She was really feeling uneasy, knowing that one of her kids was not around. She reached for her cellphone and tried to dial Josh’s number, but there was no answer. The phone kept ringing, so she felt nervous even more.
Suddenly, someone stepped inside and grabbed the microphone.
“Cher, Josh is here!”, Gillian exclaimed.
“Happy birthday teacher JA, sorry I’m late!”, Josh greeted, showing his cute smile.
She felt relieved while looking at the kid.
“Cher, we have prepared something for you”, Josh uttered as he mounted the piano. Then he called her friends to join him in the front.
“Cher, I know this song is very special to you. Sorry, if we cannot sing this the way you sang it to us”, Josh said while starting to hit the keys.
Then, they began singing the song “One Day in Your Life”. Josh was the one playing the piano, and the way Josh played it, she could say that it was perfect.
After a while, tears were seen, streaming from their eyes but they tried not to give in because they wanted to finish singing the song.
She was very touched and wasn’t able to hold her tears. She did not expect that these kids really had tried to learn the ‘piece of her soul’.
Until they’re done singing and a resounding applause was heard from everyone around.
The kids ran over and hugged her tightly.
“Happy birthday cher. We love you so much!”, they screamed.
“I love you all sweethearts. Thank you so much for the wonderful birthday gift”
After a moment, the school director told everyone to take part of the food on the table. As everybody was busy eating and chitchatting one another, Josh approached her and gave her a bouquet of flowers. She smiled as she received it.
“Thank you, sweetheart,”
“Uhm, cher please read, what is written in the mini bouquet card”, Josh said, and silently giggling like he was used to when he was still 13 years old.
“Happy birthday DEAR!
After reading it, her heart was beating so fast, pounding and thudding inside her chest.
“Sweetheart, who gave this one to you?”, she asked curiously.
“I don’t know cher, it was just delivered here. And the guard gave it to me since he knew that I’m one of your kids”, Josh responded and shrugged his shoulder.
Was it coming from your boyfriend cher? Josh asked.
“Boyfriend?”, she softly laughed.
“How come, I have a boyfriend? I am not interested to have a relationship with someone sweetheart”, she answered with a blank expression. She was thinking, who would send her a bouquet of flowers?
And why he’s calling her dear in capital letters?
Is it Zacky?
She shook her head because it was really impossible.
“Don’t think it too much cher, whoever sent you the flowers, I know you will get to know him very soon. Well, I am hoping that he is the right man for you cher”, Josh uttered forming a soft smile on his lips.
She set aside those deep thoughts because she wanted to enjoy the moment she was with her kids and with her co-workers.
The celebration was over and once again she thanked everyone especially the school director for giving her a birthday surprise.
*********
It was the 13th founding anniversary of Bannister Academy and everyone was very excited to witness the biggest event of the year. The program would start at exactly 8:00 in the evening so, everybody should be around before the time, especially that the event will be featured by the two leading presses in the country, the Manila Bulletin and the National Broadcasting Network. It was also the time where Outstanding Teachers of the School will be recognized and awarded.
Fortunately, she was one of those awardees, that’s why she was wearing a long formal dress and now heading to the elevator going to the third floor. Her lace sleeve emerald long gown perfectly fits her body, that made her alluring to look at.
And there’s one thing, she was asked by the school director to render a song of her choice. She was a little nervous upon thinking that she would be singing in front of a big crowd especially that her brother would also be coming in.
She looked at her watch and it was already 7:20. While she was rushing her way, she suddenly bumped into someone who had gotten off the elevator.
“I’m sorry”, she apologized without taking a glance at him.
“You’re too careless Miss. Are you okay?”, the man asked, averting his gaze.
She looked at him to see his face. He has a dark brown wavy hair, dark piercing eyes, aquiline nose, and chiseled cheekbones. As she was taking a gaze at him, she suddenly felt uneasy and her heart was beating too fast. The man seemed familiar to her but she was not sure if she already met him.
Finally, she reached the venue and went inside. Teachers, parents, students and other guests were already there. The presses were there too, but she had not seen yet the school director.
Josh and other kids were waving their hands and smiling at her. She went closer to them and tapped their shoulders.
“You look so pretty teacher”, Josh complimented.
“You’re always beautiful teacher, you’re always looking young”, Chris seconded blinking his eyes.
“Oh my gosh! You’re flattering me sweethearts, but thank you”, she responded and pinched their cheeks.
