A different birthday Prologue Sometimes we are in front of our birthday cake with the candles almost baking it again

and everyone around you is asking you (demanding you, sometimes) to make a wish. Well, once youre old enough Would you dare to make that wish, knowing it can come true or its true already?

Chapter one Bright start? When you study what I do (medicine), what you always forget is the important dates. New year, Valentines Day, even your own birthday. In my case, its so common to forget the last one that if no one talks about it, theres no celebration. Really. That day started like any other day. Waking up at 03:00 am so I could do some homework and study before going to the hospital. It was surgery, infectious diseases and preventive medicine for today, so it was a very busy day. No celebrations ahead. Like it was mostly pdf files, medical articles and slides, I decided to study at the computer. I took a break time so I checked my mails and profiles. Suddenly, I got a notification at my Facebook profile. Well, like a week before I started getting best wishes from all around the world. And, even though Im kinda old for this, I wrote a message to one of my favorite singers. I told him about my birthday to his facebook account. I thought he wouldnt pay attention to it. I mean, a lot of people write pathetic messages to their favorite famous people, so i never thought this could happen. But this notification was telling me the opposite. It was from him. A message. Hello, I thank you for writing to me. I hope you have a great day ahead. I think theres nothing I can send you to make your day the best day ever, but Ill have you present in my mind. Ill write a song for you if you want to. Anyway, Ill send you a friendship request soon. Please, accept it. (Ponerlo en cursiva) Ok, I know. Thats all? But, whats up with the song? And sending me something? I never wrote anything alike! All I wrote him was that my birthday was coming, I wanted it to be special, but I would be so busy that I

wouldnt have time to sing my favorite songs or eat cake. But that I could listen to some music on the bus and I would imagine that it was like a party for me (I know, kinda depressing, but I had only that in mind, it was so truly according to my schedule, and once I sent it I wanted it back but obviously I couldnt). Apparently he wanted me to feel better. A few minutes later his request came. And I clicked yes. We had a friend in common. What a surprise! After that, I studied surgery. It was so much, but I had to. I wouldnt let the doctors down. Specially on my birthday. Then I turned off the notebook and left for classes. It was six oclock already and I barely had time to take a shower, pick up the make up and go to the hospital. Unless I wanted to arrive late With Dr. Johansson, thats not an option.

Chapter two A surgery Therefore, I went to the hospital. Nothing out of the ordinary. Once I got to the auditorium, I saw I was the first one getting there. Someone left the door open, so I got in and waited. And waited. And waited. And I saw my watch and it was 06:55 already. All of them were late, including the teacher. I know him for a while. So it was kinda a surprise. Hes never late. Was the class suspended? Oh, dear. Nobody told me anything. I was about to call someone when I got blind. Well, not blind, but the lights were off. I could see nothing. It was so pitch dark. Then the lights were on and all my classmates and the teachers (theory and practice) were around me with a cake telling me Happy Birthday. The first ones, because my parents said nothing. They forgot, no surprise. Well, that cake was so delicious that I couldnt wait for the song. It was a vanilla cake. I wanted to bite it ASAP, and my friends stopped me. "So fast you wanna eat it? Youve gotta be kidding us!", Moises said. "I didnt have breakfast, and four hours have passed since I woke up!", I said. My stomach was begging for food. "Silly Gaby", one of the doctors said. They all started laughing. Yeah, my name is Gaby. "So lets sing now, but dont turn on the candles. Lets go to the other room", the other teacher said. We went to the ballroom. And it was ready for us. They really knew me well.

"Now lets eat fast, we still have class". Oh, my... It had to be the doctors. "No! Cmon!", all of them said. I said nothing because I knew that was the plan. "Sorry, guys, I saw it coming", I told them. We ate the cake as soon as we could. I blew one candle, at least. At the end, they asked me if I made a wish. For the first time ever I wished something different. Usually it was about world peace or my grades. My wish was to see my favorite singer at the end of the day. Something I knew was not gonna happen, but its good dreaming. I didnt tell them, of course. So embarrassing. The class was boring. As always. But the special ingredient today was that I was dressed so beautiful I felt like a runway model. And the cake before the class was something. As soon as the teoric class was over, we moved to practice. Just Ferb and I had to stay behind. We both had practice that day and the rest of the class was free to go. I had forgotten, and I had my high heel boots on. I wouldnt get into surgery with them. So uncomfortable! Besides, no one is supposed to get into the OR with that kind of shoes. Right before I got into women dressing room, wondering what I would do, I met a doctor I hadnt seen for a while. "Hi Gaby! Happy Birthday!", Dr. Jake told me. "Hi, thanks. How are you?" "Im fine, thanks for asking. Hey, I wanna give you something you might need like right now". "What?", I said curiously.

