Chapter 4
Mark went back to the table, nervousness and anxiety filling every inch of his body. ‘This is it.’ He thought, fidgeting as he watched Toni emerge from the ladies’ room. He watched her as if she was from a movie in slow motion. He smiled timidly, watching every movement she made and every detail of her appearance. She seemed to glow like a goddess from the sky. He blinked, and saw Toni staring back at him. She was already seated in front of him. ‘Are you alright?’ she asked, looking worriedly at him. ‘Ye… yeah. I’m fine.’ He said. The nervousness came rushing back into his system.
The evening went on splendidly, but as the time for his plan crept nearer and nearer, Mark felt his stomach tie up in knots. He was getting anxious by the minute. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead and neck. His hands were as cold as ice, and so were his feet. He knew he would never get over it if she didn’t accept his proposal. Knowing Toni, there was a 90% chance that she won’t accept it, put it off, tell him they’re both too young and all that other rubbish. Still, he couldn’t really keep it all in anymore. Mark tried to loosen up but the waiter suddenly showed up, making him nervous again. ‘Fortune cookies! I wonder what my future holds for me.’ Toni said, making Mark smile. She can be so childish at times. He found it cute though, even if at times he had to admit, it could get pretty annoying. Without thinking, Mark suddenly propped both of his elbows on the table and placed his chin on his hands. ‘Mark, what are you doing?’ asked Toni, getting a trifle conscious. ‘Watching you.’ He said simply. Toni felt her cheeks blush. She picked up the fortune cookie in front of her and cracked it open. She got the tiny rolled up paper and unrolled it. Upon reading it, she felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her lungs. It couldn’t be. Toni stared at the tiny piece of paper in front of her, shock filling every inch of her body. It was uncanny how something so small could bring such a huge and sudden feeling to her. Toni read the paper once again. It must be some mistake. But there, printed in bold capital letters were the words “WILL YOU MARRY ME?”. Toni looked at Mark, only to find him at her side, down on one knee. In his hands he held a small, dark blue velvet box that held the most beautiful ring that Toni had ever seen in her whole life. It was an eternity ring, decked with sparkling white diamonds. Toni looked at Mark, her head spinning. Is this really happening? She knew she should be happy, but she was feeling scared to death. She had never felt this terrified before in her life. She had to breathe. Toni felt as if the room was closing in on her. And Mark’s words didn’t help her at all. ‘Toni, I really love you. You know I do. I’m not rushing you at all. If you don’t want to answer now then don’t. I just want you to know that I love you and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life loving you and making you happy. I want to be with you for as long as I live.’ Mark said as he looked into her eyes. Toni looked back at him with a blank expression on her face. ‘You’re wrong Mark. You’re rushing me. You’ve been rushing me for the past few months.’ Toni wanted to say, but she didn’t. She didn’t say a single word. Instead, she got up and swiftly walked away, not knowing what to do. She suddenly ran when Mark went after her. Toni felt as if she couldn’t breathe. Mark was like a collar around her neck that was tightening its grip around her. She just ran on and on in the streets, having no idea where she was heading.