"Thank you, Steve."
I am still hugging Steve while crying. He's making me so much happy. I really didn't expect this. I buried my face on his shoulder while I am sobbing. I cannot contain it anymore, these tears of joy kept on falling. Basa na siguro 'yung uniform ni Steve dahil sa mga luha ko.
"Happy birthday, my love." he whispered.
I released myself from his hug and looked at his teammates. "Thank you, guys." I told the basketball team and Luke.
"Para kay Captain." sigaw ng isa sa kanila dahil medyo malayo sila sa amin.
I looked at Lian. "Did you know?" I glared at her.
"Peace!" she created a peace sign on her hand.
"Steve, you really don't have to, but thank you." I said to Steve.
"Anything for you." he smiled, I hugged him once more.
Sinuot niya sa 'kin 'yung necklace na bigay niya. I held it while looking at him. "Thank you for this, this is the best gift that I received because I know you worked hard for this."
"It suits you, my attorney."
I know in my heart, I love Steve, but I don't think this is the right time to tell him. I can't say it loud yet. I just accepted it to myself.
"Wala na kaming klas⎯ hoy! Ano 'yan?!" I heard Addie. She is with Nat and Elly.
I saw Luke whispered something on Steve, he is staring at Elly. Hmm! Something's fishy.
"Aba at may pa-surprise." sabi ni Nat nang makalapit sila sa amin.
"Happy birthday, Calynn!" Addie said but her tone was like teasing me.
"Thank you." I just laughed at them dahil para talaga silang nang-aasar na ewan.
"Sinagot mo na ba?" Nat asked me, katabi niya na si Lian. Nakatayo na sila sa gilid ko.
"Not yet." I smiled shyly.
"Not yet daw, Cap!" Luke said.
"Oy, yet! Laki nang chance ni Cap." the other player said.
Napatingin kami sa kanila pero binalik din kaagad ni Steve ang tingin niya sa 'kin.
"No pressure." Steve smiled at me, I just smiled back at him.
Soon, Steve. Very soon.
Nagpaalam na 'yung ibang teammates ni Steve dahil baka may klase pa sila. Luke was about to go but I called him.
"Luke! Want to come with us?" I saw how his eyes sparkles. I wanted to laugh, what's up with him?
Steve whispered something on him. "Tama, may kotse rin 'to." Steve pointed Luke.
"Huh? Sige." sagot ni Luke, parang napilitan pa. If I know... hmp!
"I'll just return this to the music room." Steve said, still holding the guitar.
"Sarado na 'yon, next time na lang." Luke said.
While we were walking palabas, nakikita ko pang tinitingnan kami ng ibang students. Dalawang star player ba naman 'yung kasama namin.
"Nasa gate na raw si Drew." Lian said while looking at her phone.
Me, Lian and Drew went to Steve's car, Elly, Nat and Addie went to Luke's car with him.
We went to greenwhich here at the mall. My treat, of course. I'm with the girls together with Steve, Luke and Drew pero lumabas saglit sina Lian and Drew. When they came back, they are holding a cake. I guess, it's for me, so, I smiled.
"'Wag kang ngumiti, babayaran mo 'to." Lian joked, placing the cake on the table as she sat beside me. I rolled my eyes at her.
"Steve, bakit naman si Lian lang kinontyaba mo?" Addie asked.
"Sorry," Steve replied shyly.
"Hoy, alangan naman ipagpaalam pa ni Steve sa ating lahat!" sgaw ni Lian kay Addie.
"Joke lang naman!" Addie pouted.
"Bro, bakit tahimik ka?" tumatawa-tawang tanong ni Steve kay Luke.
"Gago!" Luke said to Steve. Steve laughed. I can't see what's funny. It's as if they were having a secret conversation using their own language. Men are weird.
"What's funny?" I looked at Steve.
"Secret." he smirked, so annoying! I rolled my eyes at him, but then he tousled my hair. "Don't be grumpy, it's your birthday." he smiled at me.
After we ate, they opened the cake. Si Lian na 'yung nagbukas dahil ang sabi niya ay siya naman daw 'yung bumili. Pinagbigyan na lang siya nina Addie.
