23

"You're taking her to Rarotonga?!" Sen exclaimed.

"yeah." Adrian replied nochalantly. Sen took a gulp of scotch. He knew what Rarotonga meant to the girls Adrian dated. Usually, when Adrian took a girl to the island paradise, it meant that he was breaking up with her.

"You're breaking up with her?" Sen asked, confirming his suspicion.

"Ano ka ba. I'm taking her to Raro to marry her." He laughed.

"Wow! Talagang matindi ano?" Sen said. Adrian nodded. He then brought out a small box in his pocket. He opened it. Inside, Sen saw two rings made of white gold.

"ganda." He said.

"There's only one problem." Adrian said as he took a shot of tequila.

"Miguel?" Sen asked. "We always thought that iba yung tingin niya kay Laarni."

"Honestly, hindi ko rin sure kung may nararamdaman si Laarni. Tuwing may tinatanong ako about Miguel, she changes the topic." Adrian commented. There was a glimmer of despair in his eyes.

"Well, she's with you. Unahan mo na lang si Miguel. Kung doon na rin kayo sa Cook Islands magpakasal. That way, pagbalik niyo, wala nang magagawa si Miguel." Sen suggested. Adrian paused to think about his friend's suggestion. It sounded plausible, but he was still not that convinced. "Pero trust me, she likes you. Otherwise hindi ka niya sasagutin. She's yours."

"I wish, Sen. I wish."