As I inhaled the soft afternoon air, the tranquility of the moment washed over me, soothing my soul and calming my mind. Today had been nothing short of magical—Vince had surprised me with a hike to the highest peak in Soledad, and the view from the summit was nothing short of breathtaking.

The panoramic vista stretched out before us, a patchwork of vibrant greens and blues that seemed to stretch on for eternity. From our vantage point, we could see the entire island spread out below us, the azure waters of the ocean sparkling in the afternoon sunlight. It was a sight that took my breath away, leaving me speechless with awe and wonder.

Throughout the hike, Vince had been nothing short of caring and attentive, always making sure that I wasn't overexerting myself and taking breaks whenever I needed them. His concern for my well-being warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but feel grateful to have him by my side.

As we sat together on a rocky outcrop, gazing out at the breathtaking scenery, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. The worries and stresses of everyday life seemed to fade away in the face of such natural beauty, replaced by a profound sense of gratitude for the moment.

"Thank you for bringing me here," I said softly, turning to Vince with a smile. "This has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life." Dinala niya na ako rito minsan, pero iba ang pakiramdam ko ngayon. Parang mas masaya, siguro ay dahil na rin sa buo at maligaya talaga ang puso ko ngayon.

Vince returned my smile, his eyes sparkling with warmth and affection. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," he replied, reaching out to take my hand in his. "I wanted to show you something special, something that would take your breath away."

"Well, you definitely succeeded," I laughed, squeezing his hand gently. "I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like this before."

We sat together in companionable silence for a while longer, content to simply soak in the beauty of our surroundings. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace settle over me.

"I was just five years old when my father first brought me here," tahimik na sabi ni Vince. "He made me stand at this very spot, overlooking the entire expanse of Soledad. He told me that all of this—every tree, every river, every hillside—was mine, and that it was my duty to take care of it."

Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses kong pinagmasdan si Vince ngayong araw na ito pero ngayon ay muli ko na naman siyang pinagmamasdan. Ang kanyang suot na puting t-shirt ay inililipad ng hangin, ganoon din ang kanyang buhok ngunit tila wala siyang pakialam. I couldn't imagine being five years old and opening your eyes to things that will concern you in the future.

"Even at that tender age, my father's words had struck a chord deep within me. He had awakened a sense of responsibility, instilling in me the importance of preserving the natural beauty that surrounded us. From that moment on, I became the guardian of this place, tasked with safeguarding its splendor at all costs."

Vince pulled me closer, enveloping me in a warm embrace, isang yakap pa lang niya ay napapayapa na ako. His arms around me were like a shield, protecting me from the worries and cares of the world. I nestled into his embrace, feeling safe and loved.

Then, in a soft whisper that sent shivers down my spine, he asked. "Baby, can you do me a favor?"

I tilted my head slightly, curious as to what he had in mind. "What is it?" I asked, my heart pounding in anticipation.

"Help me safeguard this place," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "And everywhere I go. Be my other half. Marry me."

I felt a surge of emotion welling up inside me as he produced a ring from his pocket, the diamond sparkling in the sunlight. I blinked back tears, overwhelmed by the depth of his love and the magnitude of his request.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I reached out to take the ring, the weight of it settling comfortably in the palm of my hand. I looked into Vince's eyes, seeing all the love and devotion reflected there.

"Yes," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. "Yes, a thousand times yes."

Vince's face broke into a radiant smile as he slipped the ring onto my finger, the metal cool against my skin. I felt a surge of joy course through me, knowing that I had found my soulmate, my partner in life.

And as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold, I felt a sense of peace settle over me, knowing that I had found my forever in the arms of the man I loved.