~~
Greggy woke up this morning earlier, wondering where Irene was because she wasn't in their room. He headed into Yara's room, expecting his wife to be with their daughter because he knew that since Yara's birth, she was the only person who could surely make all of Irene's anxieties disappear.
Greggy's POV
If I could have all the time in the world to always be at your side and always protect you from people who want to hurt you, I would certainly do that for you. I'll just let them rest and not disturb them because I know they're exhausted from yesterday. I should make breakfast for them and get some bouquets for Irene for today.
Greggy made some phone calls and ordered a flower for his wife while Yara woke up and went directly to his dad to greet him and plan a swift surprise for her mom with her Dad
Yara: [energetic] Good morning, Dad!
Greggy: Good morning, hija! Did you have a good sleep?
Yara: Yes, Mommy is with me.
Greggy: [smiled] I ordered a bouquet for your mom
Yara: Can you order for me as well?
Greggy: Yes, I included yours also there
Yara: That's great, Dad. And, Daddy, I wanted to get Mom a new grand piano; is it possible for us to get one anyway, even though we have only a short time frame?
Greggy: I will make some calls; do you have a preferred brand and size?
Yara: I want sana the Steinway Grand Model O, Dad.
Greggy: Ok baby, wait for a while [made a quick phone call] They have one stock left, hija.
Yara: So they can give it over to us? So like, they can deliver it later today?
Greggy: [nodded] Yes, anytime today.
Yara: [thrilled] Oh my, am so excited for Mommy! What is their mode of payment? and how much is it?
Greggy: It was originally P3.6m, but they discounted it, so it is now P3.5m
Yara: Oh my gosh, Is it okay for me to pay them a cheque? or cash?
Greggy: Cheque will do, bear, and I have a good suggestion that will put us both on the winning side.
Yara: What is it, Dad?
Greggy: Let that piano be our gift to Mom, and I'll share P2.5m, so you'll only have to pay the remaining sum, okay or so okay?
Yara: Are you sure? It's really fine dad, I set the money aside na for it.
Greggy: Just keep it and let me pay my share.
Yara: Am dyahe but thank you, Daddy!!
Greggy: Don't be, welcome baby, let's make your mom happy for today.
Yara: Yes we should make it extra special, she deserves it!
Finally, Greggy and Yara agreed to their plan to buy a new piano and resolved to share the expense, and Irene awoke just in time.
Greggy: Happy birthday to my lovely wife [kissed her and handed the bouquet]
Yara: Mama!! Happy birthday [holding the cake]
Irene: Aww, what a good morning having you two around. Thank you, babe, and my Yara.
Greggy: Let's eat breakfast.
They then eat breakfast prepared by Greggy, and a huge present that would make Irene very happy later will be on its way, without her knowing. The household is busy getting ready for Irene's birthday, which will surely be attended by a few of their family and friends.
Irene's gifts, letters, and flowers to wish her on her birthday are beginning to arrive. While Irene is inside, checking everything, Greggy and Yara head out cautiously to check and receive the piano that they will give as a surprise present to their beloved birthday girl. They made sure that the piano was in good condition and was hidden well so that Irene wouldn't notice it, then went back inside as if nothing had happened.
Irene: Did you see your dad?
Yara: Dad? [nervous] Oh, there he is.
Greggy: Yes babe?
Irene: Babe, could you text Anton and ask whether they'll come here later? I can't contact Dawn kasi.
Greggy: Oh okay.
Yara: Who's coming, Mom?
Irene: It's just our family and a few of my friends, baby.
Yara: Okay, mom, just chill out and enjoy, it's your day today.
Irene: Of course, thanks Yar [kissed Yara's forehead]
Irene opted to take a break in their room and respond to some birthday text messages from her family and friends, while Greggy held a huge bouquet with a letter from
Greggy: Dear, special delivery for you [handed her the bouquet]
Irene: Wow, who's this from?
Greggy: From Mama Meldy
Irene: [tear-eyed] Awww, mommy.
Yara: [knocking] Mama!?
Irene: Yes baby, come inside
Yara: Tita Mommy and Tito Bong's presents for you just arrived, here mama.
Greggy: Wait Yar, I'll help you.
Yara: Thanks, daddy.
Irene: Oh careful love.
A few hours later, Irene was preparing what she would wear while Yara was approving whether it was suitable for her mom or not, she put a little lipstick on her to make it look more beautiful on her birthday, after which they proceeded down and have a chat to their family and guests who'd already arrived.
