It's like my mind was playing tricks on me. I thought of so many things when he asked to steal me away, but I never thought of this.

He's ready to marry me.

But am I ready to marry him?

"No, Raymond. I don't think I'm ready. I just graduated and I want to see the world. I want to make my own life before thinking about marriage. I want to work for a while before...before thinking about marriage."

"But you can still work while we are married. I won't stop you, I promise," he said, and I could hear all the desperation in his voice and tone.

"I'm too young to get married. And besides, I just graduated from the university. I want to start my own life," I tried my best to make him understand.

"But you can do all that even when we are still married."

"You don't get it, do you? If we get married, there's a possibility I might get pregnant. I can't concentrate while I'm pregnant, and have a husband at home. There'll be more responsibilities on me."

"But there are pregnant wives who still work. You won't be an exception," he again said.

"Well, I can't. They can but I can't. I'll be starting my life and there's a high possibility I won't get used to working and all. Marrying you, will only complicate things. I'm not saying I will never marry you. I will, that is if you still want to marry me."

"What makes you think I won't still want to marry you? It seems you don't know me at all. We've been dating for a year now and you still have doubts?" He has a frown on his face now.

"You are not getting me, hun. I'm only trying to say; I need time to establish myself...to make it in life, to get somewhere. If you love me like how you say you do, I'm expecting you to accept this and stand by my side. To teach me when I'm wrong. To correct me, and to guide me. That is all I want from you. When I find it convenient, I'll marry you. Please understand me. I love you, but I don't think I want to get married now."

I hope he understands. He'll make me happy if he does. Marrying him, will be everything I wish and hope for our love for each other but this is sudden. I don't want to rush in life, only to regret at some point in my life.

Who knows? Maybe he might stop loving me and ask for a divorce. What would happen to our kids? What would happen to me?

"If that is what you want, I will wait. I don't want to rush you into anything you'd regret later in life. You are right. Please forgive me."

"You have done nothing wrong. I need to apologize. You've got nothing to apologize for. Besides, I just broke your heart..."

"What, are breaking up with me too?"

"Silly you! I can never do that. You know I love you."

He sighs and takes my hands in his. I didn't realize he had been holding his breath for that long.

Raymond and I spend the whole night together. Nothing more than talking, laughing, screaming, playing around and also kissing.

He's a great boyfriend and I know he'll be a great husband and father.

He takes me home and before I can get out of the car, he had quickly gotten down to open mine for me.

It's quiet outside. Only a few passersby and a few cars passing by.

I smile graciously at him. He smiles back and wraps his arms around my waist. His eyes moves from mine and settles on my lips.

I give him a quick kiss on his lips since he wasn't doing anything but staring at mine.

I try leaving but he pulls me back into his arms. With a finger under my chin, he raises it so my my lips can meet his. He kisses me as his hand holds the back of my head while the other hand moves behind me and settles on my rear.

I gasp but quickly it was replaced by a moan. His kisses become deeper and hungry. I need air, I need to breathe. I guess he also needed that. He stops kissing me for a moment so we can both breathe. He kisses my neck and for minute I realize, he wasn't kissing it anymore.

He's sucking it!

Is he leaving a mark on me? And wait...

"Raymond, we are still outside. People might be watching. Raymond!!!"

He only groans and move away from me. We both stare into each other's eyes...the lust clearly written in his eyes.

"Go inside before I take you inside my car," he said with a smirk on his face.

"Savage," I said while looking around.

"Only with and for you baby," he said. It seems someone is in the mood. I got to run before he tries anything else.

"See you later. I've got to go and sleep, I'm tired," I also said.

"Oh come on, don't tell me you are tired. We didn't even..."

"No, I'm just tired. It's been a long day," I said, trying so hard to hide my red face.

"Oh, wait, I almost forgot to give you this. Since you didn't like so many things, I didn't know what to get you for your graduation gift so I just bought you another Alicia. I hope you like it."

I open the box and the camera looks better than my Alicia. It's nice and beautiful.

"Thanks so much. I love it!" I hug him tightly.

"I'm going to call it Raymond. This will be a he! Alicia will be so happy to meet her new friend," I said, earning a chuckle from Raymond.

"Go inside. I'll leave once you open that door, so make it quick," he said pointing at my apartment.

I turn to walk away when his palm landed on my rear. He just smacked my...I widen my eyes in recognition. What's gotten into him today?

I turn to look at him, only to be met by an innocent face. He then winks at me. I shake my head and quickly rush inside.

The lights are on, which means Mariana is inside. She stands in the middle of the hall as if she can't find her earpiece.

"Why, what's happening?" I asked her.

"Where did you both ran off to? Do you know how worried I was? I had to lie to everyone you wanted some rest, yet I didn't even know where you were," she said. Holding her waist, I know she's not going to stop talking now.

"Where's Eben? I was hoping to see him when I arrive," I try to change the subject.

"He left some minutes ago," she replied.

"That's sad. I was hoping he could help me with something."

"And Raymond couldn't? Goodness can you tell me the next time you two decide to ran off so I wouldn't be worried?"

"Sure, Miss. Now can I go in and rest?"

"No! What happened between you two?"

"OK, so you knew he was going to propose! Why didn't you warn me first?"

"Raymond proposed? Where's the ring? I didn't know, I swear!"

OK so how do I now explain things to her?

"I didn't accept. I'm sorry," I look at her with a sad face.

"Why are you saying sorry? Like hell! I'll also freak out if Eben had given me a ring today...it will be so sudden."

"You've both been dating for more than three years and you call it sudden?" I laugh at what I said.

"Well I won't call it sudden if marriage and family were like going out with you on your birthday!"

The joke is on me now.

****

Thanks for reading.