R-18
✞ £ ✞
["Ate, nandito na po si Mr. Sumimoto. Asan na po kayo?"] tanong ni Cresida, ang apprentice ko, sa kabilang linya.
Lumunok ako para hindi halatang hingal bago ang sagot ko. "I'll be right there. Tour him around the shop and just talk to him," utos ko. "Just five minutes."
["Okay po."]
Binaba ko na ang tawag. Napatingala ako at humugot ng malalim na hininga bago binaba ng tingin kay Ali na nasa kama sa ilalim ko. He's sweating, groaning as he looked at me with burning desires in his eyes.
Napangisi ako sa itsura niya. Halatang nabitin. Hinagis ko naman ang phone ko sa nightstand tsaka yumuko at hinalikan siya. We both moaned when his dick, that I'm currently sitting on, hits my deep sensitive spot.
"Sorry for the interruption, sweetheart," I said.
He groaned again and just nodded. "Please move..."
Umayos ako ng upo at nakangising minata siya. "Gladly."
Humawak ako sa matipuno niyang abs at siya naman ay humawak sa aking bewang. Nagsimula na muli akong umulos sa ibabaw niya at mabagal na inilabas-masok ang pagkalalaki niya sa akin. Unti-unti ay binilisan ko ang aking galaw kaya pareho kaming impit ang daing sa sarap.
"Ah... who called you?" Ali asked, groaning.
"Cresida. She said my client arrived," sagot ko tsaka yumuko sa kanya at hinalikan siya. "We have to finish."
"Sure."
Ali kissed me before he pushed me to the bed, exchanging our positions. Now he's on top of me, looking down at me with his eyes that never stopped looking at me with love.
He started moving slowly. Then, his pace hastened and all I know is just I'm clawing on his back, moaning loudly under him.
"Ah, fuck, Ali!" sigaw ko sa sarap.
Nakita ko ang pag-ngiti niya at mas lalong isinagad ang sarili niya sa akin kaya naman umarko ang aking likod.
"Ah..." I moaned. "Cumming..."
"Me too," he whispered.
Bumilis lalo ang galaw niya hanggang sa pareho kaming labasan. He lied on my chest after and I rubbed his back contentedly.
"I have to go," I whispered to his ears, kissing his temple.
He groaned and looked up to me with a frown. "Okay."
Laughing, I poked the tip of his nose. "I'll be back tomorrow okay?"
Nakanguso pa rin siyang tumango at hinalikan ang aking labi.
"I'll see you tomorrow for your graduation, okay? I have a client din sa umaga bukas pero I'll be really there on time."
"Okay." Finally, he smiled. "You don't have to think about it too much. It's a long ceremony and I'll be called last. You won't be late."
"I hope. I really want to be the one na maglalagay sa'yo ng medal mo."
After hearing that, he hugged me tightly, kissing me again. He rested his forehead on mine and looked at me with the tip of our nose touching.
"Thank you, Lily."
I hugged him back. "I love you."
"I love you too."
I washed up and got dressed immediately. Binilisan ko lang ang aking galaw tsaka nagpaalam na muli kay Ali. Hinatid niya ako palabas ng dorm niya hanggang sa parking lot ng school para magpaalam sa akin.
"Drive safe," paalam niya at hinalikan ako sa pisngi.
"See you tomorrow," paalam ko naman.
Nagmaneho na ako nang mabilis pabalik ng shop. Nang makarating ay naabutan ko si Cresida na pinapaliwanag kay Mr. Sumimoto ang mga naka-display na manika sa loob ng shop. Nang makita ako ni Cresida na papasok ay nagliwanag ang mukha niya na parang iniligtas ko siya sa isang panganib.
"Here's Lily Jane, Mr. Sumimoto," pakilala sa akin ni Cresida nang makapasok ako.
I offered a hand to the old Japanese man. "Sorry, I was late. I did something important."
It was really important. Pinigilan ko nalang ang tawa ko sa aking naiisip.