After some time, Mr. Mendoza had arrived wearing a tuxedo. Following him were three good looking men; Liam, Nikko, and her brother Jareed. There was another one but she did not know who it was. She looked at him and her heart was beating fast again. She remembered it was the man she met in the elevator while ago. His dark blue sleeve was rolled up, and was paired by a black slacks and a loafer shoes.
After a while, the emcee announced that all the awardees should be seated in the front because the program is about to start.
The kids looked at her and gestured her a thumbs up.
Cameras started flushing side by side. She started to get nervous as the emcee announced the top 10 Outstanding Teachers of the Year, in alphabetical order.
“This plaque of commendation is awarded to Miss Jannah Arianne Arcelo, for her exemplary work, commitment and dedication in teaching the children in this school, and thus, she is recognized as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year.
There was a warm applause from the crowd as she walked towards the stage. She turned her gaze to her brother who was seated behind Nikko and smiled at him. Her brother was just smiling while clapping his hands. She took a glimpse at Nikko and Liam who were also smiling at her. She tried to look at the other man whom she doesn’t know yet, but was just seriously staring at her.
After receiving the plaque, she went down and went back to her seat. She felt that the man was still staring at her. And every time their eyes met, she felt a strange feeling and her heart kept on pounding inside her chest.
Until the time came that she had to render a song to everyone. She felt nervous again as the cameras kept on flushing and focusing her.
Again, there was a resounding applause from the crowd. The kids were keep on cheering her, as she walked to where the piano was mounted. She paused and grabbed the microphone.
“Good evening everyone, the song that I’ll be singing to you tonight is the “piece of my soul”. This was the song I sang with the kids, during my first day here in school. It is the song given to me by my one great love who passed away 13 years ago. And the same song which I dedicate to my soulmate whom I have loved five years ago, the one I still love until now and I will love forever. Ladies and gentlemen, this song is entitled “One Day In Your Life”, popularized by Michael Jackson.
Another resounding applause was heard from the audience as she began playing the intro.
She was getting emotional again and tears were flowing from her eyes while singing the song.
After she’s done singing, she bowed her head and went back to her seat. She took the handkerchief inside her bag and wiped off her tears. The four men in the head table were staring at her, but it was in the fourth man where her eyes stayed for a long time.
The program went on and the press interviewed Mr. Lester Mendoza. After a few minutes, the program went over, and the people had left the hall. The kids bid goodbye to her and hugged her.
“Take care sweethearts. I’ll stay here for a while because I’m waiting for my brother”
“Bye cher, take care too!”
The four men in the head table stood up. And Liam suddenly approached her. She saw that the man was also following him.
“Hi JA, It’s good to see you again. Congratulations! Job well-done”, Liam said as he offered his hand for a handshake.
“Thank you Liam.”
“And you really have an amazing voice. You’re indeed a talented one,” Liam complimented.
“Uhm, By the way, I am now working at Manila Bulletin. I am the Editor-in-Chief while this is my Associate Editor, Rowan Zack”, Liam smiled as he introduced the man beside him.
“Zack, this is Miss Jannah. You can call her JA”, Liam added.
“Hi!”, she uttered and offered her hand.
“Hi”, the man responded in a baritone voice, while taking her hand.
Her heart was beating fast again and she felt like millions of volts were running through her body as her palm landed into his.
She wanted to ask him, but Liam had already told him that they need to go.
She looked around and when she noticed that her brother was still talking with Lester, she gestured him that she had to wait for him outside.
She ran hurriedly hoping that she could catch him.
“Excuse me, Mister can I talk to you for a while?” she said loudly as she gasped her breath.
Liam just tapped his shoulder and went ahead.
“Yes Miss”, the man said.
“You’re Rowan Zack, right?”, she asked.
“I’m sure you’re not a Filipino. Would you mind, If I ask you where you from?”
The man looked at her and gave a gentle smile.
“I’m from…
“Sweetie, shall we go now?”, her brother approached her.
“Uhm, excuse me Miss, Mr. Jareed. I have to go now”, the man said and turned away.
While they were on their way home, she could not help but think about the man she met a while ago. His face and voice were familiar to her as if she already met him somewhere.
She closed her eyes and tried to recall everything. Until she realized something.
She met that man in her dreams! The man who said goodbye forever to her.
“Baby”, she whispered.
“Are you okay sweetie? I heard you’re saying baby. Are you still thinking of Zacky?” Jareed asked intently.
“Nothing boo. Never mind”
She closed her eyes again and tried to convince herself that it would be impossible. She took a deep sigh and set aside those thoughts.