Sofie’s POV


    “Thanks for the hug. I really needed it.” Roman muttered, withdrawing from my embrace and darting me a smile that didn’t quite crease his eyes.


    “There’s no need for you to thank me, Roman. I’m always here for you whenever you need me, okay?” I said, smiling wanly at him.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    He just nodded before sping his hands together, and staring into space with a mncholic mien.


    I sighed as I watched him. He looked so vulnerable which really broke my heart. I thought about how I had literally rejected his feelings in front of his grandmother and guilt instantly tanged my heart.


    I really was a jerk.


    “Nana is the only family I have left, I don’t want her to die. She can’t just go like that, I won’t allow that to happen. Even that means I have to bring in the best specialists from every country in the world to have a look at her. I won’t mind doing so, as long as she would live.” Roman suddenly said, breaking the silence.


    “Don’t worry too much about it, Nana wouldn’t like that. I know she would live because she is a resilient fighter and she won’t easily give up like that. I’ve only known her for a couple of weeks but I’ve seen how stubborn she can be and I know she’d fight that cancer, no matter what.” I replied, giving him a reassuring shoulder squeeze.


    He darted me a lopsided smile as he squeezed my hand back, “I hope so, I really do. I know I probably sound like a petnt toddler right now, childishly whining about how I don’t want my grandmother to die even though I know she’s well into her eighties and that she’d eventually die one day.” He shook his head.


    “No, you don’t sound whiny at all. I can’t say I understand what you’re going through right now because I don’t. Your grandmother has been your rock and shield since you were a toddler and it has always been the both of you against the world, so it’s only right for you to feel this way. But I know everything will be fine very soon, you just have to believe it.” I said, smiling at him.


    This time, he didn’t smile back and just went back to staring despondently into space.


    Tense silence ensued between us for a while with each person left to their thoughts.


    A couple of momentster, Roman cleared his throat and began, “You know on that fateful night, I was in the car that killed my parents and-” He sighed heavily before adding, “My unborn baby sister.”


    I squeezed his shoulder again but didn’t utter a word.


    “I caused the ident, you know. I killed my parents and that poor, unborn child because of my stupid, mannerless antics. And before you say stuff like I was barely a child and all, let me tell you that I could discern candies from dirt and I didn’t stick food into my nostrils when I had to eat, so I should have known the fucking right thing to do.” He gritted out as his entire body tremored with anger.


    I tried to calm him down, “Ro-”


    “No, let me finish talking before you judge me. You haven’t heard the whole story, that’s why you feel sorry for me.” He countered, shaking his head.


    Self-hatred had really paralyzed Roman’s mind; he carried so much loathing toward himself, which was just too sad.


    He continued, “I’m sure Nana must have told you this or I may have also mentioned it in passing, I was three when they died. My mum was inbor, so dad was driving the car and I was seated on the backseat, strapped to a car seat, ying with a toy soldier if I can vividly remember.” He paused to inhale sharply and to stare at my tear-stricken face.


    Without a word, he gently wiped my tears off before continuing, “They were going to drop me off at Nana’s ce before heading to the hospital but I had no idea what possessed me to throw a stupid tantrum on that rainy night. I suddenly wanted to y with my Superman toy, a toy that I didn’t even own because I hated anything rted to Superman. When either of them failed to provide the toy, I tried to unbuckle the car seat, so dad looked back at me and tried to stop me from doing so.”


    He heaved a deep sigh of despair before resuming his story, “But he didn’t see the speeding truck approaching our car. When heter realized that the truck was speeding toward us, it was toote as the deed had already been done and our car had been rammed into a tree. But somehow, by a stroke of luck, even though I caused the ident, I wasn’t hurt anywhere. Dad died on the spot and mum-”


    Roman shook his head, nervously tapping his feet on the floor, “She didn’t die immediately, but she went into aa before passing away three dayster with the baby. I was too stupid and confused to realize what had happened, and the reason why I could no longer see my parents and was suddenly moving to my grandmother’s house to start living with her. When I became older and finally realized how I caused the ident, I didn’t have it in me to forgive myself and honestly, I don’t think I will ever be able to. ”


    “Would you let me speak now, Roman?” I asked, to which he nodded, “Sure.”


    “Neither did you kill your parents nor did you cause the ident. The universe did, it was meant to happen and I want you to stop ming yourself for what was out of your control, okay?” I whispered, patting his thigh.


    He chuckled bitterly, “I don’t know if I can do that. You know I went to therapy for fifteen years after my parents’ death because I couldn’t speak for like a year and I became scared of cars and the rain. Apparently, therapy worked for my phobias but I guess it didn’t workpletely since I still have this vitriolic hatred toward myself.


    “Before therapy can help you, you need to forgive yourself first, Roman.” I said.


    “How can I? It’s been twenty seven years yet the memories of the car crash is still fresh in my mind.”


    “By epting that you never had a hand in the ident and it all happened because it was destined to.”


    Roman nodded, pulling me into a hug, “I will try, cara. Thanks for listening to my rants without judging me. I really appreciate it and I know you must be probably tired of hearing it but I won’t stop telling you how much I love you. I love you so much, Sofie. More than words or numbers can express.” He muttered, pecking the crown of my head.


    I fisted at his shirt, “I’m not tired of hearing it.” I whispered.


    He pulled away from the hug to peer down at me with a glint of hope in his grey orbs, “You’re not?”


    I nodded, “Yes, because I love you too.”


    Roman’s eyes doubled in shock, “You love me.” He said, disbelief prominent in his voice.


    I locked my lips with his in a passionate kiss before throwing him a toothy grin, “Yes, Roman. I love you too. I was scared of admitting it before and I’m sorry for m-”


    My words were jammed back to my throat as he cupped my cheeks and kissed me, gently and meaningfully


    “You have no idea how happy you’ve made me today, amore.” He whispered against my lips and I chuckled.


    “Tell me.”


    “Would you go on a date with me?”


    We said in unison which made us exchange amused nces with each other.


    “A date?” I muttered, staring into his eyes and he nodded.


    “Yes a date. Will you go on one with me?”


    I nodded, “Yes, Roman. I will.”


    “Perfect, cara. Now back to your question, I just can’t exin it, I feel I could burst with happiness right now.” He grinned, lifting my jaw with a finger and gazing intensely at my lips.


    “I love you.” I whispered.


    “I love you more, doll.” He whispered back before our lips met in a tender, loving kiss.