If there are times of the year that I dread not coming, that would be the holidays and Valentine's Day. But I can say the LOVE month gives me the chills the most. It gives me sadness, loneliness, and self-pity to the maximum level.

Why may you ask? Because I am SINGLE, capital S-I-N-G-L-E!

At least during the Christmas season, I can give the excuse that Christmas is for family. I can be around my family up to the New Year's celebration. And because I'm an only child, it's a family tradition that we are complete during the holidays—a perfect excuse for me not to be alone at Christmas.

But being single on Valentine's Day is a different story.

All my friends have boyfriends; they are all occupied and excited when February comes. But, unfortunately, no one among my friends would offer me to join them. Who would like to have a third wheel on Hearts' Day, anyway?

As for my family, my parents cannot celebrate their yearly couple's getaway every second month of the year. And even if they offer me to come with them, I will decline. I can't imagine being with them amidst their cheesiness and creepiness at their age! But I love them both! I wish to be in a relationship like theirs.

But as years passed by, and counting Valentine's days that I spent alone sulking and surviving with a large box of pizza and 12 cans of diet soda while watching romance movies, the loneliness and self-pity I felt triple this year!

It is my third year of spending V-Day alone. Yep! Never been kissed, never been touched, and never been courted for three long and agonizing years! That's ME!

During high school, I didn't mind unnoticed by the boys. My studies were my priority. When I was in college, I just wanted to graduate to get a job, which is why I didn't mind not having many suitors. When I turned 18, I opted for a no party to get the money as a gift from my parents so I could have seed money for my online shop. That helped me not to think about the stresses of celebrating a debut party.

But when I turned 19, I realized things. It sucks to watch romance movies alone. I'm sad that no one texts or calls me to ask about my day romantically, if I have already eaten or when I am going home from work so he can pick me up. It felt like all the heartbreaking songs are meant for me. It's a pity that I spend almost all my holidays alone. And at the peak of all these things, I have a pity party on my own as the Debbie Downer every time it's the LOVE month.

And now, I made a promise three years after I turned 20. It's my time to shine! As early as the last week of January, I made a declaration. If LOVE can't seem to find me, I will find LOVE! I will ensure that the love arrow will direct towards my heart and the heart of my first and only love come February! So, with my fingers crossed and eyes closed, I claim it! I'm envisioning it, and I'm making it happen! I will not be S-I-N-G-L-E this Valentine's Day!

First, I went to church and did my different novenas. To St. Anthony, I prayed my faithful petition in search of love. Then to St. Anne. St. Anne, bring me a man as fast as you can! But that was nine days ago. Both novenas I prayed for haven't given me the answer.

NOTHING. NONE. NADAH.

It's already the second day of February. I only have 11 days, to be exact, to find "the one" who will claim me from the "Singles Counter." I doubt my declaration. My desperate brain cells thought of other ways while I devoured my take out of Lo Mein and siomai. What else can I do? And just before I bit my fortune cookie, the answer to my million-dollar question came right at me!

CUPID NOW DEMANDS LOVE BACK before you can find your own for the Valentine. As I read the fortune included in my $14.21 Chinese takeout, my eyeballs almost popped out.

CUPID is the answer!

He needs to pierce my heart, and whoever's with his arrow and my Valentine's will be a blast. But where can I find Cupid? The more give him love back for my Valentine Love?

Crazy as it seems, my lunatic mind thought of one hell of a desperate move! I guess it's true that when you are at the edge, you think and do things unexpectedly. But I take my idea more than a product of my genius mind- I WILL FIND CUPID some LOVE!

But HOW and WHERE?

Then creativity hit me. We are now living in a techy world. In just seconds, the world will know. So I immediately posted my idea online. Twitter, Instagram, FB, etc. Name it; I did it!

WANTED: CUPID's LOVE- Cupid Needs Some Love this time!

If Interested Please call/txt: 143 0214 2021

Call me crazy as hell! But desperate time needs desperate measures! And I'm sure there are ones like me out there who will surely answer what I posted. Though what they wrote in the fortune cookie wasn't clear as I wanted it to be, I created a guideline to follow whenever I get a text or call. 1. Meet Up, 2. Interview 3. Action. The more applicants, the more love for Cupid! The greater chances for me to get mine!

