Chapter 41
Five months later "Kathryn! Here, here!" David, from the topmost bench, waved at Kathryn who had her head turning around for the past few minutes. The sound of whistles, cheering, and chatters echoed through the swimming gymnasium as people, both from G University and from other schools listed in the competition, continued to enter the place.
Kathryn smiled the moment she saw David. Walking towards the said friend, Kathryn passed by a few other schoolmates who greeted her cheerfully. Among them was Vivian Heather.
"Kath!" Vivian Heather was smiling widely as she got up from one of the benches.
"Oh, Vivian? Wow, I didn't notice you because of your hair…" Kathryn recognized Vivian and couldn’t help but comment on her hair. It was too bright, with a shade of intense pink, to be left unnoticed.
Vivian Heather grinned and laughed. " I changed it last week. Does it look good on me?"
Kathryn smiled, "It does look good on you."
Vivian Heather tugged her hair behind her ear, giggling shyly, "Thanks," then suddenly remembered, "Oh, um, are you here to cheer your boyfriend?"
"Kathryn! Over here!" David shouted suddenly, pulling Kathryn out of the conversation with Vivian Heather. Even after five months, David still seemed not to like Vivian Heather. The glare he just gave the girl proved this very fact.
Kathryn sighed and gave an apologetic look to Vivian, "Sorry, I have to go. See you later, Vivian."
"Did you buy the popcorn?" David asked as Kathryn finally reached the topmost bench David was sitting at along with other viewers.
"Yes, but isn't this bench too high for us? What if we move down a bit?" Kathryn suggested while looking for other unoccupied seats.
David, however, just grabbed the food from Kathryn's hands and started munching, "It's best to watch from here. Believe me."
"Okay," Kathryn pouted, shrugging as she took a seat next to David. Noticing most of the seats were now taken, Kathryn looked down from her seat and found familiar and unfamiliar faces near the swimming pool.
A whistle sound erupted the entire gymnasium as ten men went out from the locker room. Shouts and cheers from different people boomed the area as the men started going to their designated places. One of the men stood out among them all, glowing like the sun with his tall, slender yet well-built body, paired with serious menacing eyes before he pulled down his goggles. Or perhaps that was just Kathryn. Because even after so many years had passed, Kathryn would often find herself being mesmerized by this man alone, again and again, with her heart beating uncontrollably like it did when she first saw him.
Unconsciously, although she was a bit anxious deep inside, Kathryn let out a soft proud smile.
It was the day of the regional swimming competition after all.
After Zachary got discharged from the hospital, he had to stay at home for a week to rest. One could simply think he just did just that but if one knew Zachary enough, they would know what happened during that week.
Childish Zachary was something Kathryn could never get used to. The entire week where he was supposed to be resting, Kathryn had to endure being practically almost everything and everyone Zachary needed—be it tending to his wounds, bathing him, dressing him up, cooking three meals for him, and most especially meeting his needs in bed—Kathryn did them all alone and Kathryn wasn't lying when she once told David her body too needed an entire week of rest after Zachary had recovered. It was as if Zachary had become even more clingy than he was before, sticking to Kathryn almost every second Kathryn was around. Not that Kathryn could complain though, because she herself couldn't deny the urge to touch Zachary more after they started living together again.
Kathryn was probably too busy reminiscing that she didn't notice the game had already ended. Although she was very sure Zachary would win the game, as he had confidently promised to Kathryn the previous night. So, the moment the crowd made loud noises, indicating the game was over, Kathryn was smiling from ear to ear. Because there in the middle of the huge screen was her boyfriend's face zoomed in.
"David, let's—” Kathryn was about to tell David they should move down and meet Zachary when all of a sudden, the lights from the gymnasium went out.
Feeling something was odd, Kathryn grabbed her phone from her bag, only to find out her bag wasn't on her side. She couldn't see anything since it was too dark. She wished people near her would open their phones so she could at least start moving down, but sadly, that didn't happen either. In the end, Kathryn was left to wait for David and the lights to return.
Ooh, ooh, ooh,
Ooh, ooh, ooh,
Kathryn's ears perked up. The strumming of the guitar came along with the voice that started singing. She turned down, noticing small objects from below started lighting up each as the song continued. She glanced around and noticed there were two people at the side of the pool—David, the one singing, and Earl, the one strumming the guitar. Behind them was Chad, along with other close friends.
The stars that shine in the dark I discovered their meaning last night The first time I discovered this was when I Looked into your eyes and held your hand By the side of the bed when our hearts touched Today's love might be really a feat
But, as far as I'm aware, what we have is special Because when I'm with you, the world comes to a stop Kathryn's eyes fell to where the small lights reached its end. There stood at the end of the pool, a man wearing a formal dress that was obviously worn quickly with his hair still wet and shining against the light from above. Kathryn couldn't help but chuckle at the sight but at the same time couldn't keep the tears forming at the back of her eyes as she began to take steps down.
Tell me, my love Oh, please, tell me, my love
Is it possible to love me, love you Like we do?
Kathryn was too surprised to even know what was happening. Was this even true? What if she was just dreaming all along?
All her doubts and questions left her however, the moment her own eyes landed on him—the man of her life. Kathryn shook her head, tears falling from her eyes as she finally reached the end. Zachary was smiling from ear to ear, eyes only on Kathryn.
Kathryn bit her lip as memories from the day she first met Zachary up to this day came as she watched Zachary bended down with his knee on the ground.
"Kathryn Taylor, you’re the best woman in my eyes and I want you to stay by my side forever.” Zachary looked up, eyes filled with hope, love, and life. "Will you marry me, please?"
Kathryn's heart was beating too fast; she couldn't think straight. Her palms were sweating, and her tears won't just stop from falling. That “please” by the end of Zachary’s line was just too cute, clearly impossible for anyone to reject. And knowing it came from a former “bad boy” even made it special and adorable.
Chuckling as she tried to wipe the small tears away from her face, Kathryn stared straight at Zachary's eyes, loving how they shine the brightest whenever he looked at Kathryn. With a last sniff to bring the tears back, Kathryn nodded, "Yes, I will. I will marry you, Zachary Robertson."
The crowd made loud noises, cheering and congratulating the couple before them. It seemed that everybody knew the story behind Zachary and Kathryn. Everybody witnessed how these two fell in love, broke each other, and now heading to a future they rightfully own. Seeing how the couple finally reached their happy ending, everybody at that moment couldn't help but support and cheer for this couple. After all, love will always be love. Regardless of the flaws, of the many wrongs and faults that were decided by the society to limit one’s own happiness, love continued to fight on its own, having its own definition for people, for individuals to find and experience.
Zachary stood up and put the ring on Kathryn's finger before holding her face and kissing her on the lips. It was a chaste kiss filled with nothing but love, hope, and a vision of a bright future ahead.
"I love you," Zachary whispered to Kathryn, his world, his life, his everything.
Kathryn stared at Zachary's face affectionately then gently smiled, reflecting Zachary's own, "I love you more."
In a world where people could easily hurt each other with the adversities of life, how can someone fully trust another? If one was given too much pain, it would surely be easy to choose to walk away and forget. Temptations of finding a new one could also arrive, closing the door to the soul one had loved for a long time.
For Kathryn and Zachary, life wasn't always easy and happy like in fairy tales. But when they looked deeper and found each other waiting to come home, back to each other's arms, despite the uncertainty of life's tomorrow, Zachary and Kathryn knew they would always, always, choose each other among the choices.
The bad boy’s heart was once broken and she—Kathryn Taylor—successfully mended it.
The End.