“I just can’t help it, I’m sorry,” said Cynthia as she wiped her tears.
Smiling, Lara just stared at her best friend. Thereafter from sitting in front of her working table she stood up and then approached Cynthia.
"Thank you so much, for everything," she said while hugging her tightly.
Cynthia responded with a tight hug. After that, they remained in that order for a while before she was released.
"When is the wedding?" Cynthia asked as she continues to wipe her tears.
That was when Lara acted and then returned to her desk to continue what she was doing.
"Joaquin and I haven't talked about the date yet but what he told me and that he wants it as soon as possible," she replied unable to stop herself from smiling because of the romantic excitement that she feels.
Cynthia's face brightened even more after she said that. "Joaquin loves you then," she added.
Those words touched Lara's heart. The truth is that she hasn't been able to move on since Joaquin first expressed his love for her. That is why hearing this from Cynthia brings her heart indescribable happiness.
“That is what he also told me,” she couldn’t stop herself from sharing that with Cynthia.
When she glanced at her friend, she saw her staring at her face. And as before the undeniable pleasure that she feels for her remains from her aura.
"So, he already admitted his feelings to you?" she said while trembling.
Lara bit her lower lip and then blushed and nodded. “I couldn't believe it when I heard that from him. He said it right in front of Papa, so I no longer doubted him,” she replied telling the truth.
Lara heard Cynthia's deep sigh before she opened her mouth to answer what she said.
“I am probably the happiest best friend in the world, after all, I have heard from you. This is what I have been praying for a long time, that your dream of a whole and complete family for Callie will come true,” she told her.
Lara nodded and then her lips twitched again to speak but that was interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone.
She immediately picked it up and then turned to Cynthia who was watching her actions.
"Joaquin," she said, followed what she said by a weak giggle as she suppressed her trembling.
Thrilled just like her, Cynthia replied smiling. “What are you waiting for? Take the call or else he will end up changing his mind about marrying you,” she teases her.
Lara's eyes rolled as the smile on her face remains because of the last thing Cynthia said. And then she accepted her boyfriend’s call.
"Sweetheart," the young man to her as soon as she took the call.
Lara's smile automatically widened after hearing her boyfriend's soft voice. "Hello, how are you? Is everything okay?” she asked trying to somehow hide the thrill and excitement in her voice, but she failed to do so.
“I just want to tell you that our wedding is tomorrow,” Joaquin said without hesitation.
As far as she heard that, Lara quickly stood up and then stared at Cynthia who in turn saw the shock on her face because of her reaction.
"Tomorrow?" that is what she said.
"Why? Don't you like it?" Joaquin asked laughing softly. “I’m sorry if I can only give you a simple wedding, sweetheart. But I promise you that before the end of this year I will give you a grand wedding,” said the young man.
Lara shook her head one after another as if Joaquin could see what she had done. “I-It doesn't matter to me if it's simple or grand. I was just surprised,” she said, which was true.
“I know that. And that attitude of yours is one of the reasons why I fell for you,” her boyfriend replied.
Lara couldn't speak to what the young man on the other line said. After a while, she decided to go back to her seat. She saw Cynthia continue what she had been doing. She was in such good shape when she heard Joaquin's voice again.
"Do you think you can file a half-day at work today?" he asked her.
That's when she bit her lower lip.
Honestly, she doesn't have much to do today because she doesn't have the habit of piling up work. But of course, not because she's the branch manager she won't consult Cynthia about that.
"I'll talk to Cynthia and then whatever we can agree on, I'll call you," she said.
"Alright," was Joaquin's short reply.
Shortly after that, the line was cut. Lara immediately looked back at Cynthia who was waiting and seemed to have an idea of what she would say.
"Our wedding is tomorrow," she said without hesitation.
Even if it seemed that Cynthia already has an idea of what she was going to say, she still couldn't deny that she saw the surprise register on her face.
"Really?" she obviously couldn't believe what she said.
Lara nodded. “I don't know why he's in a hurry but Cynth, I have to file for a half-day today. Is that okay with you?" she asked her friend.
"Of course! What right do you think I have to hinder your happiness that after all I have also prayed and waited for a long time?” that was Cynthia’s reply to her question.
Lara didn't speak after that. Again, she approached Cynthia and hugged her tightly. But this time she wasn't just smiling. Because she was already crying, and those tears are tears of joy.
For a short moment, Cynthia left her in that order. After that, she adjusted herself and spoke with a smile.
"I still can't believe it," she said as she wiped away her tears.
Then Cynthia acted then stroked her hair with her hand.
"You have to believe because what is happening in your life is real and not just a dream," said her friend.
She nodded then smiled at Cynthia. “I know that, but I'm thinking about my father. I'm sure he'll be surprised when I say that Joaquin and I are getting married tomorrow.”
“Expect that. You can also expect him to be sad somehow. But for sure the bigger part is that he will also be happy for you. Just like what is happening to me right now,” Cynthia explained in her usual kind voice.
Lara sniffed.
Her heart is overflowing with so much happiness right now. And she didn't know how to explain or name it.
“In that case, it would be better if you file for vacation leave directly. Include your wedding and honeymoon, ”Cynthia teased her.
At the last thing, Cynthia said, Lara couldn't help but blush. But she did not have a second thought about showing it to her best friend.
"I think I will ask Joaquin first about the dates before I file for a vacation leave," she said as her sweet smile remained on her lips.