31: Ache
Today is her birthday.
Ngayon ko lang natapos ang portrait painting ko para sa kanya. Sana magustuhan niya. Now I just have to wrap it. I woke up early just for this. Kasi may classes pa ako at baka hindi ko na siya matapos mamaya.
“Meow…”
Tumingin ako kay Spooky and he looks worried. Kinarga ko siya na parang baby. Because why not he’s a baby.
“Don't worry,” I said. “I–I’ll ask–lolo.”
Huminga ako ng malalim. This is it, cause I know I’ll be coming home super late. It's a party and this is my first party ayokong maging killjoy.
When I got my bags ready ay lumabas na ako. Dumiretcho ako sa library, dito si lolo palaging tumatambay to read books. Sabi ni Ethan it helped to calm him down.
“Yes?”
Pagkapasok ko palang ay nakita agad ako ni lolo. Parang may bumara ulit sa lalamunan ko na hindi ako makapagsalita.
“So…you’ll be attending a birthday party?”
Natigilan ako sandali sa tanong ni lolo. Pano niya nalaman?
“Your friend? Crescent? Called.”
Kumunot ang noo ko paano niya nagawa iyon?
“This friend of yours is interesting. Tumawag ba naman sa company office.” Teka…tumatawa si lolo? And Crescent did that? “I want to meet this friend ha.”
Meet?
“She’s a singer right?”
Did lolo research Crescent? Tumango ako bilang sagot.
“You want to be present in her shows? Events? Just tell me.”
What’s happening to lolo? He’s not strict today or irritated. He’s also smiling.
“May sasabihin ka ba?”
Umiling ako bilang sagot.
“Okay just let Ethan drive you,” sabi ni lolo. Tumalikod ako at hindi ko na napigilan ang ngiti ko. I’m going to Crescent’s birthday party!
Pinalipas ko lang ang oras hanggang sa matapos ang class ko. I got her birthday ticket yesterday and I can’t wait to be there. It’s a pool party. Oh shoot! I still need to decide what am I going to wear.
“Okay ka lang?” Napalingon ako kay Loraine
Tumango ako bilang sagot.
“You know what, wala ka dapat palang ikatakot, OA lang kami pero nakakainggit ha.”
Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya.
“Bagay raw kasi kayo ni Crescent, grabe ‘no para sa katulad lang natin na normal na tao, hindi sikat tapos biglang approved sa mga fans! Nakakainggit naman.”
Ilang ulit ba nilang sasabihin sa akin ‘yan? Nong isang araw si Trecia, tapos si Gab then si Cristy tapos ngayon siya? I mean…masaya naman ako na hindi ako inaaway ng fans ni Crescent but still…I can’t see what they’re seeing.
“Anong feeling ha, anong feeling magkwento ka naman!”
Natawa ako nang niyugyog niya ang braso ko tapos bigla naman siyang tumigil.
“Sorry, ang cute mo kasing tumawa,” sabi niya at agad akong umiwas ng tingin as I feel my cheeks got rosy.
“Oy tara tapos na kayo?” Lumingon kami kayna Trecia.
“We’re almost done!” sigaw ni Loraine.
Nang natapos kami agad naming inayos ang mga gamit namin at tinanggal ko na rin ang apron ko.
“You should post your works on sociant, I’m sure a lot of people would love it,” sabi ni Loraine habang nakangiti. Can she just stop? I know my face is red right now, I’m not used to compliments.
Pumunta kami ng canteen para kumain ng lunch.
“Si Crescent ba yan?” I looked at Trecia tapos lumingon ako sa likuran ko. I smiled when I saw Crescent but my smile quickly faded away. Someone is clinging to her arms.
“Si Andrea yan?”
Andrea? Now I remember her…She did ask me one time if I’m a freshman. Siya pala ‘yon. They seemed very close. Pero natatandaan ko ring nagtaray siya nong araw na ‘yon.
“Okay ka lang?” Napalingon ako kayna Loraine at ngumiti lang ako.
Pagkatapos naming kumain ay tumambay lang kami sa student lounge.
I’m also waiting for her replies.
Rora: Good morning ☺️ Happy birthday!
…was my last message. She hasn't replied yet.
