna I'm used to, I thought.

"Mun?" I tried to be calm while I moved closer to her.

"I don't want to talk about it. Just stop it, Ted" She said calmly, but I knew she meant it.

"You don't expect me to overlook the fact that you literally almost cried out your eyes some hours ago. Was it about Alex, tell me?" Her eyes lit in surprise and I immediately knew my instincts were right. But what the hell could Alex have done to hurt her? Whatever it is, I'm not sparing him. A lot of thoughts flashed through my mind and my anger boiled, but she remained quiet, and it was more annoying.

"If this is about Alex, Mun, I swear_"

"Don't you dare do anything to him? It's not a request, it's a warning, okay?" she glared at me, but it only fueled my anger more.

"Are you pretending not to know he doesn't love you, or you're just intentionally being stupid? This isn't you, Mun, the Mun

I know she wouldn't easily throw herself at a man or stoop so low to beg for his love.

I felt a weight slap across my face. I turned to face her. Her eyes were teary again, and I couldn't hold my anger in, but I knew I had gone too far. She clutched her fist and stared at me.

"Leave now, Ted!" She commanded with a loud and clear voice.

My ego screamed at me to leave, to escape the vulnerability that was threatening to consume me, but my heart urged me to stay. I inched closer, my movements tentative, as Mun's hands flew up to cover her face. She turned to the mirror, her body shuddering as sobs wracked her slender frame.

My voice poured out my soul. "I'm sorry, Mun. I didn't mean to say those words. But you need to know, I love you. It's driving me crazy to see you this way". I couldn't withstand her crying, so I slowly turned her shoulder. Her perfume sent a subtle scent down my spine. I had fought the urge for so long, but it was different this time. The moment our eyes locked, something shifted, and I knew there was no turning back. She was so close now, her breath warm on my face, drawing me in with every second that passed.

"Ted...” she whispered, barely audible, but that was all it took. I closed the space between us and kissed her, pouring every pent-up feeling I had tried to suppress for what felt like ages.

My mind screamed at me to stop, but my body wouldn’t listen. When her hands wrapped slowly around my waist, I felt something inside of me unravel.

Without breaking the kiss, I lifted her effortlessly, gently laying her down on the bed. Her fingers found their way under my shirt, a soft groan escaping her lips as I kissed her deeper. But just as the moment intensified, I caught myself, pulling away, breathless.

"I can’t, Mun,” I whispered, my voice shaky. My mind raced. I couldn’t let things go further unless she was truly mine—fully, with my ring sitting on her finger.