I was a freshman back then and it was just the beginning of the second semester. The AMC104 family I once used to be a part of no longer existed.
Some belonged to AMC101, AMC102 or AMC103 and the others became irregular students because they failed College Algebra. I know, I know. It is the Hades of every communication student. Curse you, College Algebra!
If only there was no reshuffling policy, then I would've been tremendously pleased and contented with my previous block, where teamwork, understanding and happiness abound. Nevertheless, life must go on. I am in AMC101 now, where competition, hypocrisy and arrogance thrive.
Although the department believes that I deserved to be here, it felt dreadfully wrong to be in this block because I have steadfastly developed unwavering relationships with my AMC104 family, and my heart has moved toward them.
Whatever. Like the aged saying goes, "Change is the only constant thing in this world."
November 9, 2012. It was an immensely unforgettable Friday, the 18th birthday of my beloved Akachan. I planned several surprises for him on every single day of his birthday week.
I remember intricately placing a circular-shaped birthday greeting letter inside his cellular phone. The sincerely delighted expression on his face was more than priceless when I bought him a box of brownies from Brownies Unlimited. I designed an enormous 'Happy Birthday!' on a green cartolina and let his closest friends write their birthday greetings.
However, little did I know that he prepared a special surprise for me on the day of his birth. His mysterious smirks of excitement and seemingly evil laughs of a great plan gave me the chills because I seriously had no idea what he was up to.
Friday came and my heart was like, "Ub-ub... Ub-ub... Ub-ub..."
This is it. What could he possibly do? Will he let people hold illustration boards with words on them which would form a sentence then give me flowers and chocolates? Will he sing to me a sweet love song in a place surrounded by roses and candles then dance in the moonlight?
I don't know! My mind was alluring my stomach with, "Food... Food. Food!" I was hoping that we would eat somewhere delicious like Gumbo, Saisaki Dads or Italianni's.
Well, what do you know? The AMC104 family was back! At least, most of us were. I felt extremely happy because it was such a sight to behold. Warm embraces. Funny stories. Joyous laughs.
One of my friends constantly pleaded for us to play a game called 'Marco Polo' at the CS Garden later in the afternoon. She persuasively reasoned with us that there were classes in each room of the CS Building.
Everyone seemed to be up for it and immediately agreed while smiling and laughing. They looked so believably eager, but there was one problem.
I didn't know how to play Marco Polo, and even if I did, I wouldn't play it with my "mature" college friends. Out of their superbly convincing sentiments, I did it anyway. I tremendously missed them so much that I'd literally do anything just to spend time with them.
They hurriedly explained to me how the game goes, and guess what? I'm the 'it'. They compellingly insisted that I should be the 'it' just because. Anything goes with me, so there was nothing wrong with that.
They carefully placed the blindfold upon my eyes, and spun me around like a top several times. I must've looked like a complete idiot in front of a lot of people who were in the CS Garden. Who cares? We ought to play Marco Polo.
Let the game begin. I hopelessly cried out, "Marco!" No one answered. I shouted again, but there was no response. I tried again and again, but no one seemed to be there. It was awfully nerve-wracking because what I thought to be a real game could just be a prank.
I knew that I dreadfully looked stupid yelling "Marco!" everywhere with this blindfold and my arms flinging right in front of me as if I was horribly searching for something. How could they do this to me?
Regardless of my desperate situation, I remained both anxious and calm at the same time. What on earth were they up to?
All of a sudden, I gently felt a gush of wind blowing against my cold, hopeless body standing in the middle of that garden. Then, I sensed someone slowly approaching me, and tried to take my blindfold off. I softly touched his face which gave me an impression of who he was. I lightly wrestled with him because I clarified that my friends and I were playing Marco Polo and that the blindfold was never to be taken off.
As he untied and removed the blindfold from my eyes, I perceived a blurred vision of his smile with swaying trees in the background. Gradually, my sight was completely recovered, and I further roamed my eyes in the garden.
Fortunately, I spotted my friends with ecstatic smiles on their faces as they comfortably stood nearby from where I was. What was going on?
That belated realization came to me when he boldly kneeled in front of me for a lot of people to witness and courageously asked me those four life-changing words while offering an engagement ring, "Will you marry me?"
My face instantaneously turned as red as a freshly picked apple, then almost turned as violet as succulent grapes. I have never felt this way before. No, never in my entire life have I ever felt so confused, overjoyed, frustrated, cherished and agitated all at the same time. Am I dreaming?
Everyone, even the spectators, was dying to hear what my answer would be. I generously took some time to think of my response which gave more suspense to the ever enthralling events of this marriage proposal.
Everything seemed to be happening so fast! All I know was that I unbearably couldn't imagine what my life would be like without him now that I've genuinely known who he was. He is my first, last and only.
I marvelously gazed upon his eyes as he looked at me with hope and aspiration from below. His utmost sincerity to be with me all throughout his life made me fall in love with him even more. This is it. No more turning back.
I answered, "Yes."
His heart jumped out from within him, and he gave a contented sigh of relief. The world around us appeared to be in slow motion as he got up from his knees, held my hand so tight and looked at me with satisfaction. I returned his unfailing stare with a hearty smile of much delight.
Surprisingly, our Theology professor came to assuredly unite our two hearts as we become one flesh. He enthusiastically delivered the marriage vows and my beloved and I whole-heartedly declared our "I do's."
I barely heard myself thinking as all of these came to pass. It incredibly felt more wonderful than butterflies in my stomach or floating on cloud nine. It was like eating countless Ferrero Rocher chocolates on an infinite rainbow, or something like that.
Once we slowly faced each other to exchange our wedding rings, he gently placed it in my ring finger and softly kissed my left hand. I affectionately held his left hand and tenderly placed it in his ring finger.
As we were gladly pronounced to be husband and wife, he may not kiss the bride for we were inside the university campus. Nonetheless, he kissed my forehead which was absolutely sweeter.
That powerful manifestation of our true love for one another has amazingly touched the hearts of the people around us. Some of them were left breathless, and the others were undoubtedly teary eyed.
I never knew that my AMC104 family would agree to be a part of this heart-stopping event. They were a blessing to me then, and they still are now.
Marriage is a covenant established by God, bounded by love, trust and faithfulness. I still couldn't believe how a simple game of Marco Polo eventually made me commit to an everlasting promise of love at such an early age.
It wasn't just some mock wedding ceremony to me. I took an oath. That oath was sacred. That oath was solemn.
Integrity is the code I live by.
Yes, there are several reasons for me to give up, but as long as I have this one reason to keep holding on, I would. Love. Who said that it was going to be a breeze? Love is not a fight, but it's something worth fighting for.
Care for a game of Marco Polo?
