~Episode-5~
Outside the wall of a bright café, rain was stabbing on the glass windows. The scary sound of the thunderstorm spread in the whole area.
Waiters were in the kitchen room. Boys were gossiping about their long day's story.
Very few customers were coming today because of the sudden rainfall.
Jaya (Ivan's mother) grabbed the coffee mug, looking tired and almost lost. Her eyes were on the door, waiting for Marcus.
She was waiting for Marcus to come from his office. They met every evening after Marcus's office closed. They talked endlessly, planned their future, and many times Jaya visited Marcus's home and slept there with him.
Marcus pushed the door of the café and entered while looking at Jaya. His eyes sparkled with excitement when he saw her. He rushed to her table, pulled the side chair, and grabbed her hands. His cheeks were red and shy. He tried to say something, but after seeing her no reaction, he stopped.
Jaya's eyes were normal, her face showing she was not excited to meet him. She was lost somewhere, thinking about the things Ivan told her at dinner time.
With concern, Marcus asked, "Where did you get lost?"
She looked outside at the falling rain. She didn't notice Marcus's hair was a little bit wet. Her hands were getting cold. Marcus felt it when he touched her hands. He understood something was off with Jaya.
After a long pause, she said, "Ivan knows." Her eyes filled with tears, but she refused to cry. Not today in front of Marcus. She held Marcus's hands tightly.
He looked into her eyes, trying to understand what happened between her and Ivan. "What does he know?" Marcus caressed her hands softly, trying to warm them.
"That I'm the reason behind his dad's suicide." She put her head on Marcus's arm, almost losing control of her emotions. She cried and cried.
"He told him before he died?" Marcus's question was a bit strange, but he asked to understand the situation. Things were still confusing for him.
"I don't know…" she said under her breath.
"Stop thinking about that stupid boy," he said, caressing her shoulder, trying to stop her from crying. But she didn't stop. Her sobs filled the whole café. The few customers looked at them with disgusted expressions.
"Close your eyes, bub," he softly demanded.
"I'm not in the mood for kisses, Marcus."
"Not a kiss — it's a surprise."
"Oh—what is it?" she looked at him, waiting for his reply.
"First close your eyes." He blinked, telling her to close her eyes fast so he could give her the surprise.
She slowly closed her eyes. Marcus left her hands. She felt a little anxious. Marcus always gave her surprises, but only on special days, not on a normal day. Today wasn't her birthday nor their love anniversary. So what could it be? What surprise was Marcus going to give her? All these questions rose inside her head.
"Now open them…"
She opened her eyes and saw a small blue box. It was closed, so she couldn't tell what was inside. He slowly opened the cap.
"TADA!" His smile shone bright. He was laughing, and Jaya looked shocked. She didn't expect this day. Marcus was proposing to marry her. Her face turned pale. Her eyes were stuck on the ring. How did this little diamond ring come into her life? How did Marcus think to propose marriage to her?