I never had the chance to write this down, but since I am lying sick since the last 2 days I think its time to get some done 🙂

You saw the ‘Spinning Around’ post rite? Henri and Yuce? So this couple came to me and they were planning to have their photoshoot in Singapore. Apparently their friend ‘gifted’ my services for their wedding present, and they (Henri and Yuce) absolutely never met me before, we only spoke for a while on the phone.

Well, all seemed normal, rite? But here’s the catch: Moments after we sealed the contract, Yuce phoned Evy and told her that she wanted to surprise Henri on the finishing of the shoot, which happens to be on Henri’s birthday! She’ll make a reservation on the Swissotel Restaurant (one of the highest in Singapore I believe), and surprised him with a cake and a present. She (Yuce) ask Evy to inform me so that I could play along in this little conspiracy 🙂 (I don’t mind at all, I love giving people surprises 🙂 )

Yuce reminded Evy repeatedly to be careful not to spill the secret out. “Oke2, I got it. My lips are sealed,” Evy comforted.

You think that’s all, rite? Well, hang on. A couple of days later, a phone came, this time from Henri for Evy.

“Evy, can you keep a secret?”

“Uh… huh…”

“Listen, don’t tell Yuce about this ok? I’m planning on proposing her on the last day of shooting, I think we’ll have a dinner somewhere, and then I’ll pop up the ring. Do you think Edward can play along?”

Uh-oh…

“Evy, are you there?”

“Ummm, yeah, I’m here. Ok, I think it’s not going to be a problem for Edward…”

“Ok then, please, please Evy don’t let her know”

“I got it. My lips are sealed” (Or should she say, ‘my other lips’ ? hahaha…)

Wow. I’ve been involved in quite some ‘surprise organizing committee’ along the years, but never something like this. This is so sweet 🙂 A couple planning on giving each other surprises at the same time, without each other knowing. And think about the photo opportunities, oh… hahaha…

The shooting day came and we had a lotta fun. Before we knew it, we already on the last day. In the hotel, moments before the dinner, I talked to Yuce while Henri’s in the bathroom, and I talked to Henri in the balcony while Yuce is inside. Hahaha… this is so exciting.

So, being me the only director who knew the double-plot of this romance story, I’ll put Yuce’s birthday surprise first, because Henri’s ring seems like more a big deal (we want a great climax to the story folks!) I each gave them cue words so they know when to start the ‘act’. I told Yuce to prepare with the gift after we finished ordering the meal. I also met the restaurant manager to have her arranged the birthday cake and ready to go on my cue. Henri’s turn come if I hold the camera and I say “closer-closer-closer”. That’s his cue to get down on his knees and pop the ring.

You see, Henri and Yuce are one of the most sweet and easy-going couple I have ever shot. Even though they were very energetic and so sweet and truly love each other, Yuce has the more mature character, while Henri is a bit more boyish and innocent and have the feel of a real humility. Don’t get me wrong, I say this with the utmost respect and adoration to the guy, but he reminds me a lot of ‘Kabayan’ character in Indonesian film and folklore 🙂 (For all of you who’s not from Indonesia and is not familiar with Kabayan, he is a fictional character from West Java folklore, a humble peasant with a golden heart.)

We climbed up to the 70th floor (did I mention that this is the highest restaurant in Singapore), and make our way into the restaurant. The view is fantastic, truly awesome.

The unique thing about the Swissotel building is that it’s not one of the high-rise buildings you’ve often seen in the postcards. The building is placed quite far from it, so you could view the Singapore cityscape complete with the Esplanade from this place. If you have a special occasion or have a budget to spend some serious money on one nite, I highly recommend you to go. Come early, around 6 pm so you could watch the sky transforms.

I positioned both of them in front of me, my back against the window. We’re handed the menu and started the order. I can see Yuce was very excited and she keeps repeating “I hope this dinner will do, because I don’t bring any gift for your birthday, it’s okay rite?” I’m afraid she’s going to give the surprise away. But Henri’s being so innocent, and he kept on eating the side-bread and did not realize when a waiter approached him with the birthday cake. Here’s the shot of that precious moment.

When the cake already came to his table, he was so surprised until he lost all words. Yuce cannot stop laughing.

“Happy Birthday honey…” Yuce leaned for a kiss. Henry puzzled look at me was as if he was saying “Hey, am I the one with the surprises here?”

“C’mon make a wish”

I love this shot.

And then came out the present. Yuce still can’t stop giggling all the way. “You must be in on this,” Henri smiled while looking at me.

I gave them a couple of minutes to play “How did you get, when did you, how come you… “

I was planning to give the ring cue after the meal, but seeing the sunlight going down so quickly I think I better do this thing now, so I can make a good picture out of it. I grabbed the camera and said the magic word, “Closer…. closer…. closer….”

I can see Henri was reaching for the ring in his pocket. Suddenly he got down his knees and pop up the ring while saying “Will you marry me?” This time Yuce was the one who speechless. Never she thought after giving a surprise that she could get one for herself. Her jaws literally drop before shrieking into a cry of joy.

He put the ring on her fingers, while she continued shrieking and laughing all at the same time. And then she turned to me, “You also knew about this thing, don’t you?”

“Hey… Like I said, my lips are sealed,” I said while lifting both my arms. Yuce then broke into tears, I guess from how joyful she was that time.

All of us laughed all the way till the end. Both of them said that I was a very good liar (is that supposed to be a compliment?) Well, all things said and done, I really had a great time being the guy who arranged all this. And it’s fun for once in a while to witness such unblemished relationship. Most of the time the evil of the world (hei?) corrupted the true love the couple had in the first place, hahaha… Not to mention the stress of wedding preparation and the anxiety of commitment. But true these two young lovers, I am blessed to see the meaning of truly in love all over again. To you Henri and Yuce, I wish you all the good stuff for your future.

Edward