I’m missing her…why?
I mean palagi naman but this time it's different. Parang palagi nalang gusto kong kausap siya. Kasama siya. I want to watch another sunset with her.
Umiling ako. I shouldn't be sad cause it's her birthday.
After class I quickly said goodbye to them and Ethan outside our building. I need him to get me home first that's why I asked him to wait for me inside the University
“Hey…are you really going?”
Why is he asking? Can't he just focus on the road?
“I mean maraming tao don. Knowing you, hindi ka sanay diba?”
Why is he making me more nervous? Umirap ako bilang sagot and remained silent.
“Just concern.”
Well, I hate it.
We got home and I wore the swim dress I bought online. Naghanap lang ako sa online kung ano ang pwede kong suotin since it's a pool party. I don't want to be different.
“Ok–okay b–ba? Spooky?” I asked Spooky and he just answered meow.
I'm fine I guess.
Kinuha ko na ang sarong at regalo ko para kay Crescent. I’m ready. I also checked my phone.
Crescent: hey see you…
I smiled.
I really thought she wouldn't reply.
Nagpahatid na ako kay Ethan pagkatapos. Wala naman si lolo kaya hindi na ako nakapagpaalam sa kanya.
“Hey…you sure you won't want me there?”
Umiling ako bilang sagot. Why would I want him there? we're not that close and besides nakakahiya lang.
“Can you call me whenever you feel you need me?” I slowly looked at him and his attention was just on the road.
Nakarating kami agad sa location. We arrived at the location in a private club.
“I can't believe your lolo allowed this,” sabi ni Ethan. Can't he just stop being a killjoy? Agad akong lumabas at hinabol niya ako.
“I’ll just stay here,” sabi niya.
Bahala siya. Tumango lang ako bilang sagot.
Pero napapaisip pa rin ako kung paano napapayag ni Crescent ang lolo ko. I just showed my ticket at the entrance but still they asked for my name and a relief because I was also on the guest list.
Pagkapasok ko palang ay nakita ko na agad ang pool. It is really the main attraction for today's event. It has amazing water features just how I imagined.
Hindi ko rin mabilang kung ilang lobo ang nandito sa loob tapos may mga banners pa.
Tapos maingay na rin dahil sa lakas ng music.
I walked closer to the pool rim. Kasi napapamangha ako sa kulay. Not like I didn't know what a pool is but this is amazing.
Napaigtad ako sa gulat nang may buglang humawak sa braso ko.
“There you are.” Nakangiti niyang sabi. It's…it's Crescent. I stood straight and tucked my hair behind my ear.
“Cute,” sabi niya.
She's just wearing a simple tank top and board shorts but she still manages to keep a cool look. Actually she's the main attraction here.
May sasabihin pa sana siya nang may umakbay bigla sa kanya.
“Happy birthday bro!”
Then she was pulled away from me. Sinubukan kong hindi malungkot dahil birthday niya at alam kong hindi lang ako ang imbitado.
“Woah you came!”
Napalingon ako sa likuran ko it's Kean.
“Mabuti pumayag lolo mo? mom misses you,” sabi niya.
Him and Ethan are so annoying.
“Ano umiinom ka na rin ngayon?” tanong niya at inabutan niya bigla ako ng baso.
“This is harmless,” sagot niya. Hindi ko lang siya pinansin at naghanap nalang ng mauupuan. I sat by their lounge chair.
Can't wait to give her a gift.
“Happy birthday to you!”
I looked at her laughing while her friends were singing for her. I can't help but smile…pero agad rin akong umiwas ng tingin.
Alam ko naman, bago ako pumunta dito I may feel out of place. I don't have friends here, only Crescent and I can't just have her only for me. I can't be sad either because this is her day.
“Andrea!”
Napalingon ulit ako dahil sa pangalan na narinig ko. Humina kasi bigla ang music.
She's also here…
I swiftly looked away when she suddenly kissed Crescent on the lips.
“Woaaah! Woooh!”
I slowly looked back again and I saw them two smiling.
Suddenly I remember her and Chelsea kissing before.
I know I’m a fan and it's definitely okay with me if my idol would someday date someone pero…why does my heart ache?
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