Ears and Rhymes

Chapter 29- THE CELEBRATION

Michelle

I tripled the sales in a span of three months. Actually, with the help of everybody pero I did it. My social media account was on fire because of my boyfriend. Dumami ang nakikipag-collab sa akin because of my postings and the news that I tripled the sales of our product.

Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang hindi i-rub kay daddy iyon.

"I tripled the sales," I said to Dad habang nasa dining table siya. Naka-leave pa rin siya pero nagwo-word from home naman. Hindi niya mapigilang hindi mag-trabaho. "And wala pang six months. This is the best birthday ever."

Hindi kumibo si Daddy. Nagbabasa lang siya ng news paper at hindi ako pinapansin. Pagkatapos magbasa ni Daddy at patapos na akong kumain nang magsalita siya.

"When is your graduation?"

"Few months," I replied.

"What are your plans?"

"Work," I murmured. "Hindi ko ba kailangang malaman ang business natin? Hindi ba ako ang papalit sa iyo sa future?"

Dad just stared at me like what I am saying is ridiculous.

"What?" defensive na tanong ko.

"Kailan ka pa nagkaroon ng concern sa business?"

Duh! "Since I met Brix."

Nag-isang linya na naman ang kilay ni daddy.

"He makes me a better human being, Dad. Why can't you see that?"

"How much did he ask you—"

"Jesus Christ!" I exclaimed. "He didn't ask me anything other than to be happy."

I am disgusted by this conversation.

"How old is he?"

I rolled my eyes. "Twenty-eight and before you make pangaral that he is old, you are older than Mom by ten years."

"And look where your Mom is right now," sarcastic na sagot ni Daddy.

I exhaled loudly and dramatically. "You pull out my tuition fee, you freeze my money, you made a deal with me and I won... all of it didn't work out. Brix will stay, Dad. Contrary to what your favorite nephew said to the media, Brix keeps you alive when you had a stroke."

Pumasok ako sa school na nakasimangot. Naiiyak na naman ako sa inis.

"Mitch," tawag sa akin ni Rose. Umupo ako sa tabi niya. "Bakit nakasimangot ka na naman?"

"Nagtalo kami ni Daddy," sumbong ko kay Rose.

"The usual?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Nakakasawa na ang topic namin. Dati naman hidni niya ako kinakausap. Ngayon parati kaming nagtatalo."

"Dahan-dahan ka na lang sa pagsagot-sagot mo, Mitch. May sakit na rin ang tatay mo," pangaral ni Rose.

"I know pero kasi, dati hindi niya ako pinapansin and I am okay with it kahit I am longing for parents. Now that I found happiness, he is being hadlang naman."

"I guess we can't have it all," Rose commented. "Ipag-pray mo, Mitch."

I hold the rosary that Brix gave me. It is always in my pocket. The rosary makes me calm. It makes me feel not alone.

A week before my birthday, Dad asked me if I want to have a party. I decline which made him unhappy (I guess). I want to celebrate my birthday with my true friends and with Brix. This time, I don't want to have a big party where a lot of invites are just acquaintances. This time, I want to have a simple celebration.

"I want to have a simple gathering if you want me to celebrate with me dito sa house."

"I will invite—"

I shook my head. "I have few friends, Dad. I will invite them and no one else if you want to have a celebration."

Or I can celebrate it with Brix.

Tumango si Daddy at saka tumalikod. Bago siya makalayo, pinaalala ko na "Brix will be here too."

Napahinto sa paggulong ng wheelchair si Daddy.

"He is part of my life, Dad. When can you accept that?"

Hindi sumagot si Daddy.

"Happy birthday to you!!!" A day before my actual birthday, my friends including Sir Blaze, Ryker, and Brix gave me our own celebration. We are at 'The Apartment' having a blast.

"Thanks, guys. Best birthday ever," I said as I gave them hugs. Syempre mas matagal ang hug ko kay Brix.

"Hindi pa nga nagsisimula," angal ni Rose. She gave a sash with 'Birthday Girl' written on it.

"Hulaan mo ang handa?" Ryker joked. "Favorite mo 'to."

"HUwag ng pahulaan baka umasa pa siyang high end ang handa niya," Sir Blaze answered. "Pero may cake ka naman."

Kahit ang simple ng handa, nag-enjoy naman kami sa videoke at sa beer. Meron pa ngang pancit canton at meat spring rolls. The pancit canton was meant as a joke from Sir Blaze. Na-appreciate ko ang mga kaibigan ko, super. The best part of this celebration, Brix sang for me. Every song he sings is for me. Sino ang hindi mai-in love?

"Kumain na tayo baka hindi tayo makakain bukas," sabi ni Ryker. Agad na binato siya ni Brix ng empty beer can. Alanganin akong nag-smile.

"Ay sorry Mitch. Walang ibang meaning," agad na bawi ni Ryker.

"I understand naman if ayaw ninyong pumunta bukas sa resto," I replied.

Nakapagpa-book na si Darla ng resto for my celebration tomorrow. I strictly said no other visitors or magwawala ako. I don't like the media. I want simple and small gathering lang.

"Grabe naman, syempre hindi kami mawawala." Alam kong napipilitan lang si Ryker dahil kay Brix. Brix needs his friend kaya kasama bukas si Sir Blaze at Ryker sa celebration ko bukas.

"Sunduin ka ba namin, Rose?"

"Syempre naman," sagot ni Rose kay Ryker. "Pinagde-dress ninyo ako tapos gusto ninyo akong mag-commute?"

"Baka umulan bukas. Naka-dress pala si Rose."

Natawa lang si Rose sa biro ni Ryker sa kanya. Si Brix naman ay kinuha ang attention ko.

"Hon, hindi kaya ma-heart attack ang daddy mo kapag nakita pa ako?" nag-aalalang tanong niya.

Nakangiti akong umiling. "Hindi. He knows you will be there."

Sa tingin ko, mas iniisip ni Brix ang kalagayan ng daddy ko. Ang selfless naman nito. Buti na lang na-mine ko na.