Crossing Paths: A Love Beyond the Pitch - Jamal Musiala

021 A Surprise

Chapter 21: Planning the Proposal

Jamal had never been one to rush into things. His relationship with Dina was proof of that. They'd taken their time, building a foundation of trust, love, and shared dreams. But over the past few months, he'd felt something growing, a certainty that had taken root deep within him. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her—no doubts, no hesitation.

When he first started thinking about proposing, he knew it had to be perfect. Dina deserved a moment that was special, unforgettable, and deeply personal. But despite all his planning on the field, Jamal found himself a bit lost with this new task. After a few restless nights trying to figure it out on his own, he turned to the people he trusted most: his best friends, Gavi and Pedri.

The three of them sat in a cozy corner of a small, private café in Barcelona, out of sight from curious eyes and ears. Jamal leaned forward, his voice barely above a whisper, excitement buzzing through him.

"Alright, guys, I need your help," he said, trying to keep his tone steady. "I'm going to propose to Dina, and I want to make it perfect. Something she'll remember forever."

Pedri broke into a wide grin, clapping Jamal on the back. "Finally, mate! It's about time. Dina's amazing—you're one lucky guy."

Gavi nodded, his excitement evident. "So, what's the plan? Do you have any ideas?"

Jamal took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. "I have a few, but nothing feels quite right. Dina's not flashy—she doesn't need something over-the-top. I want it to be romantic, but still... us. Something that feels real, you know?"

Pedri leaned back, crossing his arms as he thought. "What about something involving football? I mean, that's how you two met. Something in a stadium, or maybe during one of your games?"

Gavi shook his head, smirking. "No way, Pedri. Dina's way more private than that. She'd probably hate having a crowd around when she says yes. Besides, it's about them, not a whole stadium full of people."

Jamal chuckled, grateful for his friends' insight. They knew Dina almost as well as he did, having seen their relationship grow over the years.

"Gavi's right," Jamal agreed. "I want it to be just the two of us—or as close to that as possible. But maybe... maybe there's something from our past that I can use. Something that brings us back to where it all started."

Gavi snapped his fingers, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "What about recreating one of your first dates? You know, something small, meaningful. Like that café in Munich you always talked about. Or maybe you could take her back to the spot where you first met."

Jamal's eyes lit up. "That's actually... that's perfect, Gavi. Dina and I had this spot in Munich where we'd always go—a little park with this old gazebo. We'd grab coffee, sit and talk for hours. I'll take her there, set it up like our first date, and then... then I'll ask her."

Pedri leaned forward, nodding with approval. "Now we're talking! We'll help you plan every detail. This has to be seamless."

Jamal grinned, feeling the excitement building in him. "Alright, so here's what I need: Gavi, I'll have you help me with decorations. You've got an eye for design. And Pedri, I need you to handle the logistical stuff—transport, reservations, everything."

Gavi saluted with a laugh. "You got it, Captain Musiala. I'll make it look magical."

Pedri smirked. "And I'll make sure everything runs like clockwork. We'll give Dina the best proposal she could ever imagine."

Over the next few weeks, they worked in secret, exchanging plans and ideas, arranging every detail so that it would go off without a hitch. Pedri booked flights and arranged for them to have a private evening in the park, while Gavi hunted down decorations and helped Jamal pick out flowers, lights, and even a playlist of songs that held special meaning for him and Dina.

One evening, while going over final details, Pedri raised a glass to Jamal, a look of pride on his face.

"You're a lucky guy, Jamal," he said, grinning. "Dina's incredible. And honestly, she brings out the best in you."

Jamal smiled, his chest swelling with gratitude. "I know. I've never felt this way about anyone before. She's the one—I'm sure of it. And I want her to know how much she means to me."

They clinked glasses, toasting to the plan coming together, and to the love that had led Jamal to this moment.

The day of the proposal finally arrived. Jamal was a mixture of excitement and nerves, his heart racing as he and his friends finalized the last-minute details. Gavi and Pedri, ever the reliable partners-in-crime, had turned the small park in Munich into a romantic haven, complete with delicate fairy lights draped across the gazebo and soft candles illuminating the pathway.

The familiar gazebo held a small table set with fresh flowers, a bottle of their favorite wine, and the same coffee cups they used to drink from on their early dates. Jamal took a deep breath, grateful for the memories and for the people who had helped make this moment come to life.

Just as the sun began to set, Dina arrived, led to the park by Pedri, who had spun a story about a casual catch-up in Munich. She looked stunning, wrapped in a simple dress and a light coat against the evening chill. Her gaze flickered over the scene, her eyes widening as she took in the transformation of their familiar spot.

"What is all this?" Dina asked, glancing at Pedri, who gave her a knowing smile before nodding toward the gazebo, where Jamal stood waiting.

"Someone's got a surprise for you," Pedri said, his voice warm as he gently nudged her forward.

Dina took a step forward, her eyes meeting Jamal's as he stood beneath the lights, hands clasped in front of him. She felt her heart skip, the air filled with the unmistakable anticipation that something significant was about to happen. As she walked toward him, her smile grew, curiosity and love shining in her gaze.

Jamal took her hands as she reached him, pulling her close.

"Dina," he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I've been thinking about this moment for a long time. I wanted to bring you here because it's where we started, and it's where I realized how much you mean to me. Every moment with you has shown me what love truly is, and I can't imagine my life without you."

Dina's eyes filled with warmth and wonder, her hands trembling slightly in his grasp.

"I want to be by your side, through everything, just as we've been through it all together so far," Jamal continued. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, velvet box. "Dina, you've made me a better person, and every day I spend with you is the best day of my life. So..."

He knelt down on one knee, opening the box to reveal a delicate, elegant ring, the stone catching the light just as he'd hoped. "Will you marry me?"

A gasp escaped Dina's lips, her hands flying to her mouth as her eyes sparkled with tears. She nodded, her voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, Jamal. Of course, yes."

A wave of cheers erupted from the shadows as Gavi and Pedri, who had been watching from a discreet distance, rushed out, clapping and hollering in celebration. Dina laughed, wiping away tears as they joined in the moment, hugging her and congratulating Jamal.

As the evening wore on, they toasted to the future, laughter and joy filling the quiet park. Dina and Jamal stole glances at each other, the unspoken promise of a life shared shining in their eyes. For them, the future was unwritten, but one thing was certain: they would face it together, hand in hand, from that day forward.

Writers Note:
editreylo tysm for the idea 🫶🏻 you were my inspiration for this chapter