"These", he got a box from the men dressing rooms and inside there were a pair of Crocs. I wanted them so bad. I didnt know what to say, so I gave him a hug. The first one I gave him. "What?!", he exclaimed. I guess he was as surprised as I was. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!", I said over and over again. I couldnt help it. This day was getting better and better. "Well, let me go and lets go to the surgery". "Oh, yes! The surgery!", thats when I left him and went to change my clothes. The shoes felt so nice, so soft. This day was full of surprises. And just five hours (one of them out of my place) had passed. Once I got in, I saw one of the nurses. "Hi, how are you? I havent seen you for a while!", Ferb Navarro got out of mens dressing room. "Well, Im supposed to go to a surgery with Dr. Malcolm and Dr. Johansson. Theyre my teachers now". "No way! Poor of you". "Yes, poor of us. This is Ferb, one of my classmates". We didnt chat a lot. Blame Dr. Johansson. He called us. We got into OR 3. It was a laparoscopic surgery. It was my first practice as a student, but I had a little bit of experience already. I dont think it was cuz of my birthday, but I got the chance to record the surgery. Ferb Navarro was aside, just watching the monitors. He was asked a lot. I wasnt. During the surgery, a weird question was asked. "Gaby, what are your plans for today?", Dr. Jake asked me.

"I have no plans. Well, I have to study and do a Tropical Medicine work with my classmates. Thats all". "No celebrations ahead?" "No celebrations ahead". "Are you asking Gaby for a date?" Dr. Orces asked suddenly. I felt my face so hot and sweaty that I didnt know what to do, how to ask a nurse to clean my face. I didnt know what to do. So I kept watching the monitor to see how they where removing the gallbladder. But they werent taking it out. "Gaby, your face is as red as the stop sign!", Dr. Malcolm said. "No, Im not". "Youre a bad liar. You are", Dr. Jake said like nothing. He thinks he is so cool... "What about if I am? Lets go on with the surgery. I have class, you know". "Do you feel something for him?", Dr. Johansson asked. They had to be crazy. They didnt know me so well after all. I hadnt had a date for did I ever had a date? Thats why the blushing. Not because any special feeling. I wouldnt fall in love with a man more than eight years older than me. Besides, he is like fifteen years older than me! So you can imagine my reaction inside my head, but we were inside an OR, so I couldnt explode. "Iuck!", I said out loud. "Woa, it came from deep inside your soul!", Dr. Jake said.

"Dont get me wrong. It was the idea of a date what made me blush. Not with you, just the idea" "Dont worry, I get it." He was a little bit sad. But I didnt feel bad. He would recover ASAP. We all knew he was like a Don Juan. "But why were you asking?", Dr. Orces asked Dr. Jake. "Just because its her birthday today." "Oh! I didnt know. Happy birthday, then." What a weird situation! I didnt see that one coming. Once it was over, we left. Another classmate was waiting for us. "Desiree and Greg asked me to take you to the university." "Ok, then. Lets go!" "You seem to be in a hurry, Gaby. Did something happen?" "If she doesn't tell you, I will. It was weird", Ferb said. "Just shut up. Don't botter about asking, Thomas." We went in his car. We said nothing. We were so quiet. And we got to college without incidents. Another adventure was coming.

Chapter three Crazy university Nothing out of the ordinary. The same as always. FRIM over here, MEDI over there, a new political association over there. I just went to the copy center where I knew my friends were waiting for me. "Hi, how was the surgery?", Desiree asked. "It was fine", I wouldnt tell her about that weird question. That wasnt important. "I recorded the surgery, again." "Well, lets study." "Lets go." We went to the classroom and some of my classmates were there. They congratulated me. They didnt care if the teacher was there, but I did. So once I saw him I asked them to stop. The class was short. It lasted forty minutes! "Maybe it was because of your birthday", Lorelei said. "I dont think so. Did you do Tropical quiz?" "No, I didnt. did you?" "Some of them. But Im lost with the others." We went to eat a sandwich and solve those questions. We had a lot to do. But we didnt get to buy that sandwich. We found out Posligua, our teacher for next class, wasnt going. So my group, taking that little advantage that today classes were over, decided to take me to a restaurant at October 9 avenue. Like we had no car, we had to walk. Besides, it was close to campus.

I didnt recognize where it was coming from, but I saw a flash. Someone was taking a picture of me. "What the?", I exclaimed in a low voice. "Sorry, miss. Your outfit is more than revolutionary. Its great! Would you like to appear on The Magazine this Sunday?" I wasnt so sure, but I said yes. That guy took more pictures and then started asking me what inspired me. I said it was my birthday and a lot of things inspired me. I also said I was a medical student and writer. The journalist was surprised. And the interview took at least fifteen minutes. Then we went to the restaurant. It was one I hadnt seen before. The food was delicious and they didnt stop saying Happy Birthday. But one of them was weird. Greg. sometimes I saw him seeing me with lovely eyes. Was something going on with him? Then we went back to the university and picked up a classroom at the top of one of the buildings. We were about to start tropical quiz when everyone left to buy a few snacks. And they left Greg and me alone. "I didnt get the chance to tell you, but here it goes", he said very seriously. I was a little bit scared. "Happy birthday." Uff! If that was all, I was saved. "Hey, didnt you say it at the restaurant? You were kinda down. What happened?" "Nothing. Its just that, well" "What? Were friends, you can tell me anything."