"Its okay," sagot ng matanda sa matigas na Japanese accent tsaka tinanggap ang aking kamay.
"Do you still want to look around or do you want to talk about the dolls you'd like to be made?" magalang kong tanong.
"I'd like to talk about my doll now," sagot niya at ngumiti.
"Then this way, please."
Iminuwestra ko siya sa likod ng shop kung saan may maliit na garden. There's a small table there under an umbrella. We sat there and started talking about the doll that he wants to commission. Cresida served us tea while we talked.
Nagtagal ang usapan namin dahil hindi lang isa ang ipagagawa ng matanda. He'd like to me to make dolls for each of his daughter and he has five daughters. He gave me pictures of them in traditional kimonos and he let me keep those photos.
I took notes of all his requests until he was satisfied. Nang matapos na siya ay iginaya ko na siya palabas papunta sa kotse niyang naghihintay.
"I'll regularly contact you about the progress, Mr. Sumimoto," I said, bowing my head as he entered his car. "Thank you for your patronage."
"Thank you for taking my request, Miss Lily Jane," pasalamat naman ng matanda.
Nang makasakay na siya sa backseat ay sinarado na ng butler niya ang pinto tsaka sumakay sa harap. Then, hinintay kong makalayo ang sasakyan nila bago ako pumasok sa loob ng shop.
"Great work, Ate," bati sa akin ni Cresida na nagwawalis sa shop.
"Thanks for talking to him. Sorry at na-late ako."
"Ayos lang po, Ate," nakangiti niyang sagot. "Saan ka po ba galing?"
I bit my inner cheek to stop myself from laughing. "Claremont. I just checked on Ali."
And had a little treat in the middle of the day.
Nakita ko siyang napangiti sa aking sagot. "Graduation na nga pala bukas, 'no?"
"Yes, kaya maiiwan ka muna rito mag-isa bukas pagka-alis ko."
Tumango naman siya. "Okay po."
"Oh siya, maligpit na tayo para maaga kang makauwi."
Pinusod ko ang aking buhok at nagsimulang magligpit sa counter. Siya naman ay nagpatuloy sa pagwawalis at paglilinis ng shop. Nang matapos sa counter ay pumunta na ako sa aking workshop. Niligpit ko ang table ko at pinulot ang mga naiwan kong gamit sa sahig.
Matapos magligpit ay tumayo ako sa gitna at pinagmasdan ang katatapos ko lang na mga manika na nasa isang kahon sa aking work table. Habang nakangiting titig sa aking gawa ay pumasok naman si Cresida sa workshop dala ang walis at dustpan niya.
"Do you think he'll like this?" tanong ko sa kanya habang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa mga manikang aking gawa.
"Everyone likes your dolls, Ate. Lalo na si Ali." Ngumiti ito siya sa akin. "Sure akong magugustuhan niya 'yan."
"But I've already given him many dolls. Do you think sawa na siya?"
"Iba iba naman po 'yung binibigay niyo, eh. And sa tingin ko, walang magsasawa sa gawa mo, lalo na siya."
I sighed and crossed my arms. "You're glamorizing it too much."
"Totoo naman po," aniya. "Kita ko naman po kay Ali lagi."
I do see it too. The way his eyes glittered when he opened my gift for him. He's like a kid all the time and no matter what I give him, he's always thankful.
I can't wait to see his reaction tomorrow. I hope I won't disappoint.
✞ £ ✞
"Cres, remember 'yung mga ibibigay mo sa clients, ah," paalala ko kay Cresida habang nagmamadaling lumabas ng shop yakap ang regalo kong nakabalot. "Tell them na I'm really sorry na hindi ako ang nandun."
"Opo, Ate," sagot niya. "Ilang beses mo na nasabi 'yan. Alis ka na po. Baka naghihintay na si Ali."
I smiled even though she's practically pushing me out of the door.
"Thank you. Don't worry, may all-paid vacation ka. Sabihin mo sa'kin sino sasama mo, ah!"
