What choice do I have?
The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the park as Dora and Austin strolled hand in hand. The air was filled with the faint hum of distant chatter and the occasional chirp of birds settling in for the evening. It was one of those rare moments where time seemed to slow, and the world felt like it belonged only to them. But as they approached a small crowd gathered near a roadside band, the atmosphere shifted.
Austin’s eyes lit up with excitement. Just an hour earlier, they had been discussing Dora’s favorite songs, and now, as if the universe had conspired to make the moment perfect, he saw his chance to impress her. Without a second thought, he stepped forward, grabbed the microphone from the band’s lead singer, and began to sing. His voice, though heartfelt, was far from polished. The crowd, initially curious, soon began to exchange uneasy glances. A child nearby burst into tears, and a few people covered their ears, visibly irritated.
Dora stood frozen, caught between secondhand embarrassment and a strange sense of admiration for Austin’s boldness. She could see the confusion on his face as he finished his song, his hopeful eyes searching hers for approval. The crowd’s reaction had clearly thrown him off, but he remained undeterred, his gaze locked on her.
To ease the tension, Dora stepped forward and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. The crowd erupted into cheers, their earlier annoyance replaced by amusement. Dora, usually reserved and uncomfortable with public displays of affection, felt her cheeks burn. But it worked, Austin’s face broke into a wide grin, and the moment was saved.
Or so she thought.
As she tried to pull him away, Austin suddenly dropped to one knee, still holding her hand. Dora’s heart skipped a beat as he looked up at her, his eyes filled with sincerity. “Ms. Dora Nur,” he began, his voice steady despite the chaos around them, “I meant every word I sang. Without you, I’m lost. Without you, I’m alone. Without you, I lose my mind. You’re my everything. So, hit me, baby, one more time.”
He held out his closed fist, a playful grin spreading across his face. Dora, caught off guard, let out a soft laugh and tapped his fist. He opened his hand to reveal a stunning ring nestled in his palm. “Ms. Dora Nur, will you marry me?” he asked, his voice filled with hope.
The crowd erupted into cheers once more, chanting, “Say yes!” Dora, overwhelmed with emotion, covered her mouth with her hands and nodded. Austin jumped to his feet, pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss that left her breathless. The crowd clapped and whistled, their earlier irritation forgotten.
As the cheers died down, a voice cut through the noise. “Now take him home and hit him for singing that song,” a girl muttered, rolling her eyes. Austin, still grinning, turned to Dora. “What does she mean?” he asked, genuinely confused.
“Nothing,” Dora replied, shaking her head with a smile. She couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.
***************
The memory faded as Dora was pulled back to the present by the sound of Austin’s voice. He was singing loudly in the car, completely oblivious to the strange looks from passersby at the stopped traffic light. “Show me how you wanna be, tell me, baby, ’cause I need to know now,” he belted out, his tone-deaf voice filling the small space.
“Austin, please,” Dora said, nudging him gently. She glanced around, her cheeks flushing as she noticed the amused expressions of the people nearby.
“My loneliness is killing me every time,” he continued, stretching the last note in a high-pitched screech. Dora quickly placed her hand over his mouth to stop him, her embarrassment reaching its peak. But Austin, ever the opportunist, kissed her palm, causing her to pull her hand back in surprise.
“You touched me first,” he said with a shrug, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I just replied to your touch.”
Dora couldn’t help the shiver that ran down her spine. His touch always had that effect on her, a spark that ignited something deep within. It was that same spark that had led to the night they spent together, the night that changed everything. She glanced down at her growing belly, a reminder of the life they had created together.
Austin noticed her reaction and smirked, clearly pleased with himself. The rest of the ride passed in relative silence, much to Dora’s relief. But as they pulled into the parking lot, her peace was short-lived. Sienna, her best friend, was waiting for them, her arms crossed and her expression wary.
“How are you? Did he do anything to you? Did he hurt you?” Sienna fired off the questions as soon as Dora stepped out of the car.
“We should ask you the same, Ms. Addison,” Austin said, stepping out of the car with a smug smile. “Did you hurt yourself in the hospital? I hope Douglas was able to come on time.”
Dora stepped between them, trying to diffuse the tension. “Sienna, it’s fine,” she said, placing a hand on her friend’s arm.
“You ass,” Sienna muttered, glaring at Austin. “What could be expected from you other than dirty tricks?” She turned to Dora, dragging her away. “Let’s go.”
As they walked away, Austin called out, “Baby, I’ll see you at lunch!” His laughter echoed through the parking lot, and Dora ducked her head, hiding her face as she hurried inside.
“What is he up to now?” Sienna asked, her eyebrow raised as she studied Dora’s expression.
“Three months,” Dora replied with a sigh. “If he can’t make me confess that I still have feelings for him, he’ll leave me.”
“And you believed him?” Sienna asked, her tone incredulous.
“What choice do I have?” Dora said, rubbing her temples. “I can’t divorce him while I’m carrying his child. And even after the baby is born, do you think he’ll just disappear? Either way, he’ll be around. This is the best chance for me.”
Douglas, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up. “Maybe he’s changed. Don’t you think?”
Sienna narrowed her eyes at him and walked away without a word. Dora glanced at Douglas, who shrugged. “She hasn’t talked to me since the day I dragged her out of the hospital. She thinks I’ve changed sides, that I’m supporting Austin instead of being your friend.”
“Aren’t you?” Dora asked, her voice soft but pointed. Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked away, leaving Douglas standing alone, his expression was cold.
The days that followed were a whirlwind of emotions. Austin’s persistence, Sienna’s protectiveness, and Douglas’s quiet support all weighed heavily on Dora. But through it all, one thing remained clear: her feelings for Austin, though complicated, were undeniable. And as she stood there, caught between the past and the future, she couldn’t help but wonder if love, in all its messy, unpredictable glory, was worth the risk.
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