Prose; Cold Hands (G)

He was holding my hand.

I could still remember the first time he had done so. That time, I could tell by his tremulous fingers that he was nervous. I could tell by his cold, clammy hands -- that he was nervous, and perhaps afraid.

But not anymore.

I could not tell anymore.

As he was holding on to my hand, this minute, this second, I could no longer tell of his feelings. His hands no longer shook, and no longer was wrapped in a welcoming layer of warm sweat. Or rather, this was not even holding hands at all, unless placing his palm on mine counts.

"Okay, what?" I gave in with a teary voice.

He, and I knew for some reason that he wanted me to remember this moment, slipped his fingers between my finger gaps, and squeezed my palm. The faint squeeze he gave felt like such a heavy stab in the chest. He embraced me, and held me there, fingers still clipped.

It was dark and misty out in the neighborhood at nights. The streets were quiet and lonesome, not even was there a feline prancing about.

He held me in his arms so tight, I felt my tears hanging at the rim of my eyes.

Normally, I was able to guess what he was thinking the moment I meet his eyes. But this time, it took me some effort to do so -- he kept avoiding my glances. By the time I finally caught his sight, I was able to confirm my conjectures. I understood what he wanted, and he knew I wasn't ready to hear it.

He let go of me and freed my hand, gradually taking a step back.

"Don't hold back." I forced a smile.

He hesitated.

Staring down at the cement sidewalk, he swung his shoulders back and forth, taking so much deep breaths, I lost count.

Finally, he peered at me with such an adorable look, I almost could not restrain myself from hugging him.

He took one last, deep breath.

"Will you marry me?"

Once again, Cupid's arrow poked at my heart.

My tears, uncontrollably, poured down my face, flooding every possible empty pore on my cheeks.

"I will no longer just hold your hands. I will no longer be nervous and hesitate about my choices. I will not let go. I will no regret." He knelt down on one knee after a long pause. "Please let me be the one to overtake your future."

I wasn't ready for this. I knew I wasn't, for I held both hands to my face and let the unstoppable tears overcome my excitement.

This moment, the turning stage of my life, I will never forget. And if possible, I hope I could hold on to this moment forever.

~ Fin.