A teardrop fell from his eyes, landing on the small box, scalding hot.
Martin Harriman's Adam's apple moved; his voice was low and sad.
He caressed the box gently, as if fearing that any slight force would damage what was inside.
Martin held the box close to his cheek, clearly feeling the slightly cold temperature of the wooden box.
His throat tightened, and he murmured, "Emma..."
His eyes were filled with tenderness and love, almost pouring out.
"Emma, I thought about you day and night for six years. The days of missing you were painful, as if a big hand was clutching my heart, making it unbearable."
"I tried to forget you and start anew, but I couldn't. There's only so much space in a person's heart, and this heart has long been filled with you, leaving no room for anyone else."
"Fortunately, years of waiting and effort will not be in vain. Soon, very soon, we'll be together again."