Ten days to go before Valentine's, and 24 hours have passed since I posted my ad. Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock! Tick! Precisely 26 hours after and still no text or call. Patience is a virtue! I have all the time, anyway. For three years, I have always taken a leave from work for the first 14 days of Feb. Yeah, right! My pathetic life!

Before my patience and confidence were about to give up, my phone rang! Forty-eight8 hours after I got a call from a number that wasn't in my phonebook. Could this be the one?

"Hello!" I answered.

"Hey there, Cupid! I can give you lots of love..." said a creepy man's voice on the other line.

"Wrong number!" I shouted, scared, and I hung up.

And that was just the start. I lost count of how many perverts' calls I hung up on, cursing callers I yelled back at, and telemarketers I declined—top three call scenarios I didn't see coming when I posted my ad. For the past three days, I felt exhausted answering calls and texts from different crazies. I confirmed one thing, though: I'm not the craziest! I felt like I was running a call center at my apartment. Mind you; I even got repeat calls!

I am contemplating throwing in the towel with less than six days remaining before Valentine's. Just when I was about to, I got another call.

"Hello!" I answered with my fingers crossed. Let this be the one!

"Hello! Is this Cupid?" a shy but clear voice of a young girl I assumed answered on the other line.

"Hey, I'm Cupid's assistant. Who is this?" I asked.

"This is Ella. I'm interested in the ad," she intoned.

I tried to control myself from giggling. However, I find Ella's voice and her commitment amusing. Well, if this girl can be the answer to my problem, I will hold on to her like she is dear life!

"Hello there, Ella! How old are you? Do you have your parents' permission to call?" I asked.

"Um... Well, I'm using my phone, and I'm 10. I was hoping to talk to Cupid so I can make a deal with him," her confident 10-year-old voice stated.

"Um, Ella, I am tasked by Cupid to make a deal on his behalf," I answered.

"Can we meet then? I need his help for Valentine's," answered Ella.

"Sure, Ella. But you need to come with an adult when we meet for your security." I said.

"I'll bring my nanny. Text me the details, please, Miss Assistant."

"Sure, Ella, I will," I promised, and we ended the call.

It took me 30 minutes to decide whether I would meet Ella. Reminding myself how I valued adults' promises to me when I was her age, I texted her the details. There is a park in the city where I met her three hours after. I realized I just wanted to fulfill a promise to a young girl and get it over and done with. So, after getting a text confirmation, I got ready for our meet-up.

On my way to the park, I kept on telling myself that even if I didn't get what I wanted, at least I didn't break a young girl's heart. A good deed, my dear self! I made sure that I arrived at the park first. I just want to study my surroundings if I need to run away, just if Ella is not who she said she is.

I arrived in the park 15 minutes earlier, and instead of sitting on the park bench, we agreed to meet. I sat across. I wanted to see my "target" before she saw me. Precisely 15 minutes after I arrived, a young girl, approximately ten yo, wearing pink sweatpants and a hoodie, holding a cellphone in her hand, came and sat on the bench. An older man and woman, both in their uniforms, accompanied her. I assumed the woman was her nanny and probably the man was a driver. At least Ella is who she said she is. Thank God! I walked in their direction and called her name once I got closer.

"Hi, Ella! I'm Cupid's assistant." I said, offering my right hand to shake hers.

Her eyes brightened, and she immediately reached out her hand and shook mine. The older woman smiled at me as her eyes looked at mine as if talking to me, saying thank you. I smiled back at both of them as I motioned for us to sit down.

"Miss assistant, I was hoping Cupid can help if I give him some love?" Ella asked.

"What help do you need, Ella? Do you have any idea how you can give Cupid some love?" I asked.

"I listed three ways which I think can make Cupid happy," she answered.

It surprised me how she could list down three when I can't think of even one. Her nanny smiled at me, beaming with pride. I acknowledged how Ella seems to be an intelligent girl. And the nanny replied that Ella was also the most friendly girl. I then got the message that she wanted me to play along. Thinking at least I would have something nice to do for someone instead of staying at home; I decided I would focus on Ella. Never mind my own Valentine's dilemma. I can still count this as different from my previous V-days.

