When you love alone

The engagement

Chapter three

“I’m your mother, I always know”, she smiled. “I saw you look at him angrily through the window”, she pointed out. “I think—“How's Dad?’’ I breached, blinking twice and turning to face her. “Is he alright?’’

“I'm fine”, a voice chimed in, thrilled and familiar.

I turned to see my dad walking in with his crutches. I smiled warmly, as I ran towards him for an embrace.

“There he is,”’ my mom said cheerfully.

I hugged my dad warmly as he cuddled me in his arms.

“How are you papa’’, I asked.

“Bubbling’’, he replied jokingly. This made us laugh.

“Of course, you are’’," I replied, feeling relieved. I could tell the laughter did a great deed.

“Oh yes’’, my mom concurred, nodding.

“Come sit, Pa’’, I gestured, helping him to a chair.

“I will go prepare dinner”, my mom offered, heading to the kitchen humming to herself.

“I’m going to shower”, I added, elated.

“Oh yes, my darling, you should’’, my dad said.

“Yes child, go freshen up”, my mom called out from the kitchen, the sound of the utensils adding to the background noise.

“Mom, take it easy in the kitchen”, I teased as I climbed the stairs.

My mom smirked loudly.

“When she makes this noise, she knows the food is going to be sumptuous’’, my dad said, reminiscing about their good memories.

My mom came over to my dad, blowing him a kiss, which he caught and reciprocated back. They both laughed wholeheartedly.

From my room, I listened to my parents chatter happily downstairs. I smiled, knowing how blessed I am to have them. If only I could find a good husband, but where can I find one? I thought aloud, sighing wistfully.

Suddenly, I remembered Dan, his face vivid in my mind. I glanced down at the engagement ring on my finger. It looked so beautiful to me, but beauty fades when you're married to the wrong person.

Carefully, I removed the ring and placed it on the table, squatting down to stare at it. I couldn't help but smile as I remembered how Dan planned a surprise engagement proposal.

I vividly remember two years ago when he called me at work.

******

“Hi, babe”, Dan's voice came through the phone.

“Hi”, I replied, feeling a blush on my cheeks.

“Are you free tonight?” he asked, hesitantly.

“Yeah, sure. "Is something wrong?” I asked, suddenly concerned.

“Oh no, not at all”, he chuckled softly. “I just want to take you out on a date tonight”.

“Really?” I exclaimed, surprised and elated. We rarely had time for dates.

“Yes, so are you free…” he began, but I couldn't contain my excitement.

"I’d love to go on a date with you!” I interrupted, almost aloud.

He chuckled softly. “Okay then, I'll come pick you up at seven”, he said. “I love you”, he professed as he ended the call.

“I love you too”, I muttered happily, with a contented sigh.

I imagined how beautiful the date would be.

That day, I ended my work shift early, eager for how the evening would go.

When I got home, I couldn’t wait to tell my mom and dad about the date. Both of them were happy for me.

"But Mom," I added, suddenly feeling worried.

"What’s wrong, sweetie?" my mom asked, her face etched with concern.

"I don’t know what to wear," I confessed, feeling a little embarrassed.

“Oh, my darling”, my dad exclaimed, looking at my mom in anticipation.

"Is that all?" she asked, her expression softening.

"Yes," I replied, a bit relieved.

“Let’s go find something nice in your wardrobe," my mom announced, adjusting her gown as she led the way.

I jumped up excitedly and followed her to my room. We ransacked through the closet until we found a dress—a shiny lace gown that I’d never worn before.

"This gown was a gift from Lizzie on your 24th birthday, right?" my mom asked, holding it up.

"Yes!" I said, clapping my hands in excitement.

"Well, put it on," she said, her face lighting up with contentment.

I couldn’t contain my joy as I changed into the dress.

"Wow, you look absolutely stunning," my mom complimented, admiring the way the dress fit.

"Come, let’s do some light makeup," she offered, pulling a chair up to the mirror.

I sat down, feeling like I was on cloud nine, and let my mom work her magic. When she was done, I couldn’t help but laugh with excitement at my reflection in the mirror.

“Let's go show your dad your new look”, my mom said, pleased with her handiwork.

As we walked downstairs, I felt like a princess. I bowed dramatically when I reached my dad, and loved how he screamed happily.

“You look stunning, my princess”, my dad complimented, grinning from ear to ear.

“Thanks, Dad”, I said, hugging him tightly.

Just then, a sleek Mercedes-Benz pulled up outside and the driver honked the horn. My mom went out to inquire who it was, and after a few minutes, she returned.

“Who was it?” my dad asked, concerned.

“He said he was sent to pick you up”, my mom whispered, staring at me surprised.

“But Dan said he’d pick me up himself”, I defended, confused. Just then, my phone rang. It was Dan. Hurriedly, I answered.

"Babe, I sent a car to pick you up," he explained.

"Oh, okay", I replied, feeling relieved. My face lit up, instantly.