The Unexpected Vow

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑𝟒

I sit next to Dad, while silence envelops us. Sara just walked away, leaving is alone, and I know that the reason behind her leaving isn't the one she shared with us. It's been years-so many years-filled with countless unspoken words and emotions, all yearning to be shared with Dad. But I've never found the courage to voice them. And she knew. She came to understand it.

The silence between us feels increasingly sharp, amplifying the sound of the waves, which now resonates more vividly in my ears.

"The weather is so nice today," Dad's sudden voice finally pierces the stillness, prompting me to offer a slight nod in agreement. "Yeah."

But the silence descends upon us once again.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry."

The moment the words leave my mouth, I realize they echo Dad's voice simultaneously, prompting me to look at him before my gaze drifts back to the waves before me.

"I'm sorry for everything you've had to endure. I know it was so difficult for you." His voice quivers, surrendering to tears that he quickly wipes away before they can trace a path down his cheeks.

"I was never upset with you for all the challenges I faced. I will never hold that against you." My words trail off into a sudden silence as I inhale a deep breath, preparing myself to utter the next phrases I've longed to express for so many years. But now, with the opportunity before me, the words seem stuck in my throat, as if they are used to being trapped within me, unwilling to escape. A few more moments of silence stretch between us until I finally muster the courage to voice the words. "All I ever wanted was... just to share meals with you, to sit together and talk about my day. I just wanted you to be by my side."

"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me the most. I regret that I never found the right words to express just how proud I am of you for everything you have accomplished, for how far you have come."

My vision blurs with tears, forming a sea within my eyes as I hear my dad's words. I never imagined this day would arrive; the very thought of hearing the words from him feels surreal. And now, finally we are sharing everything with each other. How long I have yearned for this moment, to feel the warmth, the happiness again..... to bridge the distance that once felt insurmountable between us.

"That night... I was completely shocked when I found out you were attending therapy. I felt terrible, honestly, like the worst son. You were struggling mentally, and I had no idea... I never understood that it was because of me. I really am sorry for making you feel that way." I finally manage to say, my voice nearly trembling.

"I told you that day as well that it wasn't your fault. It was my own guilt-the guilt of not being able to be a good father," his voice cracks.

I steal a glance at him, but quickly avert my gaze, feeling the words lodged in my throat.

The silence wraps around us again, but it doesn't linger for long before Dad speaks up once again.

We continue our conversation until Sara returns, and after a little while, we settle into the car for the drive home.

I pull up in front of our house and glance over, finding Sara nestled against the seat, sleeping peacefully. A smile spreads across my face.

"She's sleeping like a baby," I murmur, not realizing I have spoken aloud until I hear dad's chuckle fill the car. "Remember how angry you were? You dodged that first dinner with her, all because you didn't want to marry her. And now look at you, completely in love. The Almighty truly is the best planner."

"She must be tired. You should help her inside," he says with a smile, opening the car door and stepping out, leaving me and Sara alone in the car.

I lean my head back against the seat, my gaze lingering on her figure. She sleeps so peacefully, the gentle rhythm of her breathing filling the stillness of the car. Her lashes fan out delicately above her cheeks, creating a gentle frame for her closed eyes. Her lips part ever so slightly, and the calmness that surrounds her accentuates the gentle curves of her face.

She is so beautiful.

Each breath she takes seems to draw me in deeper, and I find myself realizing how much she truly means to me.

I notice her eyes scrunch slightly, her body shifting as her eyelids part and her gaze finally lands on me. Confusion washes over her features, her eyebrows arching as she struggles to orient herself in the haze of sleep. Just as she clears her mind, she sits up straight, squeezing her eyes tightly before reopening them. "We're already home. Why didn't you wake me?" she murmurs, her voice still thick with sleep.

"You were sleeping so peacefully; I just couldn't bring myself to wake you," I reply.

A slight chuckle escapes her lips. "Seriously, Aryan?" "Let's get inside," she adds before swinging open the car door and stepping out.

We walk into the house, making our way to the bedroom, with Sara leading the way. I close the door behind us, watching as she drops her phone onto the bed, preparing to head toward the bathroom to freshen up. But before she can go, I reach out, gently grasping her hand and pulling her toward me. My arms envelop her in a tight hug, and I can almost see the confusion flicker across her face. "What's this sudden hug for?" she asks.

"Thank you... Thank you for today... Thank you for everything," The moment the words leave my lips, I feel her body relax, the confusion that had lingered in her moments before dissipating completely. She wraps her arms around me, enveloping me in a comforting warmth.