"Sino may lighter?" Lian asked after he pulled the cake at the box.
"Mga naninigarilyo riyan, labas niyo na." Addie looked at the three guys.
I'm a bit shocked when Steve handed them a lighter. I glared at him.
"Hindi sa akin 'yan." he explained like he's assuring me that he doesn't smoke. I just shrugged and remain quiet.
They sang for me, which is awkward.
When people sang happy birthday, I still don't know what to do in that moment. It's just awkward.
We ate the cake and nanghingi kami ng plastic na fork and knife sa counter. Pinagtitinginan pa kami noong kinakantahan nila ako.
When I went home, I saw Ate at the table. She seems waiting for me, there is a cake and a box of pizza on the table. When she saw me, she was surprised.
"Bakit hindi ka nagtetext, sandali!" she immediately light the candle of the cake. Natataranta pa siya. It's my favorite red ribbon rainbow cake.
I am smiling while watching her. We're not like this before. Yes, we talk, but we're not close. Heck, I don't remember sharing my secrets with her.
Nakakalungkot lang na bago kami maging close, kailangan ko pang masaktan.
But, it's okay now, I'm getting better naman na rin.
"Happy birthday, Caly. Happy birthday, Caly. Happy birthday, happy birhday, happy birthday, caly!" she sang.
"Thank you, Ate." I went to her and hugged her.
"Here." she handed me a paper bag.
When I opened it, I saw the bag that I want online. How is this even possible? Kakasabi ko lang sa kaniya ng gusto ko earlier.
"I went to all the stores here in Manila to find a bag na katulad ng gusto mo online so that I could give it to you exactly on your birthday." she smiled.
Tears fell from my eyes. "Thank you, Ate." this day is so kind to me. I didn't see that coming. I thought it'll be just an ordinary day.
"Mom and Dad, as usual, nasa work."Ate boredly said. "Kaya ako na lang muna, Caly. I promise to celebrate all your important days with you." pinaupo na niya ako para makakain kami.
"Ate, you're making me cry." I pouted.
We ate and then we talked a bit. Sobrang comfortable ko na talaga magkwento sa kaniya. Parang dati lang, hi at hello lang yata kami kapag nagkakasalubong dito sa bahay.
"Ate, mahal ko na." I confessed
"Swerte niya." she smiled while gettting a slice of pizza.
"You think so, Ate?"
"Yes, I know the feeling because I'm lucky that you love me. You're the best for me, baby girl." pinaglagay niya ako ng pizza sa plate.
"Aww. Thank you, ate."
"So, sasagutin mo na?" she bit her pizza.
"I don't know pa nga po, eh. Natatakot kasi ako." I smiled awkwardly while holding the pizza on my hand.
Her forehead creased. "Saan?"
"Pumasok sa isang relationship, I know, mas mahirap. I know, mas maraming obligation dahil syempre may commitment na." I bit my pizza.
"If you love the person, you will endure it all."
I smiled and nodded.
After we ate, I went to my room. Yakap-yakap ko lang 'yung unan ko habang hawak ko sa kanang kamay ko 'yung necklace ko. I am smiling while looking at my ceiling like an idiot.
"What a perfect day." I said to myself before going to sleep.
-
Days went normally, wala namang nagbago sa amin ni Steve. Ganoon pa rin kami, gusto ko na siyang sagutin pero hindi ko alam kung paano.
"Surprise mo rin kaya!" Lian suggested.
"Ano ako, gaya-gaya?!"
"Aba matutuwa iyon! Kaso magtrabaho ka rin muna kasi wala kang pang-gift." she laughed.
May pera naman ako, kaso galing sa parents.
"Saka na 'yon, hindi naman niya kailangan ng gift." aba naman at ang hirap-hirap na nga ng mga subjects ko, magtatrabaho pa ako?
"Bahala ka, nako! Wala akong ibang maisip kung hindi surprise lang din. Pwede naman 'yung kayong dalawa lang para private."
