the PROPOSAL part 3

“Oh...Hi. No. We were just talking about your boutique”, I said. “Have a seat”.

“I see. So, did I miss anything?” said Tania while making her way to sit next to Abbey.

“No. How can we start without you? Ok ladies, this is Ms Tania”.

“Hi, girls. Nice to meet all of you”.

All the girls were looking at Tania like wow. It was like they could not believe their own eyes. I can see some of the girls also whispering towards each other.

Tania then explained to all of the girls about what she wants to do and what she want them to do. I didn’t know whether the girls were paying attention to what she said although they were looking at her because some of them didn’t even blinked their eyes.

I then took over from Tania and showed them the slides. I showed the girl’s picture first before I showed which collection that they will wear.

“To all of you girls, please stand when your picture comes out so that Tania can look at you”, I said.

I walked towards the switch and turned off the room’s lights. Even though I switched the lights off, Tania still shined among the rest of the girls or maybe it was just my feeling.

I started the presentation and Tania was very active throughout the process. She kept giving comments and suggestions. I can see that she was a very straight forward person. She will say what she wants to say. She’s not the kind of person that will say “you’re doing well” when you’re actually sucks.

We’re done with the presentation half an hour later and I really enjoyed Tania’s company for that day. And I’m pretty sure that all the girls felt the same.

“I need to go now. I got some works to do at the boutique”, Tania said to me.

“Alright. Thanks for coming. We really appreciate it”.

“It’s okay. My pleasure. Just inform me if there are any changes”, she said while making her way towards the door. “Bye, girls”.

“OMG!! She is absolutely pretty!!” said Abbey. “I felt really ugly sitting next to her just now”.

“Yeah. I agree with you”, replied Natasha Dawn, another mixed blood model that I met during our company annual dinner last two years. “She should be a model”.

“Okay girls. I hope all of you understand what Ms Tania said just now. So, I will ask Ms Tania to send all the collections to us in the next few days and if everything’s going our way, we will start photo shootings by next week. All clear?” I said to all the girls.

“We got it Mr Paul”.

“Good. I will inform all of you girls if there’s any change in the plan”, I said. “So, we’re done. Take care and have a nice day”.

I spent the rest of the day looked at my photos collection and edited it. As I was editing the pictures, my eyes laid on the “Korea” folder. I clicked on the folder and all the pictures that I took with the models in Korea came out. We went to Korea last year during spring time to get the best picture for Italian Vogue magazine.

It’s already been a month since Kim left for KL and I still haven’t heard any news from her. All I know was she will continue her study at Taylor’s University for 2 and a half years.

I always wanted to send text messages to her but I was afraid. I don’t know why. Her dad did asked me to message her to show that I still care about her but it seems like I don’t have the guts to do it.

Meanwhile, my relationship with Tania was great. We became close friends. We always hung out together. We did more business partnership.

“dude, wanna join us tonite?”

It was a text message from Jasmin.

“whr at? Shermen n Caitlyn also?”

“yeah, yaniz café”

“great, I’ll b thr”

I decided to bring Tania also. She can get to know my friends and my friends can get to know her. I decided to bring her because Caitlyn and Jasmin are currently taking degree in fashion designer. So, I thought it would be a great opportunity for them to gain more knowledge from Tania.

I called Tania and asked whether she wants to follow or not.

“Sure, it’s Saturday and I don’t have things planned for tonight”, she said.

“Alright, cool. So, I’ll pick you up around 7pm”.

I drove straight back to home after working hours. We only work half day on Saturday. I gave Jake his food as soon as I got home.

“I’m going out tonight. You will be home alone again”.

“Miaw~”

“Do you think Ms Tania next door is pretty?”

“Miaw~”

“I know you will say yes. Do you think me and her will make a great couple?”

Jake didn’t answer. In fact, he looked at me for a while and then continues to eat his food.

“Okay, okay. I got it. No need to look at me that way”.

It was 6.46pm and I am all ready to go out.

“Take care of yourself”, I said to Jake before making my way out and locked the door.

I went to Tania’s front door and knocked it for couple of times.

“Hey”, said Tania.

“Hey, where’s your dad?” I asked.

