The Secret Island
CHAPTER 34: The Birthday Girl

The sound of birds chirping in the morning awakened Martin from his dream. He couldn't remember much except that Celine was in it. Yes, the same woman lying next to him, holding him like a side pillow, and the same woman who told him she loved him. He couldn't really separate his current reality from his dream-everything was so new and unexpected and wonderful. And the thought of letting go of all this struck him hard.

Martin recently felt it-the weight of loneliness.

Endless solitude and isolation. He had never thought of loneliness much. He thought he was independent enough and didn't need anyone's help. And he loved it that way-no one to meddle with his personal affairs, no family to take care of or judge his lifestyle choices, he could hang out with his friends whenever he wanted, and he could work at the work he was capable of doing.

Martin enjoyed that life. Since his graduation, he has enjoyed living the life he chose. Time passed-from days to months, from months to years, until today, he had to confess he didn't want to live that life again.

He was a simple man, a normal human; he couldn't help expecting something more out of the life he knew and hope for holding someone who he loved and who loved in his arms, always.

He hoped to confess his love and dedicate all his time to her.

He hoped that wish would come true one day.

He kissed her cheek. Where is she taking me today?

She refused to tell him and avoided his questions.

"Happy birthday, honey." His nose nestled at her smooth cheek as he wished her a happy birthday. He didn't even know if she had heard it.

"Hmm...Martin..." Until closing her eyes, Celine smiled and called his name. Her voice was groggy.

"Do you want to go watch the sun rise again? We can sleep in today if you want." He offered because we stayed up late last night. When the time was approaching the end, every minute together mattered so much he didn't want to close his eyes.

Maybe this is what love is-enabling endless possibilities, giving hope and encouragement in living life to the fullest and inspiring the fight for one's dreams. The joy he felt was indescribable.

"No, I'm waking up. Martin, could you wake me up like yesterday?" The sleepy girl in his arms cheekily requested. And he knew what to do.

Martin kissed like he always did in the past few days.

"Aren't you tired? We went to bed quite late yesterday."

"No, no, no. I don't need that much sleep...."

Eventually, she opened her eyes to look at him. Those sleepy eyes were so sweet he smiled.

"...The reality in front of me is so much better than dreams." She pulled him into an embrace once more.

She had changed...

No matter what his view of her used to be when we first met, he saw her in a new light. There was a side of her he didn't expect.

She was the one giving in to all his demands. Since we first dated, she tried to please him in whichever way she could think of.

Is she really the same obnoxious rich girl I met on the first day?

"Do you want to get up on your own, or should I lift you up somehow?" He teased.

Celine still held him tightly. He heard her heart beating against his chest. On a morning like this, just spending time together and saying a few words could give him a strange sense of comfort.

"If you can really lift up, then try."

"Huh? Are you for real?"

He looked at her in disbelief. Celine just raised her brows; she challenged him.

Fine...

"Aaaaahhhhhhhh!"

No one could give him a dare and get away with it.

****

"Oops, I guess I've displeased the birthday girl...." Martin tried to laugh off the tension, but it didn't work. Although we were holding hands and walking to the destination Celine suggested on this special day, she didn't say a word to him and looked grumpy.

"Displeased? Don't use your polite corporate word with me! I'm furious. That's what I am! You almost made us both fall. What if you get hurt?" "....." Huh?

"What if you hit your head and got a concussion? Have you ever thought of that possibility? Have you thought of how I would feel? Gosh, you are like a child." "...and aren't you concerned that you might get hurt as well?" He asked curiously, feeling guilty.

"If we did fall, since you were pulling me up, you would be under me once we hit the ground. Of course, you would be the one getting hurt. Please think of yourself more!" She kept on complaining without looking at him. But he couldn't look away.

".... Celine, I'm...." He was lost for words.

"What!"

She is so cute when she is mad...

"...thank you for caring...."

That was all he could say. Then he gave her a quick kiss without any concern that we were in a crowded place in the middle of town. This action was out of his usual reserved character, but well, he couldn't care less what anyone thought since he was with her.

"Yeah, don't worry about it. By the way, just because doing that works on me, you don't have to do it all the time...." Although she was still in an ill-tempered mood, her voice softened. "Doing what?"

"What you just did! Oooh, please!" She whined, and her frown deepened. It was a confused expression since she was blushing as well.

He held her hands and pulled her into a small alley without anyone around.

"Like this?" Once there were only the two of them, he held her close and kissed her neck.

"Martin! No!!" The woman in his arms was surprised by the sudden change and cried out.

"Oh, it's not like that? Then how about this?" Then his lips swiftly captured hers and silenced any word that may criticize him again.