Napangiti siya pero nagpatuloy siya sa pagtulak sa akin. "Oo na, Ate! Thank you pero malelate ka na talaga!"
"Okay, okay. Bye!"
Nilagay ko sa backseat ang aking regalo kasama ang isang bouquet tsaka sumakay sa driver's seat. Bago naman makalayo ay kumaway sa akin si Cresida.
"Ingat, Ate!"
Wala pang kalahating taon sa akin si Cresida at napatunayan na talaga niya na magaling siya at tamang tama na siya ang kinuha ko. Hardworking at maalalahanin. Magaling pa siya sa ginagawa niya. Talagang deserve niya ang all-paid vacation leave niya.
Mabilis lang ang naging drive ko papuntang Claremont pero ang nagtagal ako ay ang paghahanap ng parking. Nang makahanap ng bakante ay naghadali na ako. When I successfully parked my car, I ran as fast as I could to the auditorium.
Nang makarating ako ay tumanaw agad ako sa stage. Nakita ko naman sa gilid, sa may hagdanan, na nandoon na si Ali at nakapila. Malapit na siyang tawagin kaya naman lumapit na ako sa kanya at tumabi gaya ng guardian ng ibang mga nauna sa kanyang awardees.
"Hi," bati ko kay Ali.
Nang lumingon sa akin nakita ko ang pagliwanag ng mukha niya nang ngumiti siya. "You made it."
"Yeah, sorry I'm late," paumanhin ko at hinalikan siya sa kanyang pisngi, ignoring the people watching us.
"You're just in time," he assured me.
Tumango ako at yumakap na sa kanyang braso. Pinanood namin ang mga naunang tinatawag sa kanya. Nagtatagal sila sa dami ng awards nila. Magtatagal din naman kami ni Ali kapag siya na ang natawag. Napangisi nalang ako sa sobrang proud kahit hindi naman ako ang ga-graduate.
Nang kami na ang nasa gilid ng stage at ang kasunod na tatawagin ay sabay kaming humugot ng hininga ni Ali. Nagkatinginan kami at mahinang natawa.
We fixed our stance and made sure we look great because there's a whole auditorium of people watching us and there are cameras recording our move. Magsasabit lang ako ng medal pero pati ako ay kinakabahan.
Nang matapos ang nauna kay Ali ay dumeretso na ang aming likod. Lumingon naman sa direksyon namin ang propesor na tumatawag sa mga pangalan. Lumingon na rin sa amin ang mga board of directors na nasa stage. Nakangiti silang lahat bukod kay Vivaldi na sumimangot nang makita kami. I rolled my eyes and ignored him.
"Alistair Archer Wy, Summa Cum Laude. Artist of the Year Awardee."
Habang sunod-sunod na sinasabi ng propesor ang awards ni Ali ay naglakad na kami papunta sa gitna at kinamayan ang mga matatandang nandoon. Nang makarating kay Vivaldi ay halatang peke ang ngiti nito at mukhang ayaw pa kaming kamayan.
Inabot niya sa akin isa isa ang medals ni Ali na sinuot ko naman kay Ali. Halos kinse rin ang naisuot kong medal kay Ali, bukod pa ang mga certificates na hawak niya at mga honor chords niya.
When the list of his achievement was finally done, humarap na kami sa buong auditorium at ngumiti kasama ang mga board of direktor para sa picture. At dahil direktor na nga si Vivaldi, nakatabi ito sa amin ni Ali.
"Glad I won't be seeing you two again," bulong niya sa amin matapos kumuha ng pictures.
With a smile, I replied. "I'm glad, we won't deal with you again."
"I should be saying that," he smiled again.
I remained smiling, fighting the urge to roll my eyes.
Dahil Artist of the Year nga si Ali, naiwan siya sa stage to do his speech habang ako ay bumaba na para umupo sa designated set ng guardian ni Ali. Habang pababa ng hagdan ay nakasalubong ko pa si Priam na may hawak na camera at mukhang part siya ng committee taking pictures for this year's graduation.
