“Nina, will you marry me, my darling?”
Eyob dropped to one knee, his hand trembling as he held the diamond ring.
It was a quiet Sunday—February 5th—and the faint scent of fresh roses filled the apartment. Nina’s eyes widened, her heart hammering in her chest. Three years of love, countless shared memories, and yet, this moment felt unreal—a dream she had barely allowed herself to imagine.
Today was also Eyob’s birthday, though he hadn’t realized it. For him, it was simply the perfect day to ask the woman he loved more than anything. Meanwhile, Nina had secretly arranged a small birthday celebration in her Dire Dawa apartment, unaware of the surprise about to unfold.
When Eyob spoke, time seemed to freeze. Nina’s emotions surged—shock, joy, disbelief—but before hesitation could take hold, her face lit up.
“Yes, my love. I will marry you.”
Her smile shone brighter than the diamond in his hand. Marrying Eyob had always been her dream, and now it was finally coming true. She felt weightless, her heart soaring above the clouds.
Eyob blinked, stunned. “You said… yes?”
Tears shimmered in Nina’s eyes as she nodded.
He slid the ring onto her finger, then swept her into his arms. “Oh my God, I’m so happy! You’re going to be my wife. I love you!”
The evening passed in laughter, soft music, and warm embraces, celebrating both Eyob’s birthday and their engagement.
But as midnight approached, reality crept back in.
“Eyob, it’s getting late. You should go,” Nina said softly.
Though years had passed as lovers, they had made a pact to wait until marriage. Eyob kissed her forehead. “Okay, my love. You know I love you.”
Hand in hand, they walked to his car. The cool night air wrapped around them as the street lay silent. At the car, Eyob pulled her into a long, passionate kiss.
“I miss you already,” he murmured.
Finally, he climbed into the car and drove away, leaving Nina standing by the gate, gazing at the ring glinting on her finger. Her heart overflowed. She grabbed her phone to share the joy.
“Hello, sister!” came Betty’s cheerful voice.
“My dear, how are you?” Nina beamed.
“I’m good, but you sound happier than usual. What’s going on?”
“Betty… Eyob just proposed to me!”
“What?! Oh my God! I’m so happy for you! Congratulations!” Betty squealed. “I’m coming to see you tomorrow!”
They chatted briefly before saying goodbye.
As Eyob drove through the quiet streets, humming softly, a strange flutter in his chest made him tense for a moment. He shook it off. Just nerves, he told himself.
Then the car shuddered violently.
“What the—?” His hands shot to the wheel, but the vehicle lurched forward on its own.
The speedometer climbed. Faster. Faster. His heart slammed against his ribs.
“No… no, this isn’t happening!”
He slammed on the brakes. Nothing. The accelerator pressed itself, and the car roared like a wild animal. Panic clawed at him. A massive truck barreled toward him in the opposite lane, headlights cutting through the darkness.
Instinct screamed at him to swerve—but the wheel refused. The car was a rebel, charging straight toward disaster.
“No! I can’t die… not now!” His mind screamed, and a single thought anchored him: Nina.
“I have to live… for her!”
The road curved sharply, ending at a cliff. Below, darkness yawned like the mouth of a beast. Eyob’s pulse pounded so loudly he thought the tires could hear it.
The car skidded on the asphalt, metal grinding against metal. Inches from the edge, time stretched. Every heartbeat was an eternity. The world seemed to hold its breath with him.
Then—miracle.
The car jolted to a stop. Eyob’s body shook as relief surged… fleeting. The world seemed to pause. The car hung on the edge, caught between earth and sky, and Eyob whispered through clenched teeth, “I… have… to… live.”
Then, as if the universe had heard him, a surge of force jolted the car upright. Tires screamed against asphalt as the vehicle skidded back onto solid ground. The cliff yawned empty behind him. He slumped forward, shaking, drenched in sweat, staring at the darkness he had narrowly escaped.
He was alive. And by God, he had a second chance—for Nina, for love, for everything.
A deafening bang ripped through the night.
The vehicle tipped forward. Slow. Terrifying. Inescapable. Nose-first, teetering over the cliff.
Eyob’s scream tore from his throat, raw and primal. Darkness raced up to meet him. But his hands gripped the wheel, knuckles white, heart wild. Nina. He couldn’t leave her.
