Celestial Strings Tied To You

Chapter 12

Time goes on at parang naka time lapse ang pahinga ko. Ilang linggo nga lang ang pahinga ko for this academic year, ang bilis pa lumipas ng oras. Nakakairita naman.

But, oh well... It's my 20th birthday.

Napalingon ako sa pinto ng room ko nang bumukas ito.

"Happy birthday, Julie." She welcomes me with her smile. "Did you like the dress? We will be having a party later."

I was struck. I didn't know that they would still celebrate my birthday.

As expected, the first one who greeted me is Vince. He even sent the message at exactly 12 midnight. The time when I was born.

Hindi ko alam pero parang biglang nawala ang sigla ko. Maybe because I'm now closer to 30 than to 10? I'm already 20 years old and hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na ang bilis ng panahon.

I want to cry.

I’m standing in front of the mirror, wearing a deep crimson gown that drapes elegantly against my figure. The fabric shimmers under the light. A sheer red sash cascades from my shoulders, adding a touch of drama and grace to the whole look. The neckline is softly draped, framing my collarbones with just the right hint of allure.

My hair is loose, long, and wavy, falling over my shoulders in soft dark cascades, giving me that effortless yet polished look. My makeup is refined and classic, a subtle glow on my cheeks, bold red lips to match the dress, and softly defined eyes that make me feel both confident and radiant.

On my feet, I’m wearing delicate strappy sandals, the kind that elongates my legs without stealing attention from the gown.

It’s my birthday tonight, and this look feels like the perfect way to celebrate. All eyes will be on me, and for once, I’m letting myself bask in the glow of being the star of the evening.

However, it still feels like something is missing even if everyone I love is here. Even someone I once loved.

"Anong ginagawa niya dito?" The first thing that came out of my mouth the moment I went outside. Vince looks at me when I said that.

"They recently had business together. Kasama niya ang ama mo and Dad as well." I scoffed.

Hindi ako makapaniwalang gagawin talaga lahat ni Dad para sa pera. Even if he knew that Rence is my ex-boyfriend. He even invited him here.

Binalewala ko nalang dahil nakamove on na rin naman ako sa kanya. Tapos na 'yun. Matagal nang natapos 'yun. So what kung nandito siya sa birthday ko? Pa epal lang siya.

"You should greet the guests first." Tumango ako.

Hinayaan muna ako ni Vince na lumapit sa parents ko mag-ikot. It's too tiring to fake a smile. They even invited people I didn't know. Okay lang naman sana kung hindi ko birthday ngayon.

It feels like they're using my birthday to do business with people I don't even know.

Except for him.

"Ano na namang ginagawa mo dito?"

"We broke up." Hindi ko mapigilang matawa.

"Palakpakan na ba kita? At least that girl saw her worth. Kadiri ka." He attempted on touching my hand pero umatras ako.

Isang malaking hakbang palayo sa kanya.

"Give me another chance, Julie. I promise magbabago na ako." His eyes are pleading, pero para saan pa?

"Why would I settle to someone who's a cheater? I moved on a long time ago, Rence. Tanggapin mo nalang na you're part of my history now. And also, aware ka na siguro pero I'm just gonna tell you face to face that I'm dating someone now. Someone who showed me that love isn’t about chaining each other, hindi yung tipong kailangan magkasama palagi hanggang sa mawalan ka ng sarili mong mundo."

"Pero, Julie—"

"He showed me that real love gives you space to grow, to breathe, to chase your dreams, and still, at the end of the day, you choose each other. Hindi 'yung pagmamahal na puro selos, takot, at pagtataksil. Pagmamahal na binigay mo sa'kin."

Rence’s lips parted, pero walang lumabas na salita. His eyes glistened, pero wala na siyang masasabi pa.

"And that someone is me." Nanglaki ang mga mata ko nang may humapit sa bewang ko at hinila ako palapit sa kanya kasabay ng pagdampi ng labi namin sa isa't isa.

