- At the Food Court
Sara glanced at David once, but he was already watching her. Their eyes locked, speaking a thousand words.
Mia nudged Sara. "Let's get something to eat."
"Wait. I'll go with you," David said.
Sara nodded.
"Why is he so silent? Did something happen?" Sara thought.
"Hey," David called.
"Finally," she thought and turned.
"Tomorrow, I'm leaving..." he said slowly.
The smile faded from Sara's face. "Back to normal life. That's how it is, right? So, when will you come to Ilford again?"
David didn't answer. "Actually, I want to tell you something..."
Sara nodded.
"Your food is packed, Sir. 200 pounds," the waiter interrupted.
They took the food and went back to their friends.
Ethan was annoyed by the couple. "Oh Lord, please save me from these love-birds," he said dramatically.
"Also pray that next year you'll come with your girlfriend, so there's no cold war between you and Dav," Leo joked.
"Why would we have a war if he gets a girlfriend?" David asked.
Leo and Ethan's faces went completely white. Ethan glared at Leo as if his look could kill.
"Nothing, bro... I meant if Ethan gets a girlfriend too, you'll be left alone. That's why I'm worried about you," Leo covered up.
"Don't worry about me. Worry about yourself. And Ethan, like Leo said, you'll find someone within a year. I'll have your back no matter what," David said.
Ethan took a deep breath and hugged him. "Bro, I really love you, man. If you were a girl, I would have definitely picked you."
David pushed him away. "Cut the crap. Don't even go there."
Everyone laughed. David didn't tell Sara what he wanted to say, and she didn't ask.
-At the Hotel Room
"I should have told her how I feel. Why am I so nervous? 'I'm leaving tomorrow' - seriously? Shame on you," David scolded himself.
"Dav, did you pack everything, buddy? We're leaving tomorrow, you know, right?" Leo called.
David didn't reply; he was lost in thought. Ethan shook him. "David, what happened? You've been off since evening, like you've lost something."
"What?" David asked.
"Did you pack everything? We're leaving tomorrow," Leo asked again.
David nodded. "Okay, before we leave, we need to celebrate one last time," Ethan said, pulling out a wine bottle.
"When did you buy this?" Leo asked, surprised.
"On the day we were at the club. You were busy flirting and this man ditched us. I brought it back thinking I'd drink alone, but I can't enjoy without you guys," Ethan said emotionally.
Leo went to hug Ethan, Ethan opened his arms, but Leo snatched the bottle instead. Ethan's face fell.
"It's our last party in Ilford. Come on, let's celebrate," Leo said. David and Ethan smiled and joined him.
-A Few Hours Later
Ethan was asleep on the couch. David and Leo were still sipping wine. David was physically there, but his mind was on Sara.
"So, what's going on between you and Sara? Did you tell her how you feel?" Leo asked.
David shook his head. Then, "Wait, how do you know I have feelings for her?"
"It's written all over your face. You think we don't notice? Come on, man, just go and tell her how you feel," Leo said.
"I don't know how. What if she turns me down? It's the first time I've felt this... strange here," David said, pointing to his heart. "My heart beats so fast when I'm with her. I feel like I have arrhythmia."
Leo hit his own forehead. "What am I going to do with you? It's not arrhythmia. You're head over heels in love."
"Lo... love... love..." David stuttered. Later, "Yes, I'm in love with her. What scares me most is that she might reject me."
"Fear? Do you know how many girls you rejected when they proposed to you? They were also scared, but they dared to wear their heart on their sleeve, right?" Leo said.
"That's different," David replied, annoyed. He stood up and went to the balcony, looking at the stars and the moon. Leo followed him.
"How is it different? Care to explain?" Leo asked.
"Those girls who proposed to me only went after my money and status. But Sara... she's a gem... no, she's more than that. Like the moon," David said, pointing at it.
"I don't know why I fell for her. There's no reason. It's like I've been admiring her from afar... but when I get close, I lose control. I just worry about what she thinks of me. Am I good enough for her? I was just being myself when she showed me around," David kept talking.
