“SURPRISE!!!”

 

About a dozen people screamed out immediately Anne opened the door to her apartment. Her hand immediately flew to her mouth, a look of surprise on her face as she struggled to stifle the giggle that was quickly turning into laughter. Her big eyes swept the room as she took in the excited expressions on her friends’ faces, and suddenly a tear rolled down her cheeks.

 

“Guys!” She let out as she walked in and started hugging them. “You didn’t have to do this!”

“Damn right we didn’t!” Susan chirped as she returned her hug.

“So I guess the alleged break up between the two of you was just a ploy?” She asked eyeing her two friends, Graham and Penny.

“It wasn’t my idea!” Graham quickly defended himself as an elbow hit his belly. Anne smiled as she walked away from them and headed for her kitchen. She was pretty sure more surprises awaited her there.

 

Michael watched her as she walked away from his two friends, and a wink from Penny confirmed that his plan was still intact. He smiled. It had not been difficult to get this party set up for Anne. He had looked forward to it for a whole year. Her previous birthday had gone by with no one noticing. He remembered her bringing it up over dinner they were having with some of their friends,

“Oh my God. Am a year older. Yesterday was my birthday!” she had said with a giggle. The others had been shocked. Apparently, birthdays had never meant much to her at all, she rarely remembered them. And from that evening, he had vowed to make her birthday this year special.

 

The two of them had met while she was in college at a party held by a mutual friend. They had immediately bonded. She was a fun girl to be around, always had a smile on her face and had a way to make even the saddest faces brighten up. She had stood out that evening. Being a slightly formal party, she had been the only one who showed up in jeans. He was later to learn just why that had not turned out to surprise anyone who knew her back then. They had quickly become friends after that. And though he felt more than friendship for her, he had faithfully played his part as a good friend.

 

But now a perfect opportunity presented itself for him. They were both single. And he knew this was the chance he had been waiting for. He had his pride on the line, he knew that. But he also knew he had to let his feelings be known to her before she met someone else. He could only hope she felt the same way too.

 

It was all fun and games as the party went on. Anne had been more than excited about the party. It was the first she could ever remember having and she was thrilled. The eating and drinking and opening presents had gone on and on till late into the night. Finally people had slowly started leaving as they headed to various night clubs to finish of the night. One thing was certain for Anne; she was going to have a lot of cleaning to do come the next morning. She had been surprised when none of her friends invited her along. Not that she really had wanted to go, but it would have been nice to get invited. She sighed as she closed the door behind two other friends who had just left. It was understandable, she figured. They had contributed a lot to make the party happen, and she was grateful for that. There was no need to extend the party any more.

 

She noticed two people sleeping on her cushions on the floor. She smiled. No need to wake them, they were probably drunk. She walked on into the kitchen. Apparently, it had all been Michael’s plan to set up the party for her. She smiled at the thought. He was such a thoughtful and kind man. Just the type of man she needed in her life. She frowned at that thought. That was not a good path her mind was leading her too. Of course Michael possessed just about all she wanted in a man, but he was her friend. And that’s all there was to it. She had been smitten the first time she had seen him. She smiled at the memory and the use of the old term. One look at him and she had been in love. She was a romantic, always believed at love at first sight and all that. But that day, the belief had grown stronger. But there was a thing about falling in love at first sight that they missed to explain in books she read. For one, she had not been alone. Secondly, she just had to meet two of his girlfriends, and some of his ex girlfriends to know she did not fit the picture. Michael just didn’t go for her type! So what does one do when they fall in love with someone who can’t love them back? At least, not love them as they wanted to be loved? Sit back and watch from a distance. And maybe, just maybe, you can fall out of love with them someday!

 

“Everyone left already?” A familiar voice called out from outside the kitchen.

“Uh…yeah. Whoever is left is spending the night here! What are you doing outside there?” Anne asked as she walked over to the window and lifted the curtain.

“Looking at the stars!” He answered with a smile in his voice.

“Looking at….what?” She asked as she lifted the curtain further to see for herself!

“What, you think I can’t take time to look at stars?”

“Um….no pun intended but…yes!” she said with laughter in her voice. Michael chuckled.

“Come on. It’s really beautiful here!” He said with a more serious tone. Shaking her head, she let go of the curtain and made her way to the kitchen door. There must be something wrong with him.

“I thought I was the romantic one here!” She said as she stepped out of the kitchen to the darkness outside. It didn’t take long to notice the sight at the far end of her backyard. A candle lit dinner table was set there. Though it looked like nothing had been touched, she knew immediately coming out here was not the right move. “Um….am sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt!” She started back for the house but quickly a hand stopped her.