"Hi, Ate," bati niya sa akin. "That was sweet."
"Thanks, Priam," bati ko pabalik.
Nang makaupo na ako sa aking designated seat ay tinuon ko na ang atensyon ko kay Ali na inililibot ang mata sa buong auditorium. After looking at everyone, his eyes stopped on me. He smiled widely before he looked at his notes and started reading his speech.
"My goal before was just to graduate. But I want to feel accepted, that's why I worked hard since I got here." He paused, looking around. "I was a disappointment to my parents. So I chased everything to be on top. And now, here I am."
Naging mapait ang ngiti niya. Lumalim ang paghinga ko dahil ramdam ko ang sakit sa salita niya. But after he paused, he tried to brush the gloomy feeling that enveloped the crowd.
"Frankly, being here is just a fleeting feeling. Yeah, I'm happy but that's just it. What makes all of this worth it is the experiences that I gained. It was a fun journey. And I think that was the best reward I could get from this award."
Ngumiti na siyang muli at tumingin sa buong auditorium.
"Thank you to everyone who was there on that journey. This isn't my last destination but just a stopover for a longer journey ahead. I have many goals but I have one that I wish to achieve every time. I wish to always feel fulfilled in what I do. And to do this, I have to enjoy every step towards my goal. And to be able to enjoy everything, I have to put importance to each moment I spend doing my art. Because that's what art is. It's not just the end result but the process as well, the feelings and all the hard work behind it."
He took another pause. His eyes found mine and I held his gaze. He smiled at me as he continued with his speech.
"I'd like to thank those who made my journey enjoyable, those who made me feel fulfilled. This achievement is not just mine but yours too. So, thank you. And to everyone, do what makes you feel fulfilled, do it with passion and take everything in, not just the results."
Even though I know his words are not entirely mine, I felt everything in my chest. Pinunasan ko ang gilid ng aking mata at sumabay sa palakpak ng buong auditorium matapos ang kanyang speech.
Humugot ako ng hininga para maibsan ang nararamdaman kong emosyon. Pero ang hirap pigilan lalo't nandito na siya sa harap ng lahat, just finished with his speech after receiving the highest award.
I'm really proud of my sweetheart. He deserves this.
Nang matapos si Ali sa speech niya ay nagpatuloy na ang seremonya. Matapos ang ibang mga speech ng mga guest at board of director, natapos na rin ang seremonya.
Lumapit agad ako kay Ali bago pa siya pag-piyestahan ng mga tao. Niyakap ko agad ang braso niya nang makalapit sa kanya at hinalikan siya sa pisngi.
"I'm so proud of you, sweetheart," I whispered to him.
"Thank you, Lily," he replied.
"Smile!"
Napalingon kaming dalawa ni Ali kay Priam na nasa harap na pala namin at may hawak na camera. Lumapit naman akong lalo kay Ali at ngumiti sa camera. Priam took his time taking pictures. Enjoy na enjoy nito ang ginagawa lalo na kapag sinasabihan niya kaming mag-pose.
Matapos kumuha ng mga pictures ay pinakita sa amin ni Priam ang mga kuha niya.
"Congrats, sa inyo!" huling bati sa amin ni Priam bago kami nawala na sa nagkakagulong journalists at mga curator na gustong lumapit kay Ali. Hindi pa nga kami nakakalabas ay nilalapitan na agad siya.
"Ano na ang sunod na hakbang mo, Mr. Wy?"
"What will be your future plans, Alistair?"
"May balak ka na bang bagong mga projects?"
Ali looked at me uncomfortably. To get him out of this misery, ako na ang humila sa kanya paalis sa auditorium.
"Just look down," I told him.
Tumango naman siya bilang sagot at humawak sa aking kamay nang mahigpit.
I guided the way through the crowds wanting to talk to him. I ignored their mics and their cameras. I became deaf to their questions and just basically ran until Ali and I got into the parking lot.
