December 17 2024

It was the next day as Desmond invited Maya over to his house for dinner, He asked Benjamin and Shailene to keep Jake with them for sometime and they agreed on it, It was nine p.m as Desmond finished cooking dinner and placed everything on the outdoor table as he was thinking about Maya and his feelings, Those feelings were still complicated But tonight, He was finally going to choose what he truly felt. What his heart and mind want the most.

Desmond looked at the time on his watch until he saw a car stopping by his house, He had a small smile on his face and continued looking at the car until Maya came out who was nicely dressed.

She smiled and looked at him as she admired from a distance, Maya quickly shaked her thoughts away and walked towards him as Desmond continued smiling at her.

Maya: *Smiles* Hi Desmond.

Desmond: Hey, Maya.

She began looking around as Desmond was watching her. He admired her for a moment before he said something.

Desmond: Jake's not here, by the way.

Maya: Aww, really? Did he learn how to walk and leave the house?

Desmond chuckled and began walking towards her as Maya smiled at him.

Desmond: No, He's with Ben and Shailene. I just wanted this night to be about us.

She felt her heart skip a beat as Maya cleared her throat and smiled.

Maya: Well, I didn't really mind if Jake was here.

Desmond: *Chuckles* I'll bring him next time, I promise.

They both smiled at each other and walked to the table and chairs, They began eating dinner as Maya was talking about her songs as Desmond was listening to her and gave some suggestions to her.

As the night continued on, dinner was over as both of them were talking. However, Desmond felt drawn to her, Those feelings were coming back as he continued staring at her, thinking about something.

(Do you really love her, Desmond? Be honest with yourself)

Maya was talking to him as she was staring at him.

(Does he really love you? Or should I just move on already?)

While lost in their doubts, Maya opened her phone to check the time, and it was ten p.m. as Desmond was looking at her.

Desmond: You know, I noticed that you're a fond of having an outdoor dinner, That's why I set this up.

She chuckled and nodded, appreciating the fact that he knew so much about her.

Maya: I love it, It's really peaceful. You sure know what I like.

Desmond: *Smiles* Of course. . .

He touched her hand as Maya looked at him and began holding his hand, The urge to get closer to him but she held herself back, Desmond knew that he needed to speak to her, He needed to know more about her true feelings. He couldn't stay quiet about this for long.

Desmond: I have to tell you something, Maya.

Maya: . . . What is it?

She was taken aback by the sudden question. However, she had a hint of hope in her eyes, and Desmond continued staring at her, trying to find the right words to say this. He noticed she was staring at him and knew he couldn't leave her in the suspense.

Desmond: Uh, can we have dance?

Maya: Sure, what's with the worried look then?

He chuckled and shaked his head as she laughed a little. However, she did feel a little disappointed, Maya knew she shouldn't expect too much.

They both got up as both of them began doing a slow dance. They were holding hands while staring at each other until Desmond spinned her around as she giggled.

Desmond had a smile on his face as they continued dancing until he turned her around and pulled her close, She looked at him and felt her heart race as Desmond continued staring at her, Maya realised she was staring too much and covered up by jokingly pushing him.

Desmond: *Laughs* Oww, what was that for?

She shrugged and turned around while smiling at him, Though Maya was blushing and felt a little embarrassed, Desmond could see it from her face.

It was a short dance as Maya was fixing her hair while looking around.

Maya: That was fun as always, I love dancing with you.

Desmond: Same here, Maya. Uh. . .

Maya has noticed that Desmond wants to tell her something, but he wasn't saying it.

Maya: Is everything okay, Desmond? You seem quiet today.

Desmond: I'm fine, actually. Just something's been going through my head.

Maya: What is it? You can talk to me about it.

She sounded concerned and wanted to listen to his problems, Desmond began staring at her, He sighed and prepared himself for this moment.

Desmond: So uhh. . . I don't know how to say this, but. . .

He took a deep breath before he continued speaking to her.

Desmond: I overheard you say something a few days back. It's been on my mind ever since, and I just wanted to talk to you about it. I'm not sure if I should even bring it up, but I want to be honest with you.

Maya's eyes were widen and felt a little nervous as Desmond held her hand.

Desmond: You said that you loved me, right?

Her heart dropped as Maya was looking at him and felt nervous, Desmond was staring at her, wating for her response.

Maya: I. . .

She was quiet for a moment and knew that he found out the truth.

Maya: I do, actually. But how- How did you hear that?

Desmond was staring at her and felt his heart beat faster as they continued looking at each other.

Desmond: At the cafe. . . Jake was crying and I was getting coffee, Remember?

Maya looked at the ground as Desmond continued staring at her.

