Celebration
It's my birthday today. August 08. And everything is absolutely perfect.
I didn't even organize this party. My mom did. And I loved it so much. She obviously knows what I like to have in my own party and who I wanted to invite. Yeah, she's the only one who hands out the invitations. I actually had no idea that it was this extravagant.
Pink walls on my side. Heart balloons. Three-tier chocolate cake with pink icing. Pink curtains. I'm even wearing a pink mermaid tail dress that Mom bought for me.
Though I sometimes wish that it's not this childish. Parang magdedebut ulit ako when I'm already 26 and working but it's not bad to do and have what I want once a year. It is what makes me, me.
" Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday to you! "
It's like Lock and I celebrities because of the many lights flashing above and on everyone's phone as they took pictures. Sinubukan naman naming ngumiti muna for their entertainment.
" Tingin dito, anak! " masayang sigaw ni Mommy
She was right behind Kuya Relic with his full photography set-up right in the middle. So we posed together for a few more seconds just for Mom's sake.
" This is a little embarrassing.... " Lock muttered next to me, " My coworkers are here and we look like teenagers. "
I groaned, " I know right. Let's just hope it ends quickly. "
Lock's side doesn't look so bad naman. It's all black because he's boring and basic and just wearing one of his everyday suits and polo. Pati ang cake nya ay isang bilog lamang that's also black with hints of grey and silver. Mine is still better even if it's too over the top.
" I sneaked in some beer with Vallerio. You want some? " he offered
Umiling ako, " I wouldn't want to get drunk here. And it's just 3 in the afternoon."
" So what? "
Bumalik na lamang kami sa pagngiti as our friends in the corner kept shouting praises at us. Nakikisama din naman ang iba as the happy birthday music kept playing in the background. I wonder why they're so happy when it's just our birthday.
But anyways, there were not a lot of people. We're only in a small venue compared to those really grand celebrations. It's just mostly our close relatives, friends and co-workers. Pero kahit genon, Mommy still gave it her all like she does every year. We try not to get bored of this to not hurt her feelings.
" Blow the candles now! " she shouted
And so we did, earning a round of applause from the people there.
" Kainan na! "
I then glared at Vallerio na sumigaw nun while the others just laughed and chuckled. It wasn't long until Mom also told them to go get some food at the buffet and at their respective tables.
Kuya Relic made us sit first in the fancy sofa on the very center of the venue where the stage is. He made us take a couple of pictures there even when he already had dozens before the event even started. Sumunod na lamang kami dahil nakatingin pa din si Mommy samin along with