Chapter 32 / 51 · 1 min

The Proposal

Niha flinched and shifted a little away from me, staring with wide eyes.

“Did you just propose to me?”

When I reached for her hand, she pulled it back.

“Please don’t hold my hand.”

I drew her toward me.

“You told me not to hold your hand. You never said anything about holding you. And yes, I proposed.”

This time she didn’t try to pull away.

“But Tushan, this is so unfair… you’re leaving for Project Elixir. You can’t expect this from me!”

Unfair? Yes, a little unfair. Completing Project Elixir would take me only a few minutes. But because of a merciless, lifeless theory of relativity, two years would pass on Earth. Two years Niha would have to spend alone. No girl could be expected to accept that.

“Two years will pass before you know it, Niha.” I paused, then added, “I can’t keep hanging on, Niha. Give me your answer. If you say no, I understand.”

“For you it’s two minutes, that’s why you can say it like that. Besides, we’ve only known each other six months. How can you expect such a big commitment in six months?”

“I’m not expecting anything. Before I left, I could have told you what was in my heart, or I could have left without saying it. Logically, either way I lose you. But because I said it before leaving, I’ll have no regrets.”

All this while I had been the only one holding on. Now Niha held me tightly.

She was crying. I could tell. Between sobs, she said, “You don’t need to go on this project. Please don’t go!”

You shouldn’t be happy when the person you love cries.

But I was happy.

It’s a yes.