“Hi, dad.” I greeted my dad’s grave. Right after celebrating, I went to this place to immediately tell my dad the news, with my graduation cap and robe still on me. Placing a bouquet of flowers, I sat there and was pulled into a trance.
Smiling, I touched his tombstone with his name, ‘Alexander Waterstrings’ displayed on it.
A tear rolled down my cheek, “Yes dad, here’s your beautiful daughter, just graduated and going to college soon enough.”
I chuckled, remembering how he used to call me his baby girl while I complained and hated that nickname since I thought I was all grown up at that time.
I pictured him flashing a thumbs up and saying the words, “I’m proud of you, I love you.”
“Hi, dad.”
Said a deep voice behind me. I don’t have to turn around to know who it is. “Eion?”
“Hi,” smiling, he sat beside me and turned his head to my father’s tombstone. “Hi, dad. I am Eion, Snow’s boyfriend. A pleasure to meet you.”
I choked, looking at him in horror, “Seriously?”
He glanced at me dead on. I smiled sheepishly. Oh right, he’s the epitome of seriousness in this world. I was wrong to ask that. Changing the subject, I ask, “How’d you know I would be here?”
“By your mom. She really supported us so I think your dad also. Right, dad?”
I shook my head at how advanced his mind is, “Corrupting my brother’s mind, brainwashing my mom and now dad? Tsk, not a good decision Eion….”
We fell in complete silence. Still sitting on the grass, I stared into empty space as my hands played with the grass.
“So what are your plans?” I asked.
He shrugged, “We’re gonna be going to the airport later this afternoon.”
“We as in us?” My eyeballs bulge. “You’re really sure about that?”
“What do you think?” He showed me two tickets in his hands. I gasped in shock. Who in their right mind buys a ticket of two without asking that someone?
To say I was tempted to come to him was an understatement. Shaking my head, I averted my eyes to the ground, avoiding seeing the tickets. Is that even real? That’s real right?
Clearing my throat, I looked him straight in the eyes and said, “Well, you’re really assuming, Eion. Just because I said to Luke that I love-”
“Oh? Did you tell Luke about us? Good.” He smiled. “Well, bond to your dad more.” He looked at the watch. “We’re gonna be leaving in four hours soon.”
I sighed, looking at him tiredly, “Eion, really though, we’re not… I won’t. I’m content with the college here in this city or anywhere just not outside the country.”
He stared at me for a minute before saying, “Then what about us? What will happen to us?”
I shrugged, “Nothing.”
“What?”
Drawing a breath, I said, “I’ve thought this through. I just broke up with Luke, and I will give time to my heart. Yes. I love you but I love myself. I don’t want to hurt someone else. Or you. So I’ll give time to myself. And while at that, I’m focusing more on college.”
“Hurt someone else?” He frowned. “You’re already hurting me just by rejecting me. Just give in Snow.”
I shook my head no. “I won’t. I’ll focus on myself, college, and life. Maybe even work part-time jobs. Now that I think about it. I’m not ready for a relationship. I just forced myself. I’m still growing. I’m still learning.”
I’m sure about this and it’s final. I won’t go with him. It’s not because of my pride, in fact, I’d love to. I really love to go with him but…. it’s not the perfect timing.
He looked at me like I was mad. “That’s all? You know we can just rush things. Not go to college, just marry me, and let’s just travel the world.”
I gulped. That’s tempting…”Yes-n-no… I mean… yeah that’s a good idea-wait what? Marry?” Gosh, I am too young for that, I’m not even ready for relationships right now.
“Why not? You can have everything you want and enjoy life since I have a lot of money. You can have my kids and-”
“Wait wait wait. That’s too soon. Eion, slow down, will you? My dad is here.” Turning to dad, I smiled sheepishly, “Dad that was just his jokes haha. That was funny, Eion.”
“Eion just please, this moment? You have stolen and forced everything, I want to have the honor and graduate college. And, it’s about time. I always rush things without thinking carefully of the consequences.”
“Please?” I begged, giving him my cute puppy eyes.
