He gets in a second later, glancing at me. But before he can say anything, I snap my seatbelt in place and grin. “Done.” He laughs and starts the engine, pulling out of the parking lot as we head home. As he drives, I pull out my phone and hold my hand up to the light, admiring the ring all over again. I take a few snaps and send them off—to Mama, Mommy, and Gavin. Gavin opens it first. Seconds later, his voice note comes in, already full of chaos.
“No lady, yuh cyaah trick mi! Afta yuh nah show yourself,” he says in that loud, dramatic tone that sends me into a fit of laughter.
I quickly record another video—this time showing my face, then slowly panning down to the ring, then the little Tiffany box sitting in my lap. Nickoi is still driving, quietly vibing as he sings under his breath: “Mi gun load, di real ones dem a dead straight.Mi feel mi demons dem a escape, look weh di weed a do mi chest plate…”
I smile, watching him in his zone before I send the video off to Gavin. He views it instantly. Within seconds, he floods my screen with ring emojis and hearts—then my phone starts ringing. FaceTime. Bay excitement now enuh.
I answer the video call and see Gavin’s face light up on the screen.
“Tell mi seh a dream mi a dream?” he grins, sitting up, eyes wide with excitement.
I laugh. “You’re not. It real.”
He rubs his face, still half in shock. “Mi did a go sleep, but this kinda news wake me up right outta my bed,” he chuckles.
“Mi cya bother,” I laugh, my smile refusing to leave.
“Congratulations to you and Nickoi!” he beams.
I flip the camera to show Nickoi, who’s in full vibe mode, head nodding to whatever’s playing on the aux. He glances over, then turns the music down a little. “Wah gwaan?” he asks casually.
“Mi a say congratulations!” Gavin repeats louder, grinning.
Just then, Gavin’s girlfriend pops into view, waving at the screen. “Hey, Zara! Congratulations to you and your fiancé!” she says sweetly.
“Thank you,” I smile, and Nickoi gives her a respectful nod.
“Respect,” he says, already easing back into his music zone.
Suddenly, my mother’s name flashes across the screen. I add her to the call, and she appears immediately, her smile wide and warm. “Why you wah mi bawl down di place, little girl?” she teases, her voice breaking into laughter.
“That mi a seh too enuh, Aunty!” Gavin adds, still holding the phone. “Mi frighten so till when mi see the finger wid the ring and hear Zara voice, mi nearly drop mi phone!” We all burst out laughing together.
“Congratulations again. The ring really beautiful, though,” Mama says, her voice softening.
“Thanks, Mama,” I say, grinning as I admire it one more time.
“A fi real, Mama,” Gavin says, making me smile.
“Thanks, Ms. Sandra,” Nickoi adds. Mama adjusts the camera and settles down with a plate in her hand.
“Wah yuh a eat, Mama?” I ask, squinting at the screen.
She grins and holds it up proudly. “Beef.” Mi miss har cooking enuh. Swear to God.
“Nickoi, a Tiffany & Co. yuh go?” Mommy teases from the other line, making him laugh. I love the way she and Nickoi gets—like real family.
Everybody on the call starts chatting over each other now, voices mixing, laughter bubbling. “When mi a buy things, mi just spend and get quality,” Nickoi says casually, slowing down as he approaches a stoplight.
“Right,” Mommy replies with a smile. “But mi happy fi unuh, man. The ring, everything—look well planned out.”
“Thanks, Mommy,” I beam.
“Zara guh see Henry a walk yuh down the aisle,” Gavin jokes, and everyone bursts out laughing. Again.
“Yuh know mi nuh like yuh doh?” I shoot back, laughing.
“Bwoy, lef’ Henry. Yuh nuh see him a clean up himself?” Mommy defends, always having a soft spot for him no matter what.
