The year 1998
"Arnulfo!" Lilian called out his husband's name.
"I'm here! " he answered from the kitchen.
"Can we make it to the office earlier? " She asked coming inside the kitchen.
"Yes, why?" He answered.
It's still 4 in the morning. They always wake up this early so they can catch the first trip bus going to their work.
"Are you serious? You forgot that it's Elizabeth's ultrasound?" She reminded.
"Ahh, of course not Lilian." He said.
" Francis would kill me because he asked me to buy something for Elizabeth, shhh be quiet I know how you can't keep a secret but it's a surprise, that's why I shouldn't have told you." He added and gave her a warning look.
"Of course not! Silly, why would I? " giving a zipping sign to her mouth.
" I trust you on this Lilian behave." Arnulfo chuckled.
They set the table and started eating.
After eating they just cleaned up and was ready to go.
It's good that they were just on time for the first trip bus.
Sometimes it's either they're early or they missed it and they needed to wait for another 30 minutes.
It's a waste of time because of the traffic and sometimes they travel for almost 2 hours.
" Lilian, do you notice something from Francis and Elizabeth lately? " He asked her after a few minutes when they were seated.
Lilian opened her eyes, she trying to get some sleep but was distracted by her husband's question.
" No, why? They seem like a normal couple to me. You're so nosy. " She answered then shrug her shoulders.
"No not that, it's just that something is not right." Arnulfo hesitated a bit.
"What? " she frowned.
"The first time I met them they were getting off from an expensive car, but ever since that day I haven't seen it came by." He said still curious.
"Arnulfo, what are you saying? Just let's mind our own business okay? I know it hasn't been long since we met them, but I know that they are good people." She said.
He sighed and just nodded in agreement.
They kept silent and both doze off to sleep.
After one hour, they arrived at their bus stop and rode a public vehicle to go to their work.
At exactly 7 am they timed in, they still have 30 minutes so they went to their lockers and rested a bit.
" I hope the deliveries will arrive earlier this morning so we can have an under time," Lilian said.
" I hope so too. I need to pick up the surprise gift for Elizabeth. " Arnulfo answered.
"What's the surprise gift?" Lilian asked.
"It's a v...ohh no, you got me there wife. No, I won't tell you. " he heard Lilian laughing.
"HAHAHA!" she laughs.
It's 7:30 in the morning so they entered their respective designations.
Lilian went to the receiving area, while Arnulfo checked for the upcoming deliveries.
They started to get busy. They have been working here for years now that's why they were used to the heavy loads of work they needed to finish.
"Hey Arnulfo, Lilian the deliveries will have a delay it will arrive at 11 am. " Romeo said. Romeo is the driver of the delivery truck and one of Arnulfo's closest colleagues.
Lilian pouted her lips. She felt sad because they might not be able to go under time.
They don't want to be negligent at work so they just did it without complaining.
When the deliveries arrived at 11 am they started to check and organized it according to different categories, to different locations all around the Philippines.
The Shipping Company has been operating for 10 years now since 1988 so far they are the leading Shipping Company in the Philippines, serving different clients from private, public, and individuals.
After almost 3 hours finally, they took a rest. They ate their snack and went to their lockers. Arnulfo checked his wristwatch and saw that it's almost 3:30 so they decided to leave work and rushed to the Home Appliance Center at the nearest mall to buy the video CD player that Arnulfo reserved for Elizabeth. That was the instruction of Francis to have it wrapped to surprise his wife. It's good that Lilian was convinced to wait outside the center so she wouldn't peek at the surprise gift.
It took them almost 2 hours to arrive at their apartment because it's already peak hours So when they arrived it's almost half past 6 in the evening.
They freshen up first then went straight to Francis and Elizabeth's apartment.
As they were approaching they noticed an expensive car driving away.
"Lilian that's the car I was talking about." Then Arnulfo pointed.
Lilian tried to check the expensive car but it's already gone.