"Bahala na nga! Basta kung kailan ko na lang mafeel."
I went to a coffee shop dahil midterm na at napakarami na naming requirements. Mas gusto ko talagang dito gumagawa sa coffee shop ng mga requirements. Mag-ga-gabi na at wala akong kasama.
Nilapag ko muna 'yung paper ko at kinuha 'yung phone ko para ma-i-chat si Steve.
bellacalynn: Steve, are you busy? Can you accompany me? Baka kasi gabihin ako.
bellacalynn: If you're busy okay lang din.
Gustong-gusto ko nang umuwi pero alam kong baka humiga lang ako sa bahay kapag umuwi ako, isa pa, malapit naman na akong matapos.
gonzalesteve: Sunod ako, saan ka ba?
bellacalynn: Coffee shop near our school.
gonzalesteve: See you.
Sobrang daming paperworks nito. Pambihira! Nakakapagod naman. Mayroon pa kaming isang project na groupings pa pero dahil ang gagaling ng groupmates ko, wala pa kaming nasisimulan.
I didn't notice that I fell asleep, nagising na lang ako nang may biglang tumapik sa 'kin.
"Cal, let's go home?" Steve is standing in front of me.
"Huh? Uh," I blinked twice. Umayos kaagad ako ng upo. "No, no, wait matatapos na ako." I fixed my papers.
"Sa bahay mo na ituloy 'yan." he sat in front of me.
"Ah, hindi! Matatapos na talaga, baka makatulog ako sa bahay, eh." kinusot-kusot ko 'yung mata ko.
"Kaysa naman dito ka makatulog." I laughed at his sarcasm.
"Matatapos na talaga, promise." I looked at him. "Wala ka bang gagawing iba?"
"Midterm week na namin. Magrereview ako."
"Ah! Okay, sige. I'll be fine here. Una ka na. Thank you sa pagpunta." I smiled.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, of course. Goodluck sa midterms niyo."
Umalis na siya kaya naman tinuloy ko na ang pag-gawa ng mga bwisit na paperworks na ito. I was so shocked when he came back.
Umorder lang pala ang gago!
"I told you, I'm okay." I pouted when he sat in front of me. Nilapag niya 'yung coffee niya sa table.
He's not saying anything, instead may kinuha siyang libro sa bag niya.
I am glaring at him.
"Oh, bakit ka nakatingin? Dito lang ako, baka makatulog din ako sa bahay." he mocked me.
I just rolled my eyes at him, but little did he know, I appreciate him. I appreciate him so much. I am just looking at him while he is reviewing, memorizing every part of his face.
"'Wag mo akong titigan, baka isipin kong mahal mo na ako." he smirked, but his eyes were still on his books.
I faked a cough at agad din akong umayos ng upo. My gosh! He's distracting me.
Wala bang naghihintay sa 'yo sa inyo?" I asked him.
"Wala, mag-isa lang ako sa condo." he chuckled while flipping the page of his book.
Few minutes later, he yawn and natapos na rin iyong ginagawa ko. Good thing dahil nabawasan ng isa ang mga requirements ko. Last week pa tapos iyong exam namin kaya submission of midterm requirements na lang.
"Let's go na para makapagpahinga ka na rin." I told him while fixing my things. It's almost 9:00 PM at hindi pa kami kumakain.
"Drive-Thru muna tayo?" he asked me when he stood up and I nodded at him. Gutom na rin ako, eh.
Nagdrive-thru muna kami pagkatapos ay umuwi na rin. We just ate burger para lang hindi kami malipasan. When I went home, nagpahinga na rin ako kaagad.
bellacalynn: How's your exam?
gonzalesteve: Hirap :(
bellacalynn: Labas tayo after your exam?
gonzalesteve: Date?
bellacalynn: Whatever you want to call it.
gonzalesteve: Where are we going?
bellacalynn: Picnic? Hehe
gonzalesteve: Game!
I smiled while talking to him. This is it. Now I'm sure, I can finally say it to him.
"Ang dami ko pa palang gagawin!" I said to myself while looking at my list of our requirements. I am an organized person kaya naka list down sa akin lahat ng kailangan kong gawin.
