All Up In My Head [Completed]

26 Time Flies

Days passed by quickly. Dumating din ang kanilang graduation. The whole venue was jampacked. Kasama niya ang kanyang mamang, tito Zandro at si Tommy. She was able to be listed as one of the top students. Walang kapantay ang saya niyang nararamdaman lalo na nang kantahin na nila ang kanilang graduation song. She hugged her tito and her mamang so tight. All of these are for them and for her mom in heaven.

"Thank you. Ang laki naman nito." Tumawa siya nang salubungin siya ni Ewan nang napakalaking bouquet.

"Maliit pa nga 'yan," he insisted.

"Happy graduation, Gustavians!" sigaw ni Shane habang tumatakbo papalapit sa kanila.

"Mang, ito na talaga," mangiyak-ngiyak niyang sabi.

"Congrats, 'nak! Patingin nga ng medal mo."

They feasted on the gold plated medal on her neck. It looks too big and grand. Ilang beses niya pa itong hinimas-himas. Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala kahit na nasabi na naman sa kanila few weeks ago. It feels surreal.

"Congrats, Lila ko. I always knew that you're great," Ewan said, smiling from ear to ear.

"Graduation pa lang 'to. Welcome to the world of the unemployed?" She chuckled.

"I'll be with you in any world."

"Sira!"

"Happy graduation..." he trailed off as she tiptoed to give him a peck.

Bigla itong naestatwa sa kinatatayuan habang hawak ang pisnging hinalikan niya.

Hindi niya mapigilang matawa. "Napaano ka na naman?"

"Nahihiya ako. Nakatingin si tita," he replied and pointed at her family.

Tinampal niya ang binata dahil sa kalokohan nito. After that, they both part ways. They planned to have their own celebration with their friends and of course, a date with just the two of them.

The succeeding month was not as easy as Lila expected it to be. May naglitawang offers at recommendations sa kanya. It was not exaggerated though. Kailangan niya pa ring magpasa ng kanyang CV at pumunta sa interview. She had been reviewing everything, weighing her choices and researching further. But her decision was still not final. Naalala niya ang e-mail na natanggap. It was a confirmation she has long been waiting. Ngunit marami pa ang maaari niyang gawin at piliin.

Advance happy birthday, Ewan, my boy!

She saw the IG story from one of Ewan's friends. Maraming nag-comment sa bagong post ni Jennie tungkol kay Ewan. Pat, Shane, Gab and a lot of people she doesn't know greeted him. Nasapo niya ang ulo. Hindi niya naalala na bukas na pala ang birthday nito. She's so stupid to forget about it. Agad siyang lumabas para bilhin ang regalong matagal niya nang pinag-iipunan. She hopes that he will like it.

She called him tons of times but he was not answering. Palaging not coverage ang number nito. Where is he? She immediately thought of Patrick. Siguradong alam nito kung nasaan ang kaibigan. But if he's also with him, it would be a problem. Buti na lang ay sumagot naman si Patrick sa kanyang tawag. Naging messenger niya na yata si Patrick.

"Pat, alam mo kung nasaan si Ewan?" she asked.

It took him a few seconds to answer.

"Nasa Casa Marchesa yata sila."

He's not sure. This is bad, she thought.

"Saan 'yon?" she asked, a little confused.

"It's in the mountains," he replied, hesitantly.

"A-ano?"

"Ah dahil ba sa birthday niya? Babalik naman 'yon dito."

He said that Ewan will definitely come back dahil may inihanda rin silang party. Ngunit hindi pa rin siya napakali. She felt bad about not remembering his birthday. The least she can do is to give him the gift and greet him a happy birthday.

Patrick sent her the address that he got from Jennie. Nag-book siya ng taxi papunta doon. She didn't mind the expenses. The ride was almost two hours. Fortunately, the whole place was accessible. Habang papataas ang altitude mas lalong lamalamig ang paligid. Hininaan na ng driver ang aircon. Few moments later, she arrived at an old two-storey pension house. Casa Marchesa, iyon ang nakalagay sa white-painted na kahoy sa gilid ng gate.

Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang paligid. She hugged herself as the cold wind blows. Nag-aaway na ang araw at gabi sa kalangitan. The pine trees hovering over her looked magical as the moon above peeks through. Pinindot niya ang door bell saka naghintay. An old lady came up to her. She said Ewan's name and when he got out, he looked surprised.

"Lila?" he said.

She smiled in between his arms.

"Why are you here?" he asked. Bumitaw siya saka pinakita ang dalang regalo.

"Birthday mo eh," she replied.

"Nakalimutan kong sabihin, nagpa-surprise party sila eh. Mahina pa naman ang signal dito," he explained.

"Happy birthday..." Inabot niya ang maliit na kahon.

"What's this..." Binuksan nito nang dahan-dahan saka nag-iba ang ekspresyon ng mukha nito.

"Wow..." he trailed off as he held out the wristwatch she managed to buy with her savings.

She pursed her lips. "Sorry, 'yan lang nakayanan ko eh."

"This is the best gift, Lila," sagot nito saka agad na sinuot ang relo.

She helped him with it. Pumasok silang dalawa sa loob.

"We can stay for another day. Sayang naman kung hindi mo makikita ang buong Casa Marchesa," he said.

"Ate L!" Jennie came and hugged her.

Before she can give an answer, sinalubong na siya ng maraming pamilyar na mukha. She didn't know what to say when she saw his family gathered on the table. Mukhang nawala sa utak niya na intimate party pala ito. And she's an outcast. Naisip niya na lang na umuwi. Hindi niya mahulaan kung anong iniisip ng mga nakakatanda. She saw Eon on the far end. Aside from him, his parents and Jennie, she didn't know everyone. This is going to be a long night.

-

We're few chapters away (I think) from the end. Leave your thoughts and hit the vote! Thank you, luv. Add me on Facebook, Kah Villavicencio.