Cambridge and Oxford

9

Our sustainability campus tour reached its second leg at Oxford, Tom’s home turf brimming with poignant melancholy. Gone was his usual breezy bluster about Oxford exceptionalism as we roamed silently through venerable college courtyards steeped in prestige that once felt like stolen destiny.

Scaling a narrow spiral staircase ascending one of Oxford’s iconic Towers, I sensed Tom steeling emotional courage before breaking the silence. “You asked yesterday if I harbored regrets about attending Oxford. The truth is...my years here were rather painful.”

I froze, stunned by this revelation after bracing for habitual bragging. Tom faced the panoramic view, eyes clouded in memory. “You see, deep down, the university itself scarcely mattered. What haunted me was that we weren’t together.”

He turned to me, raw vulnerability replacing proud pretenses. “All I cared about was sharing the same school with you. Had I simply confessed that back then, maybe events would have unfolded differently.” I glimpsed years of buried torment in Tom’s penetrating gaze.

“Because since our childhood, I’ve felt tethered to you by more than rivalry. After all this time, those feelings...they’ve never faded.”

I stood speechless, blindsided by Tom’s dramatic confession. Now his agony over everything made sense.

Tom led me onwards without another word until we reached an arched stone bridge bathed in golden sunset hues. Countless padlocks adorned its sides engraved with couples’ everlasting devotion.

Facing me with remarkable vulnerability, Tom declared simply, “Fate reunited us despite the past. I cannot - will not - miss this second chance...” His voice quavered slightly. “If you permit me to declare myself properly this time, sans juvenile pride or hubris?”

My heart raced, scarcely comprehending Tom’s impassioned plea after so many misunderstandings layered between hopeful possibility and painful hearts harboring words left unspoken.

Until now.

As Tom dropped to one knee, orchestral strings swelled delightfully from an adjacent tower serenading blushing passersby. Dozens of fragrant roses materialized around us, red petals dancing on the evening breeze.

“My darling, my adversary, my deepest buried longing unconfessed until this fated moment by celestial design - make me the happiest, most blessed Oxonian by doing me the soaring honor of accepting my hand in eternal partnership.”

Despite overwhelming spectacle, Tom’s eyes spilled sincere devotion. “I swore if heaven granted me a second opportunity to woo you, I would recreate the storybook scene witnessed countless times on this bridge, which always reminded me of the sacred vow I longed to pledge you.”

My hands flew to my face in astonishment while Tom awaited my response with bated breath...

Wiping joyful tears, I extended my hand, embracing destiny’s long winding journey leading me here unexpectedly yet undeservedly into love’s patient arms - at last finally together.