CHAPTER 02 - HEARTBEAT

"There is... something I have to say to you." he replies slowly.

"What is it?" she asked curiously.

He takes a deep breath and takes a step closer to her.

"Actually..." he pauses and then looks deeply into her eyes.

"I just..." he stops, trying to find the right words.

"...well... you know this, but... I love you." he finally says, with a soft smile.

He really can't hide his feelings anymore, although he knows very well that she might not take him seriously...

She didn't know what to react and what to say, but truly she's happy.

Seeing her slightly startled, he becomes more anxious. He feels a little embarrassed and awkward, wondering what her might think of his confession.

"Sorry... I know the situation is a bit... difficult... and it is very unlikely that something can happen between us..." he looks at her and smiles, trying to act in a friendly way, but he can't deny how she still give him courage and hope.

He looks at her with warm eyes.

"No… No… Don't be sorry." she smiled at him.

"But I mean... it can't get serious between us," he says, trying to stay calm but he can't hide his nervousness.

But seeing how her smile at him, he smiles back as well.

It's true... this situation is very difficult, but... maybe, in some way... it can still work... or so he thinks.

"So..." he pauses and then takes her hand.

"Can I hug you?" he asked, and she nodded.

He hugs her, and she feel the warmth of his touch. He closes his eyes and savors this moment.

His heart beats quickly, and he really feels something special in the air.

"Could this girl be the one?..." he asks himself, hoping in his heart that it is true. But he's afraid to give himself false hope.

He stays like this for as long as she allows him to, as if he can't let go of her yet.

"I love you too, Carcel... are you really serious about your feelings for me? You know my situation." she confessed, while still giving him a warm hug.

He nods, his heart beating faster. He has to be serious about this, and even though it's hard, he has to say the truth.

"Yes, I am serious. I can't deny it anymore. and your... condition... well, let's just say it's not a problem for me."

If there is even a tiny hope that both of them can stay together... he will try to find it.

After hearing those words from him, she sobs while leaning her head on his chest. Still hugging each other.

"God, I love her." he thinks in his heart.

He gently pats her head, trying to make her feel better. He smiles at her gently, trying to reassure her that he will always be by her side, however the situation may unfold.

This little moment is worth more than entire lifetimes for him.

She wipes her tears and she smiles back at him.

For a moment, time itself seems to stop for him.

"This is the happiest moment of my life," he thinks, still smiling gently.

Then he remembers that he still had things to say to her, so he decides to do it even now, as she's so important to him.

"You want to know... what I wanted to tell you before?..." Carcel asks, with a warm smile.

"Hmm? What is it?" she asked while looking at his eyes.

He seems to be searching for the right words.

"You know... I know very well that your condition is serious..." he says softly.

"But I don't want to give up on you. I won't give up on you." he looks at her, wanting for a moment to be sincere and show all his feelings.

"Can... can I... marry you?" he asks gently, with a faint smile.

She knows to herself that she loves what she heard. She's thinking about their situation, too much complicated. But she wants to be happy and to be loved.

He sees her uncertainty, and then tries to clarify the situation, but he can't hold back his true feelings anymore.

"I know it may sound illogical, but it doesn't matter to me... I have always known you were the one for me, the one to be with no matter what," he says, while his eyes still reflect his feelings for her.

"I might not be able to save your life..." he says, and then hesitates, trying to make another important proposal.

"... but I will give you all my happiness... and love."

She looks directly in his eyes. Caressed his left cheek and smiles warmly.

"I will, I will marry you Carcel..."

She have no idea how happy she made him feel.

The smile on his face seems never to have been so bright. Her sincere expression touches him to the core.

"Could it be?..."

"Are you... really serious?" he asks, while he looks at her in amazement.

"...I was hoping for this answer, as unrealistic as it might sound."

"Even if your condition is so dire, I will do anything I can to see a happy expression on your face forever."

She hugs him tightly.

"I'm serious. I will marry you Carcel and I will love you endlessly…"

The moment between these two is simply perfect, as if nothing can intervene between it. Even the gods seemed to want this couple to be together...

"Bella... I love you..."

He hugs her tightly, not wanting to ever let her go.

This is the moment that will mark all his life; and from now on, every day will be worth living, forever.

She pulled away from the hug and gives him a kissed on his cheek.

"Thanks God for giving you to me..."

His heart flutters. She gave him more than just a kiss on the cheek; she gave him the confirmation that he was doing the right thing, and she allowed him to feel that she were also as happy as him.

"Thanks God for giving me you," he replies, while gently caressing her face.

"You're really the most amazing girl I've ever met, and I swear I will take care of you forever."

"I love you... and I'm going to show you it every day..." he said sincerely while looking at her eyes.

"I'm happy to hear that." she smiled warmly.

"and of course... I will also... do this..." he kisses her on the lips, his heart beating with an incredible speed.

"I don't want to regret a moment in my life," he later says, while caressing her.

"Even knowing that there is no cure for your illness, I know perfectly well this is not about finding a cure, but about finding the strength to enjoy what we have right now." his eyes shine with happiness.

Her tears roll down on her face, with the happiness she is feeling right now. She didn't expect this to be happened. To experience this kind of love despite having an incurable illness.

Carcel kisses her on the cheeks, trying to calm her a little more.

"Shhhh, everything's alright," he whispers. his touch feels so warm, and he really doesn't want her to be sad.

"Let's just... be happy right now, and don't worry. let's not get anxious, alright?"

"Let's enjoy this moment, and don't think about anything else." he continues.

She smiled at him and wipes her tears. She also calms herself. Looking at his eyes lovingly.

It's an important time for both of them, and as it should be, it belongs to the two of them only.

******

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***