Alyssa was awakened by the sunlight after Denden drew the curtain of their hotel room window. She stayed on her bed as she continues to watch the latter's silhouette. Denden is still standing, looking outside, with her arms crossed. This is the day. Aly told herself. She got up and hugged Den from behind.
"Good morning, love," she greeted and then planted a kiss on her cheek.
"Hi," Denden replied.
"I know you're in deep thought right now, but we have to prepare. Last day na ng vacation natin. Let's make the most out of it," Aly said.
"Alright. Mauna na ko sa bathroom."
"Wait. Something's missing."
Den gave Aly a puzzled look.
"My morning kiss," Aly said with a smile. Den gave her a peck on the lips and went to the bathroom.
"You sure you can shower alone? I can help you, you know," pahabol ni Aly while winking.
"I think I can handle this myself. Thank you," Den said smiling. After which, she gave a curtsy and closed the bathroom door.
It's December and they are in the 9th day of their vacation in Spain and they are currently in Salamanca. Last stop na nila ito. They spent the morning visiting museums and churches. They took a lot of photos dahil maraming photographic structures. Around 2pm, they went back to the hotel and made final preparations for their flight back home tomorrow.
The dusk has started to come when they decided to go outside for dinner. Thereafter, Aly brought Denden to the Plaza Mayor. It's a public square at the center of Salamanca at mukhang ito ang favorite hangout place ng mga foreigners at locals during night time. The Plaza is enchanting at night because of its lighted walls.
"They will be lighting the Giant Christmas Tree tonight," Aly exclaimed. She and Den are standing in front of the unlighted tree.
All of a sudden, all the lights went out. Everyone gasped. Denden hugged Aly's arm. Her thoughts are running wild. Wait, ano ito? Is this a terrorist attack? Or may isang sick in the head, lone perpetrator na nagplan na pagbabarilin kami sa dilim? Then she remembered the Giant Christmas Tree. Or, this must be the the opening salvo for the tree lighting activity. She smiled.
She was wrong though. A spotlight from the wall focused on a young couple ten meters away from them. The boy holding a bouquet of flowers knelt down and asked the girl to be his girlfriend. The girl accepted the flowers and she said yes. And then Stevie Hoang's "Never Change" started playing from the plaza's sound system. The boy started dancing. Denden noticed that some of the people from the crowd began to dance too. Dumarami na din ang spotlights. Oh, flash mob! Sabi ni Den sa sarili.
Den knows the song. Some of the lyrics of Never Change go like this:
"Will you still be there, when the spotlight fades..."
"Promise that you'll never change the way that you love me..."
"Excuse me but I gotta ask, are you in it for the long run?"
Denden's words reached for Aly's ears, "You know love, naappreciate ko yung effort ng boy sa pagcourt sa girl. Akala ko nga proposal na e. But I think the song doesn't fit in. 'Spotlight fades?' Sikat ba siya? 'You'll never change?' E their relationship is about to start pa lang e." Natatawa lang si Aly sa side comments ng girlfriend niya.
Then, someone from the mob pulled Aly. The person acted like he's going to teach Aly the steps. Aly looked back at Den and gave her the I'll-just-go-with-the-flow look while laughing. Natawa naman si Den.
Aly learned the steps quickly. Den suddenly noticed that the mob is already facing her and Aly is at the center. Her brain is trying to analyze what has been happening.
The song has ended. Aly walked towards Den with the spotlight on her. The Phenom extended her right arm. The girl being courted a while ago handed her the bouquet. She gave it to Den while wearing a nervous smile and said, "Hey there." Aly then now extended her left arm and 'the boy' handed him a small box. She knelt on one knee and said the following words to her dumbfounded girlfriend:
"I know we don't count the number of the days and months of our relationship. But I've been counting the years." She paused and smiled. "It's been three years, Den. Three. And I think this question rhymes with Three. Dennise Michelle Garcia Lazaro, will you marry me?"
Den wasn't able to answer immediately. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. Aly started talking. "Okay. I know that was lame. Ang corny nung mga linya k --" She was interrupted when Den finally managed to ask, "How?"
Aly realized the confusion of her girlfriend. Wala nga naman kami sa Pilipinas for me to be able to pull out such stunt ng ganun lang. "Remember when I told you that I had to attend a week-long conference sa US last month? Ito yun. I prepared for this. Den, I'm asking you a question, pero tanong din ibinalik mo. And isa pa love, ang init ng spotlight. So excuse me, but I gotta ask, are you in it for the long and never ending run?"
"Yes, I'm in it," Den said and she gave Aly a weak smile. Aly is so overjoyed and she gave Den a spin hug. As if on cue, the Giant Christmas Tree lighted up, followed by the wall lights. The crowd cheered for them.
"It's already a Merry Christmas to me. Thank you, Ms. Lazaro." Aly said.
