It was a typical Saturday when Aaron proposed.
We were set to have a dinner with two of our couple friends which, as they told me, was also a surprise special event prepared for Aaron which was to be done as their way of saying thank you for all the things that he has done for them. Since it was an event for him, they told me that my presence is of utmost importance. I needed to be there.
Coming from an overtime work in the office, I went straight to Manila Yacht Club as an accomplice to the supposed surprise event. I was only wearing a casual blouse and maong shorts and did not bother to go change knowing that the event is for Aaron. As I got off my Uber ride, Aaron went to meet me. As he was nearing, I could not help but notice that he was in a formal attire and there was a videographer and a photographer tailing behind him so I asked him if he has any idea why they were there. He assuringly told me "No!" in which both the photographer and videographer also added that they were just sent there by "Sir Robie" (one of Aaron's closest friend who supposedly prepared this event). Getting surer that it was part of the surprise plot prepared by his friends, I went along and dismissed the formal wear, videographer and the photographer. In fact, I was secretly grinning as I see that he has no idea at all about the "surprise" event. Only one thing was running in my mind that time: it felt good to be an accomplice and it even felt better to see him oblivious to what is happening. Or so I thought he was.
We walked towards the yachts parked and rode in one of them even though I was hesitant to ride at first since the others were not yet there. But since Robie called and told me that they were already in another yacht, in the middle of the bay and were just waiting for us, I eventually gave in and dismissed again the absurdity of it all.
After a few minutes of leaving the marina, the musicians on board started to play some instrumental songs and the waitress approached us and served us our 4-course dinner. I already forgot about the others and what we ate but I can still remember the conversations and the laughs shared mainly because of the weirdness of the situation.
After we finished our meal, the waitress asked us to move in front of the yacht for the dessert. We seated on the faux grass grass carpet that had been setup there which was also sprinkled with rose petals. Finishing my dessert, I noticed that Aaron did not touch his dessert and I remembered asking him if I could have it. After downing his share, we sat side by side, looked forward to admire the view ahead and talked about life and some mundane things. In the midst of our conversation, he out-of-nowhere said:
I do not know if this is the right time to do this, but I just have to do this.
He asked me to stand and slow dance to the music. I started to panic because I know that something is about to happen but I could not pinpoint it yet until he slowly knelt down on one knee and looked me in the eye and said:
By, will you marry me?
Upon hearing it, I was flooded with a lot of emotions, I got excited, I felt like I was floating in the air but most of all, I still could not believe it was happening. I had a lot of questions I wanted to ask him and I asked him those on-the-spot. I kept him kneeling for about a minute or so but in the end all I could say was a resounding YES!
The absurdity and inconsistencies of the night then made perfect sense. Everything fell into place. Everything had been perfect and it was more than what I expected it to be. With all the preparations Aaron had done and the efforts he put into it, I could not help but feel very much loved. He made it magical and special for me and with that, I am forever floating every time I remember that night.