"Well, I wanted to take you there, but all by myself. Not with the rest of the group." "But I had the chance to share that lunch with my friends, arent you happy with that?" "I wanted it to be a date, not a hang out." Bang, shot this time. What was going on with men today? Earth, swallow me! When I said everything, I didnt mean this! "Eh, Greg. You wanted to date me?" "Yes." I felt the wall behind me. Suddenly I realized the big mistake. We were alone, at the top of the building. Im good at screaming and hitting, but what about if something wrong happened? I was cornered; he was right in front of me keeping me right there without a chance to move. I dont know why, but I was scared. Then he started laughing and let me go. What? "Sorry, Im so sorry. I didnt mean to scare you. Its just that I have feelings for you. But, at the same time, I know what you will say. Take your time to figure if its real or just an illusion." (Last sentence cursiva) I didnt know I was holding my breath until I let it out. He freaky scared me to death! "Dont do that again, you stupid!", I screamed. "What?" "Do you think its good to do that? Are you crazy?" "I didnt mean to!" "But you did anyway! What did you wanna do? Something bad?"

"No, just a kiss." I stopped screaming. Thats what he wanted? Who said I would kiss anyone who cornered me like that? He was crazier than I thought. "Im gonna stay out of the class until the guys come." "Gaby, wait." "Greg, stop. If you want us to be friends, stop." He was quiet. He knew he had messed it up. And I waited outside for the group. What was taking them too long? Then they came with some other classmates and a cake. I tried to be with the best mood ever, and I had to blow the candles again. Even thought I wanted to wish that little incident didnt happen, I wished again for my favorite singer to be there. I had to stop dreaming.

Chapter four What now? / Special date We didnt stay for that long at the university. I left on metro. Everyone around me was watching me like if I were a weird bug on exhibition. Maybe it was because of my clothes. I didnt care. I got home and my grandma was waiting for me. "Are you going to church?", she asked me after saying happy birthday. "Im not so sure. I have homework." "Some of your friends are waiting for you there." "Still not so sure, I have to be fast!" "Youre gonna get the blessing." "Then Im gonna try to finish my homework ASAP." I sat on my desk and did the fastest research ever. Then I copied all I had to. Study for next class? That was out of question. I took a shower, changed my clothes for more suitable ones and was about to leave when I heard my cousin. "Where are you supposed to go?" "Eh to church. Why?" "Church, on your birthday, with those clothes on? Are you crazy?", what was wrong with jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt? "Youre gonna wear this." Her option was a black satin blouse with white chiffon pants and shiny black stilettos. More high heels! Poor of my feet! I changed my clothes (again), and left. When I got to the church, some of my friends were waiting for me. I got in with them and participated in the mass. The priest called me and gave me the blessing. What a shame my family

wasnt there to share that moment with me. However, I had my family with me. After the mass I was about to get back home, when my friends stopped me. "Where do you think youre going?" "Eh. Home?" "Not yet. Youre coming with us. Dont worry, your family knows." They got me into Williams van and they took me to Graces place. It was set up for a party. Did they forget I had classes next day at 06:30 am? We had a great time dancing. I wanted to dance a lot, and so I did. Then, the cake time came. We all gathered around the cake, with me almost over it. There were three candles. They started singing, but I felt someone was watching me. And no, I don't mean my pals. I tried to see, but I couldnt. I could see up to one meter in front of me. Not any farther. Once the song was over, I blew the candles. And it was pitch dark again. All of them left so fast that I was about to fall on the cake. I had to put my hands on the table so I wouldnt actually fall. I heard them trying not to make a sound and someone said: go. What was going on? Then the lights were on. And someone very special for me was right in the middle of the living room. "Hi", I said. I was kinda nervous. What was my favorite singer doing there?

"Hi, Gaby", good, he remembered my name. "I hope you have had a great time all day long." "Well, yes. Eh.. Can I ask you something?" "Yes", he had his hands inside his pockets and he was staring at the floor. Was he as shy as I was? "How come youre here? I mean, I like it. Nevertheless, how come?" "I was in the neighborhood and" "Dont. Thats a joke. What? How?" "I read your message once you sent it. And I had seen the pictures you took at my last concert. First I wanted to see you, then I wanted to get to know you and then" "Then what?" "Then I wanted to take you to Metro Caf if you wanted." This had to be a dream. A date with him? I mean, what? "This was a surprise we had for you. Your family knows, anyway", Valery told me. They were hidden in the rooms right behind me. "You, guys! You knew about this?" "Yeah, since last week", Phillip said. "At least stay for the crazy hour James said." "Whats crazy hour?", Ed, my favorite singer, asked. "Youll see." We stayed a little bit for the crazy hour. We danced together.

