Chapter Forty-four: Precious Gifts
[Sendai, Japan, Aug. 2013]
You woke up earlier than usual because it is your special day. Your first birthday in Japan, in your new home, new life, a new man.
Ah no. Caleb is not new, he is... the man.
You are thinking about what surprise Caleb has prepared for you.
You immediately shook off that thought in your mind, you don't want to expect anything anymore.
You should stop thinking about his surprises because it's hard to get rid of things when you have already gotten used to them.
Leily is still sleeping so you carried her gently, trying not to wake her up.
You went downstairs and it's unusually quiet. Well, ever since you came here, it is always been serene.
But Caleb is supposed to be in the kitchen preparing for breakfast because he always wakes up first before you.
You saw a large box at the top of the dining table. Simple and plain; no wrap, no ribbons, and no design. It's barely recognizable as a gift.
But if it's from Caleb, surely it's not plain and simple.
[Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday, happy birthday.
Happy birthday to you.]
A joyful birthday song is sung by Claudia, Johann, and of course, Caleb surprised you a lot. Leily woke up and instead of crying, she was laughing at the sight of the colorful balloons.
Caleb never fails to disappoint you. Even when you were little, he never missed giving you a gift on your birthday. They may be bought from a garage sale or market nonetheless he never forgets.
Maki never forgets too, until Candice came. Ah, Maki, you wonder what he's doing now, where he is. Can he still remember that it's your birthday?
Why are you thinking about him? He probably enjoying now with his newborn baby. He's no longer significant in your life.
Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that he cheated on you and he had no plan to marry you because there's a better man that you deserve.
Speaking of Caleb, he is holding a blueberry cheesecake topped with three candles.
You remember when you were young, the only cake you had was the least expensive cake bought in the nearby bakery.
The decent cake you had was on your 18th birthday which Claudia bought. The day you knew you were pregnant. You suddenly remember Mikael.
You're losing your loved ones one by one. So, when they ask you what's your wish before you blow the candle, you just looked at Caleb and smile.
"I already have everything that my heart wishes for. I wish they will stay."
"Come on, open Caleb's gift," Claudia said pointing to the large box.
You covered your mouth with your hand, you can't believe that Caleb will come up with this idea.
It's a handmade pink floral kimono, a Japanese traditional dress. It has an intricate design. It's so beautiful. It has a pair of wooden slippers(geta), also a Japanese umbrella, and a Japanese hair clip called, kanzashi.
Since you were a kid, you have always dreamed to have these. You wish to wear these to somehow feel the ambiance of Japan.
Since you came to Sendai there's not a day, that Caleb didn't make you cry. It's tears of joy though.
"Why won't you wear it now? C'mon. Then Claudia will take pictures." Johann suggested.
"A photo shoot! That would be so lovely, sweetheart." Claudia replied with excitement.
~~~~~~~~
Claudia fix your hair and adorn it with kanzashi.
Caleb was pleased to see how pretty you are wearing the kimono, it perfectly matches the background- the cherry blossom tree.
You include Leily in the picture, good thing she's so behaved and enjoying the photo shoot.
"Hey. Caleb. Why won't you join her?" Johann shouted at Caleb who is busy instructing you what was the best angle. He's one proud boyfriend.
"Oh, yeah darling Caleb. Carry Leily." Claudia shouted at Caleb and told him to move closer to you.
A perfect family picture.
~~~~~~~~~~
[Sendai, Japan, Dec. 2013]
Claudia and Johann extended their stay in Sendai. They are having a great time. Though in Sendai, the amount of snow is lesser than in other prefectures, snow is snow regardless. Claudia doesn't care, she just wants to experience a white Christmas.
They do not worry about their businesses, their 'prodigal son', and finances. Their accommodation and everything they needed was covered by Caleb.
They are thinking of selling the Corner Lights and giving Maki their house. Then settle down in Sendai.
~~~~~
Christmas eve has come, Mr. Raj, Claudia, and Aneka came over to your house to celebrate it.
Marga could not help but cry when she saw the cherry blossom tree that was planted in the backyard. She misses Mikee so much. She wasn't there when Mikee needed her till she had died.
She was her best friend, her sister though not by. blood.
"Don't worry, Mikee. Caleb and I will take care of Cher and Leily... And our grandkids if there will be." Marga vowed in the name of this cherry blossom tree.
"Hey sweetheart, Marga, Cher. Come inside, it's cold out there. " Johann called out the three of you.
"Aright, sweetheart, coming," Claudia shouted and wiped her tears.
