Chapter 37: Chapter 37

Author’s POV

Five years later…

Cara parked her car in the parking lot of this fancy Italian restaurant where she is supposed to meet her office friends with Chase.

After completing her graduation in finance, now she is working in one of the reputable company, which has always been her dream company by the way, as the finance manager.

She got the offer of this job when she was in the last year of her college and was so happy that she can’t describe it in words. And Chase was right beside her, supporting her.

As soon as she started working, she got the recognition for both her work and her beautiful looks and personality.

The men in her company were already starting to think of the ways to hook up with her in any way.

And of course given the fact how beautiful and gorgeous she has become over the years, it was not big of a surprise.

She was happy and proud about the appreciation she got for her talent and hark work.

But about other things she didn’t actually cared at all and of course it’s because the only person she likes to get praise from and appreciate her beauty is her boyfriend, Chase.

She was asked by many men in her company, to go on at least one date with her. But she turned everyone down.

She mentions Chase while having conversations with her friends whenever they talk about their personal life and dating life.

After hearing Cara talk about Chase on multiple occasions, her friends got curious about him and wanted to meet him. So that is why she has arranged this dinner date with her friends and Chase.

On the other hand, Chase dropped out of school after completing his sophomore year and decided to put all of his focus on his passion boxing.

Now he has become a professional boxer and boxing trainer. He also owns a training center which he purchased with his own hard earned money, without taking any help from his father.

Both Chase and Cara still live together after five years. They were always there for one another, supporting each other at every step.

It was not as easy as it sounds, though. They both had their fair share of struggles and hard times both as individual person and as couple.

One of the struggle that they faced was the choice Chase had to make about his career.

Boxing had always been his dream, his passion. He was always sure that he would choose the route of becoming a professional boxer, since he was a kid and was learning how to box.

But his determination wavered for a while before he dropped out of college.

And the reason was Cara.

He knew she didn’t like fights. If he chose to become a boxer than he would be fighting all the time and it would trigger Cara’s PTSD. He didn’t want to do anything which would hurt her.

During that time he felt like he was stuck in the middle, one side being the dark, deep well and the side was dangerous ditch. He didn’t know where to go, what path to choose.

At that time he was really frustrated, his mind was not able to make a single decision. He didn’t want to hurt Cara but he didn’t want to give up on his dreams either.

During that phase both Chase and Cara used to get in arguments all the time and fight with one another.

Cara wanted him to choose his career because she didn’t want him to let go his passion, telling him that she is going to be okay. But Chase knew that she was just saying it for his sake and it was driving him even more crazy.

He was starting to question himself, if she could prepare herself to face her fear for his sake then why couldn’t he give up on his dreams for her sake. Is he so selfish like that? He was having an internal battle with himself with these kind of thoughts.

But then Cara told him and made him realize that if he decided to not pursue his dreams, his passion because of her then she will blame herself for it, for the rest of her life.

At that time both of them learnt that being with someone is not about giving up on yourself, your wishes, your dreams for other person’s sake. It’s all about being together and supporting each other’s true authentic self. Walking together and finding new things about yourself and accepting every side of each other.

And this is what they did. Chase chose to become a professional boxer and dropped out of college. Cara supported him all along.

No she never went to watch any of his matches. She doesn’t even watch them on TV, of course due to her fear for violence. But still she was always there whenever he needed moral support from her.

Just like how for Cara’s sake Chase decided to take help from experts once again, in order to cure his anger management issues. So that he won’t get in useless fights after losing his control to his anger.

He is still working on controlling his temper in all the situations but is still not there yet. He is surely getting better at it, though, unless he catches someone eyeing his Cara or trying to hit on her in front of his eyes.

This is the only situation where he won’t be able to control his anger, ever, this is what he thinks.

But can you blame him for that? No. Anyone would be pissed if other guys are eyeing your girl.

But in conclusion, they are still together, being not each other’s weaknesses but the strengths.

Killing the engine of her car, Cara pulled her mobile out of her purse and dialed Chase’s number, probably n’th time today. He answered the call on fourth ring.

“Where are you Chase?” Cara asked to her boyfriend sounding a bit irritated for some reason Chase is not aware about.

Or he does?

“I am sorry but I am going to be a little late” he said at the same time closing his eyes shut preparing himself for the rant his angry girlfriend is going to start after hearing his words.

She sighed in irritation and it didn’t go unnoticed by Chase who was ready now to get a piece of her mind.

“Didn’t I tell you in the morning about this appointment?” It was a question, at least this is how it sounded to Chase. But before he could open his mouth to answer her question or to explain the reason why he is going to be late, she continued not giving him a chance to talk.

“In fact I have been reminding you about this for past two days. I told you to spare just two hours of your time this evening to meet my friends from my office. Just two hours Chase and you are telling me that you are going to be late. Now tell me what am I going to tell them, huh? That my perfect boyfriend can’t even spare a little time for my sake? That his work is more important for him than his girlfriend?” she said bitingly.

‘I think you said a little too much’ her inner voice said to her but she ignored it.

She is a little too pissed off at the moment. Because of her boyfriend, of course. But not because he is going to be a little late. There’s something else.

“Tell them that I am a complete jerk, I don’t mind. But I still have some urgent matter to take care of so I will be there a little late” he said calmly and paused to hear her sigh on the other hand.

He could imagine how her face must be looking right now. A little irritated, a little angry but more guilty for talking so harshly with him.

He let out his own sigh and continued, “And tell my girlfriend to not say the words which will make her feel guilty like this. Also tell her not to ask the questions, for which she already knows the answer. Because I am sure she knows that she is the one who is most important for me”.

Now Cara felt even more bad for letting her irritation get the best of her. She lifted her free hand to massage her aching temple with the thumb and forefinger of her hand.

