The summer vacation changed my life. It brought love into my world and it taught me few important lessons about life and about the course called Love. I had my own fairytale views about love but now being love myself and experiencing the feeling I could see why it is called "BitterSweet" but I was glad to feel it. To have David and his love. It's an irreplaceable feeling and I will not exchange this no matter how hard it gets to live with this distanced between us because in my heart I know no amount of happiness could complete me, if it's not with David. My being feels worthwhile because of what I feel for him, because my feelings are returned. So what if pain accompanies it now, at the end, It will be worth it.

It's beyond measure, the pain I felt when I parted ways with David. It felt like every reason I had to live was taken away from me but I kept reminding myself of what he said "Let my love build you, Not destroy you"

I took everyday as a step of getting more closer to meeting him and that had been of done encouragement. I felt motivated that living with my memories of him and with this hope I can surpass the pain and soon these time, these distance between us will end.

Mom - "I am happy to see you doing what we wished for you"

"I will do as you both want Mom, also because I know you both are right"

"I am glad you said that Emily for I was feeling guilty for separating you both"

"You didn't separated us Mom. Our choices, decisions and above all fate did. David had to be away, I had to come back. It's hardly your fault"

"Not being in contact worsens it, isn't it?"

"It would be a lie if I say no but I will also say that it's for the good because David did made me understood how bad things could go with long-distance relationships. It takes a lot David was not willing our memories our feelings go bitter anyway."

"I know, he told me he wants to give you your best chance of your teenage years, like he had and not make it difficult for you by tying you with a long distance relationship"

"Does all long distance relationships goes bad, mom?"

"You really can't say. It depends on how people handle it and what are their priorities in life. But I know, most ends in worst ways"

I stayed quiet.

"Talking of David, he made that choice not because of his studies but also because he wants to achieve something, to prove to us, especially your dad that he is worth of you."

"I know, Mom. I know." A certain sadness enters my heart at the mention of his name but I replaced it with a heart-satisfying smile for what mom said later.

"For a 18 year old, David is really wise, mature and understanding. I feel so proud of your choice"

"Thank you mom, I Feel blessed to have him too" my voice lingered as I realised I do not actually have him now...

No matter how much you try but the fact that the one you love is away from you do leaves you feeling empty.....but I made a promise to him and I will honour it. I will not let any sadness ruin my efforts of keeping up with my words.

"You will have him, by your side, someday"

I gave her a small smile. "You told dad"?

"Not exactly. He would explode if I tell him I am looking for a match for you as you are just 15 but I did dropped a hint"

"Like?"

"Emily...you want to hear entire conversation I had with dad?"

"Mom...please just say what you said and what was his reaction. Please?"

"Okay, okay.. I told him that I liked David."

"And?"

"Andrew likes him too. He was praising him. He had talks with Sam from which he came to know about David's future plans and how he us effectively working towards it. Your dad was impressed."

"Oh Mom...I am so relieved. Dad's acceptance mattered so much. I do feared what if dad didn't liked him" I hugged her as I said that.

"You don't have to worry for a thing. It's a slow step but we definitely will head to where we want to go, trust me."

"I trust you, mom. I love you so much"

I felt so happy. I felt like I call David and tell him but It was not possible. I didn't even had his number. He never gave nor asked for mine just to be on safe side, knowing there can be moments when one of us could go excited or weak and contact the other and the promise we made to mom will get broken. It meant a lot got him to be able to live upto my mom and dad's expectations, for to know them that he deserves me. He is so nice that it makes me wonder what ever I did so good to deserve his love and the answer I got was that because I truly, madly, crazily live him. I belong to you, David. Heart-soul-mind-body, I belong to you. I said in my heart.

I focused on my studies and my exams went well. I spent time friends, I tried my best to live my life as normally as I used to before meeting David. I didn't let the pain of being away from him affect my life because I knew My parents and David will not like it.

In my free hours I used to play music on his guitar and sang the same song that brought us together. It use to make me feel as if he is right by my side. I could imagine David sitting or lying down and hearing me sing the song he recorded in his mobile. It used to make me feel closer to him.

To my mom's surprise I even planted roses in my garden. I was a nature loving person and I looked after the flowers once in a while and sat on my garden but never have i planted anything myself. She doesn't know anything about the roses as far as I know. I never told her and I am sure David had not too but since it was an added interest to my list of things I liked to do currently and I started doing it after my summer vacation, she could definitely understand where that came from.

"Hey, What's up Emily? Again with the roses?"

Hearing her voice, I looked up smiling delightfully at my bestie : "Sarah, what a pleasant surprise!"

"How will I not come when it's something to do about my best friends birthday!"