Desmond: Is it true, Maya? Do you mean it?

Maya: . . . Yes, i do. I love you, Desmond.

The heaviness from her chest finally faded away when she said those words, Desmond's eyes widened as they looked at each other.

Maya: And I mean it. . . It's true, but I didn't start loving you that day. . . I have loved you since the day we met.

Desmond's gaze softened and gently squeezed her hand while hearing her

Maya: I waited for so long. . . I wanted you to realise how much I loved you.

She slowly let go of his hand as Desmond looked at her.

Maya: However. . . You don't love me back, Right?

Desmond felt his heart sank as Maya waited for his response, hoping to head the answer she always wanted to hear.

Desmond: Maya. . . . You know my responsibilities.

Maya: Yeah. . . I remember you said. . . That you didn't have time to find love.

Desmond: But. . . I don't know what I truly want.

Maya felt sad and looked at the ground.

Maya: Right. .You don't have the time for it.

She began walking away as Desmond looked at her until he grabbed her hand and pulled her close.

Desmond: Wait.

Maya looked at him and felt her heart beating fast as both of them were staring at each other.

Maya: I'm sorry, I didn't mean too-

Desmond: No, It's okay. . .

He caressed her hair and could see the love in her eyes, He felt guilty that he never realised the love she had, Desmond didn't want her to leave. . . He wanted her.

As Desmond stared into Maya's eyes, he began to truly listen to his heart and acknowledge the feelings he had been denying for so long. All the moments they had shared and the deep connection they had. . . . finally made sense to him.

Desmond: Maya. . . I think I'm love you too.

She froze for a second and stared into his eyes, Maya was trying to process those words as Desmond continued speaking to her.

Desmond: I kept denying it to myself. . . But today, I realised that I truly share the same feelings as you. . . You mean everything to me, Maya. And I'm thankful for what you showed me.

Maya: Desmond. . . Do you really mean it?

Desmond: *Smiles* Yes I do. . . Now i realised that I should be a poet if I wanted to make you my muse.

Maya: You don't need to be a poet, Desmond. Your words already hold more power than you realize. In fact, You have been my source of inspiration. . . .

She had a huge smile on her face as Desmond finally felt a weight off his chest, Now he realised that he has been lying to himself, He loved her but he kept denying it to himself.

The joy and love was seen in Maya's face, She felt tears forming through her eyes as she immediately hugged him tightly, happy that he finally accepted her feelings. The fear of his rejection was gone.

Maya: I love you.

She felt happy, speaking it louder as Desmond smiled and hugged her back.

Desmond: I love you too, Maya. . .

They hugged each other tightly before breaking the hug as Maya was smiling at him.

He smiled back and continued holding her by her waist as Desmond spoke to her.

Desmond: It may be too soon. . . But i can already see a future for us. . . Endless moments of laughter, joy, and love. I see us exploring the world together and supporting each other through challenges, I see us building a future filled with happiness and love, raising Jake and having a family of our own.

She was smiling until her smile slowly faded away as Desmond looked at her in confusion, wondering what he said wrong.

Maya: Desmond. . . I can imagine that as well. . . But there is something you need to know.

Desmond nodded and looked at her, However Maya started to feel sad as she was silent.

Desmond: Whats wrong, Maya?

Suddenly she started crying as Desmond was shocked and tried to calm her down, But she began crying louder while hugging him.

Desmond: Maya. . . What happened?

Maya: I'm sorry. . . . I can't have children. . .

Desmond's eyes widen as Maya continues crying in sadness, Desmond feels bad and sad for her while he was holding her hand tightly.

Maya: I-I was born like that. . . I could never have children. It was my dream, though. . . . That's why I worked at orphanages and daycares. . .

She continued crying as Desmond gently shushed her and wiped her tears, he felt emotional seeing her like this.

Desmond: I'm so sorry, Maya. . . .

Maya: I guess that was part of my fate. . . .

She cried again as Desmond touched her cheek and spoke to her as she was looking at him.

Maya: You're not gonna change your mind, Right?. . . .

Desmond: Of course not, I'm never gonna change my mind, I love you. You're my everything. . . Your Jake's mother in my eyes.

Maya had a weak smile on her face as Desmond wiped her tears and looked at her.

Maya: I feel vulnerable. . .

Desmond: Don't be, I'm here for you.

She smiled and hugged him tightly as Desmond began caressing her back before he kissed the top of her head.

The rest of the night had them laying on the couch together as they were hugging each other, finally happy to be together.

They had feared that their love would always remain just a dream, They thought they would never have each other.

But destiny, in its surprising ways, had brought them together. ♡

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)