Chapter 32: Building a home
"Let's go back and get a marriage certificate."
Dylan blinked his eyes, not believing what he just heard. He deeply stared into her eyes, trying find any prank, but no, she was sincere and serious.
"You want to get married? So early?" he couldn't help but ask for a clarification.
He knew Isabella was an ambitious, career oriented girl. She wanted financial stability for herself. And hence he too didn't want to disturb her in pursuing her goals.
"I want to be tied to you in every sense. I don't want to waste my time dating and all." Isabella said, love and anticipation clear in her eyes.
"I am not capable enough to provide and protect you yet Isabella."
Dylan's voice tuned heavy as he spoke these words. It was a harsh reality for him.
He had to think twice before planning any holiday with her. Money was that tight for him. From where will he give her a sense of security?
"I don't care about all those Dylan. We will support each other and build a good life. I just don't want to be away from you." Isabella said anxiously.
She too felt what she said was a bit irrational. But there was a strong impression in her heart that the longer they wait, the farther they slip away.
Dylan noted her slightly panicked and vulnerable expression. But he didn't want to take any decisions in the heat the moment. Or because she was slightly drunk right now.
"I will never be away from you princess." Dylan tried to assure her but her grip on his shirt tightened as she kept her face buried in his chest.
His hands weaved through her soft silky hair, massaging her scalp, gently relaxing her.
"Do you want to know my future plans Isabella?" Dylan asked gently, his gaze fixed on the stars above.
"Hmm" Isabella nodded, savoring his sweet embrace.
"Before graduation, I want to setup my own company and start developing it after graduation. Then expand into other businesses slowly."
"By then we would already be in a relationship. So I plan on buying a house for us and moving in when I get down on my knees and propose you to marry me."
"Then we will go on a sweet honeymoon, and might be plan a baby the next year. I want a girl and a boy."
Isabella was completely lost hearing his version of their future. It was so simple and beautiful. Her eyes slightly teared up. He always had her in his plans.
Dylan looked down and found his girl already staring at him. He smiled and stroked her cheeks gently.
"You have no idea how eager I am to make a home with you Isabella." His deep soothing voice warmed Isabella's heart.
"I won't be able to give you a memorable start of our married life if I marry you now princess." Dylan wanted to give her the best of the best things he could offer her.
Isabella kept quite. She had already said whatever she wanted to say. She wanted to get married, doesn't mean she would force him to fulfill her wishes.
"But none of these plannings matter when I am with you" Dylan's words made her eyes snap open.
"Right now, with you in my arms, knowing that we both belong to each other is a bliss in itself."
"If being your husband means enjoying this bliss daily, then let's go back and get our marriage certificate."
Isabella parted her lips in surprise. Did he accept? Yes.. Yes, he did.
"Dylan.. I love you. Muwhaa. Muwhaaa Muwhaa. Thank you thank you thank you so much my prince." Isabella peppered him with kisses and hugs, making him laugh in delight.
He knew things might get slightly problematic if they marry now, but they weren't getting any simpler if they don't marry either.
"Let's go back. It is getting cold." Dylan suggested. Getting up, he didn't let Isabella walk, and asked her to rest on his back as he carried her all the way back to the camp.
The game seemed to have ended, with many lights off in the tents. Only Isabella's tent, which she shared with Bianca, and Dylan's tent, which he shared with Max and George were still well lit.
"Sigh. I don't want to leave you princess." Dylan said. Had this been their studio room, they would have cuddled all night. But now he had to go and sleep beside two more sweaty and smelly guys.
Isabella chuckled and left a peck on her cheeks. "Good night Dylan. Dream about me." and she ran into tent. Dylan adoringly looked at her and shook his head. Fine. She won't be able to run away like this when he becomes her husband.
Inside Isabella's tent, Bianca was worried that her friend hadn't returned even after more than an hour. That girl didn't even take her phone with her.
Thankfully Isabella opened the tent flap and crawled in just when she was about to lose her mind.
"Oh Bells.. Thank god you are fine.." Bianca immediately hugged her friend in relief.
"Did he do something to you? Where were you all this while? He didn't force himself onto you right?" Bianca asked question after question.
Isabella shook her head before taking her friend's hands into hers. "Bia. I want to go back tomorrow."
"What? Why? You promised me you will enjoy this trip. Is this about that stupid game. Nothing like that will happen ever again. Don't worry." Bianca assured.
She had always seen Isabella so busy jumbling with her work and studies. This was one of the rare opportunities for her to decompress and have fun.
Isabella shook her head and smiled softly. "It's not because of the game. And I want you to come back with me too."
Bianca titled her head in confusion. "Why?"
Isabella blushed and shyly gazed around the tent. Her expressions made Bianca even more suspicious.
"I want you to my witness when I marry Dylan next week." The princess said and nervously waited for her friend to react.
Bianca was stunned after hearing her words. Marry? Next week? She honestly didn't know how to react.
"Wait.. Wait.. You are going to marry Dylan?"
Isabella nodded.
"Next week?"
Isabella nodded again.
Bianca blinked her eyes and kept quite for a while before reacting. "Oh my Bells. You don't have to get married just because you two made out."
"These kind of things are common between young people. Kiss, hug, mingle, jingle and leave."
Isabella was about to say no when Bianca raised her palm infront of her to stop her from speaking.
"I know you are very strict when it comes to these kind of principles, but there is really no need to jump into marriage just you both made out. Don't know what all nonsense he fed you."
"No.. It's not like th..."
"I am telling you.. He is not a good guy. He is so ready to take advantage of your innocence and purity. That already shows his true colors. Don't trust someone like him.."
"He is not like th.." Isabella was about to defend Dylan but Bianca didn't spare her that chance.
"I know what you want to say. But kids grow. And now he a man. A man with ideas. You better step out of his game before he gets creative." Bianca warned.
She couldn't grasp this idea of being married at 18. Doesn't Isabella want to enjoy her youth? She felt single life is the best life.
"Bia. Hushh now. First of all, we didn't make out or anything. Second, he confessed his feelings, and I suggested marriage. I am the one in a hurry." Isabella calmly explained.
"Why?"
"Because I love him Bia. I love him a lot. I want him in my life, in the most purest form possible." Isabella tried her best to articulate her feelings into words.
Bianca still didn't understand. She didn't even understand what was so special about this Dylan.
Yes he was remarkably handsome, carried himself with a gentle yet impressive aura, and good at his academics. But that was it. Why would anyone want to marry just like that?
"It will be a simple court wedding. Will you be there with me Bia?" Isabella pleaded as she gently held her friend's hands.
"Bells. I understand you love him a lot. But both of you haven't even completed your studies yet. What's the hurry. You can get married right after graduation too, right?" Bianca reasoned.
She wanted to smack Dylan's head so hard for giving her friend all these ideas.
"Exactly. When we are however going to marry later, why not do it now?" Isabella started convincing her.
"I know you are worried that I might forget my career goals and all. Don't worry. Nothing like that will happen. Dylan will always support me in every aspect of my life." Isabella stated firmly.
For the first time Isabella looked like a teenage girl in love, blushing and shying for no reason. She didn't want to ruin this moment for her. So she nodded her head and accepted.