A week left before Karylle's birthday. Vice had so many things in mind on what to do for her special day, pero sadyang hadlang sa kanya ang budget para dito. This is the reason why he called all their close friends together to ask for help.
Right after class, they all decided to meet up. Karylle wasn't around dahil sa busy ito sa ginagawa niyang research papers and it was the right time for Vice to talk to them.
"O bakit girl, anong meron?" Anne asked after she took a seat beside Vhong. Napaisip naman si Vice dahil medyo nahihiya siya sa kanyang plano.
He bit his lip and spoke up. "Karylle. Malapit na birthday niya di ba?"
Nagulat naman silang lahat dahil hindi man lang nila naalala ang kaarawan nito. Kaya naman lahat sila'y nakatanggap ng hampas mula kay vice. "Anong klaseng mga kaibigan kayo! Kaloka!" natawa naman si Billy dahil sa reaction ni Vice.
"We're joking! Alam naman namin yun brad. Bakit ano ba gusto mong gawin natin?"
He rolled his eyes and shared his ideas.
-----------------------------------
March 21
"Bukas na..." bulong niya sa sarili niya. Kahit nasa loob pa siya ng room at kumukuha ng exam ay si Karylle parin ang iniisip niya. It's been days pero kinakabahan parin siya sa gagawin niya bukas. Hindi niya alam kung magiging successful ba ito dahil first time na naman niyang gagawin to para sa isang taong mahal niya.
Right after his exam, kinuha na agad niya ang kanyang cellphone para itext si Karylle.
"San ka?"
Minutes passed yet wala siyang natanggap na reply. He decided to go to Billy's room instead to finalize things.
Everything was all set. Except for Vice na sobrang kinakabahan at iba ang kutob sa mangyayari bukas.
"What's bothering you?" he looked behind and to his surprise, it was Karylle.
Nawala naman siya sa sarili niya kaya pautal-utal siyang nagsalita. Kaya naman si Vhong nalang ang nagsalita para sa kanya.
"Kinakabahan lang siya sa results ng exam niya, K. Wag ka mag-alala.."
"Oh. Yun lang pala. I'm sure pasado ka dun, ikaw pa ba!"
Napapatango nalang si Vice.
"Tara na Vice. Hatid na kita." pinipigilan nalang tumawa ni Billy dahil pawis na pawis si Vice sa oras na yon.
Tumayo nalang siya at nagpaalam na sa kanilang lahat.
"Iba talaga tama ni Karylle dun bro."
"Sobra. First time ko siya nakitang ganon. Beki to Tiboli! Hahaha!" both left the place at binili na ang mga dapat bilhin para bukas.
Samantala, nasa loob na ng sasakyan ni Karylle si Vice. Maraming kinukwento si K pero tahimik pa rin siya. He would just nod or smile at her. Ilang beses na rin siyang tinatanong pero tawa lang ang sinasagot niya. Karylle knew something was up but she decided not to talk about it dahil baka malaki na naman ang pinagdadaanan nito.
As they reached his dorm, bumaba na agad si Vice. Binuksan niya ng pinto si K like he always does.
She placed her hand on his shoulder and asked. "Are you sure you're gonna be okay, Vice?"
"Oo.. Pasensya na ah? May mga gumugulo lang sa isip ko."
"It's okay. Just call me when you need anything." she leaned closer and kissed his cheek. "Cheer up. I have to go. Love you!" all of a sudden may nabuong ngiti sa mga labi niya. He shook his head and went inside nang makita niyang nakaalis na si Karylle.
About 11 in the evening and he thinks that all is well. Alam niyang katext pa rin niya si K but this time ay hindi na siya kinakabahan. He's pretty confident na matutuloy ang kanyang surprise.
March 22
"Siguraduhin niyo lang ah! Nakooo! Lagot talaga kayo sakin!" he warned each one of his friends.
"Brad! Kalma!! Magagawa natin 'to ano ba! Tiwala lang kasi."
Karylle's POV
#HappyBirthdayToMe another year older. I know I should be happy today but I don't think I am? I need to be honest with myself. Really. I've been waiting for him to call or text me since last night para batiin niya ako, but I didn't get one. I'm pretty sure he knows it's my birthday. We never forget each others' birthday. What happened kaya? Is this still about his problem yesterday? Hopefully not.
I got up from bed to make coffee. I checked my phone and super dami ng messages and missed calls. Just in time at tumawag si Mama ulit.
"Happy birthday anak!"
