One Day
​​Day 33
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Weeks rolled on, and fate came through
Their paths crossed again; this time, they knew.
From fleeting chats to staying up till dawn,
By the time the sun rose, their bond was born.
Soon enough, they claimed a corner of Cardigan Lane
223 became their shared domain.
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One Day...
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At a house party in the heart of Leeds,
Where dubstep shook walls and Sainsbury's vodka met needs,
A Kiwi boy met a girl who called Malaysia home,
In the spark of the night, their hearts found their own.
Their worlds collided in a smoky maze,
Talking till dawn cut through the bass and haze.
A number scribbled on a napkin’s face,
Lost in the clutter of shoes and disordered space.
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Day 102
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Sticky floors, dishes piled high,
Hyde Park pubs and hi-fi nights that made time fly.
Rum and Red Bull, lectures always late,
Purple Hilton shirts and hangovers that couldn’t wait.
Quid pints at Dry Dock, 3 a.m. shifts galore,
Mike in a bush and David serenading the attic door.
Wallpaper peeled; kitchens had rugs
No coats were needed, just laughter and hugs.
The bitter chill of Leeds couldn’t bite,
With friends and sunrise, the world felt right.
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Day 365
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One year on, takeaway in hand,
She smiled and asked, “Malaysia, a plan?”
He grinned, a simple “Why not, let’s go,”
Under Leeds’ grey skies dusted with snow.
They made their pact for a brighter hue,
From frosty winds to warmth, they flew.
Day 702
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They packed their bags and left the grey,
For Kuala Lumpur’s glow, a world away.
​Malaysia’s charm in every street,
Where city and jungle effortlessly meet.
With the Denbys on Jalan Bruas, they laid their head,
Sweating through days, adventures ahead.
Monkeys on porches, motorbikes roaring,
Waterfalls rushing, humid air pouring.
Mamak pit stops, Jalan Alor's feast,
Helipad sunsets...their hearts at peace.
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Day 1,033
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Malaysia set their rhythm, a humid, buzzing beat,
But M&C Saatchi’s grind made free time fleet.
Visa runs broke monotony; their passports filled fast
Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam but it...couldn’t last.
On the Bali return, the government frowned,
“Too many stamps,” they said, “Back to your hometown.”
Day 2,223
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So London loomed, with Mitcham’s embrace,
Where Thom family gave them an attic space.
In time, they climbed to their Crystal Palace view,
Rollo the fluffball joined their crew.
With power tools buzzing, their DIY thrived
“The best view in London!” they’d proudly cry.
Day 3,654
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The horizon beckoned, their next chapter near,
New Zealand’s mountains were crystal clear.
Her spreadsheets detailed each twist and bend,
Unaware he planned a moment to transcend.
The ring lay hidden, his nerves kept in tow,
Ten years in, the time had come to show.
Day 3,657
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Thirty-five hours, three flights, legs like lead,
L.A., Tahiti, Auckland ahead.
Christchurch welcomed them with Andy’s cheer,
A van named TUI became their gear.
Pies in hand, Six60 on repeat,
The road stretched wide, adventures at their feet.
But every hike hid a secret weight,
The ring burned hot...he chose to wait.
Mueller Hut’s summit, the wind was a roar,
At Bob’s Cove, tourists crowded the shore.
Wanaka whispered, “The time is near,”
A perfect backdrop was finally here...
Day 3,670
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Roys Peak towered, relentless and steep,
She dreamed of the pub while he dug deep.
“Snacks?” he bribed, his heart in a race,
The ring in his pocket was picking up pace.
At the summit, mountains kissed the sky,
She turned to pose, the drone high.
Then he knelt, on shaky knees,
“Will you marry me?” floated on the breeze.
Tears in her eyes, she barely spoke,
“Yes,” she whispered, as her heart broke.
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And if ten years could shine this bright,
A lifetime of love feels just right.​
