The engagement

Since lots of people have been asking me how my boyfriend Meng proposed to me, I decided to write it all down here (after repeating myself for about 100 times :D- not that I ever tire of the story!).

Ok. So on Tuesday, Meng casually mentioned he wanted to go to TGIF for dinner the next day, because some of his students (he is a college lecturer) are working as waiters there.

"I promised them I would visit," he said. "They said they wanted to let me try some off-menu food."

So on Sept 3 Wed night, we both went off to TGIF, and apparently his student who could get him "off-menu food" was not working that night. But he did turn up in casual clothing and greeted us, before settling down with some friends for a drink on the other end of the restaurant.

Well to be entirely honest, I was dissappointed that I didn't get to try "off-menu" food but the student was not on duty that night, so I thought 'fair enough'.

Meng and I ordered a set, and conversation was lively and normal except that he was sending text messages to his friends.

"Who is that?" I asked.

"My CG guys, I'm trying to get the to call John in US- you know, talk to him or something," he said.

Hmm, I thought, I hope John is alright. Then we went on talking about other things.

While I was munching on the dessert of chocolate cake, suddenly two of Meng's CG guys-Joel and Gideon- show up with this HUGE bouquet of pink lilies and a paper bag.

Now, I was very shocked. Meng hardly gives me flowers (he's only done it twice since I knew him I think) and definitely not in public.

"Ms Chew, delivery for you..." Joel says and hands me the flowers, and Gideon just stands there and passes me the paper bag.

"NO WAYYYYY," I was saying, thinking it was probably some belated anniversary belated thing.

Anyway, I open the bag and find a box....which I unwrapped slowly and kept unwrapping and unwrapping because Meng had it covered in 15 layers. Some of it had messages for me.

All throughout, Meng was unsuccessfully pretending to be jealous that it was some other guy who gave me the stuff saying "who is it, huh? Why give you flowers one??" while he keeps smiling.

And here I was unwrapping his box until I came to a ring box.

I held my breath, open the box and......

there was no ring.

There was only a piece of paper that said 'You got me!' with a picture of a squid (inside joke- he used to mock-propose to me with deep fried calamari rings).

THEN, while I was laughing and scolding him, he added "You REALLY thought I was gonna propose huh?"

So I scolded him somemore, but didn't do too good a job cuz I was happy, stunned, confused, in disbelief and thinking at the back of my mind "I can't believe this guy. I can't believe this is happening. I think he will probably propose later somewhere private...in the car, perhaps."

After laughing at me for about 20 seconds, he suddenly got up from his seat.

"For the sake of my students who are watching and those who want me to do this--"

Then he went down on one knee (with everyone watching, of course) and asked "Will you marry me?"

Now, I was even MORE shocked (and covering my face in shyness) and actually said "What??"

The poor guy kept looking at me and was like 'quick, answer, quick!' and I finally said "Of course I'll marry you."

Then he quickly sat beside me while people erupted in cheers and claps and someone yelled "THERE'S A PROPOSAL IN THE HOUSE!"

I practically just buried my face in his shoulder and cried. In joy, of course :)

Me and Meng posing with my flowers and the ring after the drama

The CG guys who had a hand in the proposal

My ring and my lilies