"2-2-2-3." The kid said out loud as he entered the pass code. An audio recording played and he did as he was told.
A few of the staff members had helped him out. They already knew what they were going to do. The shop had closed down for the entire night for this special occassion.
The kid instructed the staff about the sizes of the scented candles that were to be placed on the surrounding tables, two big men carried a solitary round table to the center and the kid spread the mantle to cover the table top.
"Bunso!" A teenage girl called out as she had entered the shop. She was carrying a bouquet of roses. "Oh, eto na. As what was requested." The young girl smiled but tears had welled up in her eyes - it was a bittersweet kind of moment.
"Thanks, ate. Tulungan mo na ako dito. We have to be on time eh." The young man smiled at his big sister and they both went back to business.
The place was soon filled with the aroma of vanilla that was familiar to them - it was just right; not too sweet to the nose and not too overpowering. They scattered petals and balloons on the floor and they slowly let go of the helium-inflated ones so that it would float right up to the ceiling.
They decorated the center table. Two chairs, two sets of fine dining utensils and two plates. The staff were already prepping for the meals that were to be served.
The young man looked out the window and soon after he was joined by his sister.
"I'm so proud of you, baby boy." His big sister hugged him tight. "Oh, i-suot mo na 'to. Tsaka kabilin-bilinan ni mama na dapat gwapo ka tonight." He nodded and prepped himself up as he wore his favorite coat.
It was his favorite because it was the very first coat that was bought by his mama when he went to his Junior-Senior prom for the first time.
"Mama.." He ran his fingers along the fine texture of the coat and heaved a heavy sigh as a lone tear escaped from his eyes. He then shook his head and conditioned himself.
He took out his phone soon after and dialled her mommy's number.
"Alrin? Where are you?" Her mommy asked on the other line.
"Mommy, dumaan muna ako dito sa restaurant. Can you fetch me here?" There was a moment of silence then the lady on the other line responded.
"Sure. Along the way din naman ako eh. Just give me 5 minutes." The lady answered.
"Thanks, mom. Just go in and you'll find me inside. I'll wait for you. Ingat ka. I love you." The young boy was getting a bit nervous now.
"I love you, too." And his mommy had now hung up the phone.
Alrin looked at his sister Mikyla and the latter was concentrating on the violin as she was practicing some of the chords of her piece. His big sister composed it herself with the help of their mama Ly.
"Ate, papunta na si mommy." They looked at each other and exchanged knowing looks.
And they did this gesture; brushing the tip of their noses with their index finger as a signal that they were ready for anything. It was their family gesture and it brought comfort to them.
The kids had actually gotten it from their mama Ly when they saw her often doing it to Mika's nose when they were still toddlers.
"Mommy, why is mama doing that to your nose always?" Mikyla asked out of curiosity one day.
"Because it makes mommy feel warm and giddy on the inside, baby." Mika answered as she stared lovingly at her daughter. Mikyla scrunched up her nose in confusion.
"What is gibby, mommy?" The little girl asked. Her mama Ly laughed and scooped up the kid. Alrin was paying close attention, too.
"Baby, it's giddy. Gi-dee. Can you repeat it for me, please?" The little girl happily nodded.
"Giddy! Giddy! Giddy! Eh ano po 'yun?" She scrunched up her nose again which made Alyssa brush the tip of her index finger on Mikyla's nose.
"Ohhhh! It tickles mama! Pero it's niiiice!" She exclaimed and Alrin held out his arms because he wanted the same thing, too.
"Mama! Mama! Gibee, gibee!" He could barely repeat but he's almost there.
Mika took him in her arms and did the same thing that Alyssa did to Mikyla on his nose. The baby boy squealed in glee. Since then, it had stuck with the Valdez-Reyes family. A unique heirloom that was passed down and kept by both Alrin and Mikyla.
They smiled at each other and Mikyla readied herself as she saw, from the glass windows, Mika's car approaching.
She recalled the musical piece she had composed and played it by heart. It was a love song for both Mika and Alyssa. Each note, rising and falling, signified the ups and downs of the couple's relationship which shaped them and led them to where they were now.
Alyssa shared lots of stories with Mikyla about her relationship with Mika and the young girl always paid close attention because she loved hearing them. Tears fell from her eyes as she played the violin, it was as if Alyssa herself was there with her.
Mika walked in and saw the scattered petals and balloons on the floor. Her eyes traced it up to where Alrin was standing holding a bouquet of special red roses.
He handed it to his mommy and led the way for her. He carefully pulled out the chair from the rounded table and Mika sat down, her mouth agape because she was still at a loss for words.
"Mommy.." Alrin finally spoke and one of the staff came in to pull out a white panel board so that Mika could clearly see a projected video. Alrin signalled the staff to hit play and the lights were dimmed as they gave way to the projected video of a bed-ridden Alyssa, just about 3 months ago.
"Babe.. I know it may be hard for you to take it all in right now. I'm sorry if wala ako diyan ngayon. That's why I especially asked our kids to do this not just for me but for you. For us.
You know so well that you mean the universe to me and I more than blessed to have met you and to have been married to you and I also am very glad that I was given that much time to watch our kids grow with you as they turned into these youngsters that I know we are both proud of.
Happy Valentine's day, Babe. Ayokong i-celebrate mo 'to na nagluluksa at umiiyak. But I'm really sorry na hindi ko natupad ang pangako kong I will grow old with you. I know though that Alrin and Mikyla will always have a part of me that will be with you until all your hair turns white.
Laging niyong tatandaan..
I will always love you. So much."
Alyssa suppressed her tears in the video as it ended.
The family knows how much she has struggled battling Leukemia for almost half a year. And it was 3 months ago that she had become an angel to Mika, Alrin and Mikyla.
"Happy Valentine's Day, mommy. Mama." They looked up, feeling Alyssa's presence warming up their hearts.
Mika hugged them tightly and all three of them shared a meal that night.
In loving memory of Alyssa Caymo Valdez-Reyes.
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Inspired by #KwentongJollibee entitled "Date". Kahit pinapaiyak ako ng buset na bubuyog na 'yon, doon pa rin ako kakain sa restaurant niya. XD Masyado kong mahal ang Jollibee!
This is specially dedicated to theheftycollector and Team_MikaReyes. Ship ko kayong dalawa! ❤ Nyahaha. The Chief + The Master... #MasterChief! *wink wink*
Okay last na 'yon. Baka batuhin ako ng bottled water. 😅
Peace & Love, #TeamBabe! 💙💚
