CHAPTER 19

A loud greeting caught me by surprise.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

I thought it was just a simple dinner date that Eric and I would attend. But we ended up at a restaurant near my condominium building in Ortigas.

At first, I didn't speak to him as we moved on to our dinner date because I couldn't hide my disappointment. Eric knew my birthday, so it was strange that he didn't greet me. The gang from the radio station, including Kuya Drei, also didn't mention anything. So, I couldn't believe that this setup was happening now. Oh, great! I forgot it. Eric loves setting things up; I didn't think of that immediately.

I was astonished to see everyone close to me present. How did Eric manage to contact them all? I was even more surprised when a group of people approached me whom I never thought would be here for my special occasion.

"Ma, Pa... Ate, when did you arrive?" I blurted out, covering my mouth in shock. Seeing them all made me want to cry. "You're all so unfair. You didn't tell me!"

"Oh my, it's a long story, dear sister. Please don't ask us. Ask your boyfriend instead," Ate Mia said, emphasizing the word "boyfriend." I hugged her tightly, and she whispered, "In all honesty, I love your choices. You two are perfect together, and I'm happy for you."

Next, my parents came in, and Mama even bantered. "Happy birthday, dear. You've got a lot to explain to your papa and me."

I locked them all in a tight embrace, realizing how much I had missed them.

A charming kid interrupted our scene carrying a birthday gift. "Is he Caleb? Gosh, my nephew is so cute."

I let go of Mama and Papa, sat down, and took the gift from my adorable nephew. Suddenly, he planted a kiss on my cheek, surprising me. I couldn't help but pinch his chubby cheeks. I couldn't believe baby Caleb was already walking; I realized how much I had missed so much from my family.

He ran to my sister, Mia, and hid as if he were shy doing it. I stood up again, and in my mind, I wondered how Eric contacted my family in Canada. How did he get to know them?

I looked around and saw him watching from a corner not far away. His beautiful smile revealed his excitement about our family reunion. I wanted to run to him and cry over his shoulder to thank him, but with so many people at the venue, I held back. At that moment, I realized I had made the right decision. There are still so many reasons for me to move forward in life. This was the happiest birthday I had experienced in seven years. I am incredibly grateful that Eric has come into my life. My loved ones are the best gift I could ever ask for right now.

Tita Cecile took the stage with her guitar and performed, which surprised me even more. After her performance, she called out to me. "May we call on our birthday girl, Clara, to come up to the stage? Sit here," she said, making me nervous. What could Eric be planning this time?

I climbed the stage as Tita Cecile stepped down. Audrey and Lester followed after I sat on the tall stool. Lester took Tita Cecile's guitar, left the stage corner, and sat on another stool a few meters away from me. Audrey, standing in front of him, began to sing. Her voice was so beautiful that I couldn't help but applaud.

Wise men say only fools rush in.

But I can't help falling in love with you.

I felt a strange excitement as my head began searching for Eric, who suddenly disappeared from the scene.

Take my hand; take my whole life, too.

But I can't help falling in love with you.

Then, the crowd erupted in a giddy scream, startling me. I turned around, and Eric was standing behind me, which made me speechless. Eric approached me as Audrey stopped singing and Lester stopped playing the guitar. They both stepped down from the stage, leaving Eric and me under the spotlight.

There was a momentary silence, and it seemed like they turned off the lights, leaving only a spotlight beaming on us. Eric raised the microphone he was holding and took a deep breath. I couldn't speak as we became the center of everyone's attention. My face flushed with embarrassment.

"Clara, we've only been together for a short time, but to me, it feels like a lifetime. My life had always been rough, and I thought it would always be that way, always sad."

He paused, his emotions more overwhelmed, and I noticed tears forming in his eyes.

"But when you came into my life, you saved me; you changed everything. I want this happiness to last a lifetime. I know it sounds early, but I can't wait any longer. I will never let you go. I might seem selfish, but this feeling is indescribable."

He fell silent for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I knew deep in my heart that you were the woman I wanted to spend my life with. Let's build our dreams together."

He knelt in front of me. "Marry me, Clara?"

The crowd erupted in loud cheers. I covered my mouth. I could not speak. My cheeks were warm with tears, but I felt an unexplainable happiness.

