The “No” path began the day after Annie’s proposal.
I sat across from Annie again.
“Annie, I thought about it carefully yesterday.
I don’t think we should rush into marriage like this.”
“What do you mean, Luke?
I’ll treat you well!
Is it really that hard to say yes to marriage?”
“No, it’s not that marriage itself is difficult.
I’m just saying I’m not ready yet.”
“Then should we take more time and keep dating?”
“No.
Let’s end it here.
The sooner we break up, the sooner you’ll meet someone better.
Thank you for loving me all this time.
I’ll be going now.”
I left the restaurant, leaving Annie frozen in place behind me.
My daily life didn’t change much after that.
Sometimes Annie sent me messages, but I ignored them.
Then, while living my normal life…
I heard that Annie had gotten married.
Three months after hearing the news of Annie’s marriage,
I started seeing Hannah.
It had been 100 days since we began dating.
I was walking through the doors of Nordstrom in downtown Seattle.
What would be a good 100-day anniversary gift for Hannah?
As I stepped through the revolving door,
Annie passed by on the opposite side, carrying shopping bags in both hands.
She wore the same smile she always had when I chose “Yes.”
I slowly walked into the department store and picked out a bottle of Dior perfume.
A gift for Hannah.
Today was the day I would give Hannah her 100-day gift.
I had reserved a table at The Pink Door near Pike Place Market.
Sitting by the window,
I waited for Hannah.
Ring, ring.
“Hannah, where are you?”
“I’m across the street.
I can see you.”
Across the street,
Hannah was waiting for the light to change.
She spotted me and waved.
I stood up and waved back.
“Did you buy the gift?”
A smile formed on my face.
“Yeah.
Of course.
Look forward to it.”
“What is it?”
“Secret.”
“Then today I’ll find out whether Luke actually has good taste in gifts.”
The light turned green.
I could see Hannah hurrying across the street.
Then—
Screeeech—
A car came roaring toward Hannah.
Bang.
…
Hannah was thrown into the air.
My entire body froze in an instant.
Even then, there was still a smile on Hannah’s face.
“Ah… no, Hannah!”
My chest hurt so much.
That pain spread through my entire body.
I opened my eyes.
Ha…
The dream was over.
Tears were running down my face.
Wiping them away,
I muttered to myself.
“Yeah.
I’ve made my decision.”