Arvic had already sorted it out. After Mandy's birthday celebration with friends, they would go celebrate on their own.
They would celebrate in Arvic's home. He prepared a simple candle lit dinner and they could watch their favorite movie with wine to cap off the night.
Then Arvic was finally going to pop the question.
The small box was heavy in his pocket. He bought the ring long ago before but decided he would wait. They still had a long way ahead of them. No rush, hindi sila nagmamadali. But when Mandy went to Japan to have her training, Arvic realized that he should've proposed sooner.
Arvic's real purpose of visiting Mandy in Japan was to propose pero nagpumilit sumama ang kapatid at kaibigan niya so he had to pospone.
Pinagalitan siya ng kapatid nung nalaman na hindi niya tinuloy ang plano. Arvic didn't have any idea how the hell did she know when he kept it a secret from everyone else. Trisha really knows him inside and out.
They were supposed to stay for a short while to the surprise birthday party just to indulge their friends. Yet here they are, Pepper kept on clinging to Mandy and Mandy is enjoying every moments with their friends.
Pepper said it will just be a simple celebration without the extravagance but the moment he chose the penthouse of a famous place as a venue, Arvic already know there is nothing simple about this.
Pepper throw parties like it's gonna be his last day on earth. Arvic can still vividly remember the send off party he threw for Mandy. She were wasted to the point she cursed alcohol (and Pepper) for a week.
Arvic sipped his whiskey while watching his girlfriend with her friends. It was a long two and a half years, it was torture everyday for him. Telling Mandy that it's just two Christmas and New Year was clearly a lie.
However he missed Mandy, he don't want to rob the time from Mandy to spend time with her friends now that she's back.
Arvic smiled. She's finally back.
But having said that, Arvic's patience decreased every hour passed. He began to narrow his eyes at his friends who are insensitive. Thinking, it's not just them who didn't see her for 2 years.
"Hey." Mandy called out. "Okay ka lang?"
Yet the only time the two of them had alone time, Trisha has to pull Mandy away before he could answer. At the same time Arvic was pulled away by Patrick.
"Games!" Andrew shouted.
Games? They were pulled apart for games?
Arvic was not amused even a bit. Who has time for games?
As usual Pepper is the host. Arvic was annoyed at first but his heart soften after seeing that Mandy is enjoying the games.
Until his patience ran out and pulled Trisha to the side. "We're leaving. Can you find a way to distract them at least 1 hour so they don't find out we left?"
"And don't come home early. Give me 2 hours." Arvic added.
She frowned then her eyes widened. "Don't tell me...you're proposing?"
Arvic gave her the barest of nods.
Trisha squealed and covered her mouth. "Finally! Oh my god, good luck, kuya."
Before leaving Arvic didn't forget to remind his sister. "I only said to delay, bawal ang sleepover."
Trisha rolled her eyes.
They stayed for 5 more hours than intended but Arvic is not regretting it since Mandy is on birthday high. Minsan lang niya makitang ganito kaopen si Mandy, besides, it's her birthday. Who cares kung malamig na ang pagkain na hinanda niya? They could still spend alone time together and he could still go with the plan.
"Nico is really the worst at gift giving." Itinaas ni Mandy ang sweater na may design na reindeer sa gitna. It was a Christmas sweater. "Where did he even buy this?"
Arvic glanced over and smiled. "It's cute."
"Nasaan ang regalo ko?"
Arvic just smiled.
xx
Mandy could see the table set in the middle of the garden with lights and petals around it. She immediately turned to Arvic. "You prepared this?"
Arvic nodded.
"Bakit hindi mo sinabi agad? We should've left early. Sayang naman 'to."
"It's okay. You're enjoying tsaka matagal kayong hindi nagkita nila Pepper."
Mandy frowned. "Paano na 'to?"
"We can microwave it if you want."
Mandy walked over and saw that there is wine. She held it up and turned around. "Or we can have this."
So that's how they ended up with the wine in the living room with dim lights. Mandy sees it romantic that way.
Arvic pulled Mandy so she was straddling him and set aside the wine.
"Happy Birthday, love." He said and put his hands on her waist.
"Where's my gift?" She repeated. Hindi siya sinagot ni Arvic kanina and it's weird because Arvic seems nervous and not his teasing self today.
Mandy is just teasing Arvic when she saw a box buldging in Arvic's pocket and reached out a hand.
"Wait, what's this?"
Arvic immediately stood up causing Mandy to almost fall to the floor. He realized what he did and reached out with a worried expression.
He didn't realize that Mandy already has the velvet box in her hands.
Mandy looked at Arvic's face and at the box then at Arvic again.
"Mandy." Arvic has a pained expression.
She already know why Arvic seem not himself tonight. It doesn't take a wise person to know what's inside the box. Her mouth went dry and her heart beats faster than normal. "You were gonna propose?"
Arvic just stood there like a statue until he bent down to get the box from Mandy. He cleared his throat and opened the box, revealing a clear diamond ring.
"Will you marry me?" Unlike earlier there was no nervousness in Arvic's tone at all.
Walang paligoy ligoy, Arvic asked straight to the point. His voice is now clear and certain with confidence.
A second was all Mandy need to answer him. "Yes!" She laughed. "God, yes!"
He slid the band on Mandy's finger. She stared at her hand, a finger now with a ring. It looked natural like it had always been in her finger since forever.
They both stared at it unable to get over yet. Arvic brought the hand with the ring and kissed it. "No more next, you're my last."
Mandy clung to Arvic's neck while both of them are laughing.
"But seriously, how do you plan to propose?" Mandy asked as she let go.
"Not letting you find the ring first, for sure." Arvic answered and laughed.
"It's a yes either way."
Arvic smiled, "I love you. I'll love you until we're gray."
He combed her hair and kissed her forehead.
"I love you too. Forever." Mandy promised while touching the ring on her finger.
xx
Meanwhile...
"Happy birthday to you—" Pepper stopped in his tracks to roam his eyes. "Where's Mandy?"
Andrew, Patrick and Nico looked at each other and shrugged.
Arvic is nowhere to be found. Vince turned to his girlfriend. Trisha's eyes has this look na alam na alam niya. "Trisha?"
Everyone looked at her. She swallowed, "Uh, the cake looks good. Saan mo binili?"
