IN 1915, IN BOMBAY, BRITISH INDIA

Vincent first met you in India while he was serving under the British India Steam Navigation Company. At first, your relationship was strained due to differing beliefs. Vincent, holding colonialist views, perceived you as a symbol of resistance against British authority. He was unsettled by your outspoken ways, your fervor for freedom, and your defiance against his authority. On the other hand, you saw him as a figure of the oppressive British colonial regime. However, these initial perspectives gradually changed. Vincent started to appreciate your tenacity, your unwavering commitment to your beliefs, and your passion. What he initially viewed as defiance, he later recognized as strength and spirit. This led to a growing bond between you two, eventually turning into a casual "courtship". ‎ ‎ Today, Vincent shared news of an intriguing proposal from his company: an opportunity to return to England, his motherland, for an enticing stretch of three years. His usual calm demeanor, a steady ship amidst turbulent seas, was noticeably disrupted. He paced restlessly, his polished leather boots tracing a winding path on the cobblestone walkway that meandered through the verdant oasis of his colonial bungalow's garden. The riotous colors of the garden - a wild tapestry of blooming marigolds, towering palms, and delicate jasmine - stood in stark contrast to his grave expression. The scent of the blooming flora, usually a soothing balm, did little to calm his churning thoughts.

"Should I take you with me?" he asked with a soft, uncertain tone, his eyes reflecting his inner turmoil. His apprehension wasn't rooted in the prospect of readapting to his birthplace. Instead, it was the fear of his family's potential disapproval of you that clouded his mind, casting a dark shadow over an otherwise golden opportunity.