The Engagement. 28.09.2018

It was a regular Friday.

Me in my jeans and shirt and James in his bermudas, shirts and slippers. When he said he got off from work early, I didn't suspect.

Dinner was fancier than the usual. It was at Botanico. But even then, no suspicions because this dinner was planned weeks ahead. We wanted to try their food because we were in love with their place.

That night, the place was filled with beautiful people. When I say beautiful,  I mean people who dressed up and took the effort to look nice on a Friday night. And us, of course we were underdressed. But I guess as a consolation we were beautiful too. Nasa kalooban nga lang :P

We were escorted to the table and was asked whether we wanted still or sparkling water. We chose still.  When it came, it was a big bottle of Evian (I told James it tasted like tubig na galing sa poso).  The menu said it was $8. For a bottle of water.

For appetizer, we had classic ceviche (in other words kilawin) and Cold pickled beef tongue with pickled celeriac, mustard caviar, chipotle mayonnaise and fried capers (in short, lengua).

Kilawin

Lengua

James' main was Truffle Conchiglie. It was amazing! (i wish i was too at describing flavours)  Mine was Peri peri chicken. I found it to be just ok but James was more appreciative and yes, he has more complex taste buds.

Fresh pasta cooked with caramelized onions, truffle paste and Parmesan, topped with sautéed wild mushrooms, slow-cooked egg yolk, and seasonal truffles.

Deboned half chicken, marinated with grilled peppers and citrus peels, served with grilled avocado and hazelnut polenta.

For dessert, we had lemon grass panna cotta.

Lemongrass-infused Panna Cotta served with ginger ice cream, Granny Smith apples, and lemon meringue.

Dinner was perfect. The food was superb. Outside, there were fairy lights and a live band was playing Jazzy Bossa Nova-ish kind of music. Perfect setting for a romantic engagement.

"Little did u know how your life would change after dinner." - James

But it did not happen there.

We were so full from dinner so we opted to have a long walk. We headed to the foliage garden. We sat on a bench, soaking in the tranquility of the place while looking at the stars. From there, we could still hear the music from the restaurant so it was all nice. (I shouldn't mention that I was getting bitten by mosquitoes because that would tarnish the picture-perfect setting but it's just so tempting to say so).

Then he said, something sticky fell on his neck. I offered my wet wipes but he refused and instead opened his bag to get his "bimpo" aka the box.

We stood up. Hugged. Then he said his back was aching so he bent down. I saw a red box. My eyes went big but I pretended not to see it because I didn't want to ruin his surprise. I didnt know that he intentionally wanted me to see the box. So he bent down again, and at that point, I couldn't stop myself from asking if it's a box.

He stood up laughing. And I BAWLED. For a looong time. It was unexpected. Me the stoic girlfriend crying and stomping my feet at the sight of a ring?  No way. I didn't dream of this. But it did happen. I was crying noisily and in the midst of it telling him that I hope no one is in the area otherwise they might call the police thinking that someone is having an emergency.

After a good 5-10 minutes, he asked me while laughing "are you ready?"

I nodded.

And just like in the movies, he bent down on one knee and said

"Im sorry I cant bend down very long so this is a short version.  Sweetheart, in the past one and a half years that we've been together, you've made me the happiest man alive. You gave me a reason to be happy, to look forward to the future. You gave me stability, and most importantly, because of you I know what it means to be truly and deeply in love. And I want to spend the rest of my life making you feel the same way. Lori Jane Masil Pasaraba, Will you marry me? ""

I said yes and cried again.

And in Ted Mosby voice "And that kids, is the story of how your father proposed to your mother."