“Oh, he’s taking his bath”.

“He won’t be looking for you later?”

“Nah, I’ve already told him I want to go out with you”.

We arrived at my car and I opened the passenger door for her.

“Oh...Thanks”.

I went to my seat and drove my tricked-out BMW X5 out from the basement.

“Paul, how old are you?’’ asked Tania.

I looked at Tania and asked why.

“Nothing. I was just wondering. I mean you have a good carrier and you’re a good man. Why ain’t you married yet?”

I was totally speechless when she asked me that question.

“Or do you already have someone in your heart and just waiting to get married?” she added.

“Erm…actually, yes. There’s someone in my heart and I’m waiting for her. But she’s way too hot for me. I mean I don’t think she wants to be with a guy like me”, I said to her.

“Oh…I see. Do you mind to tell me who? Maybe it’s someone that I know”.

“Yeah, you know her really well”.

“Who?”

“The girl that’s talking to me right now”, I said while looking at her.

She looked at me and I can see she was blushing.

“Are you hitting on me?” she smiled.

“Well, depends. Is it working?”

“Not even a chance”.

Both of us laughed and few minutes later, we arrived at Yaniz Café.

We walked towards Shermen them and all eyes were on us. We arrived at their table and apparently, Shermen’s eyes were also on us. Well, on Tania particularly.

He was looking at Tania from the head to toe.

“Guys, this is Tania. She owns the Aruna Boutique”, I said to them. “And Tania, this is Caitlyn, Jasmin, and Shermen”.

Shermen quickly got up from his seat to shake Tania’s hand before pulled the chair for Tania.

“Nice to meet you, Tania”.

Jasmin, Caitlyn, and I were smiling towards each other looking at Shermen so-called “gentleman” act.

Shermen then got up and ordered drinks for all of us. He was the one who’s buying that night. This is what I like about Shermen, he will do anything just to get girls’ attention and we ae actually benefited from that.

“Can I see your camera?” asked Jasmin.

“Sure”, I said to her while handing her my camera.

Some people can’t go out from home without their phones, mp3 players, or whatever. But for me, I can’t go out from my crib without my camera. I mean we never know when something extraordinary will happen in front of us. So, at least we can capture the moment.

Just like what happened three years ago on February the 14th. I was on a commercial plane with few models. We were on our way to Russia. We were half an hour to go to reach Moscow Airport and suddenly one European guy make his way to the front and asked his girlfriend to came up.

His girlfriend came to the front and suddenly he knelt down in front of her.

“Would you marry me?” he said to her while trying to open the small red box that he was holding.

Her girlfriend was crying and everybody was like waiting anxiously for her answer. So did us. I wasted no time to take out my camera and try to capture every single moment of it.

Her girlfriend could not speak. Maybe she was speechless and was so touched by what had just happened but everybody understood body language. She nodded her head and all the passengers in

the plane clapped their hands including us.

As soon as we hit the ground, I quickly uploaded all those pictures and send it to my friend who was working as an editor for a well-known newspaper company.

And guess what, the pictures were all over the front page the next morning with the title “30,000 Feet Above The Ground Proposal”. I was so happy and the best part was I got some royalties too. $850 for each picture and there were like 20 pictures in the news. So, you do the math.

“So, how’s your guys study?” I asked Jasmin.

“Hm…it’s good. Just busy with the assignments”, said Jasmin while looking at the pictures from my camera.

“We also got this one assignment titled “The Revolution of Fashions” coming up by next month and I heard from the seniors that it’s tough”, added Caitlyn.

“I see, but that’s what you got to deal with when you’re a degree student”, I said to them.

“Yeah, that’s exactly why Paul and I decided not to continue our degree the last time out”, said

Shermen while giving me a high-five. “Here are the drinks, guys”.

“And this one is for you”, said Shermen to Tania.

“Oh…You are so sweet”, said Tania.

Jasmin, Caitlyn, and I were like, what, did you just say he is sweet. We looked at each other and I looked at Shermen.

“Don’t hate me ‘cus you ain’t me”, said Shermen.

“Haha...You wish”.

We really enjoyed ourselves that night. Caitlyn and Jasmin asked Tania a lot of questions about fashions. Shermen and I were busy with our own man talking.

