I had a plan in my mind since last month to come home for Mother’s 60th birthday. I asked Sister if she is willing to fly, taken into consideration that she will be 4 months pregnant that time. She agreed, the main reason why we kept it to ourselves was because we didn’t know at that time what would the quarantine rules? so far they said on April the Q-rules will be for 5 days, none of us could do that as we both already planned our annual leave. Both sister and I decided it will be better not to tell anyone until we are sure we both can fly. Few weeks later another improvements happened, only 3 days Q however it’s still not gonna cut it for us. We decided to tell our Mom that she should celebrate it with her friends with decorations plus make up and we will both online via Zoom. Mother was reluctant at first but I insisted to do that.
Until we knew that there was no Q anymore! We knew it about end of April or beginning of May. I bought my ticket then sister bought hers. We still decided to keep it to ourselves as we were afraid if we told father earlier he won’t be able to keep a secret and all what we planned will go to a waste. We ran into several scenarios of what might happened, as we both will arrive on a Sunday 22.05 what would happened if father and mother will not be in Jakarta? what would happened if they decided to stay in Karawang ’till end of May? We would be doomed!
We decided to tell our father last minute but not like one day before, more like 5 days before. I told him while I was on the way to office in the morning so I knew he would be at his lunch break. I explained everything, he was too happy said “I’ll pick you up!” NO! That’s not the whole point, the point is you have to come home later after we already at home! He got it but we were anxious if he will spill the tea!
Both of our departure day was on Saturday 21.05, we usually have a video call every Saturday so mother asked “what time is our video call?” I said “No” because I’m going to Duesseldorf which is true, I flew from Dus-Airport 😉 sister also said “No” as Australian had election day. Therefore no video call for mother that week hihi. Mother woke up at night, texted me because she knew in Germany it’s still evening time she wanted to have a video call but I was already in Dubai Airport I said “No” again haha
After 18 and a half hours with Emirates……
Father texted us “we just arrived” both of us were running around the apartment, moving all our Maletas from living room to our sleeping room, turns off all lights then waited patiently in our sleeping room. Sister was afraid mother will faint, I was afraid that she was holding some food and it will all fell down on the floor in the end we need to clean it up. Bottom line, we didn’t know what would be her reaction.
Father did a good job on keeping it a secret for 5 days, he was on the verge of telling mother because he doesn’t want mother to be shocked but he also doesn’t want the surprise to be failed as he knew both of us flying from far away. Anyway, here is the proof of how well executed the plan is:
We were so proud for our father that he can really keep a secret 🙂 All the hours on the flight was so worthy.
On her birthday day, 23.05 we went to pick up father and did a test food for Sister’s wedding celebration in July.
Then mother will celebrate with her friends and family in Karawang on Saturday. I’m also happy to join as I will meet with my cousins too. I can say I am satisfied with all of this and I’m convinced I did the right things.
Happiness of a mother is something you can’t measure. Happy birthday mother, wish you all time healthy and happiness <3
P.S: for the sake of healthy reason, I can assure you this will be the first and last surprise prank I ever done 🙂