"Hi Mama. Thank you pooo. I'll see you later!"
"See you! We're excited masyado kaya ngayon pa lang nagluluto na kami for dinner. Give me a call kung paalis ka na ha."
"Yes, ma. I will."
"Wait. Did you invite Vice?" I sighed.
"Uhm.. Not yet."
"Give him a call na baka umuwi yun ng La Union or something. I have to go nasunog na ata ang cake. Haha! I love you K!!"
"I love you mama.."
Right. Dapat pala ininvite ko siya kahapon pa. But nah. I'm sure di siya makakapunta knowing he's going through something right now. But I understand. I hope he'll be okay as soon as possible.
After I ate my breakfast, I got all the clothes that I need to bring sa house ni Mama. It's already vacation and I want to stay sa house nila for a few days. I left my condo at about 4 in the afternoon since I had to finish my laundry and do some cleaning before I leave this place. I texted Vice this morning, and this afternoon. Pero hindi talaga siya nagrereply. I asked Vhong and Billy about him yet they have no idea about where he is. Gusto ko siyang puntahan sa dorm niya but my mom keeps on texting na to go home.
I got my bags and car keys. Went straight sa parking lot and left.
----------------------------
"San daw ba siya pupunta?" asked Vice.
"Uuwi daw sa bahay ng Mommy niya.."
"Ano?!"
He was right. May mangyayari ngang hindi maganda sa araw na ito. His plan failed. Hindi na matutuloy ang surprise niya sa babaeng mahal niya.
Sobrang nadisappoint naman si Vice sa nangyayari.
Pagpasok ni Karylle ng bahay nila ay sinorpresa naman siya ng mga kamag-anak niya. From her Padilla down to her Quizon Family. Her mom was holding her cake. Sobrang na touch naman siya sa surprise nilang lahat kaya di niya maiwasang mapaluha sa tuwa.
"Happy birthday sweetie!!" she blew the candle and gave her mom a nice tight hug. "Someone's here to greet you!!"
She felt excited dahil alam niyang si Vice na naman ito.
"Happy birthday, Karylle."
From the wide smile, it turned into a frown. It's a good thing na ang iba nilang mga bisita ay pumunta na sa kusina dahil kakain na sila in a bit.
"What are you doing here?"
"Your mom invited me. How can I say no?"
"Ridiculous." napawalk-out naman si Karylle at dumiretso agad papunta sa kwarto niya dala ang mga gamit niya.
Her mom had no idea on what was happening kaya naman she invited Yael to get food instead sa kitchen nila. Padabog siyang umaakyat sa hagdan habang kausap ang sarili.
"Bakit pa siya pumunta? Bakit ang tigas ng ulo niya?! I told him we're done. That's it. We're over. Pero bakit pa rin siya nandito! I am seriously going to---..." natahimik naman siya nang buksan niya ang pintuan ng kwarto. The room was filled with red and white balloons. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang magiging reaction niya dahil iniisip niyang si Yael parin ang gumawa nito.
Nakita naman niya ang isang sulat na nakalagay sa itaas ng kama niya. She dropped her things and read the letter.
"Happy birthday Beautiful Karylle!
I am very happy to celebrate this special day with you. And I appreciate knowing you. You are an amazing girl and I love you like I never thought I could. Corny man siya pakinggan para sa'yo but it's true.
I hope that this year is one of the best for you. I will do everything to make it so. You are very important in my life, you are the one who gives joy to my days. You always do. Remember that as long as I am here, you will be loved. Happy birthday!
PS,
Baka itapon mo na naman ang flowers kong 'to ha. Sige ka sisingilin na talaga kita.
Love, Vice."
She couldn't help but smile habang binabasa ang sulat. She placed the letter on the table.
"Flowers? Nasan kaya.."
"Ibibigay ko pa lang di ba?" to her surprise, bigla namang lumabas si Vice sa kanyang dresser. "Ilang oras akong naghintay dito sa kwarto mo ha! Ang tagal mo na---" napatigil siya nang yakapin siya ni Karylle.
Nararamdaman niyang umiiyak si K kaya naman niyakap niya ito ng mas mahigpit. "What's wrong?" Umupo naman sila sa kama at nag-usap. He had no idea at all na nasa baba pala si Yael dahil umaga palang ay nandoon na sila sa bahay ng nanay ni Karylle.
"Don't worry. Subukan lang niyang lumapit sa'yo, malalagot sakin yan. Tama na nga ang pag-iyak! Birthday na birthday mo eh."