That was too fast.

Binitawan ni Vince ang bewang ko at humarap kay Rence. "Back off and respect my girlfriend, Rence."

I stared at Vince.

With Rence, love always felt like a distraction, a weight pulling me away from the things I wanted to achieve. Para bang mali kapag naglalaan ako ng oras para sa sarili ko, kapag inuuna ko ang pangarap ko. Kahit ibigay ko na ang kaya kong ibigay, parang laging kulang, laging mali, laging may kapalit. Love with him made me feel guilty for wanting more in life.

But with Vince… it’s different. His love doesn’t suffocate me. It lifts me. He makes me believe that I can reach my dreams without losing him along the way. I don’t have to choose between love and my future, because with him, the two can exist together.

Every look, every word, every touch from him tells me I’m not a burden, I’m not too much, and I’m not too little. I am enough.

I never imagined I’d deserve this kind of love. But now, with Vince, I finally understand: love isn’t supposed to hold me back. It’s supposed to help me grow.

And I snapped back when Vince smiled at me. Ngiting palagi nalang akong nakukuha.

"Maganda ’to sayo." Napakunot noo ako nang pumunta si Vince sa likod ko, marahang hinawi ang buhok ko papunta sa kanang balikat. Ramdam ko 'yung init ng hininga niya sa batok ko, kasabay ng malamig na dampi ng chain nang iangat niya 'yung kwintas.

"Vince, ano na naman ’to?" Kalmado ngunit kabado kong tanong.

Hindi siya agad sumagot. Narinig ko muna 'yung kaluskos ng chain bago ko naramdaman na isinusuot niya sa leeg ko 'yung necklace. 'Yung chain manipis pero matibay, kumikislap sa liwanag. Nang tuluyan nang lumapat yung pendant sa dibdib ko, napahawak ako.

'Yung pendant, parang obra. Gold frame na parang twisted vines na nakabalot sa isang pulang bato. Ang ganda kasi parang may sariling tibok yung bato, kumikislap sa bawat galaw ko. Para siyang apoy na nakulong sa ginto.

But that's when I noticed it. The pendant is a heart. A human heart with a red stone inside.

"Happy birthday, my love. Gusto kong suotin mo ’yan ngayong birthday mo," bulong niya, mababa yung boses, puno ng lambing. "Para lagi mong alam na kahit anong mangyari, ikaw at ikaw pa rin ang pipiliin ko." It made me tear up.

Napakapit ako nang mas mahigpit sa pendant, hinagod ng daliri ko yung gilid nito na parang kayamanang kailangang ingatan. Ang bigat niya, hindi lang dahil sa ginto o bato, kung 'di sa meaning na kasama nito.

Paglingon ko, nagkatagpo ang mga mata namin ni Vince na seryoso, mainit, at para bang siya na talaga yung pinakamahalagang regalo ngayong gabi.

"Vince…" bulong ko, hindi ko na napigilan yung ngiti ko. "Thank you. Pero ang cheesy mo."

Napailing siya sabay tawa ng mahina, tapos kinurot ng marahan 'yung pisngi ko. "Hindi cheesy ’yun. Deserve mo lang."

Before I could even protest, he pulled me closer and pressed his lips against mine. A kiss that's so gentle, so simple, yet powerful enough to remind me that beyond this necklace, he was the real treasure.

His lips lingered on mine for a moment, not rushed, not demanding, just full of quiet certainty. My heart hammered in my chest, louder than the soft music in the background, louder than the voices of everyone else outside this little bubble we had built for ourselves.

When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against mine, his breath warm and steady as if telling me I was safe right here, in his arms. I clutched the pendant instinctively, its cool weight pressing against my skin, but it was nothing compared to the warmth of his love that wrapped around me.

And in that moment, I realized... I could lose everything else tonight, but as long as I had him, I would never feel empty.

It's a happy birthday indeed.