Michael could not move.
He stood in the center of the hall, frozen.
His chest rose and fell too quickly.
His eyes remained locked on Lucas—
kneeling before him.
Holding a ring.
Waiting.
The entire room had gone silent.
No music.
No laughter.
No clinking glasses.
Just silence.
And Lucas' trembling voice.
"Will you—"
But Michael barely heard the rest.
Because his mind had already traveled backward.
Back to the seminary.
Back to the cold corridor.
Back to the warm socks.
Back to the old tree where a frightened boy had kissed another frightened boy for the very first time.
Back to fear.
Back to hiding.
Back to praying that no one would ever find out.
And now—
here he was.
Standing in front of everyone.
No longer hiding.
No longer afraid.
His tears fell harder.
Lucas' own eyes had become wet now.
He smiled nervously.
"Michael?"
That one word brought him back.
Michael laughed through tears.
A broken, trembling laugh.
Then—
to everyone's surprise—
he slowly dropped to his knees too.
Right in front of Lucas.
The crowd gasped.
Lucas blinked.
"Michael…"
Michael reached out.
Held Lucas' face with both hands.
His voice shook.
"In this life…"
He swallowed.
"In the next…"
More tears.
"And every life after…"
He smiled.
"My answer is yes."
For one second—
the room stayed silent.
As if everyone needed to process what they had just heard.
Then—
the hall exploded.
Cheers.
Screams.
Applause.
Crying.
Laughter.
Everything at once.
Lucas let out a breath so deep it almost sounded like a sob.
Then he took Michael's left hand.
His own hands shaking.
And slowly slid the diamond ring onto Michael's finger.
It fit perfectly.
Michael stared at it.
Then looked back at Lucas.
And before either of them could say another word—
Michael pulled him forward.
And kissed him.
Not hidden.
Not rushed.
Not afraid.
A deep—
long—
beautiful kiss.
Their first public kiss.
And the room lost its mind.
Grace screamed.
Lina cried openly while recording everything on her phone.
Grandma covered her mouth in tears.
Daniel clapped proudly.
Jasail jumped up and shouted:
"I KNEW IT!"
Everyone laughed.
Even Michael's father.
And that mattered.
When Michael finally pulled away—
his forehead rested against Lucas'.
Both of them smiling.
Both crying.
Both laughing.
"Fiancé," Lucas whispered.
Michael laughed again.
"Fiancé."
The word felt new.
And perfect.
Now that the secret had broken—
there was no putting it back.
Their classmates stared for a few stunned seconds.
Then one by one—
they began applauding again.
Not out of politeness.
Out of respect.
Because they had all just witnessed something real.
Something brave.
One of Michael's classmates shouted:
"About time!"
The room laughed.
Michael hid his face in embarrassment.
Lucas looked entirely too proud.
Then came the family.
Grace was first.
She nearly tackled both of them in a hug.
"You're finally engaged!"
Michael laughed.
"You knew?"
Grace pulled back dramatically.
"I helped him plan it!"
Michael turned toward Lucas.
"You had help?"
Lucas smiled weakly.
"A lot."
Lina stepped forward next.
Still emotional.
"You two are disgustingly beautiful."
Michael laughed.
"That sounds like a compliment."
"It is."
Daniel shook Lucas' hand firmly.
"Take care of him."
Lucas answered immediately.
"With everything I have."
Grandma placed both hands on their heads.
A quiet blessing.
"May your love outlive your fears."
That one hit everyone hard.
Then Jasail ran toward them.
"When is wedding?"
Michael blinked.
"What?"
"I need outfit planning."
The room exploded again.
Then—
unexpectedly—
Michael's mother stepped forward.
For a moment—
Michael became nervous.
Old wounds.
Old fears.
Old religion.
Old silence.
His mother looked at him.
Then at Lucas.
Then back at Michael.
And softly—
she cupped his face.
"My son."
Michael's eyes filled again.
"You look happy."
He nodded.
"I am."
She smiled.
"Then I am happy too."
That broke him.
He hugged her immediately.
His father followed.
Strong arms.
Quiet words.
"I was slow to understand," his father whispered.
"But I understand now."
Michael cried harder.
Because healing sometimes came late—
but it still came.
And late healing was still healing.
The musician returned to the stage.
Microphone in hand.
"I think," he said smiling,
"this calls for a love song."
The crowd roared.
Soft music began.
Lucas extended his hand.
"Dance?"
Michael smiled.
"With pleasure."
They moved slowly onto the dance floor.
The ring caught the light.
Their fingers intertwined.
Their foreheads touched.
They danced slowly.
Grace cried again.
Lina cried again.
Daniel handed her tissues.
Jasail whispered to Grandma:
"Why do adults keep crying today?"
Grandma smiled.
"Because love is overwhelming."
Jasail thought about that.
Then nodded.
"Fair."
Hours passed.
Food was eaten.
Photos were taken.
Everyone congratulated them.
The ring was photographed from every possible angle.
More laughter.
More dancing.
More love.
And eventually—
the crowd thinned.
The noise softened.
The night deepened.
Much later—
Michael and Lucas stood alone on the balcony outside the hall.
City lights stretched endlessly below.
Michael stared at his hand.
At the ring.
Still unbelieving.
"You really did this."
Lucas smiled beside him.
"I really did."
Michael turned toward him.
"You were nervous."
Lucas laughed.
"I was dying."
Michael laughed too.
Then his expression softened.
"You know what's funny?"
"What?"
"That night under the seminary tree…"
Lucas smiled immediately.
"The socks."
Michael laughed.
"Yes—the socks."
"I thought kissing you would ruin my life."
Lucas looked at him softly.
"And now?"
Michael lifted his hand—
showing the ring.
"It started it."
Lucas kissed his forehead.
A quiet kiss.
A sacred one.
Back in their room later—
they didn't rush.
There was no need.
Jackets fell onto chairs.
Shoes disappeared.
The room was quiet.
Warm.
Michael sat on the edge of the bed.
Still staring at the ring.
Lucas sat beside him.
Close.
Very close.
"Say it again," Lucas whispered.
Michael smiled.
"What?"
Lucas leaned closer.
"Fiancé."
Michael laughed softly.
Then whispered:
"My fiancé."
Lucas closed his eyes briefly.
Like even hearing it healed something inside him.
They kissed again.
Slower this time.
Tender.
Home.
And just before the lights went out—
Jasail's voice shouted from outside their door:
"Goodnight! Sleep well! There is a wedding to plan!"
Both men froze.
Then burst into laughter.
Michael looked at Lucas.
Lucas looked back.
And both smiled.
Because Jasail was right.
There was a wedding to plan.
And for the first time—
their future no longer felt uncertain.
It felt beautiful.