Will you...? (the continuation)

(Warning: Long post)

Some people say that the best surprises are those that were not planned at all...

I tend to believe the opposite until reality came walking down on me. One Saturday, when I thought everything’s going according to plan (place: check, ring: check, camera: check, speech: check, me looking good: check) and pretend that the dinner is just going to be one of those exploration-and-try-something-new-and-not-the-usual eat out, my confidence level is zooming high as I know that I did everything I need to do...or so I thought!!!

7 pm was our schedule with My Mother’s Garden (yes, that’s where hehe) but we came in early so we can roam around the house and the garden (and for me to familiarize with the surrounding and scout for the best place to, you know...). Coming in early was a nice idea as we did roam around the house and stayed in the garden in front of it and wished that we can also have a similar space in the city, it’s quite romantic actually (TIIING! me: while looking at her, my heart was jumping and my brain’s asking if it’s the time already...)

“tu-ko...tu-ko...tu-ko...”

With a background like that, naaah, definitely not the right time (and the lizard continued what he’s doing like he’s laughing at me “tu-ko...tu-ko...tu-ko...). And Lyn’s also laughing at me as she knows how much I hated tuko because one summer when I was still a child, I was six or seven maybe, I would always tag along my dad (the entire family actually) to this little farm that we have in Quezon, stay in this little nipa hut and...wait, wait, I’ll save that on a later post, lumalayo ako hehe.

Okay, I decided not to do it right there. And since it’s getting dark and the mosquitoes around are now starting to fall in line on both of my ears and most of them can’t resist my charm and alternately biting my arms and my neck (I have issues with mosquitoes you know), we decided to go inside again. The place at night is very charming, with the yellowish light coming from incandescent bulbs above, some candles were flickering, colourful orchids were around, soft music was playing, nice rattan furniture and we were alone sitting there, holding hands (TIIING! me: while looking at her, my heart was jumping and my brain’s asking if it’s the time already...)

“HI THERE!”

It was Letlet, she just came in from the kitchen without any warning hehehe. so, purnada ulit :) After the usual introduction, Letlet stayed for a while and talked and discussed the concept of their charming little restaurant and the endless possibilities this can give them now that the secret has been told, first via word of mouth (thru bloggers syempre) and then, the mainstream media (including the television) and that they are also open for anything like parties and exhibits, even a wedding can now already be held there depending upon the arrangement.

She just said wedding and my heart somersaulted!

She didn't stay long as she will be attending to some errands and she told us to just wait for a few more minutes while their reliable waiter set up the table. She left us with an assurance that we will enjoy the food (and we did!). As she vanished from our view and the waiter told us that the table is ready, I felt something racing on my chest, I know the countdown had begun.

And sweat started to appear on my forehead.

The moment we sat down on the dinner table, we felt the homey and elegant ambiance of the restaurant, like being in a hotel, and alone, with a soft music playing. Lyn immediately said "ang ganda at ang romantic naman dito, perfect na perfect sa mga proposal no? sayang, walang ring!!!" then she gave me that smile.

I almost fell from my chair pero syempre, di ako nagpahalata, instead I just go with the flow and added in jest, "oo nga eh, di nakabili, sayang." then I snapped my fingers like nanghihinayang and a few "tsk tsk tsk" for the added touch hehe. I don't know if my acting was believable but I thought I did good hehehe.

We were in the middle of our pasta dish when I realized that I am losing momentum, nauunahan ako ng kaba, hindi ko maisingit! anak ng tipaklong, ngayon pa ba ako matotorpe?

Fortunately, love can and will find a way :)

While eating, unethical it may seem, I took my cellphone out and started composing a message. Lyn asked me kung sinong ka-text ko, (me, acting of course) I told her that it was my sister in Quezon as they're asking me to send the money for this house painting project that I initiated in the province. And Lyn just said "okay", unknown to her, I am actually texting Letlet.

I asked her if I can meet her somewhere and talk about my plan. I press send and in less than one minute, I saw her entering the restroom and then leaving afterwards. Whaat? Then, I look at my phone and her message was "go to the restroom and meet me there", it was sent twice. Oh my.

So I excused myself to Lyn and told her that I needed to go to the cr (which was unusual, by the way). The room going there is full of wedding paraphernalia and I am still scanning the entire room when Letlet came in with a giggling face.

"So, you will be proposing to her? you will be getting married? oh my god, oh my god! So, okay, okay, what's the plan? oh my god" So I told her what I wanted.

I went back to our table and Lyn was smiling "nakita ko si letlet, sumunod sa yo, ano'ng ginawa nyo? hehehe?" Blushing, I said "she just show me the way to the cr, baka daw ako maligaw hehe"

While we were enjoying the food, the occasional silence (while chewing) was meet with my eyes darting on the kitchen door, my occassional sighing was hidden by alternately drinking water and juice, my nervousness was concealed by me taking pictures of everything, and the cold sweat on my neck was just cold, ha! ganito pala, nakakapanlamig, nakakakaba pero nakaka-excite din.

I was looking at Lyn when the waiter came in with the tray full of desserts: fruit tarts, cupcake and this red little box that surely grabbed Lyn's attention.

Eto na yun. At natigilan na ako, I am smiling but smiling awkwardly, I am smiling but I am also shaking, I am smiling and there's a loud banging on my chest!

Lyn's curiousity about the red little box added more pounding on my chest, but I laughed when she said: "Ang sweet naman nila, me give-away pa!"

Me: Oo...nga...me...give...away...

And she used the knife to know if the red little box was edible or not "wow, naka-box pa talaga, ano kaya to?"

I am speechless at this very moment, almost not moving but just waiting for her to open it...

And when she did, it was her turn to be speechless, her mouth covered by her hand, her eyes reflecting that shiny little stone, she was blushing, and open-mouthed she looked at me...

I knelt and asked her "Honey, will you marry me?"

Still blushing and this time giggling, she nodded and said "Yes."

I took the ring and put it on her finger, though I am still kneeling, she hugged me and I embraced her tight...

(Anita Baker is singing in the background..."Im in love, sweet love, don't you ever go away, it'll always be this way, i'm in love, sweet love...")

next: the aftermath :)