"Marry Me"
1027 Words
Thea’s fingers trembled on the doorknob as she pulled it wider, thinking maybe Osita had somehow tracked her here.
But instead she saw the familiar face she hadn’t seen in almost six years —Henry Golding. Clean-shaven, taller, a matured version of the boy she once knew.
Her hand covered her mouth. “Henry? Oh my God.”
He stepped inside like someone running from a storm, eyes restless, voice shaky, “Thea… I need a favor.”
She shut the door, still staring at him, trying to process why he of all people was standing at her hotel door at this exact moment.
“What is it?” Her voice was gentle but unsteady.
Henry took her hands the way someone drowning holds the nearest lifeline. “Marry me.”
The sentence shot through her like lightning. She pulled her hands away and took a step back from him.
Her voice stuttered, “Henry… what did you just say?”
He moved closer, almost desperate. “Please, listen, let me explain.”
Her eyes clouded with confusion. He held her hand again even though she wasn’t sure if she should let him.
“Something happened to Diana in Texas,” he said quietly. “She left a child behind.”
Her breath paused. She stared at him, confused, her eyebrows furrowed.
“But their adoption law only allows married couples to adopt. I’ve been trying for weeks. I don’t know who else to ask.” His voice cracked. “Please help me.”
She couldn’t speak.
“We can divorce immediately I bring the child home… please, Thea.”
Hearing his voice break unsettled her deeply. She had seen him cry once before, when he failed badly in one of their subjects, and even then, he tried pretending he had dust in his eyes.
Now he was shaking openly.
He swallowed, looked away then back again, searching her eyes as if her answer would save someone’s life.
*********************
Years ago, the two of them sat on the same wooden desk during school group assignments. He always waited quietly after school so he could walk her home, using textbook discussions as an excuse.
He didn’t hide his admiration for long. One afternoon after chemistry class, he blurted it out— his feelings, his intentions, his dreams involving her.
She smiled calmly and told him she respected him, but she couldn’t reciprocate his feelings. She wanted to make her parents proud first.
Back then, she believed in simple dreams - graduate, build something for herself, make her father and mother smile during her convocation pictures. She thought she still had time.
And best still, she wanted to marry someone she loved.
But life didn’t care about timing.
Their accident shattered everything.
She suddenly found herself alone, juggling two jobs just to survive. Sometimes in the middle of the night she remembered Henry confiding in her. She remembered hoping he found happiness somewhere better than the emptiness she was drowning in.
Two years passed before she heard he married a celebrity fashion designer in London. Diana Robinson. i********: royalty. Glamour and gloss.
She was happy for him. Truly. She assumed he finally found someone who belonged in his world.
She never imagined seeing him here, looking ruined.
Finally she exhaled, looking into his eyes, “How did you even know I was here? What happened to Diana?”
He let go of her hands. “I told my assistant to find your. I’m sorry… I lost your contact when I travelled.”
She didn’t answer. She just kept listening.
“And Diana…” he began, voice wavering painfully, “she… she died.”
Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God…”
She stared longer, trying to detect any trace of insincerity. But she didn’t see desperation for himself; she saw desperation for someone else.
Henry looked like a man about to collapse. His whole body shook.
Thea moved closer, touching his shoulder softly. “I’m so sorry, Henry.”
He nodded, biting his lip, trying to stop tears that clearly refused to stay hidden.
She drew a quiet breath. “Don’t worry. I’ll get my things.”
His head jerked upward, shocked. “What?”
“We’ll go to City Hall,” she said firmly.
Henry looked speechless as she picked her small handbag and walked into the bedroom area.
He stared after her like someone witnessing a miracle he didn’t ask God loudly enough for.
*************
At St. Andrew’s hospital, Osita raised the bed sheet higher around Natalia’s body. She looked up at him with soft, apologetic eyes.
“Osi… I’m sorry. I didn’t know yesterday was your wedding. I’ll call Thea and explain. I’ll fix everything.”
He moved to the bedside drawer, poured water carefully and handed the glass to her.
“No.” His voice remained steady. “It’s not your fault. I made my choice.”
He exhaled slowly, placing the glass aside.
“Thea will come back. She always does.” His tone carried misplaced confidence.
He turned to Ray, who stood near the door pretending not to watch too closely. “Right, Ray?”
Ray shifted nervously. “Sir… but she hasn’t returned yet.”
Osita blinked fast. “And?”
Ray hesitated. “Maybe this time… she’s… actually upset.”
Osita chuckled like it was the funniest thing he had ever heard. “No matter what I do, she still returns. Even if I crush her pride a hundred times. She is wrapped around my fingers.” He raised his fingers, twisting slightly as if tightening an invisible rope.
Ray swallowed, unable to hide discomfort. “Okay sir… should I call her?”
Osita paused, then nodded slowly. “Yes. Ask if she can meet for lunch.”
Ray immediately pulled out his phone and dialed. The ringing tone echoed.
After several seconds—
A robotic female voice answered instead: “Sorry, the number you dialed is not available at the moment.”
Ray lowered the phone, staring at the screen in disbelief.
“Sir… she didn’t pick,” he said, eyes wide, and his voice quietly shaken.
- Writer
