"What time ka daw niya susundoin?" asked Elvie as she started to do my make-up.
"Around 12:30 daw. Para di maipit sa traffic," I answered as looked at the recent notification on my phone.
A picture of his hand holding the shift stick was sent to me with the message: "On my way..."
I replied: "OK, see you in a few." with a waving hand emoji.
30 minutes later the door bell of my condo rang and I heard my brother welcome him in.
"It's just 12:15, napa-aga ka yata," I called out from my bedroom.
"Naghimala ang EDSA, medyo lumuwag," he said. "Ready ka na ba?"
"Yup. Magsasapatos lang," I replied as I got out of my room still fastening the left sling of my shoe.
He stood up from the sofa when he saw me. He was wearing a gray tux with a crisp white dress-shirt, a black bow tie and a waistcoat. My heart skipped a beat, as it always does whenever I see him, especially when he looks this dashing.
"Bat ang guwapo mo?" I quipped jokingly as I scanned him from head to toe.
"Baket din ang ganda mo?" was his reply as he stared at me with such intensity that my heart skipped a beat again.
"Wag mo nga akong bolahin, Shoks," I said, even though, with him looking me that way, I truly felt beautiful. Guess the pale yellow long dress that Liz picked and the loose ponytail look that Oreo suggested worked. "Tara na nga," I added.
He willingly obliged and walked towards me so as to guide me towards the main door.
"Sure kang di ka sasabay?" I asked my brother who was still seated on the couch watching TV.
"Okay na, parating na naman si Tristan, sabay na daw kame kase mag-isa lang daw siya magdradrive," my brother replied before winking to the guy beside me. This was then reciprocated by a failed wink. I just had to shake my head to their antics.
----
"Ano yung kindatan ninyo ni Dean kanina?" I just had to ask. We are already in Alabang, almost near the venue.
"Wala yun. Nang-iinis lang ung kapatid mo," he said, keeping his eyes on the road. "Bi, paabot naman ung shades ko sa may glove compartment."
I did as he requested and got the case, but when I opened it my heart skipped a beat again. All I can do is stare at what is inside, a brilliant round solitaire diamond on top of an elegant white gold ring. "Loko ka RJ, ano 'to?" I said in disbelief.
"Your father told me to take care of you, and I intend to do just that." He was already holding my hand as he spoke. I didn't even notice that we stopped and was in one of the empty streets in Filinvest. "I know you might think this is too early, too fast," he continued. "But as what is being advised to me; when you found the one, don't ever let her go." I had to look at him at that point, his words slowly sinking in.
"Ito na yun eh, ikaw na yon. God has answered my prayers, he gave me you and I don't plan to ever let you go. It doesn't need to be this year, the next or even five years from now, I can wait 'till you are fully ready. I just want you in my life, Meng, and know that eventually you will be with me forever. That is why Nicomaine Capili Mendoza, I love you with every inch of my being and I would be honored if you will be the future Mrs. Richard Faulkerson Jr., my better half, my wife. Will you marry me?"
"Yes," I told him. "Yes, I will!" I had to kiss him at this point.
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A message was received by Dean 20 minutes later. It was a picture of two hands entwined near a shift stick of a car with a glistening diamond on the ring finger of one of the hands. The message read. "On the way ... to our wedding."
Followed by "Medyo matatraffic lang konti sa EDSA ng mga two to three years."
