"SWEETEST SURPRISE"

THAT was the day of Daniel's schedule for another doctor and hospital where he would get a second opinion so Marielle didn't let him go to school first.

That was also the reason why she went to school alone and did duty at the library without the young man.

Ara remained silent, not because no one was talking to her but because she was not with Daniel and she missed her boyfriend very much.

"Ara, would you like to have lunch with me and Jenny?" it was Jason who approached her while she was trying to keep herself busy in front of the computer.

She looked at Jason then forced a smile. "Thanks but I'm okay," she replied.

Her friend stared at her for a moment before he nodded and spoke. "All right, it's up to you," he said hesitantly, staring at her again, and then left.

She ate lunch alone that day. And since she was not on duty yet, she decided to go to the roof deck where she often spends time with Daniel.

She still hadn't received a call from the young man so she couldn't help but worry at that moment. Then she glanced at her watch and then turned her attention back to the book she was reading even though she didn't really understand any of the words printed on it.

She wanted to call Daniel but she thought it might not be a good idea, maybe it would be better if it was just him or any of his sister or his mother who would do it. Because she didn't know what was happening to the young man now.

Ara's chest started to pound violently when she felt the approaching footsteps from behind her. She immediately turned to look at it, she hoped it was Daniel. But she failed and then became lethargic again but still tried to force a smile when she saw that it was Jason and not her boyfriend. Behind him was Jenny who sweetly smiled at her.

"Hello, can we join you here?" her best friend asked her kindly then sat down on the empty part of the concrete bench she was occupying.

Ara just nodded then forced a smile. After that, it was then that she accepted the sandwich and bottled water that Jenny handed her.

"We know you have a problem, you can tell us about it," Jenny said again as she caught a glimpse of Jason who at that moment was leaning against the steel pole of the shed where they were hanging out.

Ara's tears rolled down her cheeks because of what Jenny had said. Then, not long after, she finally gave up, all the pain that weighed down her chest that she felt in that moment finally disengage so she finally burst into tears.

"What's going on?" Jenny asked worriedly then hugged her. "Whatever the problem is, Jason and I are here, we are more than willing to listen to you," her friend then began to caress her back.

Jenny and Jason let her be like that for a while. After that Jenny gave her water to drink. It was then that she gathered enough courage that she would need to tell them what was really going on.

"D-Daniel is sick, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, that's what the first doctor who examined him said," she sniffed before looking up.

It was then that she saw on the faces of the two especially Jason the intense shock.

"Leukemia?" Jenny was obviously incredulous and whose tone seemed to indicate to her if she was just joking or if what she was saying was really true.

She nodded then started telling them everything as well as Daniel's second opinion that is why he was unable to go to school that day.

“D-Daniel and I decided to get married, soon,” she said unequivocally.

"Married?" Jenny and Jason utter almost simultaneously.

She knew Jason and Jenny were dating and she was happy for them.

That's why she can't help feeling jealous because there is still hope for the two to be together for a long time, while for her and Daniel, for how long will they be together she does not know, that is even though the love that they feel for each other is so great.

Ara nodded. "I-I'm happy for you two, especially for you," she said to Jenny who shyly bowed her head then smiled. "b-But I can't stop being jealous because at least you two have a chance to be together, longer, while Daniel and I," at the last word, Ara quickly felt the sign of her wanting to cry again.

"Don't worry, didn't you just say that he was absent today to get a second opinion? Don't think badly, you may not know the doctor's first diagnosis of him was wrong. That there is still a way to cure his illness, don't lose hope, and most of all you're going to get married aren't you? It doesn't matter if it's a secret or not, the important thing is that you will finally be together as one," Jenny held her hand then squeezed it gently.

"I can't stop worrying especially since he hasn't called yet. I can't call him because I think I might just be distracted," he said.

"I can't help but worry especially since he hasn't called yet. I'm hesitant to call him because I'm worried that I might just be a nuisance to whatever they're doing or talking about," she said.

Ara saw Jenny sigh and then glanced at her boyfriend who was just watching.

"Everything will be okay you'll see, so calm down. It's only a few hours and you can go home, just go by their house so you can talk to him personally. Maybe that's why he hasn't called you yet because he wants to surprise you and he wants to say that to you personally," Jenny said in her still very kind tone.

When Jenny said that, Ara somehow felt hope that made her chest relaxed a little and her anxiety lessened.

She hopes what Jenny said is true, she hopes it's good news that is why Daniel didn't call her.

*****

BECAUSE of what Jenny said, Ara somehow had a reason to make the last hours of her library duty lively. That is why she hurried home because, as her best friend had told her earlier, she would go to Daniel to talk to them about the result of his visit to the doctor.

When she came out of the huge gate of the school, she didn't waste any more time waiting for a tricycle to ride there. Instead, she hurriedly walked to the tricycle parking lot.

As usual, that previously busy road was noisy. Cars honked almost at the same time as she hurriedly walked down the sidewalk. But that was all to her surprise when right behind her she heard a series of loud horns.

Ara quickly felt nervous and then looked around just to fill her heart with great joy when she recognized a familiar car.

"Hello Miss Beautiful, get on board and I'll take you safely home," when Daniel stopped her that's what he said with a beautiful smile.

At that time, the memory of when Daniel first took her home quickly returned to Ara. It seems like that just happened again, the only difference is that the situation in their relationship is different now.

From what used to be and seem like a cat and dog who always fight now here they are and they are about to get married because they really love each, other so much.

"Come on, those behind me will be upset with me," Daniel called to her again as she remained standing there.

"Oh, sorry!" she said hurrying to move and get in the car.

"Seat belt please," he reminded her.

"Okay," she replied with a smile as she remained to stare at the young man.

"All right, hold on tight because we're going to fly," he joked as he kept the car running.

Ara didn't speak anymore, instead, she just stared at the face of the handsome man sitting in front of the steering wheel.

"Sweetheart," Daniel said as she remained to stare at his face.

"Yes?" she said not taking her eyes off her boyfriend.

It was then that the young man glanced at her for a moment before he returned his sight to the road. "I know I look good, but the way you're staring at me now, I feel like I'm the most handsome man in the world," he said glancing at her again just to wink.

Ara's face quickly turned red at what Daniel had done. Within a few months of being in a relationship only now the young man did that to her again.

And even if they say that something happened to them already a few times after the first, she can't believe that that simple gesture still has the power to give her this kind of feeling that causes her face to turn red now.

"For me, you are the most handsome man in the world, even when we were still mortal enemies that's how I think of you," she decided to tell Daniel the truth despite the still intense heat on her face.

Daniel's smile got even better when she said that. "Nothing has changed in you even if you say, you know, I saw that side of you?" Daniel's meaningful tease referred to the blush on her face.

"Stop it," Ara said, still laughing softly.

The young man just nodded while smiling sweetly. "We will be having dinner at home, okay? Your parents and Anthony are also there, they are waiting for you," Daniel said afterward.

"Really?" she asked with a tone of surprise in her voice.

The young man nodded then reached out her hand and kissed it. "I love you so much, sweetheart," he said passionately.

Ara smiled because of that. "I love you too, so much," she replied then squeezed Daniel's hand that didn't let go of holding hers.

"No matter what happens, do not let go of my hand," he said without looking at her but his tone showed deep love.

"Never," she replied.