THE COMPROMISE

Mary and Philip walked on the beach. A boy approached them and they rented two mats from him. Laying it on the sand, both sat down.

Philip was still looking at the waves crashing, when Mary started playing soft songs on her mobile. Karen O's Moon song was on, when she lay flat on her back and stared at the vastness of the dark sky where little diamonds occasionally smiled. This is bliss! she thought and closed her eyes. A few minutes later, she felt as if Philip was staring at her. She opened her eyes to realize her sixth sense was right.

She smiled and gestured him to lay next to her. He instead caught her hand and asked, "Do you want to get married?"

Sitting up, Mary asked him, "Where is this coming from?"

"Wow, this was not the answer I was hoping!" he confessed.

"Really? I think you were expecting worse. Otherwise you would have gone down on your knees and asked me," she replied.

"True".

"So, let me repeat my question. Where is this coming from?"

"From the fact that I love you," said Philip.

"You started saying those three words from the last four years. So don't give me the BS. Just tell me why?" wondered Mary.

"I can't blame you for questioning. Unlike you, I have never believed in marriage," he stated.

Mary looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. Then she looked back at Philip and said, "When we started dating, I knew your views on marriage. I accepted and made my peace with it".

"You compromised!" he stated.

"Baby! Where is all this coming from?" she asked him again.

"I really don't know. I just felt like I didn't want you to compromise anymore," he confessed.

"If that's the reason then let me tell you that I don't really care if we get married or not. Marriage has lost its meaning to me," Mary said.

He moved closer to her and said, "If it's all the same to you then marry me".

Philip took out a ring and presented it to her.

"I may not be on my knees Mary, but I love you more than I admit. Please say yes!"

Mary smiled and nodded.