Happiness, Just Out of Reach
After my grandpa receives a critical notice regarding his illness, he takes my boyfriend, Layne Harper, by the hand and pleads with him.
"Layne, please marry Aleah while I'm still alive this month. I want to see her live happily ever after."
Everyone sheds tears in the hospital room, thinking that Layne will heed Grandpa's words right away by getting down on one knee and proposing to me.
After all, I have been waiting for him for the past ten years.
With tears brimming in my eyes, I wait for Layne's response eagerly.
But he covers the speaker of his phone out of worry that he might awaken his childhood friend, Ruby Martin, whom he has spent the last five hours coaxing to sleep.
Finally, Layne replies gently, "Don't worry, Grandpa. I will give Aleah the happiness she deserves. Even if we don't get married in the end, I'll stick with my promise."
My relatives stop cheering Layne on immediately. Then, they turn to look at me sympathetically.
But I just smile and go with the flow. "I'll still be happy even if I don't marry Layne, Grandpa."
After all, in two hours, I will accept another man's marriage proposal.