Like an hour later we left, his driver picked us up and took us to Metro Caf. He gave me a pair of low heel shoes. I felt so much better. What a surprise, Metro Caf was open. There werent so many people, but we caught a table outside anyway. "I thought you might try to take me to Hooters", I told him. "No, thats not my style. Too many plastic girls." "Oh", I felt my face a little bit hot. "Hey, dont worry", he caught my face with both his hands. "Tonight its just you and me." Could this be any better? It was almost midnight. And I remembered all the cakes and the only wish I made. Get the chance to meet him. Now it was real. Moreover, he leaned his face while I lifted mine. Suddenly, we were kissing. What a bliss. We ate a little bit and drank just water and soda. I thought he drank, but he told me he just drank when he couldnt avoid it. He hated it. We were so alike! We chatted a lot and we danced under the full moon too. We were dancing a slow song when I felt so sleepy. Thats when I saw my watch. 03:00 early morning! Crap, I had classes in three hours and a half and I didnt study!

"Sorry, I have to leave!", Isaid in a hurry. "Whats going on?", he was sleepy too. He tried to hide it. "I have classes in almost three hours! And I didnt study! Well, the class is in almost four hours and a half, but until I get home, I get in, take a shower, study, go to the hospital, wait for the doctor and" "Relax, I have your houses keys." "What?" "Your parents gave them to me so we could stay together as long as we wanted." "What were they thinking? Well, its good. I dont have to wait for them. What about your driver?" "Hes gone. I have to drive." "Right", I said with sarcasm. "But youre falling asleep!" "Dont worry, I can." I was scared, but I had to go home. He paid the bill and we left in a hurry. He didnt fall asleep. Maybe it was the adrenaline from the little run. "Im staying with you, if you dont mind." "Let me say it again, what?" "I dont think I can drive alone. Im sleepy and I dont know this city!", that was true. I had to guide him to my place. "Ok. Sit here and wait for me." We got into my house and I left him at my study room. I passed by my parents room, thanking them in silence for the things they had done to make this birthday the best one ever. He waited for me at my desk while I was

taking a shower. I got dressed like for my class (no pajamas!) and went back to the study room. I was so concentrated studying when I heard a faint snore. It was him. He had fallen asleep. He looked cuter, if that was possible. After a few minutes I was sleeping too, both of us on my desk. My cell phone started ringing at 06:00. It was time to leave. And I didnt study that much. He took me to the hospital and he kissed me before I got off the car. His driver would go to my place to take him to the hotel. He was going back to his place within a few hours because he had a lot to do. I kinda knew it wouldnt last so long. I was falling asleep all day long, but I was happy. It was a different birthday. But I had that persistent feeling in my heart that I wouldnt see him again.

Epilogue A week and a half had passed since the last time I had seen him. I had to sleep all that afternoon to recover my energy. At his facebook profile he still had the single status. Maybe it was nothing, what had happened. Maybe that kiss was just a dream. When did the dream start? I was going out of one of the buildings when I heard an accordion. And a guitar. And with them, a voice I would recognize anywhere. I almost ran to the small square when I saw him. He was there playing his accordion, and next to him was his guitarist. He was singing my favorite song. A lot of people were around them and they were asking out loud what he was doing there. I had a hint, but I wasnt so sure. I got as close as I could and then I started singing. I have a very strong voice, so he could hear me right then. And we started singing together. They were all watching us. They didnt know about my birthday night. They didnt need to know. Then the song was over and they were all clapping. I felt embarrassed. He left the accordion and got the guitar. He started singing a song no one knew. Except for me. He sang it that night. He told me he liked a poem I had suggested for him to make it a song. He did it. It was one of my poems and it was the last song we danced. We both knew the lyrics, so we were the only ones singing. It was Singing Souls.

He had respected everything. All he did was the music. Just that. I liked the results. Everyone stared at us like if they knew it was a little bit like our love song. So they let us be and started to get going to their classes. Even his guitarist was gone with the accordion. "Hi", he told me after we ended the song. "Hi" "Sorry I had to leave like that but its just that I.." I had to stop him from babbling. So I kissed him. One of the girls around almost fainted. That was funny. "Please, dont apologize. I had classes and needed some sleep anyway." "I love you. I dont know how, since when or why. I just know that I love you." "Me too, dear Ed, me too." I had had my last class already, so I was free to leave. We left together, holding hands, as I yearned to do since the first time I heard his voice on the radio.

The end