He glanced at me then gulped. Scratching his head, he looked away, “Hmm… what would you give me to make me say yes?”
I laugh at the irony at that. The last time I checked, I was the one who’s supposed to say yes. And he was the one who was gonna make me say yes.
Looking for any reason, I grinned. “I’ll…. pay and give you dozens of strawberry ice cream.”
“Really?” He asked.
I nodded, “Yes, really. Like a bunch of it!” I exclaimed, it was like talking to a kid.
“Then yes-I mean… no. I can buy a lot of shops though so that’s useless.”
“Then… will my love for you be enough?” I batted my eyelashes at him.
He scoffed. “No, I know that already. Just say it in the Filipino language to have some challenge. And besides, I know you forgot it…” Smirking, he said, “You can’t do it, can you?”
“Mahal Kita.”
I grinned, sticking my tongue out. “Well, well, well. I passed the challenge, Eion.” I smirked back.
He huffed. Drawing a heavy breath, he closed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth. “Fine. Just college… and after that, let’s get married.”
My eyes widened. “Eion, that’s too soon! ”
He raised his eyebrows, “Then right now then? I am ready.”
I snorted. “Gosh, why are we talking about this stuff?”
I love this psycho but he’s too much sometimes I can’t cope up with. He’s too obsessed. Too possessive.
“Fine.” He rolled his eyes. Grabbing something from his jacket pocket, he showed me something that made me even more shocked 10000 times in my whole life.
“Wear this.” He opened a small box and inside it was a glinting something… a ring to be exact. My eyes bulged out of its sockets, my jaw dropping to the floor. I opened my mouth but closed it, and suddenly can’t seem to speak. He casually slipped the ring and casually walked away like it was nothing. Like nothing happened! Like a ring was not resting in my hand, a gold ring!
Finally, I gained myself after being frozen. “Wait Eion!” I shouted, he stopped. “Is this a ring?”
He turned around to look at me and nodded his head, “Yes?”
“Is this an engagement ring?”
“Is it?” He asked back.
I sighed. “Is this a proposal?”
“What do you think?”
The heck? What’s with this guy? Casually slipping an engagement ring to one of my elegant fingers and not even asking for my approval, let alone asking me to marry me.. Or.. did he ask me already?
“This is it? This is the lamest proposal I had ever seen… In a grave? Out of nowhere?” I blinked at him, not really believing this.
“Is that not enough?”
“Where’s the Chivalry Eion last who surprised me?”
“Well… I plan to surprise you later at the airport or on the airplane but you won’t go…. I’ll just hire an airplane next time.”
“Wow. Why are you doing this? I thought you agreed that we’ll take things slow. Eion… I am not-”
He sighed. “Just stop okay? I’m doing this for you.”
“For me?”
He pulled me in a hug. “They’ll know you are mine that way and that’s the only way I could think of to drive them away. And if someone dares to steal you while I’m away, flash them this hand.”
He pointed to my middle finger. An engagement ring is supposed to be between your middle finger and pinky finger right? But he put mine in my middle finger. I giggled at how serious he was. “Possessive much?”
“Damn Snow. Take it seriously.” He cursed. “Wait for me.”
“Don’t bother following me okay? Do what you planned to, it doesn’t matter if you’re away. Don’t overthink, you are in my heart.” I said, claiming his distressed mind.
He kissed me on the forehead. I was suddenly feeling disappointed that it will be our last meeting as soon as he’ll go abroad. Maybe he can make an effort and kiss me on the lips where I need it now… right?
“Next time, it will be there. That way, you’ll be eager to meet me next time.” He pointed to my lips. I hit him lightly on the shoulder, blushing. Damn it. He’s right. He’s not even away and I’m already anticipating the next meeting…
“Or if you want to come with me, I can give it to you now.” His eyebrows played suggestively, smirking at my tomato face.
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes.
I’m sure he’ll be fine without me. I know that guy too much. And if he will find some other girl, then good for him because damn, I’m gonna shove this ring inside his throat to make him eat the words he said.
Just kidding. That was brutal.
Well… as for me…. there’s no problem. After all, I am just snow caught in his winter heart.