Happy ka ba?
He recalled his father asking him during one of their Sunday morning breakfast together at their old house. He took his time as he took a whiff of his black coffee before indulging for a sip.
Mali, dapat pala ang tanong ko, may mas ikaka-happy ka pa ba?
He remembered smiling as his dad gave him a light shove on the shoulder, proudly grinning from ear to ear. He knew he didn't need to answer the question. It was evident to everyone around him how he had transformed from that cold miserable guy from five years ago.
"Sir, ready na daw po."
He simply nodded to the event coordinator. He fixed his pale yellow tie, one of her favorites, and made sure he was standing where he was told. Someone's voice boomed on the mic, but everything seemed blurry other than the door from where she was to come in.
"...Miss Nicomaine Mendoza!"
She appeared at the door, and it doesn't matter how many times he had seen her, she still could easily leave him breathless at just the sight of her. She always was nervous around people, but when she met his eyes, he saw her shoulders relax. She made her way to him and slipped her hand on his waiting arm and together they walked towards the small stage where they were going to hold the book launch of her 5th novel.
"Ready ka na?" he spoke close to her ear so she could hear him over the applause of the crowd without being too loud.
"Nervous as hell, Love," she replied, her grip on his arm tightening He then placed his other hand on top of hers to calm her . "Thank God you're here. Ready ka na?" she smiled at him and went up the small flight of stairs.
As ready as I will ever be to start a life with you. He thought as he traced with his finger a small velvet box that was safely tucked in his pocket.