That night, they sat together under a sky adorned with stars that twinkled as if they knew a buried secret. The cold winds enveloped them lightly, but they were no stronger than the heat that the silence ignited between them.

“Have you ever felt like your words were being held back?” he said, fiddling with his hand in the sand next to him.

You looked at him, your eyes searching for something behind his tone, something you might long to hear. “Sometimes… yes.”

“And I…” He paused for a moment, as if words were elusive to him. “I’m afraid that I’ll say something and lose you.”

You felt your heart racing as if every beat was calling out his name. You didn’t want him to feel afraid. You were afraid too, afraid that you’d lose him if you said what was on your mind.

“Maybe… some things are worth the risk.” You tried to hide the trembling in your voice, but you hoped that your message would reach him.

He suddenly lifted his head, his eyes searching your features for a hint. “Do you think we can take the risk?”

You didn’t answer, but instead gave him a small smile and a slight tremor at the tip of your hand, as if you were inviting him to hold it.

He took a deep breath, as if he had gathered all his courage, then whispered, “Be my woman.”

The earth stopped spinning for a moment, and the world no longer contained anything but your quick breaths and the warmth of your feelings. You smiled, and in that moment you realized that what was between you was stronger than any fear.