4 IV. Promise

"U-umm," Lily was first to speak. "I think it will be best if you carry it. You know what a reckless person I am — getting my heart all battered and broken before. I'm afraid I might not be able to handle it properly. Especially that it no longer belongs to us but to the Lord." She looked sadly at it then smiled at him. "You can have it. I'll just walk beside you so we can share in the light."

Slowly and carefully, she lifted up her hands as the heart shifted and gently rolled, firmly planting itself on Charlie's hands. Lily turned around and started walking back towards the path. She was surprised to see that not far ahead there are two paths that actually met halfway — hers and Charlie's. Her path has shifted after the rubble have blocked it and it collided straight to Charlie's path. After the intersection there's only a single path for both of them to take towards the Kingdom. She took a deep breath, readying herself to this whole new journey on a new path with  a new heart — and with a new company.

Charlie stared at the shining heart. Something feels off to him. He remembered the sad look in Lily's eyes when she saw her heart got broken, when she gave up her heart to the Lord, and just a while ago when she left the new heart in his care. It bothered him to see her sad when she didn't want to part with something or someone she loves. And yet she is willing to give up without complaining her pain as long as it is right. Somehow it made him sad to see her grieve. And he didn't want to see her that way. He turned to the Lord beside him with a worried look.

"My Lord ..." he called at him, searching for an answer.

The Lord only stretched out his hand towards Lily's direction.

His gaze followed the direction of the Lord's hand and landed on Lily. He acted immediately and without a second thought ran towards her, hugging the heart tightly close to his chest.

"Lily, wait!" he called out to her.

Lily paused and turned around with a puzzled look. He stopped, panting before her. "This," he revealed the heart and lifted the golden string above her head and lowered it to her neck. He gently let go of the heart pendant. ".. definitely looks better on you," he continued, smiling appreciatively as it dangled and shined beautifully on her. However, Lily started looking troubled as she stared at the heart hanging on top of her chest then back at Charlie. Her eyes started to water.

"Why? You know I'm such a careless person. I don't want anything to get broken again," she reasoned as a droplet gently rolled at the corner of her eye.

"Exactly," he smiled at her and wiped away the tear with his hand. His hand was warm just like the man in white. Lily found his touch also as comforting. "You're more suited to bear it because you know how it felt to get your heart broken." Lily looked down, understanding his words.

He paused then his face turned serious." Just promise me one thing," he said as Lily looked up and listened intently. "Promise me that you will protect our heart with all your life." 

Lily nodded solemnly.

"Then I promise you," he continued, placing his hand above his chest, "that I will do whatever it takes to protect you and keep you safe even if it will cost me my life." Then he grinned at her. "Fair enough, right?"

However, he did not expect his words to reach the depths of Lily's soul. She lowered her head and clutched her fists tightly. She was trembling like someone holding back an intense anger. Charlie felt nervous. Did he say something wrong?

"You idiot!" she shouted at him and rushed towards him. Charlie really thought he's going to get punched, yet he stood his ground and just closed his eyes. He felt a soft bump. When he opened his eyes he saw her wrapped around him. She tackled him in a hug. He felt something warm and wet on his chest where her face was buried. A smile crept on his face as he wrapped his arms around her.

"How could you say things like throwing away your life for me so easily?" she asked in a frustrated tone, her voice muffled.

"You know why I can say it so easily?" Charlie paused and blushed a little before he continued, "It's because I love you, Lily." She tightened her arms around him and sniffed in response. Her heart was racing very fast.

"I saw in your eyes that you've been through a lot of pain," he continued. "Whether the pain was your fault or inflicted upon you, you never complained." He gently patted her back. "So I thought that this person is definitely worth loving." Then he held her tighter and rested his cheek on her head. "I want to share in your burden, so you never have to bear anything alone ever again. And I hope also by loving you that those sadness in your eyes will turn into happiness. I want to make you smile. You have such a beautiful and charming one." Then he blushed a little and continued, "It melts my heart all the time I want to see it often."

Lily clutched his clothes tighter it was crumpling under her grip. Her face was very red hidden on his chest. She was deeply touched with what he said earlier about giving his life for her but being told that it's because of love and wanting to make her happy made her tears flood even more.

As Charlie's clothes get soaked, he laughed lightly. "You're truly such a crybaby," he said as he gently caressed her head.

When Lily seemed to have calm down she moved away and said shyly, "Th-then I g-guess I l-love you too." She stammered, and Charlie was surprised because he never expected her to respond. He smiled and kissed her forehead.

Their heart also rejoiced with them as it gave a burst of light for a few moments. Then they heard the voice of the Lord.

"Take good care of each other and your heart. I'll meet you at my kingdom, where you must return the heart safely back to me."

They looked around but found him nowhere. He just disappeared. They both looked at the heart. The Lord's fire burned brightly. They looked at each other and smiled. Now co-journers, they held hands and set out to their new adventure together with the hope of returning the heart and entering the Kingdom... together.