Chapter 13-II
After they sang a birthday song, they said "Make a wish, Sheena! "
I smiled at Ellie and Ralph, then slipped my hair at behind my ear. Hawak-hawak nila ang cake ko na may bagong sinding kandila, malamig ang simoy ng hangin at natatanaw namin ang constellation dito sa labas ng balcony." I might be a little done making wishes."
"Do you have everything you wanted already?"Nakangiting tanong ni Ralph, parang mas maliwang pa ang ngiti niya kaysa sa kandila at mga bituin." Why don't you wish to have that for forever? "
Siniko siya ni Ellie, all ready for teasing and mockery. I wasn't blowing the candles yet, I was staring at them hardly. " Remind ko lanag, secret dapat ang birthday wish para gumana Mr.Attorney ha?"
"Kaninong desisyon." Pamimilosopo ni Ralph.
"It's just how it is!!!" Balik naman ni Ellie.
"It's fine! Alright, maybe I can have my birthday wish until later. Pero secret at tutulungan niya ako mag-isip." I laugh, I force myself to laugh until I convince myself it's a genuine one. Hindi ko pa rin maihipan ang apoy ng kandila ko, bigla na lang akong napatulala at naalala ang ibang mga birthdays ko." For now I'm just thankful I have you two to celebrate for me today."
"It's a waste; Percival wasn't able to make it." May simpatyang komento ni Ralph." You would be happier if he were here."
"They'll have their own time together," Ellie replied with a scrunched brow. Napasin ko parang hinila niya ang kamay ni Ralph para sitahin to sa nasabi niya at kanina pa pinapaulit-ulit. Kahit na sila ang may hawak ng cake. In my eyes its almost look like as if they're holding hands. I want to break it off." Tonight is for us, her best friends! "
But I grab the cake instead." Huwag natin pag-usapan ang wala."
Namatay ang kandila bago ko pa to maihipan...
The strong breeze must have caused that, and because I keep delaying it for too long, Ellie and Ralph still manage to choose to laugh instead to try not to spoil the mood. Humingi sila ng sorry at saka kinuha ulit ang lighter para sindihan ang kandila.
This time I blew it immediately without thinking about a wish or gratitude. Basta lang ihip para matapos na ang gabing to at para wala akong maabala. The fire went out immediately, and my friends greeted me again.
I don't want to hate parties just like I did before...
"Are you reading greetings? Nakaprivate birthdate mo diba? "Ellie drowsily asked me as she put her head on my shoulders; we were not heavily drinking wine, but she finally exhausted herself." Si Percival tatawagan ka ba niya maya? Or would your parents do?"
I was indeed reading those: " Konti lang ang bumati."
Ralph, try to eavesdrop." Ilan ang konti sayo? Marami yan."
"Sakto lang, just people from childhood, then high school, and family acquaintances." Sagot ko at iniharap ang yun kay Ralph, gusto rin sana makita ng antuking si Ellie yun. This whole long message is from Nabi. There's also one from that boy, Ricos."
"Ricos knew your birthday? "Ralph asked.
"Huh? Who's Josh? "Wala sa wisyong tanong ni Ellie." A Josh know your birthday? "
I stroked her hair as she lay on my lap. It's not like I can say how I hit Ricos. That we fought once more. Hurt him. Again. " We didn't exactly make up, but I'm being more patient with him. Actually, yung iba nga pinapalayo na siya sakin, pero lapit pa rin siya ng lapit. He apologized to me in some way before, and I just know."
Ralph smirked in remorse." Tayo na lang ba ang di nag-sorry? I must have scared him when I restrained him back then. We did say sorry, but is it enough? I feel bad; I might have gone too far. Halos magkapisika---------"
I look at him straight in the eye." As if I didn't do the same."
Iniwas ni Ralph ang tingin niya." You were trying to protect yourself."
Napayuko ako. Nakaramdam ako ng hiya sa mga nagawa ako kay Ricos at sa warmth na binibigay sakin ng first love ko." And you were just trying to protect me, Ralph."
"You popular girl—with all your admirers and all." Ellie is not even herself already; I doubt she understood the gravity of this situation. Nut di pa rin maalis ang pagka-athlete! Pero dahil sa kanya naputol na naman ang namumuong tensyon."Problems solely for... popular people! Sheena, you're the one!"
"Itulog mo na yan, El," I said, picking her up." Tara na sa kwarto."
I put her arms around my shoulders and started to walk off. Suray-suray siya maglakad dahil sa pagod para ang kulit-kulit pa rin niya, akala mo naglalakad lang papasok sa court tulad pag may competition sila! "Ang aga pa Sheena! Kaya ko pa... Ng isa pang game... I'd take you, Sheena and Ralph, all by myself!"
Ralph aided me. Tulak-tulak kami." Matulog na! "
I've turned my head to him swiftly, nabigla siya." Actually, I still don't want to."
Ayaw kong isantabi na may kung anong meron sa ngiti niya na mas lalong nahuhulog ako sa kanya at sa parehong pagkakataon nagagalit ako sa sarili ko. Ralph felt right as well; he locked his gaze with me and asked, "Then I'd wait for you.Can we talk, Sheena?"