my lovely little secret mission worked out perfectly!
that lone almost-one-hour bus-trip, with me trying to hold in my headache and balancing cake, tealights, present. having to dream up various white lies to keep dear's suspicions at bay, and i couldnt even occupy myself with talking with dear on the phone, lest he hears the bus-stopping sounds and engine roars. sneaking into the condo and up onto the rooftop all by myself, in the dead of night. scorching myself so many times with the nasty lighter and tealights which wouldnt light. that long phonecall with dear, in the stuffy room. the twelve o'clock that never seemed to come, and when it did, went by like a bang. half-tripping and half-singing up the stairs, with birthday cake in hand. dear was so touched he teared a bit, which made me feel all was really worth it. and you were right ros! the headache DID disappear the minute i saw him. :) all that hugging and mass-blowout of candles. the dangerous drive home at 3.30am.
such a lovely night.

a very happy birthday to my one and only dearest jiayang.
can you hear the soft swoosh of the butterflies' wings. 11:39 AM.