Finding Mister Right

Chapter 17

"Merry Christmas my love..." sabi ni Gregory sa kanila habang pinapanood nila ang fireworks mula sa balcony ng kanyang condo. Naglagay sila ng table doon and naghanda sila ng pagkain na para sa kanila lang.Nagdesisyon kasi si Gregory na doon na mag Christmas eve sa kanya at samahan siyang kumain ng noche buena. Her first christmas without her father, napaiyak siya kaninang umaga paggising and realized na ito ang kauna-unahang pasko na kulang ang pamilya niya. Masakit pero she has to accept that he's not coming back. "I love you Clarisse..." Gregory grabbed her left hand at lumuhod ito sa harap niya.

"Clarisse... I promise to love you, today, tomorrow and forever..." he took his phone and played This I Promise You by N'Sync.

" teka-teka... bakit? eeeeehhh ang cheesy pa ng song... Goryo what's going on?" She tried to compose herself but she knows she's going to end up in tears soon. Is he going to propose?

He slipped a ring on her ring finger.

"This is a promise ring... this is not an engagement ring yet ok? So don't pass out yet.... " He looked at her straight into her eyes and she feels like she is going to melt like a chocolate in the sun. " I give this ring to you as a symbol of my promise to be the best boyfriend there is, to be your Mr. Right, I promise not to hurt you in either words or through actions, I promise to stay with you and be by your side, I promise to always love you, to make you laugh, to cherish you, to be truthful to you and I promise to make you happy in any way I can. With this I promise you... I, Gregory Ariel Punzalan will never ever replace you; Miss Clarisse Athena De Valle... I give you my word... in my heart is where you belong... I promise to be your strength and will give you hope for the rest of our breathing hours. I love you.... "

Sunod-sunod ang pagpatak ng mga luha ni Clarisse, she can't help it, she's just blown away. Ang saya niya tonight, pakiramdam niya lumulutang siya. She is not expecting this... is she dreaming? pinisil-pisil niya ang kanyang pisngi but she is awake... wide awake. She looked at the ring... it's a beautiful 1 carat Princess-Cut Diamond a Past-Present-Future ring in 14K white gold. She's crying while looking at her ring, it just fits her perfectly. She just hugged Gregory and the two of them cried. She feels like she's exploding with love at the moment, parang fireworks ang pakiramdam niya. She is just filled with happiness.

"Sorry I was gonna do it tomorrow during the party but I thought, it is better this way... I love you."

"I-I don't know what to say... " "Kung alam lang niya na ganito pala ang mangyayari she would've thought about a much better gift for Gregory other than giving him a Herschel Strand Canvas Duffle bag and some men's shaving set. "Nice try Clarisse, you are an idiot, you could've bought him a nice watch." she scolded herself.

"I...I promise to love you today, tomorrow and forever Gregory... that's all I can say... hindi ko kayang tumbasan yung mga sinabi mo kasi ang haba eh, di ko na-memorize... so yes, I will accept your ring and your promise of love." "OMG, grabe mamamatay na yata ako... sorry daddy pero parang mapapaaga yata ang pagkikita natin." Walang mapaglagyan ang kaligayahan niya even the bag that she gave to Gregory is not big enough.

"Best Christmas Ever!" Gregory hugged her and kissed her. "Let me open a bottle of champagne, this calls for a celebration." He went inside and grabbed a bottle of champagne from the mini bar.

Siya naman ay di pa rin nahihimasmasan... everything is just beautiful and perfect... the fireworks, the city lights, the nice noche buena, her perfect man and now this beautiful ring. She kept looking at it, parang takot siya na mawala itong bigla. Hindi niya inexpect na may magbibigay sa kanya ng promise ring, at some point of her life she actually thought na bigla na lang siyang magpapakasal kasi nabuntis siya or she will end up na matandang dalaga. Everything is happening for her now...