When we got to the car, pinagbuksan ako ni Ali sa passenger seat habang tumatanaw siya kung may nakasunod pa ba sa amin. When I finally sat down, he circled the car and went to the driver's seat.
When we sat down, we exhaled a breath in unison. We looked at each other and laughed.
After our moment of laughter, dumungaw ako sa backseat at kinuha ang mga gift ko sa kanya. I bought him a small bouquet of flowers and then I gave him the dolls that I made.
"Thank you," he said.
"Congrats, sweetheart. Open it," I urged him and he obliged.
He carefully unwrapped my gift and I watch him do it with a huge smile. When the wrapper was finally off, he took a long glance at his gift. In that moment, awe never left his face as well as his joy. He looked at me surprised when he saw what the dolls looked like in their casing.
The dolls that I made are us two in our toga, standing side by side. We're both holding our awards and smiling like there's no tomorrow.
"I want to always remember it," I said. "Since we didn't graduate together."
With eyes glittering in admiration, he opened the case to have a better view of our dolls. He stared at it like it's the first time he's ever seen a doll that I made.
"Thank you. It's beautiful," he mumbled. "It's like it's real."
I chuckled and messed his hair. "But gift ko palang 'yan. You still have a reward. You can ask anything."
Mas lalong nagningning ang mata niya nang lingunin ako. "Anything?"
"'Wag 'yung hindi ko kaya, ah."
His smile widened. "I'm sure you can do it."
"Then go ahead and tell me."
Umiling siya na ikinapagtaka ko. "Later," he said.
Hindi na ako nagtanong dahil nakikita ko naman kung paano magningning ang mga mata niya na halatang excited sa kung ano ang hihilingin niya sa akin. Pati tuloy ako ay naramdaman ang excitement sa kung ano mang hihilingin niya as his reward.
"Thank you, Lily."
"You're welcome."
Lumapit ako sa kanya at hinalikan siya na agad naman niyang sinagot. When our lips separated from that kiss, we both smiled at each other.
"So, where to now?" I asked.
His smile turned into almost like a grin. "Our date."
He drove us to this fancy restaurant that I got a reservation at. When we arrived, he took his toga and his medals off. Tinira nalang niya ang suit niya sa ilalim. With his freshly trimmed hair and his well-tailored suit, he's a head-turner.
My sweetheart isn't as sweet-looking as before but I prefer that. I want to be the only one to know that soft side of him.
When we got inside, the server guided us to where our table was. Nang makaupo kami ay nag-serve na agad sila ng aming pagkain. It's a seven-course meal so all we have to do is eat and wait for the next serving. And while we ate, we filled the silent air with chatters.
"What are your plans now that you've graduated?" I asked Ali in the middle of our meal.
"I want to settle down and rest," sagot niya na halos pabuntong-hininga na.
Medyo natawa naman ako. "Nakakapagod, 'no?"
He nodded with a shy smile. "Yeah."
I picked up my drink and stared at him as I sip on it. When I placed the glass down the table, I asked, "Do you want to travel?"
One of his brows rose. "Travel?"
"Yeah, tayong dalawa. Let's explore the world."
He nodded, a smile on his lips. "What about your shop?"
I shrugged. "Nakakapagod pala after months."
Medyo kumunot ang noo niya. "You don't want to do it anymore?"
"I do. But I want to rest," I replied, smiling. "I like making dolls. But I need fresh ideas to not make it super repetitive, you know? Kaya gusto kong mag-travel."
Bumalik ang ngiti niya at tumango. "I also want to travel. To take more pictures."
"So, it's settled?" asked excitedly.
"Yeah." His smile widened. "Let's do that."
I almost jumped in my seat from excitement. "Aayusin ko lang everything on my side. What about you?"
He watched me with a smile. "I just have one thing."
Ako naman ang nagtaas ng kilay. "Ano naman 'yun?"
"You'll see."