"Eh kasi ang pogi mo eh.." biglang naconscious si Vice sa kanyang suot na black suit paired with plain white v-neck shirt sa loob nito. Hindi rin siya nag make up ng sobra kaya mukha siyang lalake sa araw na yon. "Parang baliw ka Karylle. Ang ganda mo nga din sa suot mo eh. Ang dainty mo!"
"Syempre ang tatay ko kasi daint-ist." napapoker-face naman si Vice dahil sa joke ni K pero gusto na niyang tumawa.
"Tara sa baba. I'm sure gutom ka na Ana Karylle."
"Grabe naman walang support sa birthday girl!!!" hinampas naman niya ito sa braso. He leaned in and kissed her head. "Kahit waley ka, love pa rin kita." tumayo na ang dalawa at pumunta na sa living room. His arm was right around her waist which made her feel safe. While walking down the stairs, sakto namang naroon si Yael na kausap ang mga kamag-anak ni K. Vice grinned at him kaya muntik na niyang mabasag ang hawak na wine glass lalo na nung makitang inaamoy ni Vice ang ex niya.
As they reached the dining area, she didn't expect na makita sina Anne, Billy, Vhong at ang iba pa nilang mga malalapit na kaibigan. He offered a seat at umupo naman agad si K. The two boys saw what he did kaya naman sobrang impressed na sila sa kaibigan.
Karylle's mom was also seated near the two kaya di niya maiwasang kamustahin din si Vice.
"Grabe tita! Namiss ko 'tong mga luto mo talaga!" said Vice while chewing his food na halatang gustong-gusto niya. K's mom just laughed it off and thanked him. Pati siya ay namiss din ang kakulitan nito.
"So Vice, kumusta na pala love life mo?" napangiti nalang si Vice.
"Ah.. Wala po. Di po uso sakin yan ngayon eh." ngumiti nalang din ang ina ni Karylle. Iniba na agad ni Vhong ang topic kaya naman maingay na ulit sila.
Right after dinner, dinala naman ni Karylle si Vice sa favorite part ng bahay nila. Ang balcony. Malalim na rin ang gabi at dalawa nalang sila ang nandon sa taas. All other guests were downstairs busy drinking and partying.
"Akala ko nga hindi na matutuloy. Kaloka. Hindi ko naman kasi alam na uuwi ka pala dito sa inyo. Dapat sa condo mo lang to gagawin eh!"
"Arte mo kasi. Hindi mo ako pinapansin masyado kahapon pa. Yan tuloy nakalimutan kitang iinvite!"
"Buti kilala pa ako ng mommy mo kaya pinapasok ako dito no? Haha!"
"OA mo naman Vice!"
Her head was resting on his shoulder while looking at the stars.
"Thank you for this. You really made me extra happy today." he just smiled. "Minsan nga iniisip ko, pano kaya kung boy ka no? Tapos may girlfriend ka?"
"Ew Karylle! Tigilan mo yan!" She laughed harder at rinig pa ito sa baba kaya napalingon naman si Billy sa kanila.
"Kung magkakagirlfriend man ako, if ever, i'll make sure siya na yung makakasama ko habang buhay no." he took her hand and squeezed it a bit. "I'll make sure to love her hangga't sa makakaya ko.."
Karylle took a deep breath and looked at Vice. "Sobrang swerte niya siguro sa'yo. You're really a true gentleman kahit bakla ka and i'm proud of you."
"Well what if I decided na ligawan ka, sasagutin mo ba ako?" nabingi naman si K sa narinig niya. "Huy kareeeel.."
"Oh.. I.. I would.. Maybe i'll.."
"Karylle your Tito Eric and his family are about to leave na. You'll have to say goodbye muna." sabi ng ina niya sa ilalim. Both of them stood up and fixed themselves.
Pababa na si Karylle ng hagdan ng bigla siyang hinawakan ni Vice sa braso. "Wait..." At that moment, ay sobrang kabado naman siya. "Bago tayo bumaba. Pwede ko bang malaman ang sagot mo?"
"I'll consider it, Vice. Laters, baby." answered Karylle with a big pretty smile on her face sabay kindat. Nauna siyang bumaba kaya Vice was left frozen and speechless. Hindi yung frozen na nag away sila ha. Iba yon.
#HindiNaSiyaBanban
#HindiNaSiyaManhid
BoyBanban x GirlManhid <3
#Baby
PS, bago na po username ko sa Twitter at IG. itsnickynix_ pafollow. labyu. haha!