The following day, after my date with Caleb...

"Alan... Alan... Alan... Alan"...

Someone is calling... I heard a voice calling my name... I awoke from my half-sleep and walked out of my room. It was Lia...

"What's the matter, sis?  Is there a problem? ", In a drowsy tone, I queried?

"yeah..., Caleb... Caleb said okay to the marriage with you... he likes you and stated he wants to marry you," Lia exclaimed in a single breath.

"huh?"... I went through what she said in my head one more time... Caleb is interested in marrying me?.... He said, OK? What are you talking about?.......

"What did you just say? Caleb?... Marriage?  What do you mean?"  ... I was astounded...

"That's correct, Joshua's  Mom called to tell me that they want to know your decision... and they are all overjoyed since it is the first time Caleb has liked someone. Joshua stated that we may set a wedding date soon... So, what are your thoughts? "... Lia enthused, inquired.

"Wait... Wait... A minute... Sis, I didn't agree to this, did I?" With a puzzled expression, I responded... That's correct, I didn't agree; why is he deciding on the wedding date? ...why did he choose me? ... True, I spoke some comforting words, however, I don't want to get married.

"But you told Mom that if Caleb agrees, you'll marry him"... Lia was surprised.

"That's... yeah"...did I just say that?  ... crap...

Lia breathed deeply and sighed... She came close to me then; "Alan, he told his grandma that he found someone who is truthful and honest with him. He liked you since you were the only person who made him feel at ease. You were the only one who came close to reaching his heart... But I will never force you... your life is always your decision, and you have the freedom to choose whatever you want... So, please inform me of your opinion on Caleb's proposal "...  She inquired quietly...

To be honest, I was really upset... I know he had a hard life alone for all of these years. His smile made me pleased, and the time I spent with him seemed incredibly refreshing. But what I want is not a married life.

"I decided Sister, I don't wanna marry him"... I said it with all my might.

Lia had a saddened expression on her face, yet she smiled at me.

"It's all right... I understand... I will inform them of your decision "...  After telling me those, Lia walked away...

f*ck, I feel so pathetic and selfish...

After that, I didn't feel like doing anything... I felt like I'd done something terrible...

Two days have gone by...

"I can't sleep, Mom... Is it okay if I rest on your lap?" ... I couldn't sleep because I was so filled with remorse about something.

"Of course, come here, honey"...

What sort of sorcery do these mothers do, that it works so swiftly... I was totally at ease and relaxed on her lap.

Then we heard our front doorbell ring... Mom walked over to the door and flung it open.

We were shocked by the man who was standing in front of our house. It was a familiar face, but it wasn't the same person.

"Caleb?... why are you here?" I inquired. My mother looked perplexed as if she couldn't tell the difference between Joshua and Caleb.

"I came to meet you... may we talk?" he softly said...

"Yes"... I was intrigued.

We entered my room.

"Caleb, I." Then... I gradually began to talk...

"Alan, I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable in any way; Mumu informed me that you had rejected me. So I thought I'd apologize to you. Sorry for not being able to arrive sooner, and I didn't have your phone number ".... He stated...

"Ho"... Those statements took me completely by surprise...

"It's all right, I'm the one who should be apologizing to you... I'm sorry for turning down the proposal; it's not because I don't like you; it's because I'm not ready to marry someone right now "... I stated this without looking at him...

When I turned to face him, he rose from my bed and grinned faintly.

"I'm not sure whether I'll ever find someone like you, but I'll try to remember you every day. You were the second person, after my mother, to ignore my illness... Let's get together again "... I couldn't move or talk as he walked out of my room. I was paralyzed by a sense of guilt.

"Wait... Caleb... Wait..." My tongue and body moved on their own without my knowledge...

"Yes," he said as he stared at me...

"Are you..... Are you comfortable being with me?"

What exactly am I saying?

"Will you be satisfied with me?"

What exactly am I doing?

"Are you sure you won't regret choosing me in the future?" ....

Am I going insane? ...

I shut my eyes... I don't want to appear embarrassed.

But then I felt a warm touch on the bridge of my chin. I gently opened my eyes. His face was getting closer. He gave me a kind grin. Then he kissed me on the lips.

He's kissing me... Huh? But I'm not in discomfort... it's so warm and lovely... my heart is beating... I could feel my blood heating up as it ran through my veins. And I could hear his heartbeat beating fast..........

Haaa..... He broke the kiss and turned to face me...

"Answer to your questions... I am OK with you as my partner; I will do my best to make our lives happy, and I do not regret selecting you." He responded...

"And... I....I... will marry you." This was the sensation that had been tormenting me for two days... I felt terrible for rejecting him, and it wasn't out of pity or sympathy was because I had liked him since that day.

After two weeks, a lavish wedding was held in the Abram estate... Caleb and I married, as did Joshua and Lia...