Wish Upon A Fading Star

Chapter 14

Malia POV:

1 week later

Right now, I awoke early. To celebrate the fact that today is my birthday na pala.

I checked my phone and it's 8:30 am. I mentally prepare for today. Then a slew of notifications began to appear on my phone. Particularly in our group chat, which is comprised of me and my cousins.

JOLOGS

"Happy birthday prinsesa namin. Huwag munang mag boyfriend ha, kundi mag-ingat siya sa amin. Just kidding! Enjoy your day, I love you"- Kuya Alfonso.

"Happy birthday, our dear bunso. Words can't begin to describe how deep and meaningful you are to our lives. You mean the absolute world to us"- Kuya Luis.

"Uyy 17 na siya oh, sana ay hindi ka pa kunin ni Lord and please don't change. Happy birthday makulit na Malia"- Kuya Sandro.

Happy Birthday our little Malia! Stay blessed. Many happy returns of the day!- Kuya Matt

"Happy Birthday Lia! May God Bless you- From your kuya Borgy and Michael

"Happy birthday to the amazing cousin in the world. May you have a joyous celebration of this day!"- Kuya Simon

"It feels good to see you getting more mature and beautiful every year. You are growing up like a princess. Happy birthday Malia!"- Kuya Vincent

Nireplyan ko naman sila kaagad.

"I appreciate everyone's birthday wishes. Hearing from you alleviated some of my angst over turning a year older, d joke lang salamat mga kuya!"

Madami pang bumati sa akin na pinasalamatan ko naman silang lahat.

Maya-maya ay bumaba na ako to meet mom and dad. Pero mukhang wala sila ah, ang tahimik ng bahay. Nang may nagsalita sa likuran ko.

"Goodmorning po ma'am, happy birthday po!" it was manang pala.

"Salamat po manang!, saan po sila mommy?"

"Maagang umalis po, sa companya niyo po ata sila pumunta. Nakapang pormal na damit eh mukhang may meeting daw sila sa ngayon" sagot naman ni manang na bigla akong pinanghinaan.

"Ah ganon po ba, sige po. Salamat"

Today, I imagined would be a unique and unforgettable day for me. Perhaps I was mistaken, as my own family was unaware that today is their daughter's birthday.

I just took my breakfast at mukhang I'm overthinking sa gitna ng pagkain ko.

"Stop it Lia, baka maaga pa namang makauwi sila mommy po. They will not forget your special day noh" I whispered to myself.

After I finished breakfast and sat in the garden reading, Mama Imee abruptly called me.

"Hello anak! We wish our sweet Malia a very happy birthday. May the sun shine brightly on your extremely important day, and may you always be aware of your true worth. You are a courageous and lovely individual. I wish you the most joyous of birthdays and an amazing year!" mga salitang bumungad sa akin ng sagutin ko ang tawag ni mama.

"T-thank you mama!"

"Welcome anak! Happy birthday din daw sabi ni pops mo" she said.

"Oh, thank you pops!"

"We wish we could be with you. We have a senate hearing, and then your pops and I will travel to Nueve Ecija pagkatapos nito for an emergency meeting with the mayor. I am very sorry honey." mama remarked.