Tonight, was the night.
"Please step this way," The staff led us into our black gondola, one of the many hanging on the mighty Central Ferris Wheel. The enormous space had a rather large white leather studded couch without a back placed near the opposite end, and all the four sides of the gondola were glass panes that curved outwards in the middle.
"Your champagne," The staff positioned a black box that read "Dom Pérignon" and opened the top, proceeding to pour the bubbly into two tulip flutes.
"Wow," I admired the gondola's elegant interior. "I didn't know a VIP ticket meant this,"
"What do you mean 'this'?" Brad turned towards me, handing me the filled glass.
"I thought we were just going to get a normal private cabin, not a fancy-schmancy cabin with champagne and a private butler!"
The staff turned to me and spoke nervously. "I'm only here to serve the champagne, sir."
"Oh," I awkwardly smiled and looked towards Brad, who was chuckling.
The staff later left the gondola, and the glass doors were closed. With a slight rattle, the Ferris Wheel began to rotate.
I looked out, still seeing the queue of people waiting to get on the wheel, and further away, busy night streets and cars.
The iconic Central Ferris Wheel was built at the center of Ophrus, hence its name. As the Ferris Wheel turned, I could see our gondola floating higher and higher above the land as people turned into ants and cars into dots.
"How are you feeling, buddy?" Brad sat close to me, putting down his champagne on a nearby table.
"This," I gestured with my hands. "This is all so impressive. You're impressive."
"I'm glad you liked it,"
I kissed him gently, feeling the flight of the gondola as we continued to fly into the night sky.
-----
"I can't believe this all started one morning," I spoke, reminiscing.
"When we met each other in that train station." He finished my sentence.
"And the thing with the hookup app."
"That was hysterical."
"And our first night."
"I still jerk off thinking about it."
"And that time at the cinema and the restaurant."
"Yup, that was fun."
"And when I took you to that baking class."
"The lemon meringue pie we made was simply scrumptious."
"And that time at the gay club."
"We bought all those harnesses and gear."
"And now, this."
I looked at him again, nostalgic about the past few weeks but excited about the future.
Brad held my hands.
"I'd love to make more memories with you." His eyes glistened.
"Likewise." I answered.
"You also need to visit Tokyo sometime with me," Brad mentioned. "I want you to meet my parents in the future."
"Of course,"
It was then our gondola reached the highest point of the Ferris Wheel, where we sat above the entire city hundreds of stories up in the air, viewing the entire nightscape of lights and flickers.
Brad exhaled after a moment.
"Ped,"
"Yes?"
"We've already been dating for three weeks now, and I want to make things official."
"Huh?"
"You are the most adorable, fun, compassionate, considerate, and attractive guy I've never met. I don't care that you're a student or that I'm a teacher or what people would even think about our relationship. I love you Ped, with all of my heart and every ounce of my blood and every inch of my being. I know it sounds cheesy, but I mean it."
I was flustered after his speech.
"Will you be my boyfriend?" Brad asked.
I smiled.
I had been meaning to ask him the same thing, but I hadn't mustered enough courage to do so.
I gave his hand a squeeze.
"Yes."
Brad returned my smile, and we sat silently within each other's presence.
He finally asked, I thought. I felt so joyful, so cheery, like I could just start dancing cause Brad just asked me out, and he chose to do so in a Central Ferris Wheel ride! My English professor, being the caring, intelligent and sexy guy that he is, asked me out! I couldn't help grinning, thinking of us as boyfriends, doing boyfriend things whatever those were and living together as a couple. We might even get married if our relationship continued to strive and then we would adopt two kids and name them… Hmm, what should we name our kids?
We could see the magnificent skyline, as we sat in the Ferris Wheel overlooking the entire night city. The vast landscape sparkled in colors, with modern skyscrapers dragging the dark wisps of clouds in the sky, while the bright roads and streets connected below like a network of wires.
I suddenly had a feeling of déjà vu as I watched the city beneath my feet. It felt like when I lay by myself next to my room window, but instead I'm not alone. I turned to Brad, who was watching me.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked.
"Thinking about…" I hesitated. "what to name our kids."
Brad quickly chuckled and hugged me. "You're so cute."
We embraced each other and watched as the metropolis of Ophrus continued its hustle and bustle, a common visage but this time seen with a pair of new eyes.
"I love you, Brad."
"I love you too, Ped."