“Dad?” he asked, opening it.
“Come in, come in,” Isaac welcomed, looking up from the monitor. “What can I do for you, Xavier?”
“I need your help,” he admitted, closing the door behind him and sitting down.
“Sure. What’s wrong?”
“I asked Electra to marry me.”
Isaac raised an eyebrow.
“Well, ahh… that’s a… shock… When did this happen?”
“Well, ahh, the night of the Insanity Awards. See, okay, so we were at the after party right? And Electra and I went out on this balcony. And you know, it was all so… I don’t know!” he wailed. “I just blurted it out. I said ‘will you marry me’, totally on the spur on the moment. And she said ‘yes’.”
“Well, congratulations… I think… You’re not quite eighteen yet.”
“Yeah, boy, do I know that!” Xavier replied. “I think if we were both eighteen then and there, I would have… well, no I don’t think I would have… I don’t know! I just know that the moment she said ‘yes’ I just… I panicked!”
“Ahh,” Isaac said, nodding. “I think I understand the problem now. You’re not sure that you want to go through with it, and you don’t know how to tell her.”
Xavier looked relieved.
“I… I’m so worried that if I tell her… I mean… I… girls get sensitive about marriage and stuff… I know it’s a big thing, but… I really love her Dad, and I wouldn’t want to lose her over this. I just don’t think I’m ready to marry, Electra or anyone, right now.”
“You have to tell her, Xavier.” Isaac answered quietly. “I think that if you and Electra are meant to be together, she’ll understand. In fact, maybe she even feels the same way. I’ve been to my share of weddings – it’s not uncommon for them to be nervous wrecks even then.”
“Were you scared at your wedding?”
Isaac paused.
“No, actually. But I believe your Mum was scared that I wouldn’t show up or something,” he smiled softly.
Xavier managed a small smile in return.
“So... you think I should tell her…”
“It’s either that or marry her,” Isaac teased.
“Da-ad…” Xavier complained. “I hope one day I do marry her. Just not yet.”
Isaac nodded.
“Don’t take too long getting to it. If you don’t tell her, the wedding has to start being planned, and well,” he trailed off.
“Thanks Dad.”
“Any time.”
“Can I use the phone in here?”
“How did I know that was coming? Sure.”
“Thanks,” Xavier smiled as Isaac left the room.
“Don’t talk too long.”
“Okay,” said Xavier as the door clicked shut.
He dialed the phone and waited for someone to pick up.
“Hi Xavier!” Electra greeted, picking up at her end.
“Hey…” this was harder than Xavier thought. “Umm, I have to tell you something.”
“I have to tell you something too.”
“Can I go first? I really have to -”
“Go right ahead.”
“Uhh, well, I want to call the engagement off…” he gulped nervously. “I… it was spur of the moment, and now that I’ve... well I…”
“Don’t know if you’re ready?” Electra supplied. “Oh thank you, I don’t know if I’m ready either.”
“You don’t? Oh good,” Xavier was much relieved.
“I was nearly going crazy wondering how I was going to tell you.”
“So was I! Oh, Electra, I promise next time I ask, I’ll mean it.”
Electra giggled.
“Well, that would be nice.”
The two chatted for a little longer before hanging up.