Alfonso: Happy birthday Mom!
Andy: Happy birthday Baba!
Luis: Happy birthday Mom
Xandra: Mom, Happy happy birthday!
Irene: Thank you guys [kissed each of them on the cheek]
Dawn: Happy birthday, classy lady [beso]
Irene: Thanks, Dawn! Am glad you made it tonight.
Dawn: Of course, it's your birthday
Ayisha: Happy Birthday Tita Irene
Jacobo: Happy birthday Tita
Anton: Happy Birthday Irene!
Irene: Thanks Yish, Jacobo, and Anton
Ayisha: Where's Ate Yara, tita?
Irene: There she is.
Ayisha: Hi Ate Yara!!
Yara: Hi Isha! [hugged her] Hi Ninang Dawn, Jacobo, and Tito Anton
Dawn: Hi beautiful inaanak [beso]
Yara is so aliw catching up with the Lagdameo kids, Greggy and Anton were discussing a potential business venture, and Irene was busy chatting to her other visitors.
Michelle: Irene, happiest birthday!
Irene: Michelle, thank you! Come, Dawn is right there
Michelle: Oh ok, will go to her muna. You enjoy!
Irene: Thank you Chelley!
Imee: Happy birthday Ading,
Matthew: Happy birthday Tita Irene
Irene: Thanks Manang and Matmat!
Mike & Cara: Hi, Tita Irene. Happy birthday
Irene: Thank you, guys.
Mama Meldy: My sweet daughter, happy birthday my Irene
Irene: Mommy, thank you [kissed her mom]
Bong: Happy birthday Ading
Liza: Happy birthday Irene!
Irene: Thanks Bonget and Liza [beso] Where's Sandro, Vin...
Vinny: Happy birthday Tita!
Sandro: Hi Tita, Happy birthday
Simon: Happy birthday Tita Irene.
Irene: Aww, thank you, boys, come na inside.
Irene's birthday dinner was held at their Sky Garden at home, and Yara was indeed a big help in facilitating her mom's birthday; the motif is a neutral beige boho that is simple yet homey in the eye.
Ana and Cristina arrived shortly after The Eduardo sisters.
Alice: Happy birthday my dearest Irene!
Irene: Alice! Thank you [beso]
Small: Oh Irene! Happy birthday, girl!
Irene: Thank you, Smalley! [beso] the ever-energetic girl.
Melba: Happy birthday Irene.
Irene: Thank you, Melba, you guys have a seat.
Cristina: Hello, good evening
Mama Meldy: Cristina
Cristina: Hi, Auntie Meldy [beso]Where's Irene, auntie?
Mama Meldy: Right there [pointing]
Irene: Ana! Cristina!
Ana: Happy birthday Irene, gift for you!
Irene: Thank you, Ana! [beso]
Cristina: Happy birthday wonderful birthday girl.
Irene: Thank you, Cristina. Sina Small andun na
Cristina: Sige, will go to them.
The Titas of Manila gathered tonight, but they are incomplete since others are out of the country and also have scheduling conflicts.
After Irene welcomed all of her guests, they immediately prayed led by Mama Meldy, and ate dinner; there are singers on her birthday to add color to the night while engaging in conversation with everyone at the party.
Small: Who organized this party, girl?
Irene: La Belle Fete, but Yara was the one who came up with all these motifs and all
Small: They're the best! Oh wow, she's so galing ha. By the way, where pala si Yara?
Irene: [calling her daughter] Yar, Tita Small is calling you.
Yara: Oh hi Tita's! Hi Tita Smalley! [making beso with her Tita's]
Small: Grabe Irene, my inaanak is super pretty and very tall!
Yara: Aww, thank you ninang! [shyly replied]
Irene: Nagmana sa daddy...
Small: Oo nga. By the way, Allison said she wants to hang out with you, sayang nga she's busy today with school, and she would love to join us here tonight sana.
Yara: Oh really!? I miss Aton too! I will just call her and will see each other somewhere
Small: Ok sige, I will tell her ha.
Yara: [nodded] Sure, Tita!
Yara excused herself so that the kumares could speak freely. While Irene is busy, the family loves the good food and good company of each other, as well as tonight's vibe of music, full of singing, and dancing.
Alice: Are you ok na ba?
Irene: Kinda Alice, am so traumatized talaga.
Small: Grabe those people.
