The Season of Reaching the Stars

Chapter 36's

Laura's defense collapsed instantly. Her tears are flowing. Niko tried to wipe Laura's tears with her hands.

“Give me a chance,” he said as he clasped Laura's hand. “To love you. Watch you. If you can't say anything now, it's okay. I'll be waiting for you. Until you're ready. But I want you to know, I'm not leaving you, Laura. I will not give up on chasing you. Until anytime.”

Laura returned Niko's hand. “ You can stop chasing me from now on.”

Niko smiled happily. She hugged Laura spontaneously. From behind the bedroom door, Luki heard their entire conversation. Finally he could give happiness to his sister.

Niko let go of her embrace. His body was leaning towards Laura. She looked at Laura's face fixedly and began to ask her what she wanted.

“Tell me about your life after graduating MA. Wherever you were all that time. I want to know everything.” Laura Pinta.

As Niko recounts her college days in New York, then her time in Paris, Laura smiles. He looked at the man he loved gently. There was no longer a thick wall that fenced his heart. Now all that exists is love.

 

Laura 27 years old.

Laura Rafael entered her study with a light feeling. The room was no ordinary work space. There were no wooden tables or barriers there. There is no computer. No paper scattered. There were only a few long iron tables and various cookware. His desk was clean of dust because Laura made sure of it every day. The soft sound of a cello by Bach from the earphones in his ear. A good song to start the day. It had been a year since she was discharged from the hospital, Niko always accompanied her during the grueling physical therapy. Laura's love for her grows stronger. Niko had absolutely no objection to Laura's lame manner of walking. Niko said, Laura looks perfect in her eyes. Laura believed his words. Niko takes Laura to visit her parents, then it is Laura's turn to formally introduce Niko to her parents.

Niko took Laura to their school first. Go to the beach where they had a picnic as teenagers. Laura is also invited to meet Erika who is married and becomes an obstetrician. The two decide to forget the unpleasant past between them, and make a fresh start. Erika tells Laura that she is thrilled that Niko has finally found Laura.

Luki also admitted what she had done with her star-given ring. She has taken it on purpose and made Laura meet Niko to make a new one. Luki said that was when she decided to support Niko. When Luki wanted to return the star ring, Laura shook her head. He said he had the same ring. He wants Luki to deliver the ring to the woman he loves one day.

As usual, Laura loved the quiet atmosphere in her kitchen when there was no one but her. His mouth whistled slowly following the soft strains of his song. Tonight Niko will take her to dinner. Laura was looking forward to dinner.

Laura's hand grabbed her cookbook. He always starts his day by trying to make new recipes or looking at old recipes. The book is almost full of recipes. As he opened his book, a small piece of paper fell from there. Laura put down her recipe book and bent down to pick up the paper.

Paper quadruple. Laura opened.

Look back.

Laura was glued, then turned around. He saw Niko leaning against his kitchen door. Laura laughed and removed the earphones from her ears.

“You didn't say you were coming here,” he said approaching Niko.

“I want to surprise you,” replied Niko.

“No,” reply Niko quickly. “I came here for something else.” “What is it?” laura asked a little confused.

Niko approached Laura and showed her a seven-star ring. “Will you marry me?”

Laura's stunned. He looked at the ring, then looked at Niko. Laura knew Niko was serious about her words.

Not hearing Laura's answer, Niko said again, “Please don't make me wait a thousand seasons until you say yes.”

Slowly Laura's smile expanded. “How about waiting one season only?” “Do you..” Niko looks happy.

Laura nodded. “Yes. I want to marry you.”

Niko hugged him. “Oh, Laura... You just made me the happiest man in the world.”.

Laura releases Niko's embrace. “I'm happy too. I love you, Niko.”

Niko looked at Laura. “That's the first time you said you loved me. I'm glad you're telling me now.”

Laura was really unable to say when her left hand was grabbed by Niko and the star ring was pinned on her ring finger.

Laura looked at her left hand. Two rings of stars were there. Both are Niko's. “You also made me the happiest woman today.”.

For a while the two stared at each other. Without Laura noticing, Niko's left hand had grabbed her waist, and the man's right hand was stroking her cheek. Niko's hands moved gently, and held Laura's head until the tip of their nose touched.

Laura closed her eyes. He felt Niko's lips peek at his forehead, his eyebrows, the top of his nose. And before Laura could think, Niko's lips were anchored on her lips. (i rada teu yummy didieu -_-). Kiss it warm and soft.

After a while that they themselves did not know had been going on for a long time, their lips parted. (there are no restaurant staff that care? In the restaurant kitchen. Arsh, sorrysorry).

“Laura, thank you for being by my side forever.”

Laura smiled sweetly. “I'll be with you all season, Niko.

- The End