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Craig Ashwood had always been the hot topic of the town. Young, smart, handsome... he had everything a girl could ever dream of. Naturally, he was the most pursued bachelor in the town of Hidenburgs. But he never really showed interest in any other girl except for her. Soft, rosy cheeks, a sharp nose with a pinkish hue, brown eyes, black hair, and a smile always donning her face.

She looked like any other common girl of Hidenburgs. But for him, she was different.

Her cheeks were as soft as cotton, her nose as sweet as that of a doll, her eyes so full of life, her smile so powerful.

Caroline Dawson. He had known her since he was a child. Their fathers had been good friends since their teenage years. And that is how they met. He still remembered meeting a small, timid girl, wearing a pink dress, a blue bow holding her small hair into a small ponytail. She was too shy to talk to him at first for she was always hiding behind her father's legs.

It was until his father forced him to talk to her.

He introduced himself to her and produced his hand for a handshake. Although a bit reluctant at first, she accepted it. And that was the starting point of their unbreakable friendship. He remembered scraping his knee in their backyard and her, scolding the ground for being rude to him. She also applied some ointment on his knees before putting on a clean cotton and wrapping it with a gauge. "I am sorry. I hope you get well soon." Those were the first words spoken by her to him.

Throughout his life, she has been always there to motivate him and push him towards success. She was there at his worst. And now when he had gained the success, by becoming a young businesswoman, she was no where to be seen. He had always credited his success to her. But alas, she wasn't there. A lot had happened between them untill the very present. The girl who once couldn't live without him had left him suddenly, without any explanation.

At times he would visit her, with one or the other excuse, like meeting Mr Dawson. He would be gravely disappointed when she wouldn't make any appearance, even for once. It was as if his life force has been stolen away from him. His favourite memory was when they celebrated her twenty second birthday. They had sneaked into the meadows and he helped her climb a tree. It was a cool, winter night, with the sky as clear as a crystal. The two sat together and gazed at the stars, trying to identify the constellations like the Ursa major and the Orion. She would be excited when he would name some of the stars and point towards them. He had always known that the stars fascinated her. Her moonlit face, them stargazing at such a pleasant night as the stars stay witness to their activities....that's when he realised his friendship was something more. He felt something more. It was fear. Fear of losing her. Fear of not being able to see her smile again. Wanting to hold onto her. A want to never let her go. Was this love? Did love come along with fear?

His twenty three year old self was still unaware of the concept of love.

At present, he was standing outside the Dawson's house again. This was his final visit. His business has been flourishing in the southern part of the state. So he along with his other business peers had decided to move their business headquarters there. This included him moving to that place. He hoped that he could catch a glimpse of her for the last time before he moved out. He wasn't sure how long he would be living there. 1 month? 1 year? 1 decade? He didn't know. But he sure did know that a lot could change within that time period. His business could go down, his bedridden father could die, Caroline might get married to another guy...

He let out a sigh. Why was it so difficult for him this time? He remembered their trip to the spring fields. That was more than five years ago. Their families had planned a one week trip. The two would sneak out into the fields in the afternoon when everyone would be taking their nap.

The two would lie down on the soft grass and stare at the sky for hours. She would get excited when the butterflies would fly past her and would start running along with them. He would have to reluctantly get up to catch up with her. But he did enjoy doing so.

He vividly remembered the question she asked that day. "Craig, if you were to marry someone, who would that lucky girl be?"

He didn't know what caused her to ask such a question. He chuckled nervously as he stared at the sky. "Someone who's as lively as Caroline Dawson."

She laughed at him and with great difficulty, told him, that it was better if he married her, rather than finding another girl. Even though she had not meant it seriously, he couldn't help but get his hopes high.

He had always felt that the two had a connection. As they grew older, they would get more nervous and shy around each other. Something had changed after Mrs Bufly's forty fifth birthday celebration...the day when the two had almost kissed.

The two were sneaking out into the nearby valley when she tripped down and rolled down. He laughed and purposefully started to roll down behind her. They reached the bottom but he fell on her. The two stared each other for what seemed like countless hours. Their lips inched closer with every passing minute. But he couldn't bring himself to do so. He pulled away from her and adjusted himself. He didn't want to do anything that could hamper their friendship.

As for her, she was fully red from the earlier incident. He swore she looked cute with that expression on her face. Ever since then, there was always a sense of tension between the two.

Whenever they would come close, their heartbeats would rise and start beating in a sync. He wished he could at least learn why she had distanced herself from him. But alas! He never got the opportunity since his family party, which happened a year ago.

