I Will

Sylvia forwarded the glass of drink to him and signaled him to have it while she began revealing what she meant by what she had just said.

"The success party of Talent Hunt in 2012. An elderly waiter had mistakenly spilled a drink on somebody's dress and he had created a scene out there. He had been downright disrespectful and had left no stone unturned to insult the waiter… talking to him in a way as if the waiter was not even a human and then… you came," she paused, her downcast eyes lifted at him, "you came and… you know the rest."

Sylvia's words had Xavier taking a trip down memory lane. He vividly remembered having interfered in the matter that - actually was nothing - but was made to seem like it was the end of the world.

Xavier despised the mentality that differentiated people on the amount of money they had in their bank accounts and on the kind of work they did. Any kind of discrimination was not Xavier's cup of tea.

The incident was still fresh in his memory when he had almost lost his cool, by looking at the unacceptable and upsetting way an elderly waiter was treated just because… he was a waiter.

He had made sure that the rude guy apologized to the waiter. In fact, he himself had gone on to apologizing to him despite having no fault but what had made Sylvia smile was - that he had not let the waiter serve to the party after that. He had made the waiter sit and enjoy the party while he himself took his place and served the party in his stead.

Sylvia and Xavier had not interacted much at the party. He had not thought she watched the incident and he definitely had not thought that she still remembered it.

"It does say a lot about people from the way they treat people below the conventional standards of theirs." Sylvia broke the silence. Admiration glittered in her eyes even though she didn't quite want him to see it.

"I don't believe in standards and stuff, Sylvia. We are humans and that's what matters," he responded as soon as she finished. "And yes, I think I got the answers to my curiosities." His heart and mind, both were at peace after hearing Sylvia, knowing she was willingly stepping in the marriage and it wasn't being forced upon her.

They sat in a comfortable silence until Xavier spoke, "So, should we go and tell everyone that we are ready?"

She readily nodded as a feeling of contentment left her a little free from all the uneasiness.

Once they walked downstairs and shared their decision with their families, the ecstasy was at its peak.

"Slyvie… take Xavier to Mom's room. She has been waiting for you two." Amelia informed Sylvia.

*

"This way," Sylvia said, taking the lead, glancing backward quite often as Xavier followed her.

Stopping in front of her grandmother's room, she lightly pushed the door open. Xavier slowly stepped in, following Sylvia.

"Granny," Sylvia softly called as she sat on the edge of the bed near her grandmother. Her grandmother had been feeling awfully low and weak that day.

Her grandmother struggled to open her eyes. "Xa...vier."

Xavier quickly shifted toward her as he heard her calling for him, breaking the letters of his name.

'She is really weak.' Xavier presumed, from her feeble voice and pale face.

"Yes, Grandma," he lovingly spoke, taking her hand in his gentle hold.

Sylvia got up from her place to allow Xavier to be comfortable.

"Stay blessed," she mumbled, lifting her shaky hand to keep it over his head. She fondly caressed his hair, ignoring the shooting pain in her weak muscles.

"Thank you." Smiling, he kissed her hand after he brought it down his head knowing it would pain her if she kept it there for any longer.

Sylvia caught the little gesture and his thoughtfulness tugged at her heartstrings.

"You are so beautiful." His one statement made the old woman laugh while Sylvia stood there in amusement of how soon and how well he gelled up with her grandmother.

Somehow, for a fleeting moment, she saw her grandmother's decision of choosing him and her decision of agreeing to her grandmother's choice proving to be right.

"And you… are a charmer, my dear!"

His lips broke into a wide grin hearing her. That was the best compliment he had received and he could ever receive, he thought. "Thank you, Grandma. If you are saying it, I will totally believe it."

And soon, giggles and laughs were echoing in the room. Sylvia was pleased to witness that sight… the sight of her smiling Granny.

But one moment and everything stopped when her grandmother started coughing. Panic took over both Sylvia and Xavier.

"Grandma, are you okay?" Xavier was worried.

Sylvia rushed to the other side to get water. By then, her grandmother had started coughing harder.

Xavier helped her get up. He grabbed the glass from Sylvia and slowly made her drink some water.

Sylvia's heart had come in her mouth with the fear tightly gripping her again. Xavier was attentive enough to notice that. He blinked his eyes to her as an attempt of assuring her.

After a while, her grandmother's breathing returned to normal, which had labored due to excessive coughing.

"Are you feeling better, Grandma?" Xavier asked, handing over the glass of water to Sylvia.

She nodded and glanced at Sylvia, who looked on the verge of crying.

"You will take care of her right?" Her grandmother's sudden question came more like a statement rather than a question.

He tilted his head to look at Sylvia once. "I will," he promised.

"I know you will!"

Sylvia's Grandmother's statement left him astonished seeing the immense confidence that the old lady held within him.

"And if I ever fail to do that, you are free to scold me, even to beat me," he added, leaving her grandmother chuckling.