Avalanche

AVALANCHE (TWENTY TWO)

"WHAT's that?" Halos mabingi ako sa sariling tanong.

It was a stupid question, I know. Of course it's a ring. It's a fucking princess cut diamond ring that's obviously expensive. But why was it in front of me? Why was Leon showing it to me?

There's so many things running in my mind right now. Scenes playing in my head. There's an anticipation building up. Thrill was slowly swallowing me. Lots of assumptions forming within the deepest part of my heart but I'm trying to push it deeper because I know damn well assuming is bad for someone's health.

The shock on my face probably scared Leon. He looked more anxious now. Nakita ko siyang lumunok ng ilang ulit habang naglalakbay ang mga mata sa buong mukha ko. He was sweating. And I was, too. I'm just as nervous as he seems.

Leon heaved a deep breath. Then, he ran his fingers through his tousled hair before letting out a sigh. And all this time, I was just watching him, waiting for him to talk. Tila ako gutom na asong nakatanghod at naghihintay na mabigyan ng pagkain habang hinihintay na sumagot siya.

Each passing second made the situation more suffocating. Hindi na ako makahinga sa paninikip ng dibdib ko at sa bukol na nakabara sa aking lalamunan. The suspense was killing me.

"Leon..."

He exhaled harshly as if giving up. Nanginginig ang kamay ko nang abutin niya 'yon. Our palms were both cold and sweaty.

"Our story has been going on for more than a decade..." He started. At doon pa lang parang maiiyak na ako.

I collected myself and tried to hold everything in. I don't wanna break down now because Leon looked like he's gonna break down. And I'm going to lose it if he did. Baka hindi niya masabi kung anuman ang sasabihin niya kaya kinagat ko ang ibabang labi para pigilin ang pagbuhos ng emosyon.

Leon squeezed my hand gently as he continued. "This is only the right thing to do and now is the perfect time to do it."

My chest pounded harder that I thought my heart would explode. Everything's starting to blur. It was just me and Leon, both trembling from the thrill.

"I don't see myself spending what's left of my life with anyone else but you, Felicity."

I was holding my breath until he finishes what he has to say. I don't wanna interrupt him. But when he got on his knee, I burst into tears.

"Felicity...will you marry me?" Even his voice was trembling. Mabilis na pinunasan niya ang mga mata bago pa man makatakas ang mga luha mula doon.

"Oh my, God! Is he proposing?" I heard Miranda's voice from afar. She also sounded like she's in tears.

"Are you sure?" Was all that escaped my mouth. I had a never-ending stream of words in my mind that I wanna say but couldn't. It was all too much. Too overwhelming. I didn't know how to contain it.

"The hell I am."

I tuck a few strands of hair behind my ear because it was blocking what's right in front of me. Leonardo Alistair Ventura, the master of my universe. And he just asked me to marry him. Is he crazy? "But I'm not good for you... I'm—"

"Fuck what everyone says. Who gives a damn? Not me." His jaw ticked, Adam's apple was protruding as he was looking up at me with those begging eyes. "To me, you're perfect."

Pinalaya ko ang isang hikbi. "Hindi ka pa nanliligaw..."

"Can I just do that after you give me an answer? Yes or no, liligawan pa rin kita. Even if we're already married. Liligawan kita araw-araw."