Inunti-unti kong tapusin lahat 'yon at araw araw rin kaming tumambay sa coffee shop ni Steve.
"Hindi mo naman ako kailangan laging samahan." I told him.
"Sshh. Nagrereview 'yung tao." nag 'shush' sign pa siya sa bibig niya using his index finger. I just rolled my eyes at him. Kailangan ko na yata talagang sa bahay na lang gumawa dahil ang kulit ni Steve. I'm sure, mas makakareview siya nang maayos kapag nandoon siya sa condo niya.
It's friday and last day na ng exam nila. He said that right after his exam, aalis na kami. Kahit na hanggang 2:30 PM pa naman siya ay pumayag na rin ako. Wala na akong klase kaya umuwi muna ako para magbihis. Mahirap magpicnic sa skirt na suot ko.
I just wore an off shoulder pastel yellow tucked in with my black pants. Nag flat sandals na lang din ako and I bunned my hair. Mukha talaga akong magpipicnic.
(I'll just fetch you there.) Steve said on the other line.
"See you." I told him.
Binaba ko na ang phone ko at humarap sa salamin. I am wearing my necklace that he gave me. Magsimula nang isuot ko iyon ay hindi ko na tinatanggal, even when I am taking a bath or sleeping. I just feel loved whenever I am wearing it.
I am also wearing our friendship bracelet with the girls, simula noong sinuot ko 'yon ay hindi ko na rin tinanggal. Kapag pinapalinis ko lang.
"Steve, yes na." I said in the mirror. "Ano ba 'yan, ang pangit."
I called Lian to ask for an advice but Lian, being Lian, wala namang sinabing matino.
(Sabihin mo na lang, Steve, tayo na.) she said.
"Sana hindi na lang kita tinawagan." I joked at her.
(Swerte mo nga pinapayuhan pa kita.)
"Ewan ko sa 'yo! Sige na nga, wala ka naman sasabihing matino."
(Goodluck, pokpok!) she said. I just laughed at her and ended the call.
Bahala na nga!
When I was about to go downstairs, I looked at the door na madadaanan ko rin. Baka nag-aaral siya, pero, sandali lang naman. I'll just ask for some advice.
I knocked on her door and she opened it instantly.
"Yes, Caly?" she asked.
"Ate," I pouted at her.
"Why? What happened?" she asked, looking worried. Natatawa ako sa sarili ko, my problem is nothing compared to her lessons.
"I don't know kung paano ko po sasagutin si Steve." I am still pouting.
She sighed in relief. "Akala ko naman kung ano." she laughed at me.
"Ate naman!"
"You don't have to plan it, Caly. Be spontaneous, darating din 'yung moment na mararamdaman mong 'yun na yon." buti pa siya may magandang payo, itong si Liana, walang pakikisama.
"Thank you, Ate." I hugged her before going downstairs. I am so nervous at parang aatakihin ako nang bigla may magdoorbell.
When I opened the door, I saw Steve standing in front of me, he is wearing a white shirt na may minimalist na design and black denim pants together with his white sneakers. Mestizo siya kaya ang linis niya tignan sa white and he smells so good.
"Cal," he called me dahil ang tagal ko yatang nakatulala.
"Huh? Ahh, Steve. Yuh, hi! He-he." I faked a cough, I sounded so nervous. Gosh!
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, of course. How's your exam?" I smiled at him while my heart is beating so fast and so loud.
"It went well, let's go?" he offered his hand.
We went to his car and when I looked at the back seat, there are a lot of chips, may pizza and fries din doon. I'm already hungry!
"Steve?" I asked him when I saw a guitar there.
"Hmm?" he's fixing his seatbelt.
"Bakit nandiyan pa rin 'yan?" tiningnan niya kung saan ako nakatingin.
"I forgot to return it to the music room, lagi kasing sarado na pagkatapos ng exam ko." binalik na niya 'yung tingin niya sa harap.
An idea immediately pop-up to my head.
Ito na siguro 'yung sinasabi ni Ate na moment.