kundiman.

chapter 22.

Jason, who is wrapping up his sophomore year of college, gets all of his transfer paperwork turned in to go back to Penn State.

Two weeks before the national championship with UCLA, he hires an agent to handle his business. So far, he's already had a few NFL scouts contact his agent and his head coach to visit him.

He spoke with each of the scouts, trying to put his best foot forward. A week after the national championship, his coach at UCLA calls him.

"Jason, I'm telling you man. I spoke to those scouts, a lot of them are hoping they get the number one draft pick when you declare for the draft. Seriously, you've got a good chance at going number 1, bud," his coach explains to him.

"Really coach?" Jason asks excitedly.

"That's right. It's sad to see you go though. We'll miss your leadership around here."

"I never got to thank you for the opportunity to play here. I've had an amazing experience playing for you guys. I will never forget you all."

"Alright son, no need to make me cry here."

Jason chuckles.

"You take care of yourself now alright, bud?"

"Yes sir, I will."

Jason drops the call and takes a deep breath.

"This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I can't miss this chance," he thinks to himself. "I gotta play my best football."

//////////////

*Junior Year Of College*

"Love," Jason calls out to Clara, who is coming out of her art room.

"Yes love ko," she replies.

"I got this e-mail from my agent. It says the Texans are heavily favored to get the number one overall pick. Analysts are predicting that they're gonna take me first overall."

"What?! Really?! That's great news love!"

"Yeah," Jason replies, still sitting on the couch and looking down at his phone.

Clara is puzzled. "What's wrong love?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

"Just what?"

"Texas?"

"Yeah. Houston is in Texas. You'd be playing for the Texans. Who are from Texas," Clara says giggling.

"Yeah. Texas."

"What's wrong with Texas love, are they bad?"

"I mean yeah but, that's not my concern," he replies, putting his phone down and pouting at Clara.

"Then what is?"

"It's Texas. I'd have to move to Texas."

"Why just you?"

"What do you mean just me? You'd follow me to Texas?"

"Of course I would love! What kinda question is that?"

"But, you'd have to leave everything behind here at New York."

"Love, you are my everything. I will support you in everything you do."

"Love, that's more than I could ever ask for. I feel guilty asking you to drop everything."

"Your dream is my dream."

"What about your dream? Your dream's mine too."

"Jason, your dream is worth millions of dollars. I will slap you if you lose out on this opportunity."

"Okay okay," Jason says laughing.

"We're in this together."

"Together."

"I love you Jason," Clara says, drawing Jason's head towards her shoulder.

"I love you too."

//////////////

"With the first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select...."

The crowd waits in anticipation.

Jason is seated at a round table with his father and his friends surrounding him. He holds his dad and Clara's hands. He can't take the suspense. His heart is pounding out of his chest.

".... Jason De Los Santos, Penn State University!"

The Texans fans erupt in a frenzy. They finally have their savior of a quarterback.

Jason is frozen in his seat. He buries his face in hands as he sobs. His dad embraces him and begins crying as well. A chain reaction ensues and now all of his friends begin crying. Jason gets up and hugs everyone, wiping the tears from his eyes. He looks towards the Texans fans and waves as he walks towards the stage. He makes it up the steps and a production team member hands him a Texans hat and jersey. He smiles and takes a photo with the commissioner of the NFL.

Jason had a record junior year at Penn State. He won them another championship, their second in three years. He also went on to win the Heisman Trophy, further increasing his value as a prospect.

He makes his way down the stage and through the aisle, back to his seat. He is greeted by his friends and his father. But before he takes a seat, he stands in front of Clara and smiles. She looks back at him, puzzled.

He gets down on one knee.

Clara's eyes bug out. Her knees become weak. She feels all the blood rush to her head.

Jason reaches in his pocket. He looks towards his father, who smiles lovingly and nods his head in approval.

The crowd catches Jason on his knee. A buzz starts enveloping the arena. One fan yells out, "JASON'S PROPOSING!" The crowd gasps.

"Clara," Jason says, looking up from his kneeled position.

Clara cannot respond. Her throat refuses to allow a single sound to escape.

The crowd now falls into a hush. A pin drop can be heard.

"I just reached one of my biggest dreams in making it to the NFL. Will you make my ultimate dream come true? Will you marry me?" Jason says, as he opens the ring case, revealing a beautiful diamond engagement ring.

The crowd bursts into cheers. They chant, "YES! YES! YES! YES!"

All of Jason's friends, including Clara's brother Brian, begin crying. They had known of Jason's plan to propose and promised to keep everything a secret.

Clara begins sobbing, her heart pounding out of her chest.

"Yes, yes I will," she says nodding.

The fans now break into a frenzy. They all clap and cheer, as Jason gets up after placing the ring on Clara's finger. They embrace each other tightly.

Just like after the UCLA national championship, the noise dies out. They stare into each other's eyes in disbelief of the moment. Jason moves Clara's hair out of her face, and wipes the tears from her eyes. He kisses her forehead and embrace once again.

Neither of them can utter a single word.

Instead, they stay quiet the whole night, holding each other's hands, smiling.