ELIZA

18

Two years passed. Alina woke up first and got out of bed slowly, trying not to wake Justine. The ring was in the bureau - the one Justine had been hinting at, a simple silver band with a tiny inset diamond.

Alina had resigned the idea that Eliza would ever reach out, though they did have an encounter with her at Smith the year before. Oprah was speaking for Commencement, and Justine and Alina were so excited that they had to make the trip to their alma mater. As Oprah was walking down the steps of the West Quad, Alina felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Hi!"

It was Eliza, so happy to see her. She pulled Alina in for a long hug. Alina nestled her head on Eliza's sternum for a while. She exhaled and pulled away, knowing Justine was there. Justine was about to burst into fumes when Eliza so gracefully put out her hand.

"I'm Eliza." She said confidently.

"Justine." Justine replied, unable to keep her composure.

While Oprah talked about an airplane going into flames, Alina's phone buzzed. It was a text from Eliza. Can I take you out to coffee? We can go to Woodstar and catch up.

Alina was conflicted. Where did her loyalties lie? She loved Justine. She still loved Eliza. I'm with Justine, she thought. With that resolve, Alina urged Justine to leave after Oprah was done. The whole walk out of the quad, Alina could feel Eliza's stare.

"How was your hug?" Justine said mockingly and drove them away in silence.

No more Eliza. Just Justine, Alina thought and decided that she would propose when the time was right.

Now, Justine took the ring out of the bureau and put it in her pocket. Today was the day.

When Justine woke up, she sat down at the kitchen table. Fried eggs and coffee were her favorite, Alina learned, and offered her some.

"Good morning. I was wondering if you would do me a favor." Alina said shyly.

"It depends. What is it?" Justine replied suspiciously.

"Marry me?" Alina said as she opened up the ring box.

"Well, that is, if you marry me!" Justine exclaimed, with a ring of her own. It was a fine silver band, with three small diamonds, and the words, Mahal kita, engraved inside. I love you, in Tagalog.

Resounding yes on both sides. Justine was so happy. She whisked away into the other room where she was calling her friends and family. Before Alina could break the news to anyone, Alina sat on the couch, feigning elation.

Eliza, I'm sorry, was all on her mind.