Sine then, she had been distancing herself from the Ashwoods.

And that is when he confirmed his doubts. He did have feelings for his old best friend. He did get a chance before the party to give her hints about his feelings but she was too nervous to be able to answer him back.

"Mr Dawson. I hope you are doing well."

"Oh," the old man exclaimed. "Come and sit. Make yourself comfortable."

He took a seat opposite to him. "As you might know, it's the last day of me being in Hidenburgs."

"Yes my son. I am so proud of you. So is your father. I am so happy for your success. I always knew you could do it.

"Thank you sir." He looked around the room but was disappointed to see it was the servant and not her. He put the tray on the table and exited the room.

"Do you want to talk the Carrie? She has been looking a little lost since yesterday. I think that you would want to-"

He sighed. "What's the use sir. She doesn't even want to see me."

"Oh no, you are mistaken. She was telling me that she was actually eager to meeting you."

He looked at him with shock. "Are you sure Mr Dawson?"

He nodded. "Convey your final message before you move out."

He walked through those familiar corridor. He paused himself in front of her room. He took a deep breath before knocking on her door. "Come in." He could sense a hint of agitation in her voice.

"Uhh. Good afternoon Miss Dawson." He back was towards him. He was relieved that he did not have to see her while talking. This would make easier for him to talk.

"Good afternoon Craig. Or should I say Mr Ashwood since we are being formal."

"No no. Craig works just as fine."

"Well I request you to take a seat. I don't want to keep your standing."

He sat on the chair beside him.

"How have you been all these years?"

"Miserable."

"Why do you say so?"

"I don't know. It's because it's the truth."

It became silent for a while untill she heard her sobbing. He immediately got up from his chair but stopped on his tracks when he told him not to come closer to her. "I don't want you to see me like this."

"Caroline," he begged. "Why are you doing this to yourself? Let me-"

"Let you what?" It almost came as a yell.

He went towards her and yanked at her hand causing her to turn around. Her beautiful face was all red due to crying.

He immediately wiped some of her tears with his hands. "What happened? Who hurt you?"

"You." He looked at her with confusion. She continued as he kept on staring at her for answers. "You suddenly decide on moving out. Did you think about your parents? Did you think about my father who likes you so much?" He looked at her with a pleading look on her face. "Did you think about... me?"

He punched his thigh. "Dammit Caroline. I always think about you. You don't know how much I have hated myself ever since you distanced yourself from me. You didn't even explain why."

"It was for your own good. You were growing too dependent on me."

"And so you'll ignore me for a year? Do you even know how hard it was for me when I saw you ignoring me?"

"I am sorry."

He kept staring at her as she talked. She looked suffocated while she said each of the words with great difficulty. He gave her the glass of water to drink which she did.

His heart began racing as she felt her skin brush past his arms.

Now that suddenly she had decided to talk to her, why was it so difficult to get to the real point? His old fear grasped him again? What if he lost this friendship? He looked at her face again. He couldn't see her tear stricken face. It caused him an immense pain.

"Do you remember how we used to stargaze at night?" This question made his heart beat even faster. It was one of his most favourite memories.

"Yes, I do remember it vividly." He smiled softly as he recalls the memory.

"Well, I did see a shooting star and asked for something. And I am happy to say that my wish turned true. Don't ask me the wish because it's not allowed to be said."

He simply nodded. "Well I remember naming and pointing at the stars for you."

She chuckled. "Yes and sometimes I would think you are jesting with me for such funny names couldn't exist."

What surprised him was the way she was bringing it up. She looked as if she wanted to relive that moment.

"And you remember that time we got lost while walking towards the fair?"

"Yes," she explained. "I thought that we were stranded forever. But do you know something?"

"What?"

"I wasn't scared because I had you."

He cursed internally. Why was she saying all of these like this.

"Craig, do you remember the trip to spring fields." He nodded. He could recall one phrase the most. 'You could marry me instead.'

"Well, by far my most favourite memories is the one in spring fields. I hope we do arrange one in the near future."

He looked at her. Her face evoked so many memories, mostly those subtle sweet moments they had shared.

"I'll have to go now Caroline. It's almost time."

This time, she pulled him into a hug. "Please don't go Craig. I am scared."

He was taken aback by her sudden reaction. Meanwhile his heart drummed through his ribcage at the sudden increase of their closeness. She broke into tears. "Craig, I am scared of losing you again."

"You had never lost me." You always had me wrapped around your fingers.

He patted her hair and brushed through it with his fingers.