Nagtagal ang tingin ko sa kanya. "What does that mean?"
He looked down on his food and with the lights of the restaurant, I saw him blush. "Later."
Tumaas ang mga kilay ko. "Okay..."
He cleared his throat and straightened his back on his seat. "You don't have other plans besides traveling?"
"For now. I just want to rest and be with you. Just to make up for the time that we're both busy."
I saw him smile at my answer kaya bumalik na rin ang aking ngiti.
"What about you?" tanong ko. "May iba ka pang gustong gawin?"
"Nothing. Just be with you."
"I hope we can settle everything fast. Para ma-solo na kita." I winked at him to tease him.
Namula naman ito at bumaba na naman ang tingin sa kanyang plato. Mahina naman akong natawa.
"You will," bulong nito.
Kumunot ang noo ko habang natatawa pa rin. "What's that?"
Hindi na siya napaliwanag at tinignan lang ako nang may ngiti sa labi.
Wala nang sinabi si Ali tungkol sa sinabi niyang iyon. Hindi ko maintindihan ang pinapahiwatig niya but I don't feel like its something bad so I just let him be. He'll tell me about it anyway.
After we ate, we're back at Ali's car and he's driving again. I looked around at the route we're taking to try and guess where he's taking me.
"Where are we going?" tinanong ko na nang hindi ko malaman ang pupuntahan namin.
He looked over to me with a small smile. "My last exhibition."
"Oh, the one you mentioned?"
"Yes. Let's see it first before anyone else."
Napaayos ako sa aking upuan dahil sa saya. "Excited na 'ko!
Nang makarating kami sa gallery kung nasaan ang kanyang exhibition ay magkahawak ang kamay kaming pumasok. Sarado ang gallery but hindi kami hinarang ng guard nang makita si Ali at binati pa nga kami.
Tahimik ang buong gallery at mukhang ayos na ang exhibition at ready na for viewing. Wala na kasi akong naririnig na mga nag-aayos o nakikitang mga gamit.
"This is my last exhibition as a student. And I want it to be special," kwento ni Ali as we entered the hall where his exhibition was.
I inhaled the air with the smell of ink and fresh canvas. I turned to him with a smile and hugged his arm. "I can already feel it's really special."
His smile widened as his eyes stared at me fondly. "It is. The exhibit that I know I'll love forever."
He never said that to his past exhibits. Hindi naman sa hindi niya gusto ang mga naging exhibit niya but I can see in his eyes that this one is different from the ones he did before.
Mahaba ang hallway at nang makarating kami sa dulo ay nakita na namin ang sign na nagtuturo papunta sa exhibition niya. Seeing his name on the sign made me breathe at ease.
Sinundan namin ang sign at lumiko. Naging mas maliwanag ang ilaw sa parte na ito at halos puro natural light ang paligid dahil sa mga bintana sa ceiling. The ambience is very light and warm.
"Hindi mo pa nasasabi sa'kin 'yung theme," I turned to ask him.
Lumawak ang kanyang ngiti. "Love."
Tumaas ang mga kilay ko. "That's so not you."
"I know. That's why it's special."
I mirrored his smile and I leaned on his arm as we entered the hall where his works are.
Propped on the walls are his work of arts. Inside every frame are pictures that are more than just photos. Every look that I do on each frame takes me to an experience like I'm not present in where we are right now.
I like looking at pictures that he took because it's like seeing the world through his eyes. So, even though we're far apart, I know what he did and what his world was like on that particular day.
He stayed beside me as I looked at the photos he took and read the notes he wrote with it.
Connection. Belgium. I read the title of one photo and its location. The photo is of a bridge. On the side where Ali is taking the picture, the grass is green. And across the bridge, the grass became orange with the fallen leaves of trees.
Connection of life and seasons, of a new beginning and an end.
Ali traveled to places as a photographer. People hire him and most of the time the school sends him to places to explore. I know this line of work is taxing but every picture he takes makes you feel light. It eases the mind because of how well it is taken and how he saw that this certain view is worth taking a picture of.
