“Nina, will you marry me, my darling?”

Eyob sank to one knee, his hand trembling as he held the diamond ring. The flickering light caught the edges of the stone, making it sparkle like a tiny star.

The apartment was quiet—Sunday, February 5th—and the faint scent of roses lingered in the air. Nina’s eyes widened, her heart hammering so fast she could barely breathe. Three years of love, countless memories, and yet, this moment felt impossibly surreal, like a dream she had only dared to imagine in the secret corners of her heart.

Today was also Eyob’s birthday, though he hadn’t noticed. To him, it was simply the perfect day to ask the woman he loved more than life itself. Little did he know, Nina had secretly prepared a small celebration in her Dire Dawa apartment, unaware of the surprise about to unfold.

Time seemed to stop when Eyob spoke. Shock, disbelief, and joy surged through Nina all at once. Then, as if carried by fate, her face lit up.

“Yes, my love. I will marry you.”

Her smile outshone the diamond in his hand. This was her dream, now shimmering into reality.

“You said… yes?” Eyob stammered, stunned.

Tears glimmered in Nina’s eyes as she nodded.

With a trembling hand, he slid the ring onto her finger, then pulled her into his arms. “Oh my God… I’m so happy! You’re going to be my wife. I love you.”

The evening drifted in a haze of laughter, soft music, and tender embraces. They celebrated love—and a birthday—intertwined in perfect harmony.

But as midnight approached, reality crept back in.

“Eyob, it’s getting late. You should go,” Nina said softly.

Their years as lovers had taught them restraint. They had pledged to wait until they got married. Eyob kissed her forehead, voice low and fierce with love. “Okay, my love. You know I love you.”

Hand in hand, they stepped into the cool night, the streets hushed under the moon’s silver gaze. At the car, Eyob pulled her close for a lingering, fiery kiss.

“I’ll miss you already,” he whispered.

And then, he drove off, leaving Nina by the gate, eyes fixed on the diamond glinting on her finger. Her heart overflowed. She grabbed her phone.

“Hello, sister!” Betty’s cheerful voice came through.

“My dear! You sound happier than usual,” Betty laughed. “What’s going on?”

“Betty… Eyob just proposed!” Nina’s words tumbled out in a rush of joy.

“What?! Oh my God! Congratulations!” Betty squealed. “I’m coming over tomorrow!”

They spoke briefly, laughter trailing in the line before the call ended.

Meanwhile, Eyob hummed softly as he drove. But then… a shiver of unease crawled up his spine.

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 heartbeat drumming a frantic rhythm against his ribs.

“No… no, this can’t be happening!”

He slammed on the brakes. Nothing. The accelerator seemed possessed, the car roaring like a wild animal. Headlights pierced the darkness as a massive truck barreled toward him in the opposite lane.

Instinct screamed—but the wheel wouldn’t obey. The world tilted, spinning, threatening to swallow him whole.

“No! I can’t die… not now!”

A single thought anchored him: Nina.

The road curved sharply, ending at a cliff that yawned like a beast ready to devour him. The car skidded on the asphalt, metal grinding, the edge rushing up to meet him. Each heartbeat stretched into eternity.

Then—impact.

The world exploded in a deafening crash. Metal twisted, glass shattered, and darkness swallowed everything.