Once upon a time…

“Okay my love, just walk cautiously and slowly. No worries I’ll accompany you. Soon will get there,” my boyfriend sweetly whispered. He is closely beside me; holding my right arm and left elbow. Because of our closeness, I can smell my favorite scent, his manly perfume.

I do not know what he is up to this time, but one thing is for sure, what will come is another surprise from him. Why would not be? It is not impossible because my boyfriend is the king of surprises. He always surprises me and makes my heart joyful.

Even if I am not sure if his looking at me, still, I smiled sweetly, sweeter than the sugar cane. I just cannot stop myself from smiling because the happiness I feel at the moment is too much. It is too much that if I don’t smile, my heart will explode.

I follow his request to walk cautiously and slowly until we stop.

"Can I take off this blindfold now, Love?", I immediately ask when we stop. I tried to sound fine but deep inside, I’m afraid. I’m afraid of darkness, so I don’t like any long exposure to darkness, except when sleeping. For me, darkness equivalents loneliness and suffering.

“Yes, Love,” my boyfriend said. When I remove my blindfold, my boyfriend is in front of me.

Right now, I see his meaningful eyes and bright smile. A bright smile that will make every woman fall in love with him. I am mesmerized by his aesthetic look. The next thing I know, he comes closer and kisses me. He kissed me on my forehead. Again, I let myself smile, this time, a bigger and sweeter smile. I realize that I am lucky to have him. I am absolutely lucky to have a man, who is not just handsome, rich, and intelligent, but a man with respect and principles.

Indeed, I have nothing more to ask.

*Luv-duv-luv-duv

To make my fast-beating heart calm down, I divert the moment into something funnier than romantic, I think I will collapse if I won’t.

“Love, you know what, you’re like the American English term for British English term MAIZE,” I joke.

He frowns and make furrows on his forehead. I guess, he’s wondering. Well, I am also wondering why did I tell him that. Haha! I just want to reduce the “kilig”

A Filipino term for excessive happiness and excitement from someone special

.

“A corn? Why is that so?”

“Because you’re corny! Haha!”

“Okay. Should I laugh, Love?”

I look at him with my fierce eyes. And we laugh! Yes, I made him laugh. Meaning to say, my joke is funny! Hahaha!

“Okay, so much for your corny joke, Love. Turn around and see where we are.” He sweetly says and winks at me.

I turn around as he says. I am shocked. Is this real? I have been dreaming this to happen, and he’s granting it!

"Surprise, Love! I hope you like it!"

I don’t like it… I love it! I want to say this, but I am like a statue stuck staring at the beautiful place we are into.

We are along the swimming pool area. There are candles and roses shaped into a big heart, whereby inside of it are one table and two chairs facing each other. Then, a band playing the instrumental version of my favorite songs. The set-up is perfect; the breeze of the night makes me feel the love. In spite the perfect moment, tears suddenly fall from my eyes, as if there is a race. I gradually bow my head. I don’t want him to see me crying. But he won’t let me bow my head and cry. He carefully grabs my hand which make me face him. Then he wipes my tears.

“Didn't you like it Love? Should we go out for a date instead?" He is about to go but I hugged him from behind.

"No! Of course not! I love it so very much! It's fine if we stay here! My heart is just flattered! I am so surprised!"

"My goal is to make the most special woman in my life happy." Hearing those words from him made me smile. A genuine smile which I haven't shown to anyone yet.

“Gosh! Let’s eat! We really are corny couple. This is your fault! You always make surprises!”

"You should be accustomed to it Love, because you will experience this as long as I am alive and kicking."

My boyfriend pulls one chair for me and I sit down. After assuring that I am alright, he sits on his seat. This is not new, but I still giggle. This man, has always been my gentleman…

After we ate my favorite dishes, he suddenly kneels down like a mighty prince and ask, “May I have this dance?"

I smiled as an answer. I think, I will shut my mouth the whole night and solely smile since my heart can’t accommodate the great deal of happiness, he’s giving to me.

The band from not so far from us, plays my favorite song when my favorite waves his hand.

Now playing: Wonderful Tonight

It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear

She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair

And then she asks me, Do I look all right?

And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight

We go to a party and everyone turns to see

This beautiful lady that's walking around with me

He wraps both his hands around my waist and I clasp my fingers around his nape. I feel awkward since it’s our first time to be this close, but I love this closeness between us. It feels like we are united, united by the authenticity of our love.

And then she asks me, do you feel all right?

And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight"

"You look wonderful tonight, Love."

I did not reply any words, but I lay my head on his chest. It feels good to hear my favorite song, but it’s the best feeling to hear the rhythm of his heartbeat. His heartbeat which seems to utter my name, only my name.

I feel wonderful because I see

The love light in your eyes

And the wonder of it all Is that you just don't realize how much

I love you It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head

So, I give her the car keys, and she helps me to bed

And then I tell her, as I turn out the light I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight”

Oh, my darling, you were wonderful tonight

We stop dancing when the band stops playing the song. I remove my hands around his nape. His hands that were wrapped around my waist is now on my face.

His eyes full of love are looking at mine intently. And he heartly says, "Happy First Monthsary Love! I love you so much!"

"I love you too!"

After uttering the language of love, we remain looking at each other’s eyes, as if we are the only people in the place.

Little by little, our faces are getting closer.

O my gosh!

Are we going to kiss? Really?

What to do? I don’t know! It’s my first time!

Should I close my eyes?

I close my right eye first, then when I see him still moving his face close to mine, I close my left eye too.

I am waiting for his lips.

Sadly, he pushes me; I fell on the ground and hit my head hard... Blood is running from my head yet I saw my boyfriend laughing hard, I cried and ended up dying...

“Ouch! It hurts!” I screamed when I fell from my bamboo bed onto the floor. I am pissed-off because of the bad dream I had. Gosh! Even if in my dreams, men are still cheater. I guess, my father is the only faithful man on earth.

But of course, I’m still waiting for the righteous man mandated for me. And if he comes, I don't need a perfect romantic relationship; a merely genuine love is enough. I always keep in mind that fairytales only exist in my imagination, which are being shown on television; hence, I always let the reality about love prevail.

I know, the right one will come, not now but soon…