She had always stayed away from him but she couldn't do it anymore. One year ago, she had promised his father that she won't ever cross paths with him ever again. That is why she ignored her. She was just keeping the promise she had made to his father. Only she knew how painful it was. It would be so difficult for her when he would come and visit her father and she would decline his offers of meeting her.

She would have rejected him this time as well had it not been his last day at Hidenburgs.

"Please don't go Craig."

The truth is she knew that he held a special place in her heart. But his father made it clear that he wouldn't approve of their relationship if it even happened. He wanted him to marry a beautiful, well educated girl. Not someone as simple as her.

"I'll have to go. But I promise I'll write to you." He had already given up on confessing. He found no hope. It was true that he was going. Do why give her even more pain by confessing.

"It's not about letters Craig. I am talking of something more important. Do you remember what I told you back then?"

Her heart skipped a beat when he nodded.

"Craig, I don't know what will happen to our relationship after what I am about to say. But please don't break our friendship even if you don't approve of it."

"You will always be my true best friend Caroline."

She pulled away from his embrace and looked back. "Craig. I have an unknown feeling for you. A feeling which I cannot name. A feeling of emptiness when you ignore me, a feeling of jealousy when you talk to other girls, a feeling of happiness at your success, a feeling of losing you. I know this sounds like what friends usually feel. But there is more to it. Friends don't think of marrying each other or being in a relationship with them. Loving them and staying with them forever. Friends don't think of building a family together. Craig I think I might have fallen in love with you. And no, my feelings are not recent. I have been loving you way before the spring fields trip. I have always loved you. Way before I actually realized my feelings for you." She let out a sigh. "I wouldn't blame you if you didn't the same way. Like, who would even like a girl like me? So bland. I just wanted to lift this weight off of my shoulder. I don't know if I will be able to see you again."

She stood there waiting for him to say something. But instead, she felt a yank on her arm and the next moment, his lips crashed down on hers. His sturdy lips worked their way gently through her lips. She submitted herself to him. He groaned at the softness of her lips. He deepened the kiss as he pulled her closer by her head. She moaned as she felt his tongue on her lips begging for permission which she granted. Her moans were erratic and muffled. She ran her fingers through his hair as the kiss continued. There was an urgency, a need, a hidden passion, the anger and frustration of all the past years, within the kiss. He pulled away, as the two caught their breath. He pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. She could feel the thumping of his heart resonating through her breasts as they hugged.

"Caroline Dawson, I have always been in love with you. My heart has always craved for your love and not others. You are the most beautiful person I have ever laid my eyes on. You are the one who has shaped me into what I am now. Without you I would have been nothing. Caroline, you don't know how happy I am."

He nuzzled her hair and took in the sweet smell from her neck.

"It has always been you. Ever since I was a child, I knew you were special to me. I had always hidden my true feelings fearing thatvit might break our friendship. I was too scared to lose you."

"Oh Craig." She kissed his cheek. "I am so sorry. I never meant to ignore you. Your father told me to not get too attached with you for the would never accept me as her daughter in law. But Craig, I am ready to give up on everything only for you."

"I do not have anything with me right now but I, Craig Ashwood promise you that I would be back soon and you'll be my wife next time we meet again. I love you Caroline."

Her face was red but this time it was because of him. He was making her blush.

"I would be waiting for you. I have already waited for a year. But be back soon. You know where to find me." Her nodded.

4 months later

She was standing in the meadow as she has been doing for the past 4 months. The meadows had been the proof of their growing love for each other. It has always secretly known about the two being in love. She was reading the letters her had sent her thoroughout this time.

She blushed after reading the letters. She couldn't believe it was real. She couldn't believe he loved him so much. The little girl couldn't have imagined that she would be in a relationship with the boy she had been in love with for what seemed like forever.

She sat down on the soft grass and leaned on the trunk of the tree. She recalled her twenty second birthday, when they were stargazing. How the stars stood witness to their flourishing love. She had never seen such a beautiful sky ever since then. Maybe with him, everything seemed beautiful.

"Coraline, my love, I am here."

She had been imagining him saying this to her for the past 4 months. She was willing to wait longer if she had to.

Suddenly she saw someone running towards her from the other side of the meadow. She sprung up as she recognised who it was. She ran towards him and collided into his chest causing the letters to fall down. He pulled her into a hug immediately. She began crying. Finally, he was back!

"Craig you're back! I love you."

"I am back Caroline. I love you too dear."

He crashed his lips gently on her, conveying her that he was there now and she had nothing to fear now. Butterflies erupted through her stomach as he continued kissing her.

"Welcome home Craig."

~