"I know Cupid won't show up. That is why he sent you. I think he wants me to do things that can make others happy; then it will make him happy too." Ella explained.

"That is very smart and sweet of you, Ella! What are your plans?" I asked.

"I was hoping you would join me in doing the three things I planned for the next three days," she answered.

"Sure, of course! I have all the time since Cupid sent me." I answered.

Ella and I agreed to join forces for the three days that she will put her plans into action. And "great things come in small packages." Never in my wildest dreams that I think a ten yo would be the one to give me the most enjoyable, fulfilling, and happiest February of my life!

On the first day, we went to an orphanage and held a Kiddie Valentine's Party for all the kids. It was a day of feeding, games, and never-ending waves of laughter.

We brought our second day to a higher level, that of community service. Ella and I served and helped in a soup kitchen for the elderly. We spent the day serving meals and talking to elders who don't have families.

The third-day activity, I can say, was the closest to Ella's heart. She told me she saved the best for last because she wanted to dedicate it to someone special in her life. We went to a community shelter for mothers—a shelter for unwed, abandoned, and teenage moms. We gave them a day of pampering.

Thanks to Ella's sponsor! She said all expenses for the three-day activities we have done were courtesy of her sponsor. Whoever the sponsor is, one filthy rich!

After the three incredible days we shared, we spent February 13 together. I can say that Ella grew on me in our short days together. I grew fond of her. And I can see that she felt the same way, too. We agreed that February 13 is our version of Valentine's day. We learned so much about each other.

I felt sad hearing that she lost her mom when she was born. But I was glad she still has a father who truly loves and supports her. Judging from her smartness, kind and humble heart, her parents raised her very well. So, we agreed, whatever happens, however old we will both be, February 10-11 is our 3-Day Tribute to Cupid, and February 13 is our V-Day. We found a best friend in each other.

I remembered asking her as we were about to end our V-date.

"Ella, I'm just curious. What was the deal you wanted to make with Cupid? Do you have a wish or something?"

She smiled and told me in secrecy. After hearing Ella's genuine wish, I agreed to grant it. Who would say no to a genuinely kind soul like her?

FEBRUARY 14

I am standing in front of Ella's house. Before I could press the doorbell outside the main door, Ella beat me to it and opened the enormous door for me.

"Hi, Ella! Happy Valentine's Day!" I greeted her.

"Oh my God! OMG! You are here!" she said excitedly.

While we were hugging each other like we hadn't seen each other just yesterday, a warm, husky, and sexy voice of a man called her name.

"Ella, Princess, please welcome our guest inside."

We both looked in the direction where the voice came. Ella excitedly runs towards the most attractive man I have seen in my 23 years of existence. In his early 30s, he has bristly eyebrows, defined cheekbones, a well-chiseled jaw, and masculine tanned skin with the sexiest smile.

"She is here! I told you she would come!" Ella excitedly grabbed him towards me.

"Hi! Welcome to our home! Ethan James." he said, reaching out his hand.

"Ave, Ave Jackson. Thanks for having me, Ethan!" and I shook his hand.

"Everybody say cheese!" Ella said aloud.

Click! Ella's camera phone sounded just as after Ethan and I faced her direction.

"Dad, bring Ave to the garden now! Don't be shy! Just like how we practiced this morning, okay?!" Ella whispered to Ethan.

"Thanks, Ave, for granting my wish! I love you!" Ella whispered to me as she hugged me tightly.

*****

"I'm sorry if Ella has been inconveniencing you for days now," said Ethan.

"Don't worry about it! She is a joy to be with!" I answered.

"But meeting you here today Ave, I have to thank her. Seriously!"

"You are right, Ethan. I want to thank her too."

And we spent time together until the wee hours of the night with the promise that we would see each other more even after our first Valentine's together.

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A prequel is in the works:

Before It's Too Late - Avery's Story

and a sequel too:

Don't Be Afraid to Be - Ethan's Story

Keep Loving!

EastCoastPinay