There's no taking back
what we've got's too strong,
we've had each other's back for too long
There's no breaking up this time
And you know it's okay, I came to my senses
Letting go of my defenses
There's no way I'm giving up this time
And I'm all in, nothing left to hide
I've fallen harder than a landslide
I spent a week away from you last night
And now I'm calling, calling out your name
Even if I lose the game, I'm all in
I'm all in tonight, yeah I'm all in, I'm all in for life
--All In by Lifehouse
--
When Lena opened her eyes, she saw Cyrus down on one knee, holding up a tiny opened box, with an intricately-designed ring inside.
"W-What's that?"
"It's a ring, Lena," he answered with a nervous laugh. "Hindi ba obvious?"
She didn't know how to react. First, the house. Then, something happened. Then, this? She was too overwhelmed. Her mind's going haywire! She braved one step and took a closer look. Well, it doesn't look like an engagement ring. Hindi pa siya nakakakita ng engagement ring na mukhang sanga 'yong band tapos may maliliit na dyamante. No, engagement rings are supposed to be silver or gold, with one big rock in the middle.
Hindi niya masiguro kung ano 'yon.
"I figured that since you like tree branches so much, I'll make one that you can wear every day."
"What's that for?"
"What do you think it's for?"
"I-I don't know." She has an idea, but no... it couldn't be. Masyado naman yatang biglaan? Surprise nga, di ba? paalala niya sa sarili. May sorpresa bang hindi ka mabibigla? But still...
Bumuntong-hininga ito at saka tumayo. He removed the ring from the box and slid it onto her ring finger. It fits perfectly. It looks perfect, as well, like it belongs on her finger. It looks like twisted branches made of ruby and topaz, with tiny round diamonds scattered around.
"Breathe, Lena."
She realized that she was holding her breath when he said that. Masyado yata siyang nagulat at nakalimutan niyang huminga.
"W-Why?"
"Why what?"
She raised her hand. "Why?!"
Okay, she needs to calm herself. Why is she freaking out? Calm down, self! Baka isipin nitong ayaw niya. Gusto niyang magtatakbo hanggang sa mapagod. Maybe then, she'll be able to calm down.
Cyrus laughed at her reaction. Ibinaba nito ang kamay niya at ikinulong sa mga kamay nito.
"What do you mean why? Hindi pa ba obvious kung bakit? I love you, that's why. Sobrang mahal kita, ayaw na kitang pakawalan pa."
He kissed her hands and put them on his shoulders.
"Don't worry, we're not going to get married anytime soon."
"Then why did you give me this ring?"
"Because being away from you scares me. Natatakot akong baka biglang may umagaw sa 'yo. Baka dahil palagi akong wala sa tabi mo, makuha ka ng iba. Do you know how scary that is?"
"I'm scared of the same thing," she admitted. "I keep picturing Alexa in my head, going to Dubai and seducing you. Tapos magkakagusto ka sa kanya. Tapos iiwan mo 'ko."
His eyebrow raised in amusement. "Hindi naman ako gano'n, Lena."
"But that's the thing. Hindi rin ako gano'n. Just because you're not with me, doesn't mean that I'll fall in love with someone else."
"So what are you saying? That this early engagement isn't necessary?"
She wrinkled her nose. "Of course not. I'm okay with it. I just don't want you to give it to me for the wrong reason."
"Then let's forget about what I said after I love you." He kissed her nose. "Did you like it."
She nodded. "It looks expensive, though."
"It is."
"Pwede naman kasing simple lang, e."
"But you said you like all of them."
She frowned. "When?"
"Remember the crystals I showed you?"
She gaped. Those were the same crystals he showed her, weeks ago. Para raw sa project niya. Para sa isang kliyente.
"You said you like them all. Kaya pinagawa ko lahat."
"E, kasi sabi mo para sa kliyente mo 'yon!"
"How else can I surprise you? Sorry kung ginamit ko ang pagiging dense mo. Ang dali mo kasing mapaniwala."
"You should not have wasted so much money on me," she told him, shaking her head. Sanay naman siyang tinitipid ang sarili niya. Why would someone else splurge for her?
"It is not wasted on you. Importante ka sa 'kin kaya wala akong sinasayang sa 'yo, okay?" She nodded, because not doing so would just lead to a pointless argument. He bent down and gave her a couple of kisses before adding, "I don't care if I have to spend a lot for a new house or a ring, as long as you're happy, bawing-bawi na ako."
Niyakap niya ito nang mahigpit. Bigla niyang naisip kung magiging ano siya kung hindi ito dumating sa buhay niya. Would she be this happy?
"So what do you say? Will you marry me after you graduate?"
"What if I don't graduate?"
"You will. That's your dad's condition. I can only marry you after you graduate. So you have to."
"But what if I don't want to?" nakanguso niyang tanong.
"Lena, wala pang nakikitang magmartsa sa inyo ang daddy mo. He gave you the opportunity to continue your studies because he's hoping that you'll get a degree. I agreed to his condition not just because I want to marry you, but also because I want him to experience that proud feeling when his child graduates college. Don't disappoint your dad, please."
She thought about it and realized that he was right. Hindi sila naka-graduate ni Lacey ng college. Lacey's taking up a few units but because of her schedule, she's not going to graduate any time soon. Si Logan naman ay nasa pangalawa sa huling taon na nito. But he's on a regular school year, so mahigit isang taon pa.
"Before I answer that, I have three conditions," she told Cyrus.
"Okay. What are they?"
"First, you will only make me eat one vegetable a day."
"Only one kind?" tanong nito. Napakamot ito sa batok nang tumango siya. "Pa'no kapag chop suey or pakbet?"
"Gawan mo ng paraan."
He sighed. "You drive a hard bargain."
She smiled cheekily. "Ready for my second one?"
"Fire away."
"Promise we'll adopt more dogs."
"Promise," agad nitong sagot. "What's the last?"
"I get to eat pizza once a day."
"Once a week," tawad nito.
Sumimangot siya. "Thrice a week?"
He shook his head indignantly. "Twice. That's the farthest I can go."
"Twice! Okay!" she readily agreed. It was better than nothing. "All right. I'll marry you after graduation."
He smiled and gave her a kiss. "Thank you."
He loosened his embrace. Kaswal nitong ipinatong ang braso sa balikat niya.
"Let's go outside. The tree branches look beautiful at this hour," he told her.
