The weekend came, and Ember and Clover traveled to visit Grandma in the countryside.
The old woman seems to be waiting for them. She's standing at the doorway and waving frantically.
When Clover parked, the old woman walked and eagerly hugged Clover once he got out of the driver's seat.
Ember got out on her own and greeted her, "Good morning, Grandma Meng."
Clover released Grandma from a tight hug and said, "Grandma, meet my girlfriend, Ember Willowbells. Ember, meet my ever-loving Grandma Meng, the best grandma in the whole world."
Grandma slowly reached Ember and held both of her hands. She looked at Ember from top to bottom while smiling.
"Ember Willowbells sounds like a fairy to me. What a pretty girl. Let's go inside. The sun is starting to get fierce." She held onto Ember's arm like a child.
Clover followed, carrying various gifts: a massager, a quilt, fruits, and groceries.
Grandma prepared healthy and delectable delicacies of the countryside. She cooked a lot of rice in anticipation that her visitors would eat a lot.
Clover looked at Ember, who was starting her third cup of rice. She usually stops at one and then eats viands leisurely. He felt warm and happy.
Grandma was also very happy.
While Clover was washing the dishes, Grandma pulled Ember to her bedroom to have a heart-to-heart talk. They sat together in the bed.
"Clover grew up with me. He was left by her mother at just 3 months old. Financially, it wasn't hard. He was well provided, and I was supported very well. But it's hard for a grandma to do single mom duties all over again... but Clover was a good child. He excelled in his studies. He worked hard to take care of me. That was why I hope he gets to be with someone who has the same heart as him."
She held Ember's hands again.
"Child, do you like my grandson sincerely? Isn't he treating you well? He's the best, isn't he?" Grandma asked, her tone was humble, asking for some kind of confirmation and praise.
Ember's heart has long been captured by Clover. She's the type that once she sets her heart into something, her focus targets it. It's the same when she falls in love. She fell in love with Brennan that day when she saw him speaking majestically on stage. And her love was repeatedly tested in the last four years. Her heart grew tired, beaten black and blue until he kicked her out.
This time, she decided to give Clover a chance. She's attracted to him since that night. They spent a night together and decided to be together. Since then, she set her heart to focus on Clover. LOCKED.
"Grandma, though we may have only been together for just a month, I have already given him my heart. He's the best, and I know of your wishes for both of us. I promise, when the time comes, I will not reject a lifetime of happiness with him."
Ember was well aware of Grandma's wish for Clover to start a family. She just needs time. During their first day of being together, the decision to marry is absurd, even for her who almost got canonized into martyrdom. However, thinking of marrying this perfect specimen of a man at this point is not a crazy thought now.
She can honestly say she loves him. The better term is: she adores him.
Grandma stood up and took something from her antique wardrobe. She came back with an old wooden jewelry box with red soft velvet lining inside. A simple gold bracelet with four charms rests inside.
"My husband gave this to me as an engagement gift. Back then, he could not afford a diamond engagement ring, which cost too much, so he asked a jeweler friend to customize a charm bracelet using four symbols.
A rainbow as a lifetime promise
A cross for our protection
A star to light our path
A heart that beats for you alone
When he left, during the travel by sea, their ship was attacked by pirates. It was said that nobody survived..."
Grandma saw that Ember's eyes were red, and the tears fell one by one.
"Oh my, this child still looks pretty even when crying pitifully!" She hugged her and patted her back.
"I'm sorry, Grandma," Ember said in between sobs.
Grandma put the bracelet on Ember's right wrist.
"I believe you are meant to be together. I am leaving this bracelet to you as a symbol of pristine love. My grandson will love wholeheartedly, I just know it. Like his grandpa... It is my wish that you take care of each other for a long time. Take it. Don't dislike it."
"I love it, Grandma. I promise I will take care of Clover."
They spent the afternoon chatting. Clover checked the whole house to see if there were things to fix for the old woman.
There was a very quick moment when Grandma pulled Clover for privacy, which Ember didn't mind. She enjoyed the cool breeze of the afternoon on the balcony, overlooking the greenery and vibrant flowers in the surrounding areas.
They finally left the house around 4 in the afternoon. It will take an hour's drive to get home. Grandma also doesn't want them to travel at night.
"Grandma Meng is very nice..." Ember looked at Clover's handsome profile.
Clover looked at her for a second and said, "Yeah. I see she gave you her bracelet. She must like you so much. Don't be pressured."
"What do you think she said to me?"
"That is an engagement bracelet my grandpa gifted her. Safe to say she gave that to you in more or less the same context. I'm just saying... I'm willing to wait."
"Well..." Further ahead, there is a small community church.
"Let's drop by Soul Spring Chapel. We're almost there anyway."
They got there at half past five. The mass just ended, and there were only a few people left praying.
There was a more intimate and smaller chapel on the left side, facing the west, where the sun sets. It is a closed and air-conditioned area of about 20 sqm. A maximum of seven persons were allowed at any given time. Kneelers were provided in the corner for people.
At this time, only one person was praying. The two went in for a sincere prayer of hope and gratitude.
Ember went out first, and she stopped near a small pond, admiring the reflection of the setting sun in the water.
Clover followed out and saw her standing afar with her back to him. He consciously fumbled and felt the tiny box in his right jeans pocket.
The only praying person inside went out too, clutching her pure white veil. Her old but gentle eyes fell on Clover, who was stuck appreciating Ember's loveliness, gently blending in the surrounding beauty.
They spoke for a bit.
Clover walked beside Ember and hugged her shoulder.
"Clover... Babe...," Ember looked up at him and hugged his waist with her right hand. They faced the pond together.
"Hm?"
"I am ready. My mind is clear now. You don't need to wait..."
Clover took a deep breath and exhaled as if a great burden was taken off his chest.
He slowly let go of Ember and stepped back. He spared a glance towards the old woman and then held on to Ember's right hand and kneeled. He took the velvet box from his pocket and opened it with just his fingers as if he'd done this a hundred times.
"Ember, I've seen a brighter world through your eyes. Will you share your world with me forever?"
Ember felt her eyes sting and soon, teardrops fell one after another; her nose and eyes were red, but she handed her left hand.
"Well...?" Clover teased her.
"Of course I will!" Ember shouted in a mix of happiness, irritation, and haste.
She also stomped her foot and took the velvet box so Clover could get the ring and slip it on her left ring finger.
She pulled him up and embraced him while crying.
The whole process was caught on video.
The old woman smiled.