The chill in the air had deepened, and the first tentative flakes of winter snow had begun to drift past the office windows. On a mid-December morning, Yusuf arrived at his institution impeccably dressed and unusually early, a singular purpose hardening his resolve. Nestled in the left pocket of his blazer was a small, weighty box. On his desk lay a single, deep-red rose he had purchased at dawn, its velvety petals holding a promise. 🌹
Today is the day. I will propose to Kirana this evening, he thought, a fierce, uncontainable joy tightening his chest.
From his top-floor office, his gaze drifted down through the large glass partition. He saw Kirana step off the bus and enter the office. She was dressed in a striking scarlet blouse and white trousers, her dark hair styled in a lightly elegant updo that highlighted the simple black earrings she was wearing. The bright color suited her, making her look professional and radiant. Watching her walk in confidently and gracefully strengthened his resolve. The rose on his desk seemed to glow in confirmation. 👢
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By evening, the winter sun had set, and the sky was covered in bloodshot orange and gold as dusk approached. From his upstairs office, Yusuf watched Kirana finally emerge from the publishing house, her workday over. His heart pounded against his ribs.
Seizing his phone, he typed a message with fingers that felt suddenly clumsy: đź’¬
Kirana, I have something important to ask you. Please wait for me at the café near the office? I won't be long.
The moment the message whooshed away, he sprang into action. He gave his jacket a quick, nervous adjustment, spritzed on a faint dash of cologne, and grabbed the small box from his pocket to check its contents one last time; a simple, brilliant solitaire diamond winked back at him under the office lights. đź“Ś
With a final, steadying breath, he rushed out of his room and toward the stairwell, choosing the faster route over the elevator. Each step down echoed his accelerating heartbeat, a percussive rhythm matching the mantra in his mind: Don't be late. Don't lose your nerve. This is it. 🌬