R E D ! [Under Revisions/Editings]

"Sunflowers for Marie"

3rd of September, year 2004.

That was the day when I first met Marie Arañego, the beautiful daughter of my mentor, Dr. Azriel Arañego. It was her 25th birthday. It was one of the most unforgettable day of my life.

I followed the tip that Dr. Arañego spoiled to me at the canteen, a month before that most awaited meet-up.

"Sunflowers, huh?", I said to myself.

For the first time, I bought a new jeans and a red semi-fit polo shirt.
That was all I can afford that time with my money. And perhaps, that's the first time that I looked pretty decent.

Anyway, I still needed to buy those precious Sunflowers. So, I went to a place called Dangwa. It was a place where gorgeous different variaties of flowers were sold in cheap prices. Almost all stalls in Dangwa were selling flowers and souvenir items.
I looked for Sunflowers, but it was so rare that I can barely saw one.

But at the end of the long walk through the flowers stalls, I finally saw a store who was selling Sunflowers.
But since, she was the only one selling it, she was selling it on a huge price!
It was worse than a hold-up and far worst than your nightmares. She was selling it as if it was GOLD! But I have no heck of a choice!
So, instead of buying a bouquet, I ended up buying THREE CUTE PIECES of SUNFLOWERS.
Oh yeah, it was a HELL of a day!!

I don't have a car, so, I traveled via jeepney, while holding that three pieces of flowers in my bare hand. And oh yeah, we were like sardines-in-a-can at that jeepney, just add a little tomato sauce and onions, and you'll have a literal one. So, even before I got to Marie's Birthday Party, I was so haggard. I already looked so gaunt, tired and wasted.

Doctor Arañego lived in an exclusive subdivision. It was a place for known and rich people. It was the first time I have been into his place.
He just told me to walk straight, then turn left to the first street named, "Peach Street" and there shall I see their warm abode with a white steel gate, with a huge beautiful garden, a fountain in the middle and different kinds of colorful local flowers like santan, gumamela, and orchids.

But before I reached Dr. Arañego's home, I already saw beautiful cars and SUVs parked in front of their warm abode. I saw few men in their branded and elegant clothes, and some women in their beautiful cocktail dresses while smoking cigarettes outside the Arañego residence.

I became conscious on how I look and how I dressed up. I became conscious on what I wore and what I brought for my birthday present. So, I hid the sunflowers in the paper bag. I fixed my hair with my hands while walking straight. And then, as I drew near those group of elite spoiled guys and gals who smoked the hell like chimneys, they were all whispering and chuckling while gazing at me from head to toe.

That day, I have concluded that somehow, MONEY can but you some sort of decency superficially, but not inwardly.

Luckily, when I reached the gate, that old familiar downcasted and soggy face of Dr. Arañego was there checking the time on his wrist watch. He recognized me and then as if surprised spoke with his old, husky loud voice, "What the heck is wrong with you crazy kid?!"

"Why sir? I dressed bad, right?", I answered in a low tone, with my confidence lost.

"Naaah!! I don't care if you came here naked you son of a devil!", he embraced me and welcomed me, then he continued, "I just thought that you wouldn't come to meet my Marie, that's why I am in a panic!"

My face turned red again - shy and embarrased. "Sir!!! Be quiet please, its embarassing if she wil heard us!!"

The old man just laughed and teased me more and more and more... Like a kid teasing another kid about his crush.

Anyway, Dr. Arañego probably knew that I will just wear a polo shirt and jeans, so, HE ALSO WORE HIS' black polo shirt, slux and a pair of slippers- exactly what he wore on that very day of my interview.
I am somehow reassured that somehow, the master of the house do not judge by mere appearances.

When we went inside, it was just a typical, simple buffet, with tables all around the huge garden. There was a videoke machine on the side, for those who love to sing. It was not that grand and formal. It was not some type of millionare's party. It was just a simple celebration for close friends and relatives.
Dr. Arañego introduced me as his best student and as our University's Dean's Lister to some of his few friends and relatives there.

Their house was some kind of an Ancestral House. The house was some kind of a DUPLEX ANTIQUE. The door was made of Narra wood, the flooring was maple wood, imported from Quebec. The decorations inside was composed of antique tall porcelain jars, mahogany wood tables and chairs, and the walls was arrayed with paintings of the well-known realist painter, Fernando Amorsolo. It was a classic home with a very warm Filipino touch, and it was so beautiful.

But as I gazed on the wall about a beautiful sunset painting of Manila Bay, I heard Dr. Arañego spoke with that raspy voice of him, "Marie, I like you to meet the one I am telling you... Red."

I don't have no confidence to turn around and have a glance of her beauty!
I was terrified! I was shocked! I am not prepared!
Do I look good? Do I smell nice?
What shall I say? Will I try to be funny? Or shall I just drop a 'Happy Birthday' Greetings?
What the....!!!!!!!!
I dont know!!!!!
Awkward!!!!!

Then, I heard a beautiful, mild-toned, sweet voice of a woman.. "Hello Red, I am Marie. I heard a lot of you from my father, he said that we are almost like the same."

Goodness gracious, what shall I say?
I turned around, then, look at her...
She's more beautiful in person than the graduation picture that her father showed me.
She has a brown-black hair -silky and shiny, brown eyes, red lips, cheeks pink, and her complexion was fair and smooth. She was so beautiful!
I know its too much to say, but she looks like someone who have fallen from heaven to this very place!

I was speechless..

I can't utter a word..

"What shall I say? Talk, Red.. Talk!!", I said to myself.

She looked me in the eyes, and my heart pounded. "Oh, my goodness"

In so much agitation and a mixture of nervousness, I dropped the paper bag I was holding..

Then, that three pieces of beautiful Sunflowers I bought for her, fell from the floor.

I was still speechless... Frozen solid...

Her eyes gazed upon the Sunflowers on the floor, and I saw an angelic smile from an angelic being.. Then she asked,
"Is that for me Red?", and she smiled huge.

Dr. Arañego chuckled, turned around, and leave the both of us with each other.

(.... To be continued)