Hidden City

Au Revoir

Strange noises outside my room awakened me. I didn't know what was happening. At first, I thought it was the noise from my dream since I dreamed of an eminent City just like Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The dream seemed real, it felt like I had been there before as I toured the whole spot with someone I had never met ever since. But I was wrong after all as it was just a dream.

I was used to noises growing up especially when it's Sunday morning. Yes, it's the busy streets, the unending active boulevards, roads and alleys. Those car horns and motor vehicles rumble that were so sick in the ear if you're in a first time, people partying outside their houses and having some high volume karaoke in the streets. But the noise I heard this morning was something odd.

I checked my phone beside me and it was just 5:10 in the morning. Instead of getting up, I rolled my body to reach the thermostat and turned off the air-conditioner since the whole room was already filled with coldness. After it turned off, I turned on the stand fan beside my bed. And started scrolling down my feeds to catch some updates from my social media accounts.

How beautiful is the morning as we come and awaken you
With God's early morning blessing with pleasure, we sing to you

I stopped scrolling my feeds as I heard singing acapella outside. I couldn't catch the whole song yet, so I turned off the stand fan beside me and focused on listening to the music. My eyes were closed, and faced the right side where the sound came from. Until I realized that the song and those old and husky voices were familiar to me.

On the day that you were born, the flowers came to bloom
And at the baptismal font all the saints bright forth their songs
The dawn sinks intopearing the rise sun breaks through

The acapella song was then accompanied by a guitar and a tambourine. Slowly it sank in my mind what was going on down there. My body froze because of an unexplainable feeling but I was forced to get up in my bed to watch the scene. I walked towards the door but I stopped when I saw my reflection in the mirror smiling so beautifully. Goodness! My face ain't ready for this.

My mind shouted happiness and my heart cried with so much love when I gradually reached the door and finally got to hear the song so surely. My camera started filming. I breathed deeply and was about to touch the doorknob when it clicked before I turned it to open.

Early this bright morning as we sing Happy Birthday to you

"Happy Birthday, Kiray. " Lola whispered and gave me a bouquet.

It made me cry when I saw her crying while embracing me.  I hugged her tight and mouthed "Thank you".

Lola held me and brought me right into the Sala. I couldn't explain the excitement I was feeling at that certain time when I and Lola walked down the stairs. It was a mixed bag of emotions when I saw people standing in a line singing. I didn't know if I was crying or I was smiling. The feeling was surreal. The World for me stopped.

How I wish I were Saint Peter how I wish I were Saint John as we bring this salutation in the very early day

I was still on the stairs looking at them with a crying heart. Lola left me and headed to the kitchen. I smelled delicious food when I saw those foods displayed on the dining table using banana leaves. I put my both hands on my chest as I couldn't put into words the emotion I felt. One by one, people went the stairs where I stiffened and handed me handmade lovely bouquets, and pretty flowers in a basket, put some fresh and fragrant flower garlands on my neck, gave me an embrace and cheek kisses, and greeted me with a meaningful happy birthday.

The dawn is now appearing the rays of the sun break through a rise early this bright morning as we sing Happy Birthday to you

I joined them on the sala when they were done with their bouquets and garlands, embraces and kisses, and lastly birthday greetings and wishes. So pleased to see people continue singing with joy. They swayed their heads and clapped their hands. Some of them played the tambourine and Tiyo Ricky played the guitar. My mouth couldn't spit a word and my eyes couldn't count the tears that fell. My heart was full!