ASHANTI
They say happy endings don’t just exist in fairy tales. They also exist in reality. One has to be happy and fulfilled to say that it’s the end. So, if one is not yet happy and fulfilled, it’s not yet the end. One has to learn to have faith. Keep the faith, as they say.
I had my share of ups and downs. I even think there are more downs than ups. But that’s okay. At least I am happy right now. I am contented.
Everything’s back into place. Everything’s going well again.
Mom and Dad just celebrated their Pearl Wedding Anniversary, which means they are married for thirty long years. Who would have thought that married couple would reach that, especially nowadays when couples tend to break up? I even laughed at one quote I read that couples of today break up more often that one takes a bath.
Is that even serious?
Well, my parents are the living proof that marriage can be long-term, if not eternal. And only happens once.
Bianca? She went back to China after being treated. She’s now cancer-free but she’s still having regular check-ups to make sure.
It’s been a year since I saw her.
Hunter? Well, isn’t he one of the most sought after idol-turned-actor these days? I watched his portrayal as a bisexual in a movie and I must admit that he nailed it. He is an actor. And his group is successful. He’s too busy these days and I miss him. I miss bickering with him already.
Well, as for me and Kristoff, we’re doing better than what you all think. We just came home from our trip to Paris. Yes. Just got home from vacation-slash-anniversary celebration. I can’t even believe we are married for 7 years now.
Time does fly.
“Ashanti,” I heard him call me.
“What?” I smiled as I looked at him. He just came down from our room, his hair is messy because he just woke up and feeling a little jet lag. Even then, he still looks hot and handsome. Well, so typical of Kristoff.
He smiled and walked towards me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and planted a kiss on my forehead. “Did you sleep well?” he asked me with his husky, sexy and irresistible voice.
I smiled and nodded. “Yes. Long enough,” I replied.
He smiled back and pulled me into a hug. “You should never get up from the bed when I am still sleeping,” he told me as he leaned his chin on top of my head. “I want to see you first thing when I wake up.”
I smiled and I bet I blushed.
It’s been years but I can’t make myself get used to controlling my emotional rush whenever Kristoff is being this sweet.
It’s something I can never get used to.
He smelled the aroma of what I am cooking. “Is that pancakes?” he asked me.
I creased my forehead. “Pancakes?” I asked confused. “I am cooking eggs,” I replied.
He suddenly loosened the hug and gave me a look. “Then why do they smell like pancakes?” he asked me.
I broke off from the hug and walked towards the stove. “See? It’s omelet.” I pointed at the stove.
He narrowed his eyes on something. “Wait, is that pancake mix?” he asked me as he pointed something beside the stove.
I looked at it and took it. My eyes widened. Why did I place pancake mix in the omelet?
I shut my eyes and let me sink my stupidity in.
I heard Kristoff chuckle. “You’re so cute, Ashanti,” he told me as he hugged me again. “You really are a fashion designer.” He teased then run upstairs.
I scoffed at him. “Hey! What does that supposed to mean?!” I asked him as I ran after him.
***
“Sorry.” Kristoff is pouting beside me because he pissed me when he teased me about the pancake mix.
I rolled my eyes at him and crossed my arms across my chest. Totally ignored him.
He pouted even more. “Ashanti, the most beautiful girl in the whole Kristoff Marx galaxy, I’m sorry. Please?” he asked in a cute way.
I looked at him in shock. Kristoff never fails to amaze me when he acts so cute. It just doesn’t match his height at all!
And he really knows how to tame me when I am mad at him. Because seeing him like that, I couldn’t help but smile. Gosh! I wanted to laugh at him.
“So…forgiven?” He wriggled his brows as he looked at me with puppy eyes.
I took a deep breath and contained my giggles as I saw him that way. But I couldn’t stop this stupid smile.
Kristoff smiled even wider as he wrapped his arms around me. “You’re the best, Ashanti!” He beamed as he kissed me on the cheek.
I shut my eyes and shook my head with that same stupid smile that gave me away.