My birthday! Oh yes, I will be turning 16 in about a week.

"Don't tell me you forgot your birthday? Aren't you excited that from the 3 , 1 is about to end?"

"I wouldn't?"

"Me too. I am so eager to see this Prince Charming of your's"

"Beast" I corrected.

"Inside it, he is a prince. Isn't he?"

"Ofcourse, he is and so sexy and dashing you wouldn't know what hit you"

"I am jealous" she joked

"Be for as much as you want. He is mine!"

She laughed. "He better be or I will knock him down by fling a karate on him for making you wait for 3 years. You both could have ran-away or you should have eloped him."

I laughed at her suggestion because she keeps on repeating this almost every time. "I told you...."

"I know, David dear is virtuous and seeks your patents approval. Do they really make such guys anymore?"

"I met one"

"Consider yourself lucky"

"With all the Thanks to God."

We shared a smile. She knows everything about me and David. Well, almost everything I didn't shared about the kiss, she guessed that herself, joking about our noses and making me blushed.

"Now can you get yourself ready so that we can go shopping for your dress."

On my Birthday I was most excited and happy as I turned 16 and now it's just 2 more years between us.

I got many gifts but the best gift came from mom when she handed me a medium sized gift box later at night saying : It reached just after you cut your cake. I wished to give you before but everything happened on short notice.

I didn't knew what she was saying. I felt like dumb. Curiosity was killing me. "What is it, Mom?"

"Gift" she giggled.

"Mom...I know it's a gift but from whom? What short notice?"

"You want me to ruin your surprise or you will open it yourself and see?"

"Well, wellll...let's see....." My heart went wild with happiness when I read the card attached.

Happy Birthday, Emily.

With love & love

David.

"OhMyGod" I exclaimed happily but then I sort of lost my voice... How? Our promise? Mom was not even minding it.

"Mom...how...?"

"The promise thing, right?"

"Yes..."

"Well, it was your birthday and I wanted to give you something that could erase away all sadness from your face today so what better than anything to do with David. I had a word with Martha informed David and told him that I allow him to send you anything he wants to , on your birthday, just for your birthday"

"Oh Mom... I just love you so much..." Hugging her.

"I love you too, now go on and check what he sent for you"

She was about to leave the room, reaching for the door.

"Mom, Aunt Martha knows?"

"Yes, David told her the very next day we left. I knew about it the day I called her for this surprise for you."

"She is ok with .... This...us?"

"Why she wouldn't be?"

"No, I just thought...."

"Think of good things Emily love, now check your gift I know you are holding your breath for it"

"Mom....."

"Goodnight Emily"

"Goodnight Mom"

I hurriedly but carefully opened the gift. It was a medium sized box and as I opened it I saw a beautiful snowball gift item and from the look of it I knew it was personalized.

Inside the snow-ball, Beast and Beauty in white gown wearing floral headband was in a dancing posture and the circle of the exterior was surrounded with little red roses. I switched it on and beautiful lights glow in their eyes and slight snowfall started as the music began. It was the instrumental of Taylor swift "Love Story". The statue danced as the music started. It was so beautiful. So thoughtful of you, David. I love you....

An envelope caught my eye which I didn't saw before. I placed the fit on my bed and opened the envelope.

In his letter, David wrote :

My Beauty - My Emily,

Happy Birthday and Congratulations to kick a year out and away from us.

I wish I be there for you now, Emily. How I hate that I bind us both with this promise but we do have to honour what I promised Aunt Amy to not to meet you until you are 18 and to do well for myself so that I can ask for your hand from your Dad. I will meet you the day you turn 18. I am so glad Aunt Amy allowed me to send you this birthday gift. It came as a surprise. I didn't expected she would even consider if I ask, which I so wanted but I didn't because I had to keep my words. Luckily, for me she asked herself.

I hope you liked the gift. I got just 3 days to get it ready and send to you on time. I didn't knew what else to give you that be different and also remind you of us and this was what I could think of.

Beast is waiting for her beauty. Eagerly waiting for this remaining 2years to pass.

I miss you, I miss your laugh, i miss your voice and I miss to not look at you but I have your memories and they give me all the hope, strength and believe that future will be our's.

Keep hope Love, everything will be fine someday.

I have not let you go Emily, I can never do that. I love you from the bottom of my heart.

Take care of yourself for me or this beast will lock you up in his castle.

I love you Emily. Remember that always.

Forever Your's

David

This was the most fabulous thing that happened to me after meeting David and I was so overwhelmed with joy. I hugged his letter and gift to my heart , closed my eyes : I love you, David. Thank you so much for everything, for every word, for your love.