A Journey from Friendship to Forever

The Right Time

They had always been spontaneous, so when the weekend arrived, they decided to go on another one of their impromptu dates. It wasn't planned, but that was what made it special—just two people, enjoying each other's company, exploring new places, and making memories along the way.

As they walked through the bustling streets, she started to voice the thoughts that had been circling in her mind for days. 

"So, when are you going to ask me to be your girlfriend?" she blurted out, half-joking but with a seriousness behind her words.

He laughed, caught off guard by her sudden question. "Why do you ask?" he replied, trying to keep the conversation light, but he could see the curiosity in her eyes.

She shrugged, smiling playfully. "I'm just wondering. I mean, we've been spending all this time together... when is it going to be official?"

He didn't answer immediately, and she noticed. They kept walking, but her question hung in the air between them. 

A few minutes later, she asked again, teasingly this time. 

"Seriously, when are you going to ask? Or do I have to do it myself?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Patience, Kolin," he said, using her name in a way that made her heart skip a beat. 

"Timing is everything."

But she wasn't ready to let it go. "What if I can't wait?" she teased, her tone light, but there was a hint of genuine concern in her voice. 

"What if you take too long?"

He looked at her, his eyes softening. "I won't take too long. Trust me."

They continued their walk, her questions still lingering in the back of her mind. 

They wandered until they found themselves near a secluded beach—a place neither of them had planned to visit but somehow felt right. 

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the water. There were only a few people around, making the place feel almost magical, like it was meant just for them.

They stood there for a moment, taking in the view. The waves gently lapped at the shore, and the sky was painted in shades of pink and orange. It was the perfect backdrop, a scene out of a romance movie.

She looked at him, the question still on the tip of her tongue, but this time she didn't need to say anything. He turned to her, taking a deep breath, as if gathering his courage.

"You've asked me five times today," he started, a smile playing on his lips. 

"And I think you deserve an answer."

She held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest.

"We've known each other for a long time," he continued. 

"You're a friend, a travel buddy, and somewhere along the way, you became so much more. You've become close to my heart."

She couldn't help but tease him, trying to lighten the serious moment. "Weh, di naman ako yung mahal mo nung Grade 10," she said with a playful grin.

He looked at her, his expression softening even more. 

"You're my first love," he admitted, his voice full of sincerity.

Her teasing smile faded as she took in the depth of his words.

"Kolin," he said, taking her hand in his. "I've been waiting for the right moment to ask you this. I didn't want it to be just another question or another casual conversation. I wanted it to be special, like this moment right here."

He paused, looking into her eyes, the sincerity in his voice making her feel like the world had stopped around them. 

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

She hesitated, pretending to think it over, and then, with a mischievous glint in her eye.

She said, "No."

His face fell, and for a split second, she saw the disappointment in his eyes. But before he could react, she quickly added, 

"Just kidding! Of course, yes na yes."

The relief that washed over him was evident, and they both burst into laughter. 

She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a warm hug, the sound of the waves in the background, the warmth of the setting sun on their skin. It was perfect, more perfect than she could have imagined.

They stayed like that for a while, just holding each other, knowing that they had finally found the right time, the right moment, to begin this new chapter together.

It was September 2, 2022, the day they officially became a couple. Under the moonlit sky, they sealed their love with a promise.