“I am sorry Chase. I didn’t mean…” she was cut off in the middle of her sentence by him when he said, “I know, you didn’t mean it”.

“How much time will it take for you to be here?” she asked now sounding normal.

“I will try to be there as soon as possible. You go there and order food with your friends. Don’t keep them waiting for long. Again, I am sorry” he apologized.

She sighed again, “It’s okay. Be here soon. I will go now”.

“Hmm” he hummed in response and she disconnected the call.

‘God Cara you are just too much. You went overboard this time’ she scolded herself.

She can’t believe she was actually talking with Chase in that kind of tone. She doesn’t remember when was the last time she got so angry with him like this.

Well, it’s not like they don’t fight with one another or have arguments. Of course they do, just like other couples. They have been in a relationship for more than five years now, almost six years to be precise. So not arguing with one another would be strange.

But still she has never raised her voice at him like this. And definitely has never used such harsh words, questioning about his priorities and accusing him of humiliating her in front of her friends. And she sure as hell shouldn’t have done it today either.

Because that man, she calls her boyfriend has never given her a chance to question his sincerity like this, ever. He has always made clear what his priorities are.

She knows, for him she is his number one. Even more important than his work because of which he is going to be late tonight.

She knows, it is probably going to be, if not first time then one of those rare times where he is telling her that he would be late for their appointment.

Because most of the times he comes before the actual time of their meet. Even if he has work, he never makes excuses and shows up.

She ran her hand through her long brown hairs and looked at her reflection in the rear view mirror of her car.

“Since when you started acting like a teenage girl Cara, who gets upset with her boyfriend for forgetting the anniversary of their first ever date?” she said to herself feeling annoyed by herself.

Yes, this is one of the reasons why she is upset with Chase. Because he forgot that it’s their sixth anniversary today. The day when they went to their first date, ever.

Childish reason to be upset, right? She knows it. But still can’t help it.

“You never cared about it before” she muttered to herself.

‘It’s because he never forgot about it before’ her mind reminded her.

That’s right.

For past five years he has been celebrating this day with her as their special day. He believes it was the moment in their lives that changed how they are living their lives now.

He thinks that in past if for any reason she said no to him and denied ever going on that date with him, their lives would have been completely different.

And he dreads even thinking about how he would have turned out without her.

She still remembers the day of their first anniversary.

She had came back from her part time job at café. That day Chase didn’t go to pick her up saying that he had some important work to take care of at his boxing club.

When she entered his apartment, all the lights were turned off indicating that he was not at home. She reached to the switch to turn the lights on.

Light illuminated the room but her eyes brightened because of something else.

She saw Chase standing there in the middle of their living room with a beautiful bouquet of her favourite flowers, red roses.

The room was decorated so beautifully with different kinds of flowers, lightings and so much more. Everything looked so mesmerizing that she couldn’t keep the smile from plastering on her face.

The coffee table was filled with all of her favourite dishes. Some from her favourite restaurants and cafes. Some he made himself.

“What… what is this Chase?” she asked him meeting his gaze which was stuck on her face without looking away for once.

He walked towards her and handed her the bouquet he was holding which she took with the brightest smile on her lips.

“I.. actually you know that I am not good with all this stuff. I have never done anything like this before, and I am still not sure if this is good enough or not but…” he paused to take in a deep breath and Cara knew he was a little nervous at the moment.

“But still I will go ahead” he said and took one of her hand in his and continued, “Happy first year anniversary Cara”. Cara’s eyes widened in shock but she still noticed blush creeping his ears in a light shade of pink.

She already remembered that it was the same day that they went on date for the first time a year ago. The day he kissed her for the first time.

When she woke up in the morning, she contemplated a lot if she should wish him or not. She knew most of the times guys don’t pay much attention to all these things. Some even find it corny. Also it was not like this is their wedding anniversary or something. It was just the day when they went on date for the first time.

She never thought that he would even remember it. And him celebrating it, preparing a surprise for her is a completely different kind of shock for her.

The feeling of warmth spread across her heart because of him.

“You remembered it” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Of course I remember it. How can I forget the most important day of my life?” he whispered staring into her eyes with the kind of softness in those gray orbs of his which make her want to melt, every time.

“Then why didn’t you wish me in the morning? I thought you would find it childish if I mentioned it in front of you” she said making him smile at her words and scratch his neck, as he thought about what he was thinking while preparing this surprise for her.

“Actually even I find it a little childish. I never thought I would ever be celebrating the day of my first date, like some fifteen years old” he paused to lift his other hand to tuck few strands of her hairs behind her ear.

“But this is not just any day for me. I wanted to let you know that this day is a very important day in my life. I consider myself very lucky that you said yes to go on that date with me. Or else I don’t know how I would have…” he couldn’t bring himself to even think about that possibility.

Cara reached her one hand to cup the side of his face and in an instant he leaned into her soft touch.

“Happy anniversary to you too” she whispered making him smile. He let go her hand that he was holding and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her into himself and pressed his lips against hers in a breathtaking kiss.

For past five years they have been celebrating this day together and he never forgets about it. But today he didn’t wish her.

Last night she waited for him to return from work so that she can wish him their sixth anniversary before going to sleep. But he returned so late that by the time he came she was fast asleep. In the morning too he left before she woke up.

She tried to call him multiple times during the day but he didn’t answer her calls. He even ignored her texts. Which he never does, by the way.

That is why she is feeling very sad right now. This why she was so angry at him.

Cara came out of her thoughts when she heard her phone ringing. It was her friend with whom she is going to have dinner tonight. Answering the call she told her that she is in the parking lot of the restaurant and came out of her car taking her small purse in her hand.

‘He must really be busy with his work Cara. That is why he forgot about this special day.’

With this thought she made her way towards the entrance of the restaurant.