43 Birthday Surprise

The waiters came to Jia and Jim's table and served their food. Perhaps because he had slept for several hours after an emotional talk with Jia, Jim's mood was good. He was enjoying their dinner while listening to the serenade. He was also paying attention to Jia as she ate and even helped her cut her meat and vegetables.

After they both put down their cutleries and sat back to listen to the songs, one of the singers spoke into the microphone. All eyes were on him.

"A pleasant evening, everyone! We do hope that everyone around is enjoying the food while listening to our songs."

"We are also happy that someone here is celebrating his birthday with us. So, our next five songs will be heartily dedicated to him."

"The first song would be rendered by one of our singers, Mr. Eric Ramirez."

"The next two songs would be from our guest."

"The fourth song would be rendered by any one of us per request by the celebrant."

"Then the fifth would be a birthday song from all of us."

Jim was already fidgetting from his seat. He felt right away that the celebrant the singers meant was him. He was never used to this setup.

However, he managed a gentle laugh, acting cool, even if he felt tickled deep inside.

Soon after, the first singer came up. He smiled and fixed his gaze on Jim.

"Guys, this song is for Mr. Jim Wayne, our handsome guest at the front," said the singer, while moving his eyes to the audience, then back to Dr. Jim.

"Mr. Jim Wayne, this song is heartily dedicated for you. May today be a promise that you and your sweetheart will love each other forever."

With this, Jia laughed. "Jim, he thinks we are couples."

Jim also laughed softly but heartily.

Soon, the music played into the background while Mr. Eric held up his microphone to prepare. The song was titled, "SHE" by Elvis Costello.

As the strain of the song played on, Jim felt as if the song had hit some chords inside his heart, letting it hum beautifully along with the strain.

It's so beautiful that he got carried away. He then wrapped his arm over Jia's shoulder and pulled her close. A perfect enactment of the message of the song.

"She may be the song that summer sings,

Maybe the chill that autumn brings 

Maybe a hundred different things 

Within the measure of a day."

Jia instantly felt her blood rushing to her head. Her pulses thumped loudly.  A little more pull from him would surely bring him to kissing her. She could feel his joy as his breathing fanned her ear.

There was silence when the song finally ended. It took long before the crowd realized it and before they roared into long and loud applause.

Then, the speaker went up to the stage again and took the microphone.

"Mr. Wayne, may the song, "She" had inspired you more in some ways and made you realize how special she is to you."

Jia could not help herself from giggling again as she shyly cast a side glance at Jim. However, Jim had caught her. So, without asking permission, he wrapped both his arms around her in a tight embrace and planted a kiss on top of her head.

"Mr. Wayne, our next singer requires you to be blindfolded and asks you to cross your arms so that you won't get tempted to pull it out."

Jim got thrilled and excited, even if he still pursed his smile.

"Jim, I want to go to the bathroom."

"I'll go with you."

"No. You're the celebrant, remember," she objected, laughing.

Then, the speaker approached him and tied a scarf around his head to cover his eyes. "Remember the rule, Mr. Wayne..."

Jim nodded and patiently waited. Soon, the music was released into the background. It was a bit familiar, but with the silence of the place and the romantic air, the music prelude cut deep into his soul.

Soon, the female singer's voice floated in the air. It was so cold and beautiful that it sent chills to his spine. He was tempted to tear his blindfold but he remembered the rule. Or else, the singer would stop.

The song was about a message of gratitude for being taken out of nothingness. Instantly, an air of melancholy filled the place and it spread so deeply, wrapping those wounded hearts around, including Jim's.

"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains,

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas,

I am strong when I am on your shoulders,

You raise me up to more than I can be."

As the song was about to end, tears slid down from his eyes but were absorbed by the cloth of the blindfold.

There was a long silence again before the audience erupted into wild applause.

Then another music was played. It was a love song, and something familiar to him. But, the singer's voice tonight was more beautiful than when he heard it being played online.

And the voice had become more familiar, making his heart race untamed this time.

"Did you ever know that you're my hero, 

And everything I would like to be? 

I can fly higher than an eagle, 

For you are the wind beneath my wings.…"

At the end of the song, the singer spoke up.

"You are my hero, Dr. Jim, and the wind beneath my wings," Jia said, pausing for a while to take a deep breath. Tears were already threatening at the back of her eyes.

She then went ahead after a while. "May I be able to celebrate many more birthdays with you. Happy birthday."

Jia smiled, but she could no longer hold her tears. The cascaded down her face despite her effort to hold them back.

The crowd also got carried away, and tears likewise brimmed in their eyes.

There was a long silence again. Jim couldn't take it anymore. He tossed his blindfold away and run to the stage.

It was her! It really was her! He never knew how well she could sing. He then hugged her tight and broke into a stifled sob.

Soon, the crowd sobbed with them.

After a while, a jolly birthday song floated into the air. It was from the band. Then, a waiter pushed in front of them a table with a cake and a lighted candle!

Wild and loud applause erupted again with the happy chant a "Happy birthday, Mr. Wayne! "