1 Surprise
It's just an ordinary day for most people but for me it is a special one. It marks the day where I first fell in love and be happy. It has been a year since Darius asked me to be his girlfriend and today was our first anniversary. I am so excited because during the time that he is courting me, he makes everything special. Though, for the last six months, things are gradually changing. I don't want to think that we have a problem but he denies it every time I asked him. Maybe I am just being paranoid since everything seems like a dream to me.
I am just an ordinary 3rd year, Architecture student and a Plain Jane. Until this day, I am still wondering what he sees in me. He's the most sought after student here in our university, a campus heartthrob. Darius is the classic tall, dark and handsome and the captain of the basketball team. He also comes from a well-off family. There's a lot of pretty girls in our school and it was a shock to everyone that Darius chose me.
A lot of students reacted when he courted me, especially his fans club. Our story is like a cliche romantic movie where an MVP player falls in love with a nobody like me. It feels like a fairy tale and somehow I thought I was Cinderella. Everyone asked him why he chose me when his ex-girlfriend was the lead cheerleader of the school squad. I must say they are the villains on our love story.
Honestly, I too asked myself what he sees in me. But then, I don't give a damn as long as I know that he loves me for who I am.
My best friend tells me that maybe Darius is the kind of guy who would choose to see what's inside the heart rather that what's on the outside. I am so lucky that I was able to find someone like him. My ideal soulmate, my Prince and my knight in shining armor.
Oh wait, speaking of my ever loyal best friend, its been 30 minutes and yet she is still not here. We have an agreement that she'll accompany me in buying my gift for Darius. He called me earlier and told me that his class will end later that usual thus I still have time to buy a gift for him.
Lately, it seems that something is bothering him and he'll always spaced out. Hmmm... Maybe he's planning a big surprise for me? I am not assuming but one of the reason why I agreed to be his girlfriend is because he's always full of surprises.
"Jas!"
At long last, she's here.
"Natalie, what have I done wrong to you? I've been waiting for ages."
"I'm sorry, my professor extended his class today since he will not attend our next meeting."
'You should have texted me so I have gone to the mall already."
"Wait girlfriend, are you complaining? May I remind you that you are the one who is asking for a favor?"
I hugged her and give my best puppy look.
"Oh my favorite best friend in the world! Actually, I'm fine waiting for you even if it takes an hour. Promise, once I have bought the gift, I'll treat you with your favorite blueberry cheesecake."
She smiled at me and for a second and went back to her serious mode.
"You'd better be."
We've been roaming around the department store to buy the perfect gift when I feel that something is odd with Natalie. Ever since we came here, she become quiet and edgy.
I saw a shirt that may fit with Darius' edgy style and asked Natalie's opinion.
"Hey Nat, what do you think?"
She's not paying an attention since she's busy checking her phone as if waiting for someone to call.
"Hello! Earth to Natalie! What's wrong with you? Do you have to be somewhere else?"
"I'm sorry, Jas. What are you asking again?"
" Are you sure you're okay? I just want your opinion about this shirt. Do you think it will pass Darius' style?"
She looked at me earnestly like there's something she wants to blurt out.
"Do you really have to buy a gift for him? Can't you just let this day pass like any ordinary day?"
I don't know what my reaction should be. Should I laugh or be offended with her question?
"Natalie, this is a special day. You will not understand since you haven't been in a relationship yet. But once you have, you'll realize that you are willing to give everything to him and make him feel special too. By the way, what's with your question? Do you already have a special someone?"
"Eeewww! I don't have time with love. Will you buy that shirt?"
"Nope, I'll check some more."
One more look until I saw a watch and somehow there seems a light bulb that lit and asked the saleslady to get it but Natalie stopped me.
"Wait, Jasmine! Don't you think that's too much."
"No, its not. As I have said earlier, if you love someone, you have to give him something special and I know Darius will love that."
"Of course he'll love that. But I still think that's too much".
"Case closed. Miss, I'll get that watch"
We stayed on a cafe where I treat Natalie with her favorite blueberry cheesecake. And she still looks agitated and can't stop looking at her phone.
"Are you waiting for someone's call"
I asked her with a little bit of an accuse tone. But she answered me differently.
"I still think that your gift is too much. You don't have to give him everything."
"My friend, I've already said it, I have to make him feel special too since that is the way he makes me feel throughout this one year that we are together."
"What if you broke up? You can never predict what's going to happen in the future."
"Negative much?"
It was just a joke but it makes her more edgy.
"Do you happen to know something that I don't"
"Jasmine, you're my best friend. I just don't want to see you get hurt"
"That's over-reacting. I just bought a gift, it's not like Darius and I will get married or something"
She's about to say something when my phone rings and found that it was Darius. I guess his class has ended.
"Hey, how's your day?"
We've been together for a year and until now I still can't help but feel giddy.
All I can here is silence on the other end so I though that the call got disconnected.
"Let's meet up at St. Rose Garden"
He told me with a serious tone.
"Okay sure. I have a surprise for you."
"See you there"
Huh? That's it? Why is he so serious?
'Was that Darius?"
"Yup. It's kinda weird though, he seems bothered. I don't know maybe he's just tired or something."
"Don't go, Jasmine. Just let this day pass by. "
"You're another weird. What's up with today? It's our anniversary, of course I can't just let this day pass by. I'll just go, okay? Darius is waiting for me."
Natalie hold my hand tightly as if she does not want to let go.
"I don't want you to get hurt."
"You're scaring me. I don't know what's up with you today. But he is waiting for me. I'll call you later."
"Please, Jasmine"
"Give me one good reason why I should not go?"
I asked her but she did not answer.
"See? There's no reason. I know you're just worried but everything will be fine. Okay?"
She hesitantly let me go. Though it still puzzled me what's wrong with the two of them. They are both serious today and I can't help but be nervous. I just told her that everything will be okay even if I am unsure as well.
I am excited to go to the Rose Garden but there's this nagging feeling that I can't quite figure out. I prepared my gift and imagine what Darius' reaction will be if I gave him the watch. But then, I never thought that I was going to be the one who will get surprised.
I got stunned with what I saw and my body was frozen on where I am standing. Everything went black and white and I can't hear anything even the sound of my gift as it tumbles down to the ground. I felt numb as tears fall down to my cheeks and my heart was shattered into pieces.
