She looks at me, confused and maybe a little scared. This is not what I’d expected. How is it that someone that knows me better than anyone can look at me with those eyes, not recognising what she sees?

We stand in silence, just looking at each other.

“I … I think you should leave,” she stammers, dropping her gaze to the floor.

“Yeah, I think you’re right,” I reply bitterly. I turn and leave, closing the door behind me.

Out in the corridor, I lean against the wall and try to calm down. This isn’t what was supposed to happen. I hear her breaking into tears inside the apartment and part of me wants to go to her. I walk out to the car and drive home.


Later, there’s a knock at the door. It’s her. I stand behind the closed door and think; do I want to talk to her? Why would she want to see me?

She knocks again, and I open the door. “Hello”.

“Hey,” she says and pauses, “I’m sorry … about before”.

I tell her it’s okay. "I understand. I didn’t mean to shock you".

“No, you don’t understand,” she says, “the answer’s yes, yes, I will marry you!”

My heart leaps and my head spins. I throw my arms around her and hold her tight. She’s smiling and kissing me and stammering “I’m sorry” and “I love you” over and over.

I loosen my grip and she moves away, just a little. We stand, smiling at each other, and walk inside.