06:15 P.M.
Del Rio University Main Building, on the Rooftop.
October 5th, the year 2013. Tuesday.
***
"HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY CARMELA!"
Carmela's best friends surprised her with a blast. They even threw confetti and wore their cute, little party hats. The entire group was there, including her aunt Martha and her boyfriend, Xian. Happenings earlier made her feel helpless.
Men wearing their black hoodies covered her eyes with a handkerchief. They also gripped her arm tightly. Carmela got frightened and screamed at her soul as her life depended on it.
The men forced her to ride in a van even though she didn't want it. She prayed that someone would come and rescue her. All of those fearful thoughts vanished as she saw her best friends, the love of her life, and her aunt on her special day.
"Hey, happy birthday, gorgeous!" Mina exclaimed.
"Carmela, happy birthday," Abbey grinned.
"Hey bro, happy birthday!" Marcus professed.
"Thank you so much, guys!" I beamed.
Carmela observed the whole surroundings. They were on the rooftop of Del Rio University's Main Building. They were in their third year in college, and they were still the same. The bond between their friends had gotten stronger than they thought.
The clouds around the buildings were turning into deep violet. It has a tinge of red-orange color. It represented the sun setting in the west. The light bulbs that hang from the thick wire gave as much glow as that of fireflies. The mix of white, red and pink rose petals adorned the floor, and they are lovely for Carmela.
She didn't notice that Xian was walking towards her, holding a bouquet of tulips.
"Happy Birthday to the most gorgeous lady I've ever met, Mela," Xian was lovely at that. Carmela felt the butterflies in her stomach. Her heartbeat was getting rapid every second. For her, she was crazy in love with Xian. She received the tulips and smelled them fondly. This day was not just her birthday, it was also their 2nd anniversary!
"And happy 2nd anniversary to us," Xian whispered while grinning from ear to ear. Their best friends cried out as soon as Xian said it. Carmela thought that if she said yes to Xian on her birthday, it would be extra special. And she was right, he was a match made in heaven for her.
"Hey! You two need some time together," Mina teased the two. Carmela quickly glanced at her best friends and looked back at Xian. She saw the glint in his eyes.
"Let's leave the two alone," Carmela's aunt suddenly uttered. She's surprised to hear that from her aunt Martha.
"Aunt!" Carmela cried out and went to hug her. Her aunt folded her arms around her niece and breathed, "Happy Birthday, my dear niece. You're now a lady. I'm sure that your parents will be happy seeing you from above."
Carmela loosened her tight hug and saw the tears brimming in her aunt's eyes. She grew up with her aunt, and Carmela can't live without her. Even if her parents were not here, she felt them beside her, always guiding her in every decision she made.
"Carmela, our gifts are there on the corner, okay?" Katrina assured.
"We're gonna be downstairs, we're gonna leave you two for an hour," Zoey squinted her eyes.
"What about the food?" Carmela asked.
"We're going back, don't worry," Abbey grinned.
"Yeah, I want to eat all of that," Matthew quavered while pouting. Marcus suddenly hit him in the head. They all howled in laughter.
"Hey, Matthew. Go on a diet. Your abdomen is obese," Marcus teased. They all guffawed at what Marcus said. When the laughter died down, Carmela's aunt said, "We're gonna leave for an hour. Just celebrate with Xian first."
"But--," Carmela's interrupted by her aunt.
"It's your anniversary, honey," her aunt denoted. Carmela looked at her best friends and saw that they all agreed to what her aunt said.
She sighed, then answered, "All of you will be back here, okay?"
They all nodded. She hugged them one by one, and they all went out through the exit door. They left Xian and Carmela alone on the rooftop. It's nightfall and the light bulbs were shimmering at the surface.
"Happy Anniversary, Mela," Xian held her hand.
"Happy Anniversary, Yan," Carmela squeezed his hand back.
Xian reached for a paper bag beside him and gave it to her. Carmela quickly opened the gift and saw a portrait. It was a picture of the two of them smiling at each other. Xian painted it with his own hands, and she was so amazed by it. The crease of their shirts, their hands, their smile, the shape of their eyes, all with his painting.
"This is so beautiful!" Carmela exclaimed.
"Surprise! It took me weeks before I finished this painting," Xian yelped. Carmela was in awe that she scrutinized every part of the painting.
"Hang it in your bedroom, okay?"
"Sure. My handsome boyfriend proudly made it," Carmela blurted while pinching Xian's right cheek. She placed the painting carefully inside the paper bag and held Xian's hands. Xian remembered what his second surprise was, and suddenly unclasped Carmela's hands.
"Wait," Xian halted her from her tracks.
"Hey, where are you going?" Carmela asked.
Xian continued walking backward while saying, "Stay there."
He darted to the exit of the rooftop, and Carmela all left alone. She waited for Xian to arrive in a second, but the lights suddenly turned off. Carmela got frightened again because the sun had set down already.
"Xian... Xian!" Carmela called out. A tune suddenly came out from somewhere. She looked around and saw the big speakers beside the table that held the feast.
♪ ♫ Playing: Finally, It's You by Willie Revillame ♪ ♫
Just like a joke
Someone like you came
And there is a love, loyal and real
Because I have felt for you
The love that is true
I love you whoever you are
♪ ♫
The one playing in the speakers was their favorite song. Carmela suddenly turned around. He saw Xian holding a microphone and singing every romantic line.
♪ ♫
Finally, it's you
That my heart's looking for
That'll give joy and sweetness
And tenderness in my life
♪ ♫
Xian approached Carmela and held her hand. He slowly hugged Carmela by her waist.
♪ ♫
Finally, it's you
Who are my every dream?
If you became real,
All of my dreams
♪ ♫
Carmela didn't notice that they were dancing slowly to the rhythm. She hugged Xian tightly on his shoulders while Xian held her closely in her waist.
"Finally, it's you," Xian's voice was soft to her ears.
Carmela's tears poured out of her eyes as Xian said it.
'He's the one! He's the one!' Carmela screamed in her thoughts.