CLARA woke up with her phone ringing on the nightstand. She blinked and rubbed her eyes, seeing Fuego’s name on the screen. It was still five in the morning.
“Fuego,” she said, trying her best not to sound sleepy at all.
“I’m sorry to wake you up. Could you come down for a moment? There’s something I want to show you.” He sounded excited.
Clara smiled and wondered if he got any sleep at all.
“Can you give me ten minutes? I still have to wash my face.”
“Well, sure.”
She did not see Fuego when she came down the stairs. It was Emerisa whom she saw, instead.
“Clara, good morning!”
“Good morning, Emerisa. Have you seen Fuego?”
“He’s outside. Looks like he was up to something.” Emerisa laughed. “Anything you wanted for breakfast?”
“I’ll take anything you make. Thank you, Emerisa!”
“No problem.”
Clara strode to the door and found Fuego coming toward her. Light was beginning to spread in his background. She did not realize that Fuego in his thick sweater and bare face was all she needed.
“What is it that you want to show me?”
Fuego suddenly pulled her by the hand. Clara sucked a breath as her heart throbbed.
“It’s over there,” he said with a boyish grin.
CLARA’S heart was racing as they stopped under a mango tree. A picnic mat was unfolded underneath it.
The view in front of her was overwhelming. The grass below looked wet and lush. The trees beneath the hill were enchanting. It once again reminded Clara of her family and her childhood. She noticed that the sun began to peek between the mountains.
Fuego wanted to show her the sunrise!
She stared at him as he pulled her to sit down.
“So, how does it feel to watch the sunrise with me for the very first time?” he asked cockily.
“You woke me up for this?”
“The view of the sunrise is best from here.”
Clara chuckled.
“You always surprise me, Fuego. I’m afraid I might get used to it.”
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s just live in the moment.”
She drew a breath. He was right. It would be useless running away for a while if she would keep thinking about Aunt Carlota.
“You’re right. You’re such a bad influence.”
Clara snuggled close to Fuego as they laugh together.
Everything felt perfect. Clara felt like her life was just beginning. And sharing this moment with Fuego, nothing mattered anymore.
CLARA closed her eyes for a moment as the warm sunlight touched her skin. At last, the rain was gone. Though it did not matter what kind of weather it was. Everything was fine as long as she was with Fuego.
“Do you want to go back to bed?” Fuego asked.
“Hmm.” She shook her head. “I want to take a walk, though.”
“Great idea.” He stood up first and offered his hand.
Clara took it as she rose to her feet.
“Where do you want to go?” He folded the picnic mat.
Clara looked around.
“I don’t know. Anywhere is fine. You can just show me around.”
Fuego casually took her hand as they walked back to the house. Clara could only smile as she gazed at their hands. She had only met Fuego a couple of weeks ago, yet they were already familiar with each other. He had known about her life story already while she did not even know his last name. But for the record, none of them mattered to her. At least, for the moment.
“Sir Fuego! Sir Fuego!”
Clara turned around in surprise. A group of people appeared behind them, rushing to them with smiles on their faces. There were seven of them. Four of them were couples, and the rest are women, all middle-aged.
“Oh, hey, guys,” Fuego regarded with a warm smile.
“Happy Birthday!”
Clara stared at Fuego, her eyes wide. Fuego, on the other hand, scratched the back of his head and chuckled awkwardly.
“Thank you. That was unnecessary, you know,” he said jokingly. “By the way, I’d like you to meet Clara. She’s a special friend of mine.”
Their eyes were set on Clara.
“Oh,” they chorused.
“She looks lovely, Sir Fuego.”
“You look good together.”
“Are you tying the knot sooner?”
Clara swallowed at the question as she stared at Fuego, still dumbfounded. She laughed nervously as Fuego turned to her.
“We’re not talking about that yet,” Fuego said. “She’s still young. We’d like to take things, you know, slowly.” He put his arm around her shoulder.
“Y-yeah,” Clara breathed. “It’s lovely to meet you all.”
“We should have breakfast first before we start our tasks for today.”
“That’s so thoughtful of you, Sir Fuego. Thank you very much,” one woman said.
“I’ll make coffee for you,” Clara said with a smile.
“Thank you, Ma’am Clara!”
“I’ll meet you in the kitchen,” Fuego said.
Clara watched them as they headed to the house first. Then, she turned to Fuego and tapped his arm.
“Why didn’t you tell me that it’s your birthday today?” she asked in disbelief.
“Because… you will find out, anyway.” He chuckled and scratched his eyebrow.
“I should have prepared something for you.” She frowned. “Now I feel bad for being the last person to know.”
“It’s not your fault, Clara.” He pulled her to his chest. “I already got what I need.”
“Still.” She glanced at his face. “Happy Birthday, Fuego.” She tiptoed and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Fuego stared at her in genuine amusement. Then, he cleared his throat.
“Wow. This is the first time I got a kiss from a woman who was not my mom on my birthday,” he joked.
Clara bit her lip, her face turning warm.
“You are the first man I kissed on his birthday, too,” she said shyly. “Let’s go and have some coffee. We can just take a walk later.”
“Alright.” Fuego put her arm around his waist as they walked casually.
“Who are those people to you, by the way? They seemed very fond of you.”
“They work on the farm. I’ll give you a tour later.”
“That sounds great!”