He tenderly lifted her face, his hands gentle as he wiped away her tears.

"Maggie, don't cry. Talk to me. Who's hurt you?"

Anxiety etched Sanford's features as Maggie's heart twisted in agony.

She shrugged away his grasp, struggling to stifle the ache within.

Eyes cast down, her voice came out subdued.

"I wasn't hurt. On my way home, I watched a heartbreaking movie. The lovers in it parted ways over certain tribulations. It left me so sad that I..."

Sanford, taken aback, could hardly fathom that a film had moved her to tears. Torn between amusement and concern, he chided gently, “Oh, you dear, foolish girl! Why let such sorrow take hold? Fearful that we might end like the couple in the film?"

Maggie's gaze fell, her silence speaking volumes of the sorrow her eyes could scarcely conceal.

With grave sincerity, Sanford declared, "Maggie, let's get married tomorrow."

The proposal struck her like a bolt from the blue.

Tears brimmed in her eyes at the thought of marriage.

She longed with all her heart to become his wife by morning.

Yet...

"No," she whispered, a crushing realization that this joy was not meant for her.

"Maggie, don't you wish to marry me?" Sanford's brow furrowed in concern.

Lowering her eyes again, shielding the sorrow within, she replied, "I'm not yet a graduate. Marrying so soon doesn't feel right."

"Is that truly why? Or does it have to do with my mother's demand?

Remember, marriage is about us two..."

"Sanford, I genuinely believe it's too soon. Let's think about it in two years," Maggie cut in, eager to steer away from the topic of Janiya.

Sanford fell silent, gently stroking her hair.