𝐄𝐙𝐄𝐊𝐈𝐄𝐋 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞'𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

36

The morning light streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on Akira’s face as she sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers nervously tracing the delicate band on her ring finger. It was the day she would share the news with her father, the man who had always been her rock, her confidante, her guiding light. I stood beside her, my hand resting gently on her shoulder, offering silent support as she picked up her phone. The weight of this moment was palpable, a mixture of excitement and apprehension that hung heavy in the air. Though we had celebrated our engagement privately the night before, this call was for everyone else in our lives—those whose blessings and acceptance were as important as our own shared joy.

The familiar chime of her father’s ringtone filled the room, and Akira’s breath hitched as he answered. “Akira-san?” His voice, warm and familiar, filled the room. “What’s going on?” The question hung in the air, laced with a hint of concern that only a father could possess.

Akira, ever the dutiful daughter, put the phone on speaker, allowing me to hear the conversation unfolding. She smiled, a touch nervously, before speaking. “Otousan, I have something to tell you. Ezekiel and I… we’re engaged.” The words hung in the air, a declaration of love and commitment that resonated with a quiet power.

A brief silence followed, the only sound the gentle hum of the phone. I could feel the tension in the room as Akira’s father processed the news, the weight of his reaction pressing down on us. Finally, his voice, tinged with a mixture of surprise and happiness, broke the silence. “Engaged? You two?”

“Hai, otousan (Yes, father),” Akira replied, her voice steady and unwavering. “Ezekiel proposed to me last night, and I said yes.”

The silence returned, this time filled with a palpable sense of anticipation. I held my breath, waiting for the father’s response, the unspoken anxieties and hopes swirling in my mind. After what felt like an eternity, he let out a deep sigh, a sound that spoke volumes about the whirlwind of emotions he was experiencing. “Well, Akira,” he said softly, his voice filled with a tenderness that touched my heart. “I’m happy for you. Truly, I am. But you know I have to ask…” His tone shifted, becoming serious, a father’s concern echoing in his voice. “You’re sure about this, right?”

Akira nodded, even though he couldn’t see her, her confidence radiating through the phone. “I am, Otousan. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I love him.”

Her father’s response was immediate, a testament to the trust he had in his daughter. “I trust you, my daughter,” he replied, his voice laced with a hint of pride. “But Ezekiel, you know my only wish is that you take care of her. Don’t hurt her, okay?”

I stepped forward, my voice sincere and filled with genuine affection. “I promise you, I won’t hurt her. I’ll love her with everything I have.” The words flowed effortlessly, a promise etched in my heart, a vow to cherish and protect the woman who had stolen my heart.

Another silence followed, this one filled with the weight of a father’s love and anxieties. Finally, his voice, softer now, filled the room. “I know you will, Ezekiel. Take care of my girl.” The words were simple, yet they carried the weight of a lifetime of love and devotion.

“I will, I swear it,” I replied, my voice filled with resolve, my heart overflowing with love and gratitude.

“Thank you, Otousan,” Akira added, her voice cracking with emotion, the tears welling up in her eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Akira-san,” her father responded, his voice filled with warmth and affection. “And remember, I’m always here for you.”

The call ended, and Akira let out a sigh of relief, a wave of emotion washing over her. She smiled at me, her eyes shining with tears of joy and gratitude. “He’s happy for us, Ezekiel. He’d been waiting for this for so long. But I can sense the worriness in his voice too.”

I pulled her into a hug, my arms wrapping around her, offering comfort and reassurance. “He loves you. It’s natural to be worried, but you’ve got nothing to fear. He trusts you, and he trusts me, too.”

After a few moments, we decided to call Jade next, the woman who had been Akira’s confidante and friend since childhood. Thankfully, she was with Xavier, her partner, so we could share the news with both of them.

The video call connected, and Jade’s face immediately lit up when she saw us on the screen. Akira, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, showed Jade the ring on her finger. “Oh my God, Kira-san!” Jade exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I’m so, so happy for you!”

I grinned, relieved to see her joy. “Thank you, Jade.”

Jade, ever the protective friend, raised an eyebrow at me in playful warning. “Ezekiel, you better stop being a playboy, okay? If you hurt my best friend, I’ll hunt you down. I’ll even leave your cousin if I have to.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, her words a testament to the unwavering loyalty she held for Akira. “I’m serious about her, Jade. I won’t hurt her.”

Xavier, who had been sitting beside Jade, rolled his eyes, his face souring slightly as he chimed in. “Why do I have to suffer because of him?” he asked, gesturing at me with a mock-indignant expression. “He’s the one born a playboy, not me.”

“Hey man, that’s hurtful,” I teased, half-laughing, the tension of the moment easing with their playful banter.

Jade and Akira both laughed at our exchange, the joy and warmth of their laughter filling the room. It felt good to share this moment with them, to know that they had our backs, that we were surrounded by love and support.

“I’m happy for you, Kira-san,” Jade said with a warm smile. “He’d better treat you right, or I’ll come over there and give him a piece of my mind.”

Akira smiled, her eyes shining with happiness. “Don’t worry, I know Ezekiel will take care of me.”

Xavier, though initially reluctant, offered his own well wishes. “Well, if he makes you happy, then I’m happy for you both.”

We all shared one last laugh before the video call ended, the warmth of their blessings lingering in the air. It was time to move on with our day, to embark on the next chapter of our journey together. We were heading to the palace, where I would introduce Akira to the King of Syndril, Alexander Maximiano.

“Shall we get?” I asked Akira as I turned toward her, my hand reaching for hers.

She nodded, taking a deep breath, a mixture of excitement and nervousness crossing her face. We were about to step into a world of royalty and grandeur, a world that was both exhilarating and daunting.

We went to shower together, the warmth of the water washing away the lingering tension of the morning. We dressed, our hearts filled with a mix of anticipation and excitement. As we descended the stairs, my mother was already waiting for us, Eros by her side.

“I will come with you two. After the palace visit, me and Akira will go shopping again,” my mother declared, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

“Mom, you are taking away my bride. It’s not fair,” I complained playfully, though I was secretly happy to see how fond she was of Akira.

“Hush you boy. I want to buy my daughter-in-law with a lot of new clothes, new bags, new shoes. So shut up will you?” she said, her voice filled with a playful authority.

We all laughed, the tension of the morning dissolving into a wave of shared joy. Eros, who usually exuded a calm focus, surprised us by insisting he would be our driver for the day. He claimed he wanted to get his mind off work, but I caught a hint of tension in his voice—a rare crack in his composed exterior.

“Are you sure you’re up for it?” I asked, watching him closely. “You’re not exactly known for taking a day off.”

Eros just shrugged, a tight smile crossing his face. “Even I need a break, Ezekiel. Besides, I want to be there to make sure you two don’t get into trouble,” he teased, but there was an underlying edge to his words. I made a mental note to check in with him later. Something was clearly weighing on his mind.