The Littlest Things

Jupiter

A/N: Hi! I'm alive! Haven't written anything in quite a while. 2 years na ba? I recently got inspired writing because of a friend, so eto nanaman ako. Honestly just want to practice a bit, and I don't know if I'll be able to write again, so don't expect much. Not sure if this turns out cohesive at all, and medyo OOC. I noticed before that I write better when I'm either too mad or too kilig, but I'm very chill as a fan these days so it's impossible for me to create something good. Yup, inexplain ko talaga? Haha. Pero na-miss ko magsulat! Thanks for reading!

***

She drops the question casually eight years and three months into our relationship. "Will you marry me?"

The air is humid in the middle of August. There is no real pleasure in staying outside for too long even at night, so we decide to hang out in her room. I've stayed here far too many times already that no one bats an eye anymore (even bought her a bed among other things), and most of my quarantine days are spent with her anyway. She's sitting in front of the mirror of her dressing table, combing her hair, while I lie idly in bed, waiting for her to join me. My eyes are busy following the movement of her hairbrush when she speaks suddenly. She catches my eye in the mirror.

"Will you marry me?"

It's her nonchalance that has me reeling. I freeze, dumbfounded, unsure of what I heard. I know I'm marrying her, but why is she the one proposing? Is she joking? Did I hear it right? She has her back to me, still combing her hair, still acting like it isn't life-changing at all.

She abruptly pivots on her seat to face me, wearing a straight face. "No answer, bali?"

I blink once or twice before finding my voice to say something. I'm confused but I know my answer. We speak at the same time.

"Of course, yes, pero naka-plan na yung propo--"

"Joke lang."

I can't believe her. "Bal!" I scold her. "What the hell?" The casual facade crumbles as she doubles over in laughter.

"Joke lang, bali! I'm so sorry!" She strides across the room and tumbles in bed beside me, still overcome with mirth, thinking she's so hilarious. Jesus.

"Don't do that again, parang awa." But I recover from shock quickly and scoot closer to her. "Pero bakit? Sa dinami-rami ng joke, yun talaga?"

She snorts before saying, "Cute mo eh. I like how you look when I do something you don't  expect."

"Mukhang gago?"

"No," she answers, giggling. "You look...in awe. It's my secret favorite look on you."

I don't answer. I need a moment to mull things over. Absently, my hand crosses the space between us and starts toying with the collar of her pajama top. If I ask the same question now, will she think I'm joking, too? If we decide to get married in these uncertain times, will people say we're young and impulsive? I mostly worry about what people will say about her. I get the vague feeling some still think I don't deserve her.

"What are you thinking?" she asks in the quiet, her hand resting at the nape of my neck.

"Nothing," I sighed, avoiding her gaze. "Just that...I'm ready if you are."

"Ready for?" She half-listens, busy raking her hands through my hair, styling it even. I give her a look and she notices, understanding. "Oh."