I can't remember when the idea of marrying each other no longer became an awkward topic.
I guess one year into the relationship we new that that was something forseeable, but it was never really discussed seriously. But I guess it became something that was actually probable when we survived the 1st year of LDR (long distance relationship). He got a scholarship to study in the US for his undergraduate. We were two years into our relationship when he left for his first year.
Us eventually getting married was expected by our families, especially mine because he would be in every family gathering, buka puasa, raya open house, wedding, funeral, birthdays and everything else. So he has been part of my family for a while now. My home is like his second home. Sometimes we would hang out at his place, and he would bring me to his grandma's for kenduri, buka puasa and the likes. I would be there everytime he flies back to US and later UK (for when he did his masters). So, yeah still being together after 5 years of LDR, both families had anticipated for us to get married.
We've always thought that 2011 would be the year that we would be ready financially to be married. So, eventhough the fact that getting married is something that is definite, I've always hinted for a proposal, because, being a "wedding fan", I loved the idea of a proposal. I didn't expect anything elaborate or extravagant, but it would be nice to have him actually asking me to marry him :). .
As I have mentioned in my previous entry (The Merisik) earlier this year his mum suddenly told him that they would be coming to our house for Merisik in April and it was then decided that our engagement would be on the 31st of July. Since his parents had already came for the Merisik and we even had the date for the engagement, a proposal would have been anti-climax.
One day, he called me and said that his friend's dad wanted to take him and Adri (my BIL, who is also Aliff's BFF - ahah) to dinner for the success of closing a deal that he and Adri had helped with. He said that partners were also invited and that my sister said she'll be coming. The dinner was on Friday, 23.7.10. He told me it was going to be at a fancy restaurant in KL so I have to dress formally. Since it was a working day, me and my sister discussed and agreed that we would be wearing our work clothes since we didn't actually know how "fancy" the restaurant would be. We didn't want to be over-dressed or under-dressed, so even if the place is really fancy or otherwise, we would get away with wearing working attire.
Turns out, I took leave that day for some reason that I can't remember. So since I'll be leaving from home (in Subang) and my sister's office is in Puchong, I called her and told her I wanted to car-pool with her and that she pick me up. She told me she was already in KL cause she had a seminar in Renaissance.
So, I had to drive to KL alone. (wearing working attire - eventhough I was on leave, due to the reasons mentioned above) Aliff told me the restaurant was somewhere near Shangri La so he told me to park at the hotel. When I reached Shangri La, I called my sister, Adri and Aliff like 100x and no one picked up. I was still in my car parked in Shangri La cause I didn't know where to go. I was damn pissed off.
I was ready to yell at all three once I get the chance to. Then Aliff called and said everyone was already in Shangri La waiting for me at the lobby. When I asked him why everybody didn't answer the phone he said probably because I was in the basement and that they tried calling me but couldn't get through as well. Sounds plausible, so I didn't suspect a thing and met him at the lobby.
When I reached the lobby he said everyone had proceeded to the restaurant, La Fite. He kept on telling me that this restaurant was the most expensive in KL and that he was surprised his friend's dad had brought them there (this, I later realised, was so that I would know how much he is going to have to cough up for the bill. ok.). I still didn't suspect a thing, I was only worried whether the ensemble that I wore was formal enough. (I was wearing grey pants and a black shirt which had a tied bow at the collar). At the restaurant's reception Aliff told the waitress that we were meeting people who are already seated. The waitress played along and brought us in. I still had no clue. Then she brought us to an empty table, filled with candles and a heart shaped-rose petals scattered at the side of the table. I turned to Aliff and he smiled. :) awwwww.
I was so shocked. Kakmira, Adri and Aliff were so convincing. And I didn't know Aliff had it in him to arrange a surprise for me. He had never surpised me with anything. I couldn't stop smiling because, I knew what that surprise dinner was about. hihihi. It was one week before the Bertunang, which is the traditional engagement and there was really no other special occasions to be celebrated at that time of the year. But i just kept quiet. heeee.
The evening started with the bread, which was sooo soft and sweet. And the mushroom soup was absolutely delish!
Followed by the appetizer lobster which was mouth-watering.
Then the main dish, I had the Brittany turbot served with three colour potatoes, wedges of black olives, tarragon tomato and a frothy saffron sauce - which was exquisite as it was the signature dish of the chef and the most expensive dish in the menu :0
Since Aliff had ordered for me the most expensive dish, he had the duck, which I think he said was the cheapest? hahahha kesian. But it was lovely nonetheless.
Everything was pre-ordered by Aliff. Such a gentleman.
After we finished our meal, the chef came out with a glass filled with smoke. I knew what it was and just smiled. The chef said that normally he would open the lid of the glass to serve the "dessert" but he said for this particular "dessert" it was only appropriate for me to open it myself. When i lifted the lid, and the smoke faded away, there was the ring (which we bought together months ago, after the Merisik), in the middle of a thin thread.
I looked at Aliff and asked him, with a smirk on my face:
"What is this?" and smiled.
"This is the proposal" he said.
