Artificial Horizon - A César Fernando Basa x Reader story

XIV - Knot

I can hint a lingering statement that César seems to want to say, but will not even take the risk just yet.

That if I die, I want you to remember that I die doing something I love, I can feel him wanting to say that. However, just by thinking of him having that mindset is quite heavy to take. Like imagining him dying that way makes my heart heavy; what more then for a parent to hear such thing?

"If that's the case," his father begins another time, after a minute of silence passed, "you should speed up. Pagkatapos no'ng huli mong bisita." He narrows his eyes at the two of us; and I can very well hint right now how too similar he and César are at such an expression. "What's with you and (Y/N) right now?"

César swallows hard, as if not expecting the discussion to be turned so easily like that. I wonder how many times did he have the same conversation with his parents that he seems so used with hearing their responses be too different now. He scoffs, takes my hand to raise it in view, and answers, "It's already check out from the list."

His mother gasps loudly. Her eyes bright with glee and excitement. "César Fernando María Tianko Basa, mi cariño... kailan mo pa balak sabihin sa amin?"

"Na ano po, Ma?" César affectionately holds my hand, looking then on the ring that adorns my finger. "Halata naman ngayon na engaged na kami ni (Y/N), 'di po ba?"

His father sighs heavily. "Kung hindi ka pa tinadtaran ng tawag sa Zablan, wala ka namang planong bumisita at sabihin sa amin, ano?"

"May plano naman po, Pa. Naging busy lang po talaga sa Zablan. Tanungin niyo man po si (Y/N)."

I am trying to have a good grasp of this turn of events. So, apparently, this engagement with César had been known by the entire PAAC already but his parents are only hearing of it now? Shouldn't they know about it first? I mean, this is like a step to marriage itself!

"At noong sinabi ko naman din po sa inyo ang intensyon kong alukin na si (Y/N) ng kasal, panigurado naman na alam niyo naman po ang magiging sagot niya." César chuckles before lowering my hand, squeezing it once before letting go. "Kaya nga po binigay mo sa akin 'yong singsing, 'di ba po, Ma?"

"Hmph. Parehong-pareho kayo ng papa mo pagdating sa ganyan. Pati alam ko naman na tatanggapin ni (Y/N) ang alok mo kahit may mga panahong kinakabahan ako kung sigurado ba talaga siyang ikaw ang pipiliin niya," remarks his mother.

To be honest nga po, hindi ko rin alam kung paano naging sila ng dream version ko. At paano naging engaged, I almost reply back.

I already know that it is easy to fall in love with César, and to continue being in love with him based on how he acts toward me. However, just as what I think of Elian, there are definitely some things that I know will also be doubtful of him to be in love with. Very much with how his mother now defines it. However...

I, for a split second, sneak a peek at the engagement ring that had been around my finger ever since I have the first encounter in this dreamscape. It is a beautiful and well-cherished one despite its simplicity, and now knowing that it once belonged to his mother, as some family heirloom, makes it extra special. It is like some indication that César didn't only choose me to be his wife, but had been accepted by his parents to be part of the family, too.

In the real world, despite me not being too religious, I also pray for it. A farfetched one for me to do so to find the right man for me, not perfect, but a husband who I'll not only love and will treat me with respect, and his family who'll be happy to consider me like their own daughter.

Bakit ba minsan ang swerte-swerte natin sa mga panaginip natin?

"We know that both of you are busy with everything that is going on, but you should not be forcing yourselves," his father remarks. "And this time, better inform us at least a day before the wedding."