It happened so suddenly, and it was amazing how immediate our reaction was. Ryan, Peter and I,like mice scurried into different directions and hid.
I was thinking. “Oh gosh, we’re gonna blow this. Where was the warning signal that was supposed to come?”
Some 15 minutes ago, we arrived at the restaurant and greeted dad’s guests. We all knew why we were there. So according to dad’s instructions, we arranged the seatings, dealt with the restaurant workers and pep talked mom’s buddies, company’s staff, reverend and wife and family friends.
Without warning, through the glass of the restaurant entrance, I saw the silhouette of the 2 figures my brothers and I knew all too well. And in a split second, Peter dashed out via the back entrance (I still wonder how he did it in short time without being noticed), I ducked behind a podium just 2 feet away from the table, and Ryan the silliest of all, hid behind a reaaaally transparent brown curtain.
When mom came in, she was very surprised to see her friends and there was a cheerful commotion as she received greets of ‘Happy Birthday’. I looked at Ryan, who was laughing silently, and how ridiculous he actually looked, sitting on the floor trying to find protection behind a piece of cloth that virtually offered minimum. Mom moved about, shaking hands and I heard her just beyond the podium, about 2 feet from me and I had to duck really low to keep myself hidden. Oh gosh, we’re screwed. I can catch glimpse of her face already.
Thankfully, Aunty Elaine was smart enough.
“Grace, why don’t you show me the karaoke lounge here? I heard they have a good one here.”
The moment Aunty Elaine led mom out of the restaurant, Aunty Linda and Aunty Irene quickly signaled us “Go! Go! Go!” And out we dashed, Ryan and I, to the back door and joined Peter.
We were that close to have our covers blown. How did mom miss Peter running out? Or me behind a podium? Or Ryan behind uhm, like nothing? Well, at least we’re now back in plans. At Rendezvous point outside, we burst out laughing.
We waited for the next signal. Peering in, the guests gathered round mom and seems like reverend is blessing her with a prayer. Mom’s back was facing the back door, as planned. Then as planned, the waiter brought out a cake. We were supposed to ambush her during birthday song singing, because that moment was the best moment to hold a camera with video function.
Dad turned to us, and gave thumb’s up. Ryan, Peter and I reentered the restaurant from the back and ambushed mom…
*a moment of silence*
Mom’s face was so delighted, she was in tears. She never expected her kids to come home unannounced. “See, you never tell me that you are coming home. I didn’t make any soup!” On her face etched the joy of family reunion, blessed with love from dad and her kids.
The look on her face just made the whole day of Peter and me hiding around the town of Sandakan worth it. We arrived Sandakan at 10am and had been on the run to evade mom, at the same time do errands, until dinner at 7.00pm. Dad allowed us to go home at 2.30pm to rest but shoo-ed us out at 4.30pm before mom came back from Line dance class. All well planned. Since March.
Reverend’s wife said “This kind of surprises is too much for old folks like us.”
Home is good.
Family is great.
Happy Birthday, mom. We love you.
Happy Father’s Day, dad. And thanks for being the mastermind and making all these happened.
“Didn’t know he can actually be a romantic guy,” mom said.
Surprises makes people feel loved. And planning a mischievous surprise is an act of love. (Kinda reminded me of a slicky operation in Slim River)
Thank you, God. It’s good to be home.
aL is here 