CHAPTER 20 - Lunna Rivera
***One year later - Graduation - Part2***
“This is one of the most anticipated moments for us. It's the moment when we accomplish one of the most significant milestones in our lives. And if we look back and reflect on everything we've gone through to get here, today, right now. We'll realize that every effort was worth it. Every battle won, and every stumble in life because today we are here, standing strong to face more obstacles and mature even further. In those challenging times, remember that we are not alone, and we have never been. There will always be a special person by your side. A father with a stubborn heart and a mother with an even softer heart… yet authoritative. There are those who have siblings, which is not my situation, but I have three wonderful people that life has given me, and with them, hand in hand, we have overcome every obstacle to reach this point. And no matter where life takes us, we will still be holding hands to face the next challenges and achieve another victory. So, we will conquer one more, and one more… the important thing is to never give up.”
We rise and applaud. Tears are streaming down my face, I resemble the sentimental friend. Then we sit down and are called to receive our diplomas. Afterward, we head outside the hall, where we throw confetti and toss our caps in the air. Finally, after the photo sessions and removing our gowns, we head to the reception, where our party will take place.
•••••••∞•••••••
I am dancing with the girls on the dance floor when suddenly the music stops and everyone starts to create a corridor leading towards us. It seems as if it was rehearsed. The girls step aside and a dim light shines upon me. I look ahead, and another light turns on. I saw Romolo in front of the stage where the band was playing. He stands there, smiling, and I don't understand anything! Out of nowhere, they hand him a microphone, and he begins to speak:
“Hi! My love, I asked for just a little space to declare my love for you! I don't know what I would be today without you, nor without our moments,” he says and starts walking towards me. With each step he takes, my heart starts racing.
“I simply want to say that I love you and I thank the heavens for putting you in my life. You are an incredible person, and everyone who knows you is enchanted by the person you are. I had the great chance, one in a million, to have you all to myself. I had something magnificent and rare, an extraordinary opportunity to be accepted by your heart. And now…” he approaches, kneeling in front of me.
At that moment, it seems like there is only the two of us, and the lights turn on. I can see his eyes filled with unshed tears.
“Today, I want to seize this day that will be forever etched in our lives, to ask you if you'll accept to become a permanent part of my life from now on. I love you, and I don't even need to think twice to ask you to dream my dreams with me, to grow together, to share life's ups and downs together. I love you, Lunna Rivera, like I've never loved anyone before!”
Tears well up in my eyes, and it feels like my heart is about to burst open because the love I feel for him is too overwhelming to contain.
“So, my love, will you marry me?” he says, pulling a small box out of his suit pocket. He opens it, revealing our two-ring set and a ring with a stone on top.
“Yes, I accept!” I say, and he puts the ring on my finger. He stands up, and I take the ring and put it on his finger. He cups my face in his hands and kisses me, stopping when we realize the applause and cheers around us. We smile at everyone around us, and his friends come to hug him while the girls embrace me, all at once.
“Let me see, let me see!” Kéke says, and I show her the ring on my hand.
“Wow! It's an 18k gold ring with a 15-point solitaire diamond,” she says, and we look at her, almost automatically. “Oh, what's up? Did you forget that my dad owns an Egyptian jewelry company? I know a thing or two about jewelry, my love,” she says, tossing her black hair and charming us. We smile, and Romolo approaches me.
“Girls, if you'll excuse us, I'm going to steal my bride for a dance,” he says, extending his hand to me. I take it, and I hear Kim say,
“She's all yours!” I smile, and we walk to the center of the ballroom as a slow song begins to play. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he holds my waist as we start dancing close to each other.
“I wish my mother and grandmother were here, I wanted them to be a part of this moment,” I say, holding on to him.
“I know, but when we leave here, we'll call them, and I know they'll be happy for us,” he says, smiling at me and giving me a peck. When we started dating, we went to Nicaragua, and my mom and grandma fell in love with him. They said they approved of our relationship, and that my dad would approve too if he were alive. It was a blast; he even won over Mrs. Salinas' heart.
“I love it when you speak Spanish, you know that!” he says, smiling.
“I know, you already said that. Te amo Romolo… desde ya para siempre!” I say, and he smiles. I rest my head on his chest and savor our moment to the fullest.
While we rest together, I hear the gentle rhythm of Romolo's heart beating in harmony with mine. The warmth of his embrace surrounds me, providing a sense of peace and security. Our gazes meet, transmitting a profound connection that transcends words. It's as if time slows down around us, allowing this moment to stretch infinitely. In this instant, I knew we had found something special, something that will unite us forever. With a smile on my lips, I close my eyes and surrender completely to this love story that is just beginning.