Jiko's heart swells at her words. The image of waking up next to Julie, raising a family, growing old together—it feels more real than ever. He realizes he can't imagine a future without her. Not now, not ever. And with that thought, a warmth spreads through him, filling the space inside his chest.
That night, Jiko finds himself unable to focus. The idea of their future keeps bubbling in his mind, growing clearer and stronger. The exams, the results—they seem like just another step in this journey they're walking together. But what comes next? What happens after the tests? That's where his mind keeps circling.
A couple months later, the results from their Board Exams arrive, and both of them excel beyond what they had dreamed. They've done it—together. The hard work has paid off, and now they stand at the brink of new beginnings. It feels surreal.
That evening, after a long, victorious day, Jiko takes Julie to a quiet, tucked-away spot they often visit, a small park overlooking the city, where the lights below twinkle like a sea of stars. It's peaceful here, and Jiko knows it's the perfect place.
He fumbles a little in his bag, heart pounding with anticipation. His hands shake slightly as he pulls out a small, simple box. Julie tilts her head, curious, as she notices his sudden nervousness.
"It's not much," Jiko says, his voice low but steady. "But... it's a promise. A promise that I'll always choose you."
Julie's eyes widen, and her mouth parts in surprise. She leans in slightly as he opens the box to reveal a delicate silver ring, one with a small diamond at the center, simple yet elegant. The city lights reflect in the tiny gemstone, casting a soft glow across her face.
Her breath catches as she stares at the ring. "Jiko... I—"
"Please, just... listen." Jiko interrupts gently, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what the future holds. I don't know where we'll be in ten years or twenty years, but I do know one thing. No matter what happens, no matter where life takes us... I'll always choose you. You're the person I want to face every tomorrow with."
Tears well up in Julie's eyes, and she reaches out slowly, her fingers trembling slightly as she takes the ring from the box. "It's perfect," she whispers, her voice filled with gratitude and love.
She looks up at Jiko, her expression soft and overwhelmed, and he watches as she slips the ring onto her finger, its simple beauty shimmering against the glow of the city lights. It fits perfectly—like it was meant to be there all along.
"I love you, Jiko," Julie says softly, her voice steady but emotional. "More than anything."
"I love you too, Julie," Jiko replies, his heart overflowing. "Forever."
They sit there for a long moment, the city around them fading away into the background. The world feels different—everything feels more clear, more certain. The path ahead might be uncertain, but together, they'll face it.
Jiko takes Julie's hand in his, their fingers entwined, and in that simple gesture, they make their silent vow: that no matter what the future holds, they will face it together, side by side.
For the first time, it feels real—the promise of a life built together, one day at a time.
And as the city below continues to glow, their love burns brighter than ever.
Two years had passed since Jiko and Julie officially started their relationship. Life had settled into a comfortable rhythm: school was behind them, Board exams were a distant memory, and both had big plans for the future. Jiko had even found his rhythm with track meets and was excelling in his studies, all while supporting Julie through her creative projects. They were happy—more than happy, really. But little did they know, trouble was brewing on the horizon, and it had nothing to do with grades or exams.
It was a typical Sunday afternoon when Tito, now freshly graduated and about to begin his first job, had a family gathering at their house. Their parents had invited the parents of Nadia—the girl who had once been engaged to Tito—to talk about marriage arrangements. It was an awkward but necessary event, where traditions and expectations clashed. Julie and Jiko had tagged along, eager to spend time with their extended family and, of course, eager to witness the "drama."
As the adults exchanged pleasantries in the living room, Tito and Jiko slipped into the kitchen for some "brother bonding." They leaned against the counter, enjoying a rare moment of quiet while sipping on some juice.
"Wow," Jiko said, shaking his head with a teasing grin. "So... this is it, huh? Marriage talks already?"
Tito chuckled but raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. Apparently, it's the 'next step.' My parents seem keen on it, and so do hers. It's kind of like... they're acting like we're buying a house or something."
Jiko smirked. "Well, I can tell you this much, brother: Nadia is not someone to be trifled with. You're gonna be in a cell-less jail within a few days."
It was meant to be a lighthearted joke, something to ease Tito's nerves about the whole situation. But Tito shot Jiko a knowing look, one eyebrow raised in a way that made Jiko instantly regret his words.
"Oh, really? You're telling me that, huh?" Tito said with a smirk. "Have you forgotten you've got Julie? She's just as sly as Nadia. You think she won't tie you down with promises of 'let's go for morning walks' and 'let's plan out our whole day'? You're already on a leash like a puppy, little brother."
Before Jiko could even respond, they both burst out laughing—until, that is, someone behind them decided to make their presence known.
With a sharp tug, both Jiko and Tito's ears were yanked hard enough to send waves of pain through them. It was none other than Nadia herself, the woman they'd just been joking about. And right behind her was Julie, who had that mischievous, playful grin on her face.
Nadia, holding both their ears with an iron grip, glared at them. "What do you think you're doing, huh? Bad-mouthing us like that!" Her voice was both teasing and serious, a clear warning to the two brothers that they had just crossed a line.
Julie stepped up beside her, folding her arms and smirking. "That's right. You two need to watch your mouths. From now on, we're not going to make it easy for you to live in peace."