The President's Son [PUBLISHED under POP FICTION]

Chapter Five: Eggs Over Easy

            

"Sam?"

Hindi makapaniwala si Samantha sa nakikita. Miles took a small box from his pocket and dropped on one knee.

Naitakip ni Samantha ang kanyang mga kamay sa kanyang bibig. Hindi niya maintindihan ang nararamdaman. She feels ecstatic. Nasa pinakataas na bahagi sila ng Singapore flyer ngunit mas mataas pa doon ang nararamdaman ni Samantha.

"Exactly ten months ago, I met you in this capsule. Ever since then, you added colors to my black and white life. I love you, Samantha. Please be my wife."

Nakikita ni Samantha na nanginginig ang mga kamay ni Miles habang nagsasalita. Her practical boyfriend just made the most romantic declaration in his life. Gustong maiyak ni Samantha. She has never thought that this day would come. Kontento na siya sa relasyon nila ni Miles. They have ups and downs. Nag-aaway sila just like any other couple ngunit masaya sila. But she has never been happier than this moment.

She took a step towards him. Napakalapad ng ngiti niya habang nakatingin kay Miles na ngayon ay nakangiti na rin.

She took another step. Nakikita na niya ang kinabukasan nila ni Miles. They will get married and have kids. Sandali. Does he love kids? At saan ba sila ikakasal? Dito ba sa Singapore, sa Perth ba na hometown ng daddy ni Miles o sa Pilipinas?

Napatawa siya. She's getting ahead of herself again. Heto at nag-iisip na siya kung saan sila ikakasal. Bago sila makasal, kailangan muna nilang ma-engage. Kailangan niya munang sagutin ang tanong ni Miles.

They need to be engaged first. She took another step.

Engaged.

Habang naglalakad ay unti-unting nawawala ang ngiti sa mukha ni Samantha. Napalitan naman ng pag-aalala ang ngiti ni Miles habang nakatingin sa kanya. He knows something is wrong.

"Samantha?" Tanong nito.

Napatigil naman sa paglalakad si Samantha. She just stood in the middle of the slowly turning capsule habang nakatitig kay Miles.

Paano niya sasabihin dito ang totoo?

"Samantha? Is everything alright?"

Hindi siya sumagot. She can't look at him. She feels guilty.

"I need your answer, Samantha. I hope it's a yes," pilit na pinakakalma ni Miles ang sarili pero ang totoo ay kinakabahan siya. Hindi niya nagugustuhan ang ikinikilos ni Samantha.

"Miles..."

"Yes, Samantha?"

Samantha is now playing with her fingers. Kumbinsido si Miles na may mali nga.

"Miles...I...um...I..." Hindi alam ni Samantha kung saan magsisimula. Matagal na niyang gustong sabihin sa boyfriend ang totoo pero natatakot siya. Alam niyang sooner or later ay kailangan nitong malaman ang totoo. Hindi niya lang alam kung paano sasabihin.

She can pretend like nothing happened and continue lying to him. Pero hanggang kailan niya makakaya ang pagsisinungaling. Miles means the world to her. Kailangan nitong malaman ang totoo.

"What's going on, Samantha?" He looked scared. Hindi na nakataas ang kamay nito pero hawak pa rin nito ang maliit na box kung saan nakalagay ang isang kumikinang na singsing.

"May sasabihin ako sa'yo, Miles. Sana ay pakinggan mo ako."

"Are you breaking up with me?"