Chapter 33: Proposal
[A/N: This is the last chapter, epilogue is next. Thank you for all your support! Sana subaybayan n'yo pa hanggang sa story ni Niks! Tysm!]
Mica's POV
"Happy 7th month, love." masuyong bati ko habang inaabot kay Nueves ang palumpon ng mga rosas.
She received it with gratitude and a sweet smile.
"Thank you, Mica." malambing na wika n'ya habang nakatingin sa mga bulaklak. "I also have something for you." she said softly and handed me a paperbag. "Happy 7th month!"
"What's this?" tanong ko at agad-agad na kinuha ang laman non. Oh, it's a crochet beret hat. Kaparehong-kapareho ng suot n'ya ngayon, but her's is beige while the one she gave was black.
"I crochet that myself." proud na aniya. I immediately went to hug her.
"Thank you, love. This was the best gift." I'm not really expecting a gift from her but receiving something makes my heart soft. Idagdag pang s'ya mismo ang nag-gantsilyo nito.
"You're welcome," she replied.
"Shall we go now?" nilahad ko ang kamay ko na agad n'ya namang tinanggap. Papunta kami sa isang fine dining restaurant to have a dinner date.
"Wait! Isuot mo yung gift ko para matchy tayo." saad n'ya kaya yumuko ako sa harapan n'ya para s'ya ang magsuot sa'kin. "There you go," hinaplos pa n'ya ang pisngi ko.
I remain in my position. Ngumuso ako sa kanya. Ginawaran n'ya ako ng dampi ng halik sa labi.
"Huwag na kaya tayong tumuloy? Let's just stay here.. watch movies, you know.." alok ko sa kanya, may ngisi sa labi.
"Tumigil ka," she said in her warning voice. Tinulak n'ya ako palabas ng apartment kaya wala na rin akong nagawa. We just took a cab to go to the restaurant.
Nandito na kami sa restaurant. The course started with L'Aperitif. There is bread with some sort of toppings and there's also drinks for us.
"Do you usually go here, love?" tanong ko kay Nueves.
"Dalawang beses palang akong nakapunta rito. Kasama ko mga ka-work mate ko." sagot niya. "Picture tayo," aya n'ya sa'kin. She's holding her phone kaya tipid akong ngumiti habang nakatingin sa camera.
"Has Gustav invited you here?" tanong ko ulit habang pinagmamasdan n'ya ang picture namin. She looked at me in puzzled expression. "I'm just asking," kibit balikat ko.
"Yeah," uninterested na sagot n'ya.
"Nag-date kayo?" tanong ko ulit. Tingin ko'y hindi na maipinta ang mukha ko ngayon.
"Hindi ako pumayag, Mica. Duh, I'm committed." maarteng anas pa niya. Ang nagbabadyang sama ng loob ko ay tila natunaw.
"Good to hear." nakangiting bulong ko.
"Isa pang picture, hindi ka naman nakangiti nung una." reklamo pa n'ya.
"Nakangiti kaya ako," depensa ko naman. Hinawakan n'ya ulit ang phone n'ya, I'm just looking at her. Smiling widely.. sinong hindi mapapangiti kung may girlfriend na ganyan kaganda?
"Nakangiti ka nga, hindi naman nakatingin sa camera!" reklamo nanaman n'ya. The second course of our meal is being served.
"Merci," wika ko sa waiter na nagserve ng pagkain namin. "I can only smile that genuine when I'm looking at you, love."
"Korni mo," she said, avoiding my gaze. Nagsimula itong kumain nang hindi tumitingin sa'kin. Napakagat nalang ako sa labi para pigilan ang pagngiti. Ako pa yata ang kinikilig sa sinabi ko.
We just continue eating and chitchatting until we finish our dinner. Pagkatapos ay bumili ako ng coffee para sa aming dalawa. We decided to just walk for awhile while enjoying the cold breeze of december.
"What are your plans after your modeling contract?" I asked Nueves while holding her hand, ang isang kamay ko ang nakahawak sa kape. Her hands are warm.
She suddenly stopped walking, just staring on the ground for seconds and then walked again.
"Uhm, I have no plans yet.." hindi makatinging sagot n'ya. I'm sensing something, something is off about her answer.
"Really? If you want a stable job, I can recommend you to daddy, or mommy, or to my other relatives. We can look for a job that suits you, your skills and experiences. What do you think?" excited na tanong ko. Mas maganda 'yon, I don't have to worry about her.
"Mica.. ano.." she looks hesitant. "I have to tell you something.."
"What is it?" I asked attentively. Seryoso akong humarap sa kanya habang hawak parin ang isang kamay.
"About the—" natigil s'ya sa pagsasalita nang makarinig ng babaeng tumatawag sa pangalan n'ya.