“And because you are the best…” Kristoff smiled. “I want you go change. We’re going to a fancy restaurant and have our most romantic dinner ever,” he told me.
I narrowed my eyes on him. “Are you kidding me?” I asked him.
He shook his head. “No,” he replied before he pushed me to the bathroom. “Go change.” He smiled as he closed the bathroom door in my face.
I wonder what’s on his mind right now?!
***
“Where are you taking me, Kristoff?” I asked him a little annoyed because his hands are covering my eyes as I walk on hell knows what these are. These are freaking grasses and I am on my heels, my feet are aching and I want to sit down right now.
“Just a little more. Be patient, Mrs. Marx,” he told me as he led towards wherever he is leading me.
Is there even a fancy restaurant with grass in it? I can’t believe I trusted him on the fancy restaurant thing!
Then we stopped. After a few more steps, we stopped.
“Are you ready?” he asked me. What about?
“One… Two… Three!” He uncovered my eyes and I was left with my jaw dropped, eyes wide opened.
What is this beautiful place? It was a park full of lights. The lights hung from tree to tree and from the branches to half way to the ground. It’s beautiful.
Then there’s a field of blue roses, made especially beautiful by the spectrum of the lights from the trees. It was magnificent.
I smiled as I adored the surrounding. I looked to the right and there was a red carpet leading to a table—a romantic dinner set up with musicians playing orchestral instruments.
I looked at Kristoff who was smiling brightly at me.
“Shall we go there? And have our perfect dinner, Mrs. Marx?” he asked me as he reached his hand out.
I smiled and nodded, taking his hand. I heard him chuckle as we walked to the dinner set up.
One thing is for sure. Kristoff is a romantic guy.
“Have a seat, Mrs. Marx,” he told me as he pulled a chair for me. I smiled and gladly took the offer. He sat across me, wearing that three-piece black suit with a gold tie, looking so perfect and handsome and all the compliment in the world.
I can’t really believe he’s my husband. And he did this for me.
A man wearing a white shirt with a red tie came and gave us our food.
“Thanks, Mike.” Kristoff smiled at the man, apparently named Mike, who bowed at us and left.
Kristoff looked at me. “Wine?” he asked.
I nodded as he poured some wine on my glass. “Thanks,” I told him.
“So,” Kristoff started. “What can you say about my surprise?” he asked me.
I smiled widely. “Well, this is such a romantic place, Mr. Marx. I am very touched,” I replied.
He chuckled. “You are supposed to be touched by all of it, Mrs. Marx,” he told me. “There’s more.” He smiled as he reached his hand again.
Right then, I noticed that the band changed their piece.
“Dance with me, my wife?” Kristoff asked.
I smiled and took his hand. “I’d love to, my husband.”
Kristoff is looking into my eyes as he took my hands and placed them on his shoulders, then, he wrapped his hands around my waist, pulling me closer to him. “I love you, Ashanti.” He breathed.
I smiled and tightened my grip on him. Then he started to sing.
Take my hand,
We’ll walk a while, we’ll talk a while.
Feel my love, always there beside you.
In my whole life, I have never heard him sing. Nonetheless, sing to me like this.
His voice. It’s low and husky. But it’s something that I would want to listen to forever. It’s something that I would choose over the tons of great singers.
I smiled as I listened to him more.
Be the one,
I know you’ll tell me everything.
You are the one I cherish more than anything.
We’ve been together for years. We’ve faced a lot of challenges. We cried. We hurt. We even separated. But now we’re here.
Before, when I left him, I have never thought that he would come and find me again. I have never thought he would come begging me that night to come back to him because it’s killing him.
That’s when I realized that it’s killing me as well. I just got used to the pain, that’s why I didn’t know.
I love you more than you’ll ever know.
I love you more than you’ll ever see.
More than my heart could ever show.
I love you more than you’ll ever know.
And now he’s here. He’s singing to me. He’s crying his heart out on this song.
I love you. I love you, too, Kristoff Marx. More than you’ll ever know.
Think of me,
And know that I’ll believe in you.
There’ll always be this precious time together.
