We were happy. For twelve years, Kylie and I indeed were. Together we do unplanned dates, go anywhere our feet lead us, eat and taste anything that looks delicious, laugh at silly jokes, banter on the smallest things there were and eventually make up after. Between us, everything was..well, perfect.
“Are you happy?” I asked her one morning. We were at the Park, sitting in the soft, green, lush Bermuda grass, looking at the blue sky, feeling the soft caresses of wind. It was a very perfect day, actually.
Kylie nodded, happily devouring her ice cream. “So much! In fact, this day is so perfect!” I smiled then. Seeing her every minute of every day makes me so much happy. “Balloons!” Kylie’s eyes were full of glee as she spotted a man selling balloons.
“Want those?” Seeing her continuously nod like a kid made me laugh. “I’d like to pay for all of it, please.” I said as I handed the man who sold the balloons a wad of paper bills and carefully passed those balloons to Kylie.
She was awe-struck by the different colors, happily watching them all play with the wind. I cleared my throat as she didn’t notice the remaining blue balloon I haven’t given her. Her eyes were questioning as she looked at me. “Say..if I ever give you this one, will you give me all of those balloons back in return?” I asked, gently tugging the thin rope of the blue balloon I was holding to emphasize what was I bargaining for.
Kylie gave me a broad smile in response. The kind that makes her eyes go chink, the kind that I cannot almost see the irises of it. “Whaaaaaat? Why would I?” she asked, laughing.
I didn’t answer but playfully smiled at her instead. “I’ll ask you again, Kylie. Will you give those balloons to me-”
“Dream on, lover boy-”
“..in exchange for this?” we both said at the same time as I freed the tip of the rope, revealing an engagement ring dangling at the end of the blue balloon. The weather seemed to be in favour of what’s going on as the wind blew the balloon’s top at the same time, revealing the words ‘Will You Mary Me?’
As shock overwhelmed her lovely face, Kylie lost her grasped of her balloons. It all danced with the wind, seemingly rejoicing and celebrating. She didn’t noticed though as her attention was diverted on the only balloon that I was holding. Slowly, tears welled on her eyes. Beautiful. He can’t help thinking while swiping-off the fat tears on her cheeks. Just. Beautiful.
“Are you ready?” my friend asked while I keep on straightening my suit and tie over and over again. He was beside me, patiently waiting for the bride to arrive. He laughed at my uneasiness. “Relax, Ceddy! You looked like you’re about to throw-up!”
I gave him a small smile and shook my head gently. He playfully elbowed me on the side in return. “‘Told you to go easy on the bachelor’s party last night. Now look at you! You’ll give the bride a fright!”
I would’ve given a smart retort if I haven’t spotted the arrival of the bridal car. I’m nervous. I’m anxious. Bloody hell, I’m a living mess! But then I stopped fidgeting as I watched Kylie finally walking into the isle, in synch with the wedding march. Beautiful. Incredibly beautiful. I thought, feeling breathless. I was looking at her- devouring all of her even. Her glowing face, her sultry smile, her body swaying in synch with her flowing dress.. Everything makes me breathless.
As Kylie finally arrived near the altar, she stopped and faced me, a broad smile plastered on her face. The kind of smile that squeezes my heart, the kind that makes it beat hard. “Let’s go?” she asked, mischief welling on her eyes. I nodded and flashed a small smile as I stepped back and watched in silence as Kylie’s father gave her hand to the man beside me.
Every cell, every bone and every muscle screamed in protest but the smile retained on my face. I was itching to do something that would humiliate me for the rest of my life but then again, the smile was still there. I wanted to stop all of this from happening but then..I know I can never win from the best laid-out proposal ever. From the balloons, the ‘Will You Mary Me’ written across the blue balloon I was holding and the ring at its tip, up to the man who was pretending to ‘sell’ those balloons which turned out to be Kylie’s boyfriend in disguise. It was all picture-perfect and I agreed to be part of all of it because I don’t want what’s just good for her but the best for her- him.
You can always choose to give someone what you think is enough but sometimes you wouldn’t notice that you were already giving more than what’s enough all because.. you’re in love. And that it makes you happy. I chuckled as realization slapped me. I was searching for happiness all my life and now I finally know what that is. It’s actually the feeling you get when you see the one you truly love be happy. That’s true happiness...
“Best wishes.” I finally whispered as the both of them slowly marched into the altar.
