He surprised her on her last birthday. A grandiose surprise that made everyone think if he could top it. She was very much surprised by this "stunt" of his which he claimed he'd never done for anyone before. They had barely known each other then so she wondered and constantly wonders why he did such a thing. Who was she anyway? She was a nobody before they met.
Rj paced his room, wracking his brains to come up with an even more grandiose surprise for Maine's upcoming birthday. He had spent a whole lot of money to fly secretly to the beach, her most favourite place in the world. She had invited him, actually, but he fooled her into thinking that he was busy on the days of her trip. He connived with her companions and he was able to pull off the best surprise she could imagine. Now, how could he top that?
She wasn't all grand things. Maine liked the simpler things in life. She wasn't boastful even if she lived a very comfortable life. She did charity work in secret and enjoyed the smiles and appreciation of the people she had helped more than material gifts. She felt great when her heart felt full. For her birthday this year, she asked her friends to donate for a charity which she wanted to set up – to feed the less fortunate school children. She still enjoyed dinner with family and close friends but the charity was her way of giving back for all the blessings she had received.
"Love....anong gusto mo sa birthday mo?" Rj asked Maine one afternoon as they waited at the baranggay after their segment.
"....hmm....wala naman....dinner lang....."
"Bakit parang malungkot ka?"
"....kasi one day lang ang birthday, diba?....tapos na agad...."
"Hmm....wag ka na malungkot.....gusto mo, everyday kita babatiin ng 'Happy Birthday' para everyday, birthday mo?" Rj said as he pulled her close and enveloped her in an embrace.
She nodded. Tears threatening to fall. He noticed this and kissed her head, "O...wag ka na iyak....happy birthday!"
"Di ko pa birthday.....next week pa...."
"Eh di happy un-birthday?" He said. This made her chuckle and smile. "Ang weird mo....baliw!" she said as she playfully hit him on his bicep.
"Oo...baliw na baliw sa yo!" He said as he swayed while still in an embrace.
They had become busier with work since the year began. He worked during his birthday a month ago and was expected to work on her birthday as well. His team tried their best to fix his schedule so that he could have long days off but were not able to adjust it enough for him to spend a longer time with her. Although Rj and Maine saw each other everyday, they were still working. They barely had time alone.
During one break at work, Rj "disappeared" from their location. They were in the mountains so the general area was darker than usual at night. The staff and crew searched for him but could not find him.
"Tatay Cupcake....pwede nyo po akong samahan?" She asked one of the cast when the crew reported that Rj was nowhere to be found.
"Saan?"
"Nawawala po si Rj.....kanina pa....."
"Ah sige...sige....magpasama na rin tayo kela Arman at Badong....mas pamilyar sila sa lugar e...."
"Sige po...."
The group left and walked a trail towards the caves. The general area seemed even darker and creepier than normal. It was a clear night, though, so the moon shown brightly and the trees and rocks cast eerie shadows. The twinkling stars looked spectacular. As they neared the caves, they could see something glowing in the distance. Maine knew that there was a clearing in that area near the cave's entrance so she walked towards that direction. As she neared the light source, she realized that it was a bonfire lit just outside the cave entrance. She did not notice that Cupcake, Arman and Badong had left her as she walked towards the cave, somewhat enchanted by the shadows cast on the interior walls. As she turned to see if her companions were still with her, Rj appeared from behind her with a single flower, a yellow carnation, her favourite.
"Happy birthday, Love!" Rj said as he wrapped his arms around her. "This might not be as grand as my last birthday gift to you was but I want you to always know and remember that you are worth more than all the grandest gifts in the world. I wish you all the happiness in the world, Love. I love you!"
Maine was in tears now. Rj let her cry for a while on his shoulders.
"Uhmm..love...meron pa....." Rj whispered as he kissed her temple.
"Huh?" Maine said as Rj wiped her tears with one hand while resting his other arm on her shoulder. He guided her inside the cave.
It was dark, very dark, and Maine was feeling a bit uneasy.
"Just stay here....don't move...." Rj said as he let go of Maine.
"Rj....Love....." Maine said, unsure.
Suddenly, candles lit up the cavern and faces of the staff, cast, and crew of their work team glowed with the candles' flame. They sang, "Happy birthday!"
Rj reappeared with a bouquet of wildflowers and joined the singing. When the last lines of the song were sung, floodlights filled the cave and revealed the party that was set up inside. Maine was asked to blow out all the candles of the 22 people who held a lit one.
Being a long way from town, they had a simple feast. Instead of the usual noodle or pasta dishes, Rj had set up a boodle fight table for everyone to enjoy. Maine's "cake" was a large ensaymada with one candle in the middle. Although it was not grand, Maine felt the love and effort Rj put into surprising her anew.
They walked out of the cave, hand in hand, until they were alone in the clearing with just the moonlight shining on their surroundings. Rj embraced Maine and slowly swayed her until they were "dancing" to the tune of nature's symphonies.
