THE BIG STEP

It was a regular Thursday at the office. Messengers running around, clerks typing letters and sales reps trying to seal deals over the telephone. Aside from an unannounced visit by the CEO to the 2nd floor, the day seemed ordinary for everyone else. I sat at my desk, deep in thought, and totally oblivious as to what was going on around me. I was about to make an important decision that will have future implications on his life. I was going to propose to the love of my life that very evening. Everything was ready but there was still the fear that she might say no. The fear that I will chicken out and postpone the proposal which he had done on several occasions. I needed to psych myself up. I whispered, “I can do this”. My colleague looked at him wanting to say something because he say me behave strangely. The day was still young though and anything can happen.

It had been two years of dating between himself and Theorose. She was beautiful. To me, she is the most beautiful in the world. Eyes that can keep him mesmerized for days. Skin so soft, you can help yourself but to touch. Since the day he says her in Church, I knew she was the one and the past few years have confirmed all that he knew all along. She was kind, honest, and fun to be around. What more did he want? I kept looking at the time on his phone counting down the minutes. My girlfriend had no idea what was about to hit her on this unassuming night out.

Alas, it was time and he couldn’t have asked for a better setting. The moon was out in its splendor. The stars sparkling in the night sky as though I had bribed them to do so. The lack of clouds in the sky allowed us to experience the full splendor of the moonlit atmosphere.

I picked her up from her office at around 5 pm. She still looked like an angel. It was as though she was immune to the hustle and bustle of a workday. It was as though she had just gotten to work. Her hair swayed in the evening breeze. Her smile could cause the dead to rise again and the way her words rolled off her tongue made me nearly forget what I was there to do. I had to quickly awaken from my love trance and soldier on in my mission. “Operation Ask Her To Be Yours” must go on he told himself. He had to try his best to make this look like a normal night out and then spring into action. He had to shield any surprise he has until the time was perfect.

I drove her to a seaside resort where we normally go and when we go there it seems that the gods were smiling upon us that evening. To our surprise, the pace was calm and a bit quiet as compared to the normal energetic atmosphere that usually greeted us on regular days. The table we usually sit at whenever we go there was also available. We settled down and had dinner over candlelight facing the ocean. I had already told the DJ to play her favorite song whiles we ate. She heard it and smiled but still didn’t figure out what was going on. I had hired a photographer also but made it seem as if he was the resident photographer of the place and he wanted to take a few shots of us if we were interested. I waited for her to answer because saying yes would have been strange since she knew I was not a fan of photographs as strange as that seems. After dinner, we decided to go for a walk on the rocks. We held each other close and danced as the music played in the background. Everything was moving according to plan and it was beautiful. The waves beating the rocks and she holding me tight every time the waters splashed on her.

We got to the edge of the rocks and began to stare at the vast ocean. I waited till she transfixed and mesmerized at what she saw made her pay very little attention to me. I on the other hand made sure the photographer was in place and that her song was playing. Then I made my move. I slipped behind her, took out the ring, and knelt down. It took her a little while though to realize I was not standing by her and then she turned around. She became speechless. I stared at her for a second and finally decided to say these words “There is someone for everyone and I have no thought that you are the one for me. I can’t understand the way I feel when I am with you but all I know is that it is love. Without you in my life, it would make no sense. The first day I saw you was like the beginning of my life and I know that with you by my side, I can face the world. Please allow me to make you my wife and I will do everything in my power to make you the happiest person in the world” She still couldn’t say anything but I was not worried because I could see a huge smile on her face and tears flowing from her eyes. I knew I had hit the spot. I knew I was on the right track. Then she finally spoke. She said YES. She repeated it so much that I was overjoyed myself. I put the ring on her finger and got up hugged her tightly and we shared a kiss on the rocks as the music played and the photographer clicked away. We danced on the rocks as she rested her head on my chest. I felt like a superhero. I had made the most beautiful girl in the world mine. I had finally done it. We returned to our seats she still silent since the dance. I looked at her, smiled, and said: “I love you”. She looked at me and finally uttered the five words I will always remember from that night “Thank you for choosing me”. I responded also by saying “Thank you for saying Yes”