"Oh, maybe it's their close friend trying to visit them? You know Elizabeth needs to rest, that's why." She said not even bothered by the expensive car.
They reached the apartment and rang the doorbell.
DING DONG
Francis opened the door for them.
"Good evening! How was it? " Lilian excitedly entered the apartment and found Elizabeth resting on the sofa.
" It's a baby girl!" Elizabeth answered excitedly.
"Wow, congratulations! " Lilian said then touched the baby bump of Elizabeth.
"I can't wait to see her. I will be the best godmother." Lilian added daydreaming.
Elizabeth smiled not reaching her eyes she's trying to hide her true emotion.
"Wife! I have a surprise for you so that you will not get bored resting the whole day. " Putting down the box on the center table so Elizabeth can open the gift.
"What is it? Is that? "Elizabeth covered her mouth surprised looking at her husband as she was tearing the wrapper to open it. She cried happily as she saw what's inside the box.
Elizabeth hugged her husband. Then started crying.
"Ohh, Francis this is the best surprise ever. Thank you! " she said while wiping her tears.
"Wow! That's really the best surprise Elizabeth, I am glad you love it. They were also keeping that from me. " Lilian said and crossed her arms.
They all laughed.
" I am thankful to Arnulfo because he kept it a secret from you Lilian because it wouldn't be a surprise if you knew about it," Francis said smiling.
"No problem with me as long as Elizabeth is happy," Lilian said.
"I know you miss going to the movie theater that's why I have thought of giving you this," Francis said.
"Well we can all try this later, let's watch a movie!"Elizabeth said trying to sound cheerful.
"That would be great Elizabeth but we have to decline the offer and let you two enjoy your first movie night." Lilian winked at Elizabeth trying her best not to smirk.
" Well then if that's the case let's have dinner to celebrate before you guys leave," Francis said.
They settled down to have dinner. The dining table was filled with their laughter. Elizabeth forgot her worries for a little while. She just tried her best to avoid being worried.
Arnulfo and Lilian bid farewell to Francis and Elizabeth after dinner. They usually do this every weekend so they know that everything is normal and so they thought.
The next day they woke up late since it's Sunday it's their time off from work. When suddenly they heard their doorbell ringing.
DING DONG
Arnulfo opened the door. He was greeted by unknown people.
"Yes? May I help you? "Arnulfo asked the couple based on their clothes he can say that they are from a well off family.
The woman started crying but still managed to stay poised. The man beside him gestured her to keep calm, he was controlling himself not to raise his voice trying not to panic.
"Ah, sorry to disturb you early this morning but we were just wondering if you happen to see the couple living next to your apartment? " The man said.
"Are you referring to Francis and Elizabeth? Arnulfo answered,
The couple's eyes both looked at him feeling hopeful,
"Yes, do you know where they went? We're supposed to meet for breakfast at 8 this morning but they didn't come to our usual mèeting place." The man said.
"Ummm, no. We had dinner at their house last night but I have no idea where they went." Arnulfo answered honestly.
"Maybe they will be back, sometimes they arrive during lunchtime," Arnulfo assured them.
The couple kept quiet trying not to show their hidden emotions.
"Alright, maybe we can wait for one hour just to be sure. Thank you, mister..? "The man asked.
"Arnulfo, no problem, why don't you wait here inside instead? " Arnulfo offered.
"Ahh, no it's okay we'll just wait in the car, Arnulfo. Thanks! " Then they proceeded to the car. Arnulfo frowned and noticed the familiar expensive car that he has seen for the 3rd time.
Arnulfo just tried to avoid the questions going on inside his head and started cooking breakfast. After one hour he heard the car driving away.
After having lunch Arnulfo noticed that Francis and Elizabeth didn't come home. He also informed Lilian so they waited until the next day but they didn't come home.
Days, weeks, and 3 months passed when Francis showed up on their doorstep. Informing them that Elizabeth has already given birth and is requesting that they visit her in the hospital.
TO BE CONTINUED