Carla was very excited about Sunday. It was Luke’s twenty-fifth birthday and she had been looking forward to it. Carla and Luke had known each other since their nappy days and were great buddies. There was hardly anything they did not know about each other.

Luke was there when Carla had broken up with Sam after dating him for three years. In fact, he was always around. And of late, Carla had a strange feeling that there was more to it than just friendship. And she planned to tell him about her feelings on this birthday!

Carla had planned a quiet picnic at the countryside lake for her lunch date with Luke on his birthday, before proceeding over to the party at his place in the evening. She was a great cook, and she was very good at tossing up lamb chops and roasted chicken, specially because it was their mutual favorite.

After Carla packed the lamb chops, roasted chicken, iced tea, and plates, cups and forks into the picnic basket, she left for Luke’s place. “Carla dear, you are looking so pretty, I hope my Luke doesn’t mistake you for his birthday present,” teased Luke’s mum Lina.

Carla blushed for that was exactly what she had in her mind. “Aunty, he will have a surprise gift so don’t worry about that,” Carla replied spiritedly. “Why don’t you help yourself around when I go and get Luke for you,” suggested Lina.

Carla went to the kitchen. The birthday cake was lying in a small table. She decided that no one would notice if she cut two small pieces of the cake off of one end. She glanced around, saw that nobody was looking, and got about cutting two pieces of cake. To avoid any suspicion, she patched up the cut end with some extra cake frosting. Cool job, no one will notice anything now, thought Carla. Now all she had to do was tell Luke how much she loved him.

After she was done with that, she loaded the picnic basket and a small carpet into Luke’s car. Then she went to her toilet and brushed her long, blonde hair and touched up her make-up. She was looking very fetching indeed. Luke came down the stairs, but as usual he hardly noticed how pretty she was looking, or so Carla thought. They left for the lake in his sports car.

And as Carla looked at Luke driving his car, she realised how desperately she wanted him to love her. The two spoke about sweet nothings for lack of other topics. Happiness beamed from Luke face as he drove to the lake. Just when Carla was a little tied up doing her hair, Luke smoothly tucked a little box into his shirt pocket from a shelf in his car.

He had a surprise in store for Carla. He hoped and he prayed that she would appreciate his gesture. God, he would be ruined if she turned him down. Carla noticed the bright twinkle in Luke’s eyes that had always gave him away and made his excitement obvious. Little did she know it was for her! She thought it was in anticipation of his birthday party because some of Luke’s old friends and family from out of town would be there to attend it.

The drive to the lake was smooth and they reached the place in half an hour. Both Carla and Luke liked this place for its pristine beauty. The cool breeze that was blowing added to the experience. After Luke chose an idyllic spot, Carla spread the carpet on the plush grass.

She placed the picnic basket in the centre, and the two of them sat beside each other at one end of the blanket. Luke showed Carla snaps of his last onsite project – snaps of the picturesque Swiss mountain ranges. Carla wished he would take her there and….She then prepared their plates of food and cups of iced tea.

The silence that prevailed between the two was becoming a little unnerving as Carla felt Luke wanted to tell her something. Instead of egging him on, she decided to wait for Luke to speak up. They both set about eating. Once that was over, Luke helped her pack up. He then got busy typing a letter on his laptop.

Carla plugged on her I-pod and had just closed her eyes when suddenly, Luke pulled her close and sprayed kisses all over her face. She was taken aback. She held her breath. This was sheer heaven.

Her eyes were glassy when she opened them. Luke pulled the little box out of his pocket and took hold of Carla’s hands. Carla was shivering all over. “Luke, I…” But she was silenced with another kiss before she could proceed any further.

Luke smiled, and said, “Carla you are the best thing to happen to me. You are too sweet, and loving. I love you very much. Will you make me the happiest man in the world by promising to be my wife. Carla, will you marry me?”

“Oh Luke Yes!” Carla shouted out, her face beaming with joy. “Yes, Luke I will marry you, I want to grow old with you.”

Luke put his engagement ring on her finger, then kissed her gently. “Do you know why I am so excited? Cause, we will announce our engagement at my birthday party tonight.” The other surprise for Carla was that both their families know of Luke’s plan. She alone had been kept in the dark about it.

They continued kissing as they had watched the sun set over the lake. Then they went back to Luke’s place for his birthday party. And yes, it was one hell of a party indeed!