The Decision

The woods along the path seemed alive with activity. Small animals scurried about preparing their homes for the coming winter. The trees losing the green they had bore all summer and a myriad of color taking its place. The chill of autumn in the air.

On the path a young couple walked in silence. Each, seemingly, lost in their own thoughts. Rohan looked over at Keera; she was biting her lower lip as she did when something was bothering her. "Keera" he said her name quietly. When she turned to look up at him, he continued, "You invited me to walk because you said you had something you wished to speak to me about."

She nodded, affirming his words. She looked away and took a deep breath before beginning, praying the words she needed would come. "This is not an easy thing for me to say Rohan."

"The best way to say something is just to say it." His words sounded so much calmer than he felt. Inside he felt a coldness seeping through him. He knew what she was finding so hard to say; he had felt it coming for quite some time.

She stopped and turned to him. Taking his ring from her finger on her left hand, she held it out to him. A single tear slipped down her cheek as she said softly, " I cannot marry you Rohan."

He closed his eyes as he struggled with his emotions. Knowing it was coming still had not prepared him for the jolt of pain the words had brought to his heart. After a moment he looked back at her, then reached out and took the ring. In a voice that felt as if it were another speaking and not himself, he asked, "There is someone else?"

She shook her head; "There is no one." And then, as if to seek her own understanding as well as to explain to him, she continued "So much has changed Rohan. We have changed, both of us. We barely have anything to say to one another any more. You are so busy with your position and...and I am busy with the gallery. I tried Rohan...I really have tried. If we truly wished to be married...don't you think there would at least be a date set by now? Instead we avoid talking about the wedding altogether. I have run out of things to tell those who ask. And rather than seek each other out, it is almost as if we avoid one another...I do not want a marriage like that Rohan. I am afraid we would only end up unhappy."

He stood looking at her, knowing - at least in part- that she was right but wondering what had happened to the love that had brought him through his ordeal while he had been held prisoner.

"This is not a rash decision Rohan. I have tried and tried to get back what we had. I just cannot find it. I want you to be happy and I do not think I make you happy and I am not happy."

Slowly he nodded his head. Reaching one hand out to touch her cheek "I hope you find what you seek Keera." With that he turned and walked back toward Amber. His back straight and head held high.

Softly she whispered "God speed Rohan. Be happy."