Dawn: It's too much talaga, I mean insulting you on the cusp of your birthday, that's foul
Michelle: They are fortunate that Irene is so bait nga, if that was me ay, I would fight back
Liza: And file a complaint against them.
Small: I agree with you Liza and Chelley.
Irene: I was so scared because I was with Yara at that time pa naman.
Dawn: I understand how you feel Irene, that happened to me and my kids.
Irene: And so frustrated and don't know what to do.
Ana: Mabuti they didn't get to physically hurt you.
Melba: Oo nga Irene
Cristina: Kawawa si Yara, if that happens.
Irene: I know, she was clutching so tight at Xandra.
Alice: Kaya, be extra careful Irene, we are worried as well upon knowing it.
Irene: I will, Thank you, guys.
They continued to talk, then when it was time for Irene to know about her birthday surprise from Greggy and Yara, Luis blindfolded her mom and Alfonso gently guided their mom down the hallway, in which the piano had already been positioned; everybody in the house was just so ecstatic for Irene to see it, and they surrounded her to just see her reaction.
Luis: one, two, three...surprise!!
Greggy: Happy birthday, my darling! [kissed Irene]
Yara: Happy birthday, mommy! [together with her brothers, they hugged their mom]
Irene: [surprised] Oh my gosh, you got me a new piano!! I've been thinking of buying this model for quite some time na. Thank you so much, Babe, and my babies. [elated]
Greggy: That was Yara's idea, and I had just recently joined her.
Irene: [smiled brightly] Awww, little girl. Thank you, love. [showered Yara with kisses]
Yara: Try it, Mom!
Irene: Alright, this piece is really for you Yara, though it's not finished yet, and for everyone else who's here as well.
(https://youtu.be/zFukOcmYfcs - the link if you want to hear it or just play it) 🤍
Your little hand's wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreamin'
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light
To you, everything's funny
You have nothing to regret
I'd give all I have honey
If you could stay like that
Oh, darlin', don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darlin', don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple
I won't let anybody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
And no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up
Never grow up
Everyone was clapping and weeping as they were moved by Irene's piece for her daughter and how heartwarming it is from the perspective of a parent who does not want their child to grow up and remain their little innocent children forever.
Xandra: [teary-eyed] It's so touching, Mom, that it makes me want to give my warmest hug to my babies.
Cara: [moved] I couldn't agree more, Xands. It's a beautiful piece, Tita Irene.
Mama Meldy, Imee, and Liza were crying in the corridor, realizing how quickly time passes as their children grow. While Greggy is very proud and happy of his wife, Irene's friends are recalling their children individually, smiling as they remember the times when their children were only toddlers. Irene approached Yara, who was crying because she felt how much her mother loved her, while her older brothers hugged and rubbed her on the shoulder.
Irene: Oh baby, come to mom [wiped her tears]
Yara: [sobbing, embracing her mom]
Irene: [whispering] I love you and your brothers and Dad, always!
Yara: We love you so much mama, happy birthday!
[Irene kissed and hugged her children]
Everyone went home with a warm smile for tonight's party, leaving only Greggy, Irene, and Yara in their house, and suddenly Greggy danced to Irene, just them admiring the gentle wind and serene night, while Yara happily watched her mom and dad.
Irene: [grateful] Thank you for tonight, my forever man, I love you [kissed Greggy]
Greggy: All for you honey, I love you too my forever Mrs. Araneta [continues dancing]
Yara's POV
I just love seeing my mom and dad having such a good time. It's just nice to see these two so in love with one another, from then until now they still choose to be with each other.
They'd changed into their pajamas when Irene discovered something in her dresser, a gift with a letter attached to it. When she opened the gift, she found a jewelry box with a diamond bracelet and a belt bag made of Inabel fabric, which made Irene excited to use it soon and undoubtedly from their home in Ilocos which they take pride in. She grabbed the letter right away and wondered who is it from
Irene: [astonished, touched] t's from our little girl, dear. My sweetest baby ever.
Greggy: Really!? Yara has so many surprises in store for you on your birthday, Babe. Our daughter loves you so much.
Irene: [kilig] Absolutely, for sure the piano you bought for me was very expensive, then she even gave me pa a bracelet and bag as a gift as well, my Yara.
Greggy simply smiled, smooched his wife, hugged and finished the night with a sense of joy for tonight's celebration of his wife's birthday with their family and friends.
~~
PS: I sincerely wanted to thank you for reading my book. I certainly wasn't expecting to have actual readers viewing my story, so yeah, really thank you very much! 🦋