Everyone got their gifts from everyone.
As expected, Raj has the most expensive gift to give to all of you. The latest iPhone available in the market.
Caleb's gift to Leily is a flamboyant crib that is befitting a princess. While his gift to you is the latest model of Instax mini. It was so expensive that you felt ashamed to give him your gift.
"C'mon, Cher. I can buy anything for myself. But anything from you is priceless which I could never buy."
That's so sweet. You handed him a medium size box, you really don't know what to give him, as he said, he almost has everything that he wants.
Caleb hastily opens the box. He never was a materialistic person. Having necessities provided are good enough for him. So whatever you give him, he will surely appreciate it.
He smiled bitterly. He gave you a small heart attack. Doesn't he like it?
It was a nice pair of rubber shoes. From what you remember, he badly wants to have a rubber shoe.
Caleb tried to control his tears but he cannot. He wiped it over and over but it keeps on falling.
It's the first time he showed his strong sad emotion. He was embarrassed that someone might see him crying and he doesn't want to be pitied. Marga began to cry too silently.
No one can understand why Caleb and Marga are being too emotional over simple rubber shoes.
There was a back story of it:
You were in the fifth grade when Caleb registered in a basketball tournament for the school's sportsfest. He was so excited to play because no kids in your neighborhood want him to be a part of any team.
So, his only chance was the school's sportsfest. Unfortunately, one of the requirements is that the player must wear a proper uniform including footwear which is rubber shoes.
Caleb asked Marga to buy him shoes but she said that she already bought him leather shoes for school, and she has no money anymore.
"It's ok, Mama. Maybe I'll just join next year. I'll save for it"
"Oh, son!" Marga suddenly remembers something. "My co-waitress has a son the same age as yours. I'll borrow from her."
But it was too small yet Caleb had no choice but to wear it. He could hardly move with his borrowed shoes.
In the middle of the intense game, the sole of the left shoe was disjointed thus it was wide open and his foot was exposed because of that, the coach had to sit him on the bench until the end of the game.
Caleb and you went home together, you were wearing his sweat-smelling jersey to show him how proud you are and he is the most valuable player.
When you went home, your 'MVP' was complaining of sharp pain underneath and the back side part of his feet.
You saw big blisters on his both feet. You immediately cleaned it with cotton soaked in alcohol.
"If only Papa were here, he will buy me shoes." He said.
Drops of water fell on your nose, you looked up above and saw that they were Caleb's tears.
"But he wasn't here. He was never been into my life. He's good as dead."
"Don't say that, buddy. Don't worry. When I grow up, I will marry-- I will marry Leonardo DiCaprio and will buy you shoes. I will buy you a brand new father too if you want." You said jokingly and he finally smiled.
"You silly." He wiped his tears. "Nobody will marry you."
You pressed hardly the cotton on his blister and he shouted and almost kick your face.
Yeah, that memory was so long time ago.
That bitter-sweet memory made you and Caleb burst into laughter while tears spontaneously stream in your eyes as you both retrospect the past.
"Thank you, Cher." The sincerest thanks of Caleb for the shoes you gave.
You saw that Mr. Raj was silently crying too as if he watched the memories playing in your and Caleb's mind.
Maybe he knew how his son and wife suffered when he left them.
Mr. Raj has a special gift for Caleb. It was a wristwatch. You don't have to see the tag price to tell that it was expensive.
Caleb laughed when he handed his gift to his Papa, it was also a wristwatch.
You were with him when he bought it in the mall. You even discouraged him to buy it because you know it's impractical but he bought it nonetheless without looking for the price.
Well, it was his hard-earned money, he has all the rights with it. He can afford to buy anything he wants and he deserves it.
"Time is valuable, you give it to someone so precious." He reasoned out.
Oh, awesome. That must be the same reason as Mr. Raj for giving Caleb a wristwatch.
They have the same thinking.
~~~~
When everyone has received their respective gifts. Claudia received an overseas call from Maki.
He wants to hear the voice of Leily. He said that he misses her so badly.
[Forget us. Consider us dead.]
[Cher! I want my Leily, just let me hear her--]
You cut off the line and everyone is looking at you.
"Why won't you let him hear Leily. He's still Leily's father." Caleb said softly so everyone won't hear.
But you were filled with anger, you raised your voice. "For me and Leily, he no longer exists! "
You hugged Caleb so tight. "Leily doesn't need two daddies. You are enough for us."
~~~~~~~
sorry for lame writing.. please give me some tips. thank you