"You have now been pronounced husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."I looked at Luke, who swallowed nervously. Even through my veil, I could see his slight apprehension, even though he was trying hard not to make it obvious. He took two steps towards me and slowly rolled up the veil, then gently put it over my head.I saw his fists clench as he leaned forward, bending a little to my height, then moved closer. He watched me a little, and like he had convinced himself, he finally closed the distance and lightly pecked my lips. My eyes were wide open all through and he leaned away and moved backwards. That had been the one most intimate thing between us when we got married. That was the closest we ever got to being a normal couple, and the closest we ever got to being as close as us now...or in the past...or however I was supposed to convey this time zone.So this is how it should have felt like.I felt his lips slightly brush mine, seeking entrance, like a plea. My eyes closed

"I am in love with you."I hadn't expected him to be blunt, neither was I prepared for it. He straightened, leaving my face, then held my hand and brought me to his body. His warmth engulfed me as I buried my face in his chest, his scent filling me up. My husband's scent."I...""Karla." He said, stopping me. "I just...I don't want to watch the sunsets alone anymore. I want to go on more birthday trips with you. I want to laugh about the silliest things." His hand moved to my hair and his fingers moved th rough it. "I don't know...I am not so good at this," He laughed, and I pulled him harder to me."You are good enough."Time passed by with Luke like it was unreal, and every minute seemed to click a little faster. We ate, although Luke turned out to not be a big eater. I waited nervously as he took a shower, my fingers intertwined with each other, like someone waiting for her interview results.But it was similar. It was a maddening experience, getting to fall in love with my husband

"Do you really have to leave?" I asked Luke as he sat on the edge of the bed again and I stood over him, drying his hair. It was already ten in the morning, and unlike me, Luke had to go to college."I am sorry, love. I will come to you once I am done. Is that okay?"I nodded reluctantly and put the towel away, then swept my hand through his slightly damp hair.He smiled up at me, and I brought the hair dryer to completely dry it off."I could drop you off too, Karla. "I shook my head. "No, I am not going for classes today."He nodded, and after I was done, he pulled me to him, resting his head on my stomach. "So sorry I have to leave you here alone.""It is fine. You will be late."He slowly released me, then wore the hoodie he had come with. He was going to go home first to change, then head towards class.I watched him as he got into the car, and while waving at me with one hand all through, he drove away.I let out a small breath and walked back in. I had forgotten this was sti

I watched Luke as he got me an ice pack for the slight bruise on my knee, then an ice cream cone too. He walked back to me, a smile on his face, as he handed them both to me. "Let me put this on for you, okay?" he said as he sat on the other side of the bench, then gently brought my feet to his lap. He moved it so my knee was right in front of him, and he slowly dabbed at the bruise."Does it hurt?" he asked me, briefly looking up to check my face."Are you not angry? I mean, I made all that fuss for nothing. I always make a fuss and..." My tears choked on the remaining words, and before I could bring my hand to wipe the tears away, his hand was on my cheek and he wiped them off. He leaned closer, one hand resting on my knee, and he kissed just under my right eye. "You sort of remind me of my dad, Karla. I guess he so badly wanted to make up for my mum's absence that he sometimes panicked for the smallest things. I would get into a fight where we pulled each other's hair and woul

We soon finished breakfast, and after a bit of time of Luke laying on my lap while I patted his hair, he soon fell asleep. I slowly propped him up on a pillow, then made my way noiselessly out of the room.I made my way to the dining table, then to the console where his diary was.I flipped through the empty pages at the back, wondering if they would be filled by the time we were married. Would he have gotten a new one, or would he still use this one?How different would the entries be?I sighed and opened the first page. It was mostly blank, except for one line."I asked dad why mum wasn't back yet. He said nothing, but I saw him cry."I gave a small sigh and walked to the dining chair and I flipped the pages. The first pages were mostly about his mother, how they were absent, and how much it affected him."Dad was drunk today. I heard him talk about how much he loved mum till he finally slept. He never mentioned me, but I think it's because he only loves me when he is sober."I cl