01:   Shall we postpone the wedding?

"Father, what seems to be the problem?" The fellow priest asked Father Henry, his voice filled with concern, as he returned from chasing Khana through the corridors of the monastery.

Father Henry forced a weak smile, trying to hide the turmoil in his heart. With a hesitant voice, he replied, "N-Nothing, the lady left something behind, so I tried to return it for her."

"Oh, that beautiful maiden?" said Henry's fellow priest, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Henry nodded, his gaze drifting into the distance. Then, with a heavy sigh, he said, "I would like to rest for a bit. So, please take over."

He made his way to the priest's resting chamber, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. Collapsing onto the edge of the bed, he clasped his hands together tightly, his fingers trembling. With a vacant stare fixed upon the floor, he could not comprehend how he had missed the opportunity to recognize such an angelic voice—the voice that had haunted his dreams for years.

Placing his palm on his chest, he felt his heart pounding fiercely, as if trying to break free from its confines. "I used to mistake her voice for someone else," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I failed to recognize her now that it was her."

Closing his eyes, Father Henry allowed the memories to flood his mind. He could vividly hear the melodic symphony of their entwined heartbeats, feeling the warmth they shared in a stolen moment of passion.

Seeking solace and forgiveness, he reached for the rosary, his trembling hands fumbling to hold onto the beads. Kneeling before the crucifix, he begged for absolution, his voice trembling with remorse. "Father in heaven, forgive the sin I have committed. Forgive me for harboring earthly desires," he pleaded, tears welling in his eyes.

His gaze shifted towards the holy cross, and with a mixture of pain and desperation, he whispered, "Lord, why did you let me see her again?"

He was not questioning God's will, as he had dedicated his life to serving Him. But he couldn't understand why the Almighty would allow the woman who had caused him so much heartache to cross his path once more.

Father Henry had willingly forsaken everything and embraced a life of solitude within the monastery in order to find solace and peace. Yet, here was Khana, a painful reminder of a love he had chosen to bury deep within his heart.

Clutching the rosary tightly, he continued his conversation with the Divine. His voice is filled with anguish.

"Please do not torment me in the name of thy love, for I am barely holding on. This pain is too much to bear," he pleaded, his words resonating as though he were in direct communion with God.

Henry closed his eyes, allowing a single tear to escape and trace a path down his cheek. "I wanted to understand what caused our tragic rift, but it is no longer important. She's getting married. I beg you not to send her to me anymore," he whispered, his voice laden with sorrow. He stood up and went to a garden to wash off the thought of his former lover. 

On the other hand, Khana lay in her bed, the moonlight gently casting a soft glow upon her serene face. Shortly after the lady fell asleep, a man entered the house. The gentleman is impeccably dressed, exuding sophistication and affluence. He wears a vibrant blue polo shirt, which is perfectly tailored to accentuate his well-defined physique. The fabric is of high quality, with a subtle sheen that catches the light, adding a touch of elegance to his outfit.

Complementing his polo shirt, he wears black slacks that fit him perfectly, accentuating his slender physique. The trousers are made from a luxurious fabric, displaying a subtle texture that adds depth to his outfit. The cut is modern and stylish, showcasing his fashionable sensibility.

His choice of footwear further exemplifies his refined taste: black shoes, meticulously polished to a high shine. His overall appearance exudes an aura of confidence, charisma, and success. The combination of the well-fitted blue polo, tailored black slacks, and polished black shoes portrays an image of someone who appreciates quality and pays attention to detail. The ensemble presents a harmonious blend of style and class, leaving a lasting impression on those who encounter it.

Unbeknownst to Khana, Richard, a man of grace and elegance, approaches the bed with quiet footsteps. His eyes, filled with tenderness and adoration, gaze upon Khana's serene face. He is captivated by her beauty, both inward and outward, and the sight of her lost in reverie.

Richard slowly reaches out his hand, his fingertips hovering just above Khana's cheek. He gazes at her for a moment longer, cherishing the sight before him. The atmosphere is still, as if time itself is holding its breath in anticipation.

As his hand descends, a feather-light touch caresses Khana's cheek. The warmth of Richard's palm against her skin pulls her back from the depths of her dreams. Sensations mingle as she awakens, her eyelashes fluttering open to meet Richard's gaze. A soft surprise lingers in her eyes.

"Honey?" says Richard, trying to rouse his sleeping fiancée. He smiled and started imagining waking up next to her everyday as soon as they got married. "Honey, I'm here." He added, gently tapped Khana's cheek.

Khana slowly opened her eyes. She blinked away the last traces of sleep, her gaze focused on the familiar surroundings. It was then that she noticed a figure sitting beside her. Her heart skipped a beat, and a gasp escaped her lips as she recognized the person before her: Richard, her fiancé.

“How was your day? You looked tired, is there something wrong?" Richard asked, caressing the back of Khana's palm.

Khana faked a smile and shook her head, "Nothing, you knew me. I'm always full of thoughts in my head.”

"I know, I just can't help but worry."

Khana sighed and stopped for a moment. She uttered, "I've been thinking about our plans for marriage, and I have something to discuss with you."

Richard looked at her with a blend of curiosity and concern. "Sure, Honey. You know you can talk to me about anything. What's on your mind?"

Khana hesitated for a moment, unsure of how Richard would react to her suggestion. Finally, she spoke, "I was thinking that maybe we should consider postponing the wedding date by a year."

Richard's eyes widened in surprise, and his heart sank a little. "A year later? But why? I thought we both wanted to get married soon. Are you having doubts about us?"

Khana quickly shook her head, not wanting Richard to misunderstand her intentions. "No, no, it's not about doubting our relationship. It's just that I've been feeling overwhelmed lately with everything that's going on in my life."

"Our parents will be disappointed, and you already know that. I don't mind moving the date, but I'm worried about how our families would react," he replied.

Khana understood, so she accepted defeat and withdrew her suggestion. "Don't mind me. I was just feeling a bit pressured and nervous about our future," she replied.

Richard kissed her forehead. His eyes tenderly locked with hers. "You mean the world to me, Khana. And I couldn't bear to be away from you any longer. I wanted to express to you the immense value you hold in my life and how thrilled I am to spend the rest of my life with you."

"I am also nervous about what's going to happen in the future, but I assure you that I will do my best to be the best husband. I will take care of you and ensure that you never regret marrying me," Richard added.

Khana was silent. She couldn't find the words to utter. She simply stared at the guy who was patiently waiting for her to say something in return.

Richard smiled, relieved that they were on the same page. He wrapped his arms around Khana, pulling her into a warm embrace. "I promise to support you in every way possible, Khana. We'll handle everything as a team."

"I love you," he whispered through his fiancee.

A tear fell from Khana as she embraced him back. She has always been hesitant to say, "I-I love you too."

At the back of her mind, she silently sought God's guidance, questioning, "Should I proceed with this marriage?"