The Ring

PUBLISHED IN MULTIPLY APRIL 20, 2009 (1705H)

I wasn’t supposed to be surprised as I already discovered his reservation at Antonio’s restaurant in Tagaytay few days before. He later denied the reservation and made me believe that we were invited by our account executive in Taal Vista to come for a free intimate dinner at the hotel. And ok fine, I was convinced.

We left Manila at 3PM to be able to catch the start of the free dinner at 5:30PM. Even before we reach South Superhighway, I was insisting to cancel the trip if it was only for that free dinner. But he had the steering wheel so I was left without a choice but to sit down and keep quiet :)

We passed by Taal Vista but didn't stop, not even slowed down.

I was only able to prove my initial instinct when his celphone beeped with a text message confirming a reservation for two at Antonio’s Restaurant. We actually arrived very early, resto opens at 5:30PM and we were already there at 5PM.

We had a sumptuous fine dining experience: very peaceful, very calming and very intimate. I thought the excitement I was having was only about the gourmet foods but indeed there was something more special than the fine dining experience.

While waiting for our next course, he opened up a topic about our wedding plans. He said he already found several suppliers, and created a list which he said -- he had already shown to me before. I was surprised and told him he hasn't given me any list yet. So he grabbed his phone and showed me a his list that reads:

Marriage essentials                                         

Arts and crafts                                                   

Riviera                                                               

Red blossoms                                                    

Yves studios

                                                                                                    

Miladay jewelry                                                

Events on us

                                                                                                                                   

Please.

And my instant reaction: “Ano yung please?”

He laughed and with the way he grinned, the words in his list flashed back into my mind. Then suddenly I felt my tear glands activating. He opened another file in his phone which he refered to be the best version of his list. (click photo to enlarge)

I thought that crying after being asked of the magic question is an over reaction. But I did found myself laughing with tears even if we have already been working on our wedding details a few months back. While wiping my tears and modulating my voice as to not catch the attention of the other guests, he suddenly showed me a tiny box coming out of his socks (and he had kept that box in his sock all the way from Manila to Tagaytay). And then I realized, the plans and preparations that we have been doing since the latter part of 2008 is now for real.

Now I know why Deutsche insisted to avail that bogus "complimentary" dinner at Taal Vista. Now I know why he forced me to wear a dress rather than my usual jeans and shirt. Now I know why he kept on fixing his pants and socks on our trip. And most of all, now I know why God kept me single for 23 years. It’s because, this day will happen.

(Thank God for the invention of camphones)