"Yes, Eric," I answered simply.

The cheers grew even louder. Eric showed me the diamond ring and placed it on my finger. I wrapped my arms around him, and our faces gleamed with tears.

Though the proposal came early, given how recently we met, I knew I would be happy with Eric for the rest of my life. After all, this was where everything was meant to lead.

The celebration ended with everyone congratulating us. Even though my unit was small, I still accommodated my whole family there. I didn't want them to stay in a hotel because I wanted to be with them all, especially my nephew. I told them everything about how Eric and I met and my life with him. They were all pleased for me. They said they were at peace with leaving me here in the country because, finally, all of my pain and suffering had come to an end.

***

"Open your eyes," Eric said.

It was three in the morning, and we had set aside time for the two of us. We ended up on the rooftop of the condominium building. The celebration wasn't over yet because this moment was just for us.

"What's this?" I asked, opening my eyes wide.

Eric loves surprises. The first thing that caught my attention was the love sofa surrounded by scented candles on the concrete floor before me. In front of it, a white refractor telescope caught my attention.

Eric hugged me from behind and spoke softly into my ear. "I initially thought of a candlelight dinner, but I know you're full. So, I figured we'd feast our eyes on some stargazing instead. I know it may sound cliché, but I genuinely mean it."

I gave him a "really" cackle as he invited me to sit on the sofa. This was my favorite spot to hang out because it had a perfect view of the Ortigas skyline. Some buildings still had lights, while stars filled the dark sky above. Eric sat beside me, and we silently admired the surroundings, amazed by the view.

"I love it here," I said, leaning against his chest. "Thank you, baby. If only you knew how happy I am right now."

"Thank you, too, for agreeing to marry me. I promise, Clara, you'll always be happy with me."

He held my chin and lifted my face. He kissed me on the lips, starting gently and then gradually deepening in. I liked it so much that I kissed him back passionately.

I felt his hand slip inside my sweater, moving from my stomach to my chest. The cool breeze at our spot had become absent from the warmth of our passionate kiss and even his touch. His tongue played with my left ear, then moved to my neck. But suddenly, he stopped.

"Why?" I asked.

"A butterfly landed. It's weird," Eric said.

I snapped back to reality and instinctively pushed Eric away. I pulled down my sweater, which was almost off my body.

Eric scratched his head and took a deep breath. He reluctantly stood up and went to the telescope. "Come here, baby; I'll show you the constellation I know. Come before it gets light."

I snapped back to reality, still thinking about the butterfly. I stood up and approached Eric. Eric looked through the telescope first, then guided me on where to look.

I heard his iPhone ring, and he took it out of his pocket. "Someone's calling me from the U.S. I'll leave you for a moment," he said, and I nodded. He walked away from me.

I held my breath as I watched the stars through the telescope. I didn't know much about constellations, but I couldn't help but be amazed by the beauty of the universe.

Eric's voice suddenly echoed, and it sounded like he was disappointed in something. I turned my gaze towards him.

"Calm down, I said. Calm down!" Eric exclaimed.

He ruffled his hair and couldn't stay still. After the call, he lowered his iPhone from his ear. He took a deep breath and held his forehead.

I ran towards him and curled my arms around his waist. "Is there a problem?"

"My aunt called and said they rushed my dad to the hospital. I could barely understand her because she was sobbing so much."

At first, I couldn't figure out how to respond to what he said. Eric was also staring into space. I rubbed his back. "What's your plan now?"

"We need to get there. I'm so worried about it."

"Only you can do that. I don't have a U.S. visa, and getting one will take time," I said, holding his hand tightly. "I will only add to your burden. You have to leave as soon as possible. They need you. Don't worry about me."

Eric had no choice but to travel to the United States alone. He said goodbye to Tita Cecile and me, and we took him to the airport. His face showed concern and a desire to reach that country immediately. Tita Carol also found out about what happened to her ex-husband but didn't dare to visit him. She said she would pray for his well-being.

I filed for an extended leave to be with my entire family. As I had promised, I took them all to Busuanga. I missed them, especially Caleb, whom I babysat during our vacation.

In the following days, Eric and I temporarily lost communication. However, this allowed us to attend to our obligations—me to my family and him to his father.