“Oh, yeah. Before I forgot, I will leave for Switzerland this coming Friday”, said Shermen.

“What?!!” the three of us excluding Tania said it at the same time.

We were really surprised when he said that.

“You’re kidding, right?” I asked.

“I know I had a couple shots of Vodka but I’m still awake man”, said Shermen.

“But, why?” asked Caitlyn.

“My boss called me into his office this morning and he thinks that I should work there. He said I will learn a lot more if I work there. He said I got a lot of potentials to be a good architect”.

“So, you agreed?” asked Jasmin.

“Yeah, I mean this is once in a life opportunity. They will pay for my flights and expenses. I could not have a better opportunity than this. You guys understand, right?”

“Yeah, but it happens so sudden”.

“I know, but that’s the reason I called you guys up. I wanted to share this good news with all of you”.

“I know. I’m happy for you”.

“Yeah, we too”, said Jasmin and Caitlyn.

“Congratulations”, said Tania.

“Thanks, guys”.

“So, what time will you go this Saturday?” I asked.

“My flight will be at 7pm”, said Shermen. “I will go to KL first and I will go to Switzerland On Monday”.

“I see”, I said. “So, how long will you be at there?”

“They will access my performances for the next 6 months and if they’re satisfied with what am I doing, they will offer me a permanent job”.

“That’s great. We’re happy for you”, said Caitlyn.

Shermen then started to dream about Switzerland. He started to talk about the environment, the

foods, and of course the ladies.

We all decided to go back three hours later. All of us wished Shermen the best of lucks and I got to admit it was pretty funny when Shermen tried to hold back his tears. I mean he had always been the cool guy, well, that’s what he said.

Tania and I cruised along the night street accompanied by Rain’s “In My Bed” from the player.

naega nuweottteon chimdae-e nuweo...

naege jueeottteon nunbicheul jumyeo…

sarangeul nanweo dareun saramgwa eotteoke beolsseo ireoke nal ijeo…

mideojijiga anha jeongmal nal saranghagineun han geon maja…

naneun ajiktto dareun sarangeun saenggakjjochado haji mothaneunde…

Tania’s phone then suddenly rang. She looked for her phone in her handbag. Her phone was at the bottom of the bag so, she had to take out some of her stuff in order to reach the phone. Among all the stuff, there was one single thing that caught my eyes. The white handkerchief.

I took the handkerchief from her and Tania was a little surprised.

“Is this yours?” I asked her.

“Yeah, why?”

“Where did you found it?”

“What you mean? It’s mine. It’s always in my bag. I bring it everywhere I go”, explained Tania.

“Are you sure you never lost it?”

“Yes, I’m very sure”, said Tania. “What’s wrong?”

“Erm…nothing. It’s just beautiful”.

I handed back the handkerchief to Tania. I was surprised and at the same time confused. On that

night, if the handkerchief was not hers, why was it on the ground, and why it was there right after she bumped into me? Coincidence?

I sent Tania until her front door.

“Good night. I really enjoyed the night”, said Tania.

“Nite”.

As I was approaching my front door, her dad came out and called me from next door.

“Yes, uncle? Anything?” I asked.

“I just want to know. What exactly you and Tania?”

“Err…I’m sorry but I don’t understand”.

“Are you in love with my daughter?”

What should I answer? I can feel my heart beats faster and stronger than usual. Is it because I really

in love with her or is it because her dad asked me this question? Should I just answer yes and let her dad know or should I answer no and kept it to myself?

“No, uncle. We are just best friend”, I said.

I can see that her dad was a little bit disappointed when I said no.

“I thought you guys were in love”.

“But, why?” I asked.

“Since her mother passed away, Tania totally changed. She’s no longer the same Tania I knew before. She spent less time with her friends, she seldom talks to me anymore, she spent most of her time in her room doing all the designs”, said her dad.

“But, I can see her changes since she met you. She started to smile like she used to. She became happier and she always tells me about what happened at the boutique. She also told me a lot about you”, he added.

I was shocked to know the story. I mean I never know Tania was hiding all these sad stories of her behind her smiles every single day.

I went into my room and reflected back what her dad said to me.