// Later that day - Sydney, Australia //
I opened my eyes again, and it’s clearer now that Anthony was, indeed, right in front of me, kneeling, as the diamond ring glittered gloriously with the chandeliers overhead.
For a moment, I thought the world had gone to a pause, and the blurry image of Ellen and Junior behind Anthony, watching us, was merely a vivid dream.
I shook my head and reassessed the surrounding. Sure enough, we are in this nearby diner from Anthony’s flat. The ring was an elysian gem and antique… which I’d learned later on it belonged to Ellen and was passed on for three generations.
And here… as I stood still, deprived of air, with a perplexed mind and pondering heart, I was ready to say, “Yes.”
In a blink, a sharp, unwanted fear blossomed from my chest. It wasn’t the first time a guy proposed to me. Suddenly, my spine went cold, and I got scared I might fall in the same fate. But it's now or never. I squeezed my eyes again, and was hurled to a place of what could possibly be my future with Anthony. From afar, I could see him with Junior waving at me, in a sweet Saturday sunrise, and a lakehouse in the background.
I opened my eyes now and it was only Anthony I could see this time, still on his knees, his face filled with copious fervor.
“Yes,” I spoke with all the purest love. My thoughts and emotions rushing as my tears. And the people around burst with high spirits, including the waiters who were commissioned by Anthony and Ellen. I realized now why the two were away the whole day today. They’ve been preparing for this moment all along.
And as Anthony slid the magical ring through my finger, I felt a different kind of joy. My life is about to change now. At last, a family.
To my astonishment, a group of what seemed to be Anthony’s acquaintances, emerged one by one from the other tables and went on to congratulate us. It seemed they’ve been standing by, waiting for the perfect time to join in.
Finally, I got to meet more important people in Anthony’s life. Conor and Stephen, I learned, were his friends from childhood. And Alexis—who is now a self-proclaimed transgender. Anthony joked they arrived here all the way from Melbourne, leaving their jobs and wives roaring at home. I could tell they resembled Anthony's cheerfulness as they laughed in between chats.
The rest of the night was breathtaking and carefree. Everyone in high spirits. All I know for sure was I was the happiest among them. And grateful that Anthony, the love of my life, is here to stay, and he is mine.
***
// At midnight - Sydney, Australia //
That midnight, I received a call from Yvonne. Right after Anthony popped the question, I sent my sister an email that I am now engaged, that I was sorry it happened fast, without her and Mom in the scene.
Despite their disapproval of our relationship, I haven’t hesitated to tell them. And somewhere in my deepest thoughts, I couldn’t deny the yearning they’d be accepting toward it. If not today, maybe someday.
Carefully, I lifted Anthony’s arm around my belly and left the bed tip-toeing. It’s just the two of us now in his flat, after everyone has gone back to Melbourne.
"I can’t believe my little sister is now booked!" I could hear the rasps of Yvonne’s crying. I wasn’t sure if it was tears of joy or plain disappointment.
Before I left for Australia, Yvonne made it specifically clear she’ll never forgive me making stupid decisions like this.
“Are you crying…?” It’s foolish that I asked. And Yvonne could only give a restrained whisper.
“Of course, I am crying. My sister is getting married. It’s sanely natural to cry.”
For a moment, Yvonne and I shared an awkward silence over the phone. I sensed she was rather happy, but I also felt she was worried, too.
“And mom…?” I wanted to ask how Mom received the news. Yvonne was wordless, at first. All I could hear was a harsh, heavy sigh.
“About her…” Yvonne initially spoke. “She’s on the line. She wants to speak with you.”
I closed my eyes tight as I waited for Mom’s voice, and I hurried to the bath room so Anthony, who was then snoring of exhaustion, wouldn’t hear any impending argument.
“Natalie…” It was the longest and heftiest ten-second silence in my life and then…
“Please get the earliest flight to Manila first thing in the morning. We need to talk, in person.”
“Mom…” My voice sounded low and sad, disheartened by the fact that not everyone is happy about my engagement. No matter what, she is still my mother, despite all her reasons and our differences.
As I stood still, wishing the phone won’t slide my ear because I was too drained from all the pressure and worry, I prayed for adequate strength to ask Mom to understand.
“Mom…” I spoke, after a long wait. “I am marrying the man I love. Can you just be happy for me, please?” I passed through fires and oceans to be honest with her. My voice quivering in a concoction of anger, disappointment, and plea.
“Come home, Natalie! This infatuation needs to stop. Don’t make me send the private jet.” Mom concluded, and then the phone was out.

I moaned the second I dropped the phone, clutching at the door frame for balance. I gave my hardest to hide my tears away from Anthony. I didn’t want him to see me crying, didn’t want him to think it was all his fault. All the while, there was this anguish yelling for the reality that I am caught between my mother and my beloved. And there is nothing more painful than to choose between them. I was ripped apart.