On Feeling my Ugliest and High Places - How I Got Engaged

Way back my teen years, I suffered from severe acne. It was my biggest insecurity growing up because no matter what home remedy or drugstore skincare I used, it didn't seem to solve the problem. After graduating from college, I finally had the chance to consult a legit dermatologist. We found out it was an internal problem, (PCOS club member here lol) and now, problem solved. My skin is far from perfect but it recovered enough to grow my confidence a bit.

Fast forward to December 2020, my acne came back for some reason and the lockdown was the perfect excuse to avoid human interaction. I was so sad, that I wanted to avoid being seen at all cost.

Even nearing days before my birthday I didn't really want to celebrate. I was supposed to spend a few days with the boyfriend and his family but I was just feeling so down, I didn't want to be seen looking like that. I was ready to cancel my plans but my parents and my boyfriend insisted that I had to be there and my acne was no big deal. So, since I can't reduce my acne in a few days, I just painted my nails to at least lighten up my mood and see something pretty in me. (I knoooow, it may seem shallow but it was honestly just how I felt towards myself back then)

Jepa and I have been together for almost 5 years by that time but I was so insecure that I didn't want him to see me like that. LOL. I was glad that I still came because he and his family didn't seem to make a big deal out of my acne. It was like the usual days when I'd spend time with his family: we'd eat together, talk and, just hang out (and by hang out, I mean just be on our own phones. LOL).

"Tara, akyat tayo rooftop" said Jepa. Since I like heights, I can't say no to this. It was around 5PM that time, you could still recognize NU, UST, and Nagtahan flyover. We were about to go down when he asked

"Ano nga ba favorite color mo? Pinapatanong ni Tita."

"Ewan ko? Black? Pink? Green? Kahit ano."

"Ah, hindi ba maroon?"

"?????"

— And there he goes taking out from his pocket a maroon ring box and went down on one knee. There before my eyes was a diamond ring with infinity symbols on each side of the diamond.

Any poised girl would say 'Yes!' but for some reason what I recall that I first blurted out was either "Alam ba nina mommy to?!" or "Parang t*nga, totoo ba?!"

Next thing I know, I was nodding a hundred times while saying "Yes" and sobbing crazy ugly, with both hands clasped on my face as I felt Jep's warm embrace and a ring on my left ring finger.