When I married Kristoff, I thought romantic things and drama only happen in the movies. I was too in love with him. I tried my best to make him happy. I have never thought I would fall in love with me.
Because this is reality. We are not in the movies. We will never be in the movies.
With every tear,
A love so strong, no words could ever say.
A love to last forever.
But thinking about everything we’ve been through, hell, it’s true. Everything could happen in real life. Or maybe life is just a movie? Or a book maybe?
Who would’ve thought that this guy, this guy who everyone dreamed of, this guy who I have always wanted to be with, is here with me, hugging me right now, telling me he loves me, singing me a love song.
Giving me a romantic date.
I love you more than you’ll ever know
I love you more than you’ll ever see
More than my heart could ever show
I love you more than you’ll ever know
All this. Hearing all this from Kristoff brings joy in me. My eyes are watery. I am touched. Beyond what anyone can imagine.
Every morning, when I wake up and see Kristoff beside me, I always think about my past life. Maybe I have been a good girl. I might have saved the world in my past life that I am living happily right now.
Kristoff is with me. My dream come true.
Take my hand
We’ll walk awhile, we’ll talk awhile.
Feel my love, always there beside you.
I hugged him as we danced to his song. Making him feel that I love him just as much as he does. Maybe even more.
Be the one,
I know you’ll tell me everything.
You are the one that cherish more than anything.
I felt him hug me tighter as well. And there I couldn’t help my tears but fall. Tears of happiness. Completeness. Fulfillment.
Maybe this is what Abraham Maslow meant with self-actualization. Because I feel like I could die happy right now. I have done everything, I have actualized my dream.
And here he is right now, hugging me tight.
I love you more than you’ll ever know
I love you more than you’ll ever see
More than my heart could ever show
I love you more than you’ll ever know
He stopped singing and loosened his grip. He leaned back and looked into my eyes, smiling. “Why are you crying, Ashanti?” he asked as his hand wiped my tears.
I laughed as I stared at his eyes. “I’m just happy. Very happy,” I told him as I caressed his face. “I’ve got you, my dream come true,” I spoke as another set of tears are brimming.
Kristoff smiled at me. “And I’ve got you, too, Ashanti. We’ll be together, forever,” he told me.
I nodded as I wiped my tears.
“Stop crying, Baby,” he told me. “I hate seeing you cry. Even if those are tears of joy.”
I laughed. “I can’t help it. I’m touched. Very touched,” I told him. “You’re so romantic, Kristoff Marx. Where have you gotten this trait?” I asked him.
He chuckled. “I’m born this way, Ashanti,” he replied. “I’m glad you appreciate it.”
I smiled and reached for his lips. I don’t know what to say. This is the only thing that got into my mind. “I love you, Kristoff. Forever,” I told him.
He smiled and leaned in to kiss me, too. “I love you more, Ashanti.” He smiled.
“Do you remember this park?” he asked me.
I narrowed my eyes on him. “This? Why?” I asked back.
He chuckled and shook his head. “That tree over there, the one with the brightest light,” he pointed and I looked at the direction. “That’s where I first saw you. That’s where I first fell for you,” he told me.
“You’re crying so cutely for a cotton candy.” He teased me.
I scoffed at him. “I was a child by then!” I protested.
He laughed and pulled me into a hug. “Doesn’t matter. You look cute. I fell for that,” he told me.
I smiled and hugged him back. This way, I love when he’s hugging me this way. “What’s with the blue roses?” I asked him.
“Well, according to Psychology, blue symbolizes trust, honesty and loyalty. It is sincere, reserved and quiet, and doesn't like to make a fuss or draw attention. It hates confrontation, and likes to do things in its own way,” he said. “And just like that, we will last.”
Trust. Honesty. Loyalty. The three elements of a lasting relationship.
I have never thought that men like Kristoff paid attention to meanings of colors.
“Forever,” I told him.
He smiled and kissed my hair. “And always,” he replied as he hugged me tighter.
I know we’ll never let each other go. Never.
As long as I am his legal wife.