Leo stopped him. "Dav, calm down. She won't think that way. Maybe she likes you too. Do you know why I like Mia?"
"Why?" David asked.
"I don't know," Leo said calmly.
David glared at him. Leo looked back. "Why are you looking at me like that? It's true. I told her the same thing when she asked, and she just smiled. Maybe I fell for her smile."
"She gets angry easily if I don't talk to her properly. And I know how to get her back in my own way. That's how we work. It's crazy, right? You don't need a reason or perfect timing to fall in love. It just clicks," Leo said, snapping his fingers.
"You love Sara. You should get it off your chest. Why do you think she'll reject you? Actually, Mia told me something about Sara," Leo said, watching David's expression change.
"What did she say?" he asked curiously.
"From what she said, I'm sure Sara likes you too," Leo said like a genius.
"I don't think so," David replied.
"Come on, Dav, don't throw in the towel now. You've handled so much. You can do this," Leo motivated him.
Screen fades slowly.
-Back in Sara's Room
"'I'm leaving tomorrow and I have something to say.' What does he mean? Does he really care about me? Wait! What am I even thinking? Sara, go to sleep," she told herself.
-Next Day at the Airport
"I don't want to leave you. How fast these days went by," Leo said, hugging Mia.
"Okay, you've said that ten times already," Mia replied.
"Nope, fifteen times," Ethan said sarcastically.
"Where is he?" Sara thought, searching for David.
Mia saw her face and understood. "Wait! Where is your friend David?" she asked Leo.
"He went to buy something. He'll come straight to check-in," Leo replied.
"So that's it. He's leaving without even saying goodbye," Sara thought.
Boarding was announced. Everyone heard it, but Sara's heart started beating faster.
"Okay, we're leaving. I'll call you when I land. Bye, love you," Leo said, kissing Mia's forehead.
Mia nodded and watched Leo walk towards check-in. "Bro, where is he? He's still not here," Ethan asked Leo.
"He'll come. Let him finish his business first," Leo said calmly.
"What business?" Ethan asked. Leo just smirked, leaving Ethan confused.
-Back to Sara
Sara's face went pale and she turned to leave. Suddenly, a hand grabbed her and pulled her against his chest. She glared up. Her eyes lit up. It was David.
"You..." Before she could speak, David kissed her.
Her mind went blank, her eyes wide open. He kissed her like she was something precious and fragile. Then, Sara kissed him back closing her eyes.
"Wooo! Finally, Dav! You finally got the guts! Go on!" Leo screamed.
Everyone stared. Some murmured, some smiled, some looked away.
A few moments later, David slowly pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. Sara's eyes were still closed, her breathing fast, her heart racing.
"I can't hide it anymore. I want to be with you. I want to hear your voice every day. I don't want to lose you. I don't want to compare you to anyone, because you're the only one I want, now and forever. I want you with me wherever I go. I want you to feel the same way I do. I really like you... No. I love you! That's it," David confessed.
Sara was still stunned from the kiss. When she heard him say he loves her, tears filled her eyes. David cupped her face. "Do you love me?" he asked softly, caressing her hair.
Sara nodded, tears rolling down. David hugged her and kissed her again. This time it was different - their confession kiss, soft, smooth, and perfect.
He broke the kiss and took something out of his pocket. It was a bracelet - A circle of rose gold, tied in an infinite vow, kissed with stars.
He tied it around her wrist. "So, it's a promise. In this life, you're with me. Only me," he said.
Sara nodded. "You went to buy this?" she asked.
"Yes," David replied.
Boarding was announced again. "Okay, come on, buddy. It's time to go," Leo called.
David looked at Sara once more and kissed her forehead. "Bye. Love you."
Sara blushed and nodded. David walked back to check-in, smiling.
"I haven't seen this smile in years. I'm happy for you, buddy. I told you she'd say yes," Leo said, giving him a side hug. David finally felt a sense of relief and pure satisfaction.