Jenn's POV
The morning after our confession felt different—warmer, lighter, like the world had finally shifted into place. Andres had stayed with me, just holding me, whispering quiet promises into my hair as if saying them out loud would make them permanent.
But reality wasn't that easy to ignore. The countdown had begun—14 days left now.
I stood on the balcony, wrapped in his hoodie, sipping tea while watching the city come alive below. Andres stepped out behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind and resting his chin on my shoulder.
"We'll figure this out," he whispered.
"But what if we don't?" I replied softly. "What if time runs out?"
He turned me to face him, his brows furrowed. "Then I'll make time chase us. I meant what I said last night, Jenn. I don't just want you around—I want a life with you."
I felt my breath catch. "What if our families say no? What if they don't understand?"
He took a step back, then reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"I already told my mom about you," he admitted. "She said… and I quote, 'if she makes your eyes light up like that, she's already family.'"
My eyes filled with tears. "You did?"
"I wanted her to know the woman I fell in love with. I'm not afraid of what people will say. The only thing I'm scared of… is losing you."
I stepped into his arms, burying my face in his chest. "I haven't told my parents yet," I admitted, "because part of me is afraid they won't accept it. That they'll see our differences before they see our love."
Andres tilted my chin up so I could look at him. "Then I'll fight for us. With you, beside you, or even alone—whatever it takes."
We stood like that for a while, just breathing together, holding on to something fragile and beautiful. Then suddenly, he pulled out a small notebook from his backpack and flipped to a page.
"What's this?" I asked, tilting my head.
He handed it to me. "A list. Of all the things we'll do. No matter where life takes us."
I smiled as I read:
Visit Kashmir during flower season
Cook breakfast together on a lazy Sunday
Take a midnight walk in the rain
Build a home—somewhere between his world and mine
Never go to sleep angry
And at the end…
"Grow old, still holding hands."
Tears rolled down my cheeks. "You really made a list?"
He smiled, brushing my cheek. "I don't just dream about you, Jenn. I plan with you."
I laughed through my tears and threw my arms around him.
"We'll make it," I whispered. "We have to."
He kissed my forehead, then my nose, then finally my lips—slow, soft, and full of hope.
"We will," he said. "Because the promise we made wasn't just love—it was forever."