"Nueves!" sabay kaming napalingon para hanapin kung sino 'yon. We saw a girl waving at our direction.
I looked back at Nueves. She seems relieved by the girl's sudden appearance. Is she hiding something from me?
"Claire!" Nueves approached the girl. They hugged and kissed each other on the cheeks as greetings.
"Oh, is she your?" nang-iintrigang tanong ng babae. She looks like a model too, I bet she's one of Nueves' colleague.
"Yah! She's my girlfriend. Her name's Mica, and Mica, this is Claire. She's also a model." my girlfriend introduced me with the girl. Before she comes close to me to give me a kiss, I extended my hand for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you." pormal kong bati habang nakalahad parin ang kamay.
"Very formal," tumatawang saad naman nito pero tinanggap parin ang kamay ko. "I see why Nueves is being so faithful, such a pretty lady she has here."
"Merci," tipid na sagot ko nalang. Not really comfortable with random compliments unless it's Nueves.
"By the way, I'm planning to go to a club. Wanna join?" alok nito saka tumingin sa aming dalawa ni Nueves. Tumingin din ako kay Nueves to ask her opinion.
"Sure," sagot nito kay Claire. "Ayos lang sayo?" tanong n'ya sa'kin.
"Yep but mauna na kayo, susunod nalang ako. I just need to buy something."
"Sigurado ka?" she asked worriedly.
"Yup, love. Just badly need to buy this." pagsisinungaling ko.
"Okay! Ingat ka ha?" wika n'ya sa malumanay na boses.
"You too, love." sagot ko saka ginawaran ng halik ang labi n'ya.
"Too much sweetness." the girl remarked na nginitian ko nalang.
Hinintay ko munang makasakay sila ng cab bago ako umalis. I saw this jewelry store near the restaurant.
Pumasok ako. The staff greeted me politely. I asked where can I find diamond ring and they immediately assisted me.
I looked at the glass cabinet where different type of diamond ring are displayed but one ring immediately caught my attention.
"Puis-je jeter un œil à cette bague? Celui du côté gauche." I asked the staff who's assisting me. (Can I take a look at that one ring? The one on the left side.)
"Bien sûr, madame." she answered and opened the cabinet to get the ring I'm pointing at. (Sure, ma'am.)
The staff placed the diamond ring on the glass cabinet. I leaned forward to take a close look at the ring. It's a gold ring with a small diamond at the top. The ring is like a root of a tree, twisted elegantly, holding the diamond at the center.
Ang ganda. Babagay ito kay Nueves. The small diamond made it minimal looking, very pleasing in the eye.
Mabuti nalang nakuha ko ang sukat ng ring finger n'ya noong nakaraan nang wala s'yang kamalay-malay.
"How much for this?" I asked the staff.
"€50,000, madame," the staff answered.
I smiled, "I'll get this now," sabi ko sa staff, she smiled as well.
She guided me to the counter. I paid the ring using my card, it comes with a small red box with cute ribbon. They also gave me a receipt for the ring.
Nakangiti akong umalis ng jewelry shop. I'll propose to Nueves on new year's eve, in the Eiffel tower. Just by imagining it, I can picture it as the perfect time and place for us.
I can't wait for her to say yes.
Days passed so quickly. Today's December 31, meaning, I will propose to Nueves later. The excitement is killing me. Hindi na ako makapaghintay.
"Good morning, love.." I softly whisper to Nueves. She just woke up, sakto namang nakabili na ako ng breakfast namin at naihanda ko na rin.
"Good morning.." paos pang bati n'ya.
"Breakfast is ready," I said while removing the comforter from her body.
"What's for breakfast?" nagkukusot ang matang tanong n'ya.
"Croissant," tipid na sagot ko.
"Quaso?" she asked teasingly.
"Croissant, love," pagtatama ko.
"Tama naman pronunciation ko ah, quaso," inulit pa.
"Yeah right," sagot ko nalang. "Get up na," saad ko pa dahil mukhang wala s'yang balak bumangon.
"Carry me," she requested like a child. Nakataas pa ang magkabilang kamay na parang nagpapabuhat talaga sa'kin.
Yumuko ako para buhatin s'ya in a bridal style.
"You're enjoying this princess treatment huh?" tanong ko habang naglalakad papunta sa dining area where the croissant and hot chocolate is served.
"Princess treatment ba yung gabi-gabi pinapagod?" she banters with teasing expression. Nakataas pa ang kilay, like a boss.
"Sinasamba lang kita, Nueves." proud na sagot ko naman.
"Whatever," inirapan pa ako.
