Waiting Until Dawn (Bittersweet Series #1)

CHAPTER 3

Chapter 3

After Reese left, I felt bored. Bigla akong nalungkot sa isipin na Reese left my birthday because his girlfriend needs him. Well, nothing's wrong, right? No, meron palang mali. Ako 'yung mali, na sa 'kin ang mali. I shouldn't be sad... That's her girlfriend and I'm just no one. Of course Olivia's the most important here.

"Hindi maipinta 'yang mukha mo, ah?" Thalee asked.

Nilingon ko siya at binigyan ng malungkot na ngiti. Ngayon na 'yung araw na makikita at makikilala ko na si Fairy. Sayang at wala rito si Reese. E 'di sana pareho naming makikilala ang babaeng matagal na naming gustong makita. Actually, ako lang naman talaga ang curious, nadamay lang si Reese.

"This is nothing. Don't mind me, Thalee," I said.

Tumigil kami sa paglalakad nang bigla akong salubungin ni Tita Vanessa. She's holding a beige paper bag and I assume that it's a wonderful gift. Tita Vanessa kissed my cheeks and I did the same. I peeked behind her to find someone but I saw no one. Brows furrowed, I asked Tita. "You're with your daughter po, right?" The excitement was evident on my voice.

"Ah, oo naman, Reign. Nag-banyo lang 'yon pero siguro pabalik na rin 'yon dahil kanina pa siya nagpaalam sa 'kin," she explained. I nodded at her with a relieved smile.

Habang naghihintay, nagtawag ako ng waiter para dagdagan ang mga pagkain na nasa lamesa nila. Tita Vanessa told me that their food was enough but I did not listen. She once mentioned to me earlier that she was too embarrassed to go to the buffet table because everyone in their formal attires were intimidating. Hindi ko na sila sinabihan na magtungo sa buffet table at sasamahan ko nalang sila, I called the waiter instead to bring the food they want.

"Hindi mo na dapat ginawa 'to, Reign... Thank you so much." She patted my shoulders.

Habang naglalagay ng mga pagkain ang waiter, inabot sa 'kin ni Tita Vanessa ang paper bag na hawak niya. Maliit na ngiti ang nakaguhit sa kaniyang mga labi nang iabot niya sa 'kin ang regalo. 

"Happy Birthday, Reign..."

"Thank you po, Tita!" I excitedly said as I accepted her gift. Tita told me to open her gift at home with the gifts I received from my relatives and friends but I can't wait to see hers anymore that's why I opened it immediately. My eyes widened when I saw a photo album. Nakangiti akong bumaling kay Tita, she nodded at me shyly. 

When I opened the photo album, my jaw dropped. Puro pictures ko ang naroon! Pictures of me sitting at my favorite spot of their café, pictures of me pointing at the menu on the counter with a smile plastered on my lips, pictures of me reading a newspaper, pictures of me waiting for Fairy, and pictures of me and Reese. Hindi ako makapaniwala na may ganito pala! This is so unexpected and this is the greatest gift I have ever received my entire life!

"This is... amazing!" I giggled then I went to Tita Vanessa for a tight hug. I thanked her over and over again. Napabitaw lang ako sakaniya nang may marinig akong tumikhim sa aking likuran. I turned around and my eyes widened when I saw a girl my age. Lumingon ako kay Tita upang kumpirmahin kung siya na ba si Fairy but got disappointed when Tita Vanessa shook her head at me.

She's not Fairy? Then, where is she? Akala ko ba babalik na siya?

"Hi... Happy Birthday," The girl who's wearing a maroon tight dress that perfectly hugged her small curves, greeted me.

"Uhm, hi!" nakangiti kong bati pabalik. I stepped forward to ask for her name but she took a step backwards. My brows shot up when she suddenly turned her back on me. 

W-What did just happen?

"Who's that, Reign?" Thalee asked. Hindi ko napansin na nakaupo pala siya sa tabi ko at nakain ng salad.