“I called you out here, Anne!” He said as he turned her to face him.

“But you have company!” She said in a whisper.

“Yeah?” He said as he walked away from her towards the table, “Anyone out here?” He shouted as he did a full turn then turned around and stared at her, “looks like it’s you and me mate!” Slowly Anne walked towards him, a quizzical expression on her face.

“Ok, Mike, what’s going on?” She said as she came and stood right in front of him. His eyes held hers for a while as his mood changed. Then quickly her eyes widened! “Don’t tell me!” She said out loud as she turned away from him and slumped onto one of the chairs.

“Anne?”

“Oh, please! Did you really think I wouldn’t figure it out?”

“Well….um….I hoped you would….I just…”

“You just wanted to spare me the shame! Huh? You were just being a friend?” A startled look covered his face immediately.

“Anne, what are you talking about?”

“Oh! Oh, you are good! You are really good! Consider yourself released from this obligation Michael, am going to bed!” And with that she started for the door Michael immediately tried to restrain her. “Let me go!” She shouted as she struggled in his hold.

“Will you just stop and listen to me! I don’t know what that imaginative mind of yours has come up with but it sure as hell isn’t the truth.”

“Yeah, right!” She said through clenched teeth as she continued to struggle as Michael effortlessly held her in place. “You guys tried your matchmaking scheme again, my date didn’t show up, and now you feel obligated to stay here as my date! How did I do, councilor, think I may make it to the bench!” Her last words were screamed out!

“You, my dear, will make it to more than the bench. You will make writer of the year award!” He said with a smile on his now softened facial expression.

“What….now it’s funny? Let go of me you oaf. Let me…”Her words were interrupted by his mouth finding hers. The kiss was not expected, especially not by her. The feeling it gave them surprised them both. Anne immediately stopped struggling as she wrapped her hands around his neck. She had dreamt of it, fantasized about it, but never had she thought it would be this good. Slowly the kiss came to an end. Anne slowly opened her eyes to find his eyes staring intensely into hers. The shock she felt was soon registered in her eyes. What had just happened? She didn’t know she had voiced that out allowed till he responded to it.

 

“We kissed, Annie!”

“I know what we did! Why? Why did you kiss me?” Slowly, Michael lifted his hand and ran his fingers on her cheek.

“Why did I kiss you?” He asked as he looked deep into her eyes, “Because, Annie, I have wanted to kiss you from the first time I saw you in that party. I have dreamt and fantasized about it ever since. And still, the real thing is way better.” The smile that followed his words warmed her heart. Anne was too shocked to speak.

“You planned this, all of it, didn’t you?” She asked as she turned away from him to look at the table with the candles dying out. “The party, the people leaving, you planned it all!” Her voice was filled with admiration and Michael felt a catch in his heart. He moved to stand by her side.

“Guilty as charged!”

“So you really were not looking at the stars, were you?” She asked a grin in place as she lifted her face to look at him.

“Oh, I was. It’s amazing how much beauty one can see up there in the sky when they take time to look.” Anne smiled. This was really happening.

“It’s a dream come true!” She whispered as she followed Michael’s gaze to the stars. “All of it…except,”

“Except what!” Michael prompted when she went quiet.

“This is going to sound really stupid!” She said as she smiled.

“Annie!”

“Well, I had this dream. A long time ago…..we…I mean, you and I…well…we danced. We were dancing under the stars!” She looked up at him sheepishly expecting him to burst out laughing. He held her eyes for a while, and then moved towards the table and after a while music filled the air.

“Why don’t we make that dream a complete reality?” He said as he walked towards her and put out his hand.

“Michael…I don’t know how to dance!” She said, looking at his hand then turning her large eyes to him.

“Who cares? It’s just you and me, and your dream. We have to make it perfect!” He reached for her hand and drew her to him. “So, Annie, in your dream…..what happens after the dance?” he asked as he swung her around.

“Annie sounds like a baby’s name. And nothing happened!” She said with mock irritation. Michael threw back his head and laughed.

“Well, Annie. Am I glad this isn’t a dream! Because you and me Anne, we are stuck together, forever.” She smiled up into his serious eyes.

“Promise?”

“Am out under the stars dancing, aren’t I? We are leaving out your dream Anne, and we shall live out mine too. And mine doesn’t end!” He said as he captured her mouth in another kiss. He was right. Her dreams were coming true. She was dancing under the stars, with the man she loved. She had received the best present of all.

“Happy birthday love!” he said as he ended the kiss slowly.

He was right. It was a happy birthday!