Aira Villaluz sat in her tiny room, the walls barely wider than the single bed she slept on. The room, dimly lit by the feeble glow of a single light bulb, felt like a sanctuary of solitude. It was the first Friday in August 2006, and while the city outside was still lost in slumber, Aira's heart raced with excitement.
At 21, Aira was the eldest of her siblings, and her life was a far cry from the luxury she sometimes dreamed of. Her family's modest means meant she had to make do with what little they had. Tonight, her only companion was her Nokia 3310, a sturdy yet simple keypad phone that had been her lifeline for years.
It was nearly 3 a.m., but Aira was wide awake, her mind buzzing with plans. Lorie's 21st birthday was just a week away, and she wanted to make it special. Growing up in a small, cramped space didn't afford her many luxuries, but she had always found ways to make her loved ones feel cherished. This year, she wanted to surprise Lorie with a birthday announcement in their local newspaper's column—a gesture that would, she hoped, bring a smile to her best friend's face.
Aira had just graduated from college, having completed a teaching course through a scholarship provided by her city. It had been a hard-earned achievement, one she was immensely proud of. Now, as she worked as an inventory clerk at Gaisano Mall Bacolod, she was saving every peso she could. Her job was crucial for her upcoming board exam expenses, but it was a struggle. Her father's salary barely covered their family's basic needs, and Aira had taken on the responsibility of helping him support her mother and her five younger siblings.
Her room, with its sparse furnishings and simple decor, was a testament to the sacrifices she made for her family. Despite the constraints of her surroundings and finances, Aira's heart was filled with hope and determination. She was driven by the desire to become a full-time teacher and provide a better life for her family. Every small victory, like the birthday announcement for Lorie, was a reminder of her ability to make a difference, no matter how small.
With a few quick presses on her Nokia's keypad, Aira sent a text message to the number listed for birthday announcements in the local paper. The screen of her phone displayed only the basic text interface, but her excitement was palpable.
"Hi, I'd like to place a birthday announcement," she typed. "It's for my best friend, Lorie. Her birthday is on August 12th, and she's turning 21. I want to surprise her."
Aira's fingers hovered over the keypad, nervously waiting for a response. The message was simple, but the anticipation of making her friend's birthday special made it feel like a grand gesture.
A few moments later, her phone buzzed with a reply. It was from the unknown number:
"Noted. Thank you."
The brevity of the response did little to dampen Aira's spirits. She smiled, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. She could already picture Lorie's reaction—her friend's eyes lighting up with surprise and joy when she saw the birthday announcement in the newspaper.
As she settled back into her bed, the anticipation of Lorie's reaction was enough to keep her awake with excitement. The simple gesture of sending a text message had been a small but meaningful part of her plan to make Lorie's birthday memorable. In her quiet room, surrounded by the echoes of her family's daily struggles, Aira found solace in the small moments of joy she could create for those she loved.
It was 3 a.m. on Monday morning, and Aira Villaluz was jolted awake by the familiar buzz of her Nokia 3310. She groggily reached for the phone on her bedside table, blinking away the remnants of sleep. Today was supposed to be special. This was the day she had planned to buy the newspaper and see her best friend Lorie's name in the birthday greeting column. The anticipation of Lorie's surprise had kept her up late the previous night.
She squinted at the screen, her heart sinking as she read the message:
"The greeting will not be possible today due to some printing/layout problems. The announcement will be done tomorrow instead. To show our apologies, you can collect a free newspaper from our office. Sorry for the inconvenience."
Disappointment washed over her, mingling with the lingering sleepiness. She had been so excited to see Lorie's reaction to the birthday surprise, and now she had to wait another day. Still, she appreciated the gesture of a free newspaper, even though it couldn't completely make up for the delay.
With a sigh, Aira typed a reply:
"Oh, okay. Still, thank you."
She placed her phone back on the table and lay back down, staring at the ceiling. She knew she'd have to adjust her plans, but that didn't stop the frustration from gnawing at her. The small, everyday setbacks seemed larger in her world, where every gesture of love and kindness had to be carefully planned and executed.
As she tried to drift back to sleep, a new thought crossed her mind. Going to the newspaper office meant she might meet the enigmatic editor-in-chief in person. The very idea made her heart race with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She had seen his face countless times in the newspaper photos, admired his work from afar, and even harbored a secret crush on him since she was thirteen.
The editor-in-chief, a 36-year-old man who had the virility and charm of a movie star, with facial similarities to Jean-Claude Van Damme, was someone she had come to idolize, not just for his looks but for his insightful articles and the way he seemed to understand the world.
"What if I actually see him?" she wondered. "What would I even say?"
Aira's imagination ran wild with the possibility of a brief encounter, perhaps exchanging a few words with the man she had admired for so long. The thought was both thrilling and terrifying. She had never imagined that her simple gesture for Lorie's birthday might lead her to this moment.
With a small, nervous smile, she closed her eyes, deciding that whatever happened, she would face it with the same determination she approached everything in her life. Tomorrow was a new day, full of possibilities, and she was ready to embrace it.
That day, Aira's plans took another unexpected turn. Her day off was canceled due to insufficient manpower at the mall, where she worked as an inventory clerk. She spent the day on her feet, managing stock and assisting customers. By the end of her shift, she was exhausted.
On her way home that night, she stopped by a stall selling newspapers. She couldn't resist the urge to buy a copy, despite the promise of a free one waiting at the office. Holding the paper in her hands brought a sense of accomplishment and joy that made the long, tiring day worth it.
Back in her small room, she carefully opened the newspaper, her eyes scanning the pages until she found the birthday greeting column. There, in black and white, was the message for Lorie. Aira's heart swelled with happiness, imagining her best friend's surprise and delight.
She grabbed her phone and sent a quick text message to Lorie:
"Happy birthday, Lorie! I have a surprise for you!"
A few moments later, her phone buzzed with a reply.
"Thank you, Aira! I can't wait to see you. Can you come over tonight?"
Aira sighed, knowing she had a late-night shift at the mall.
"I wish I could, but I have to work tonight. How about tomorrow? I'll come by to give you your gift."
There was a slight pause before Lorie's next message came through.
"I'm leaving early in the morning for work. Can you give it to my mom instead?"
"Sure, I'll give it to her. Happy birthday again, Lorie!" Aira replied.
"Thanks in advance, Aira. You're the best!"
Despite her exhaustion, Aira felt a warm glow of happiness. Tomorrow, she would go to Lorie's house and personally deliver the newspaper. Despite the hurdles, she had managed to make the surprise happen. And in that moment, all the fatigue and setbacks seemed trivial compared to the joy she knew she would bring to her best friend.