Inikot namin ang buong exhibit hanggang sa makarating kami sa dulo. Huminto kami dahil may malaking kurtina sa archway. The white curtain flows like water because of the wind entering through the windows of this place.
"Is this still part of your exhibit?" I asked, looking at him.
He nodded, putting his arm over my shoulder. "Yes. Let's go?"
I looked over the white cloth and nodded. It feels like entering heaven.
Nang makapasok kami sa loob ay sumalubong sa amin ang malawak na kwartong maliwanag din dahil sa natural light. I stopped to take in a breath. But when I looked around, my eyes widened.
The room is full of pictures of me taken candidly when I am unaware. There's a picture of me smiling, of me busy sketching, of me sulking on a table, of me asleep on his lap. Then, in the middle and occupying most of the wall is a big picture of me seated on a stool.
I'm holding onto the stool with one of my feet on it. I was smiling and behind me, there's the garden of my workshop with the curtain blown by the wind and light bathing me.
I remember this moment. This was a week ago when he told me to smile for him for a picture. He didn't show me the photo so I didn't know what I looked like. But now that I'm seeing it, I can only see a happy girl.
The theme is love. His love.
"This is..."
I turned to Ali but I froze and my eyes widened more when I saw him on one knee on the floor.
When he saw me looking, he smiled and took out something from the inner pocket of his suit. It was a ring box that he opened in front of me.
I gasped, covering my mouth. "Ali..."
Inside the ring box is another distinct ring, but when I looked at it, I realized that it's another crown ring. But this ring is different. I looked at the ring he gave me before and I was right.
The rings go together.
Tears began to fall from my eyes and warmth took over my chest.
"Lily Jane," he called me softly like my name is something delicate that he cannot just say in any other way. "You made my life enjoyable when I already thought of giving up. When I felt nothing, you came and made me feel that I was enough, that I was fulfilled." Ali smiled and held my left hand. "You are my reward, Lily Jane. The reward that I know I don't deserve. But every day, I try my best to always prove that maybe, this is for me."
Like me, his eyes are already filled with tears and when he blinked, they all fell from his eyes that were always the first to see through me and the façade that I put up whenever I'm not alright. The only eyes that have seen through everything in me and still loved me despite everything.
"You are my love, the best that has happened to me. I don't think I can ask more because you are enough and more than I dreamed of before. You saved me and I know I didn't do much but I'm grateful that every day, you're there. You're my favorite view, my favorite subject. Every time I look at you, all I see is beauty and love. And I would trade anything to bring me back to the first time I met you just to feel the joys of seeing you again for the first time." He smiled. "You're the reward I want, the reward that I need." He paused and gulped before he popped the question. "Will you grant this one last request of mine? Will you marry me?"
I sniffled but at the same time laughing like an idiot. "You did enough, Ali." I held his hand back tightly. "You saved me, too. You made me feel me again. You were there all the time so don't say you did not do enough. You did and you deserve everything for that." I sniffled and cupped his cheeks. "So, yes, sweetheart. If you want me as your reward, then I shall give it to you. Because I love you."
His smile widened. "I love you too."
He took the ring from the box and slid it to my ring finger. Now, with the two rings, it created an intricate design like a monarch's crown.
Ali then stood up from the floor and hugged me. "I love you, I love you, I love you..."
"I love you too, sweetheart." I hugged him back tightly. "I love you more."
After that embrace, we stared at each other, holding each other's hand. We're both smiling and after a long silence, we just laughed.
When our laugh ceased, we leaned in and shared a kiss that symbolizes our love, a kiss that connected our hearts.
He, too, was my reward. I didn't know what I did but I sure did win a lottery with this man in front of me.
The reward that I'll always look for. The reward that I'll fight for in every lifetime.
My one and only sweetheart, Ali.
✞ £ ✞
Sana all, LJ. Sana all may Ali.