"Stop acting like you don't like it, love. You always beg for second round—ouch! Don't pinch me like that.." daing ko nang kurutin n'ya ako sa braso.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, mabilis na lumipas ang oras. Now, we are infront of the eiffel tower, waiting for midnight to celebrate new year.
I'm wearing a cream turtleneck top, black jeans, brown boots, long black coat, and the beret hat that Nueves gave me. While my girlfriend, she's also wearing a maroon turtleneck, short furry coat, mini skirt with leggings and fishnets underneath, hindi rin mawawala ang boots n'ya and the hat matching with mine. I think we look cute together, just perfect for my proposal.
"Where are we going?" Nueves asked when I hold her hand and pulled her to walk on the stairs of the eiffel tower.
"We'll climb up there," I replied while looking up the top of the eiffel tower.
"Kailangan pa natin ng tickets.." she said and looked around to look for those who sell tickets to climb the tower.
"Oh yeah?" nakangising tanong ko saka hinila s'ya. Just thirty minutes before midnight, we need to go there now.
Nagtataka man ay wala na s'yang nagawa but to follow my lead. Inakyat namin ang 2nd floor ng tower, sumakay sa lift paakyat sa tuktok kung saan makikita ang kabuoan ng city, and we can watch fireworks upclose here.
"Mica, don't tell me you rented this tower for us?!" hysterical na tanong n'ya nang makarating kami sa tuktok nito. "Hindi ka dapat nagsasayang ng pera nang gano'n lang, ang hirap magtrabaho—hmpp.."
A kiss to shut her up is always effective. Plus I really love to kiss her. Ang lambot ng labi niya.
"Let's look for the perfect spot to watch fireworks, shall we?" a side smile formed my lips when she rolled her eyes.
"Oo na, let's go there, at the center," turo n'ya kaya naglakad kami papunta doon. Hawak ko parin ang kamay n'ya. Her hands are giving me warmth.
Mula rito ay tanaw ang city lights, the people at the ground, enjoying the view of the eiffel tower full of bright lights.
"We're been together for how many months but I haven't asked you what your favorite song is." sabi ko habang pasimple s'yang hinihila sa tabi ko. Inakbayan ko s'ya at sinandal ang ulo sa balikat ko.
"Yung kinanta mo sa bahay no'n.. something like if we never try.." she said, describing the song.
"Oh, that song.." sumilay muli ang ngiti sa labi ko. "I didn't know that's your favorite."
"It's never really my favorite until you sang it.. ang ganda pala ng boses mo?" biro n'ya.
"I think my voice matches your face." I remarked and pulled her for a tight hug.
"Bolera," aniya, she rested her body on mine.
"I mean it.. the first time I saw you at my gym, you're like a model walking to my direction. I was captivated." honest na kwento ko.
"Really? Parang ang sama nga ng tingin mo sa'kin no'n."
"Nah.. I find you really pretty at that moment."
We just continue talking about our first encounter until there's only five minutes left before new year's eve. Nervousness and excitement started to build up in my system.
"Malapit na, love!" excited na wika ni Nueves habang nakaharap sa'kin.
"Yeah, malapit na." di maipintang wika ko. Kinapa ko sa bulsa ko ang box ng ring, it's still there. Fuck. I should've practice what to say. Paano kung mabulol ako mamaya?
"Ang lamig ng kamay mo," puna n'ya nang hawakan ang kamay ko.
"The weather is really cold." palusot ko nalang kahit nerbyos talaga ang dahilan kung bakit malamig ang kamay ko.
"Let's countdown together! Omg 20 more seconds!" halos magtatalon ito sa excitement nang tingnan ang oras.
Sandali kong binitawan ang kamay n'ya. "Let's face the city," sabay naman kaming humarap.
"10.."
"9.."
"8.."
"7.."
Dahan-dahan akong pumwesto sa likod n'ya. Kinuha ko ang singsing sa bulsa ko. I placed my one knee on the ground and open the box of the ring.
Sumabay ako sa pag-countdown niya.
"3.."
"2.."
"1.."
"Happy New Year—" she suddenly stopped when she saw me, kneeling infront of her now, holding a box of engagement ring.
"Nueves.." I feel like my heart will explode due to mixed emotions but I continue to speak. "I- I know it's been just half a year of us becoming a couple.. but I'm ready now, to face everything together, with you.." hindi ko mapigilan ang pagtulo ng luha ko sa lubos na galak.
"Mica.." her lips were shaking, her eyes watering as well.
"Nueves.. be my wife. Marry me.." I said with full of sincerity. Heart is beating loudly, louder than the fireworks that surrounds us, smiling, brighter than the color of fireworks.
"Mica.." napasapo s'ya sa bibig, sunod-sunod na hikbi ang pinakawalan. "I'm sorry.." her voice cracks.
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