"You’ve been waiting for this day, Nate. I knew."
"Go and et her. I don’t believe Elsie suddenly appeared after five years to hurt you."
"You can do this, Nate."
When Nathaniel vented his worries to Ruediger, his friend’s firm trust in him helped to lessen the concerns shrouding his heart. Ruediger also believed in Elsie despite years of not seeing her.
"I was... surprised... I never thought what I wished for would ever co true."
When Nathaniel voiced his doubts, Ruediger only had positive answers for him.
"Your patience has paid off, Nate. Five years is a long ti. You might think Elsie hates you but, I believe it’s not the case."
Nathaniel thanked Ruediger for being the best friend he could ever have. He promised to tell him the outco of his eting with Elsie as soon as possible.
Nathaniel also ntioned Elsie’s return to Russell and Andrea once they arrived ho from sightseeing. Like Ruediger, they were also surprised.
"Nate, go and et her. You have many things to talk about with Elsie, right? Regardless of what happened before."
"Your mom is right, Nate. Don’t be hesitant. Go and face Elsie. Let go of any regrets you have. No matter what the outco is, you can face it."
Both Andrea and Russell were as supportive as ever. None of them thought Elsie returned with malicious intent just like how Ruediger had perceived.
"Yes. I’ll et her. Please pray for ."
With steel-like encouragent from the ones who genuinely cared about him, Nathaniel headed to Athyst Blossoms Garden the next morning. It was another sleepless night for him but, he didn’t feel lethargic.
The garden was around one hour away from Seacastle through the expressway. Nathaniel drove by himself, his restless anticipation spiked with every passing minute.
How should he greet her once they et?
Could he ask about her well-being or, would she be offended?
The questions continued looming in Nathaniel’s mind. Uneasiness darkened his brown eyes. He occasionally clenched his hands on the steering wheel.
The clock barely hit eight o’clock when Nathaniel arrived at Athyst Blossoms Garden. He knew he was too early but, he couldn’t help it.
’...has she arrived? Surely not, right?’
Nathaniel stepped out of the car. His head was buzzing with the heavy pounding of his heart. Throwing his gaze beyond the garden entrance, he watched how empty it was.
Inhaling a deep breath, Nathaniel tried to calm himself. He took his first step, walking toward the garden. The cool morning breeze blew past him, lightly swaying his ebony locks.
The golden sumr morning light bathed the garden in a warm glow. It illuminated the soft hues of the flower fields, stretching into the distance.
Nathaniel finally walked past the entrance. The morning air was thick with the mingling scents of blooming flowers. He also sensed the gentle dew after dawn.
’Stay calm. Haven’t you been waiting for this mont?’
Nathaniel clenched his hands before loosening his grip. He repeated the sa movents several tis. His eyes swept across the garden, seeing a few figures of the gardeners.
Five years.
Five years of waiting and wondering of countless what-ifs.
If she was safe... if she even thought of him... if she actually loathed him to the core.
Nathaniel had never blad Elsie for leaving. The fault lay on him for failing to protect her, for not listening to her pleas.
Today, the sa wish he chanted for over one thousand nights would be fulfilled.
Nathaniel walked down the winding pathway, lined with amber-hued dahlias and golden marigolds. The petals drifted as a breeze rustled through the flower beds.
His destination was the area where lavender was grown. Without asking her, he knew she would appear there.
Among the many spots in this breathtaking garden, her most favorite one was there.
"...huh?"
Nathaniel abruptly halted his steps. His heart stopped beating for a second.
A figure appeared, a very familiar one, standing under the archways covered with wisterias. The gentle sunlight frad her back silhouette, just as he had rembered as if nothing changed in the past five years.
Her soft blond wavy locks were caught by the wind, gently tousling behind her back. She was staring far out into the distance, to the stretched lavender fields.
Elsie.
She was here. She was already here.
How long had she been waiting?
Did this an... she also couldn’t bear the wait?
At that mont, the world seed to fade around him. Only she remained, standing at the heart of his long-lost dream.
What he witnessed next was like a slow-motion film.
She turned around and moved out from under the archways, the hem of her soft green dress fluttered around her calves. The morning sunlight illuminated her face, allowing him to see her warm green eyes locking into his brown ones.
"Niel."
Elsie’s lodious voice, calling him ever so softly hitched Nathaniel’s breath. Within a second, tears glazed his eyes. He bit his lower lip, holding back from shedding any.
He was never ashad to show his vulnerable side in front of her. Her compassion allowed him to let go of the steel guard around his heart.
But... not now.
Not right now.
He was deprived of the right long ago.
"El... sie..."
Nathaniel tried calling Elsie’s na, only to hear how cracked the sound was. He imdiately closed his mouth as he battled against the overwhelming emotions within him.
Relief, sadness, and regrets—all clashed, causing a whirlpool.
While Nathaniel froze on the spot, Elsie walked toward him, her steps slow yet steady. The morning breeze fluttered her soft blond locks. She stopped a few feet before him.
Tilting her chin up, Elsie silently traced the sorrowful look on Nathaniel’s face.
Five years had passed but, he was just as she rembered.
Elsie’s own heart ramd heavily against her chest despite how calm she was on the inside. No matter how surprising it was to Nathaniel, she returned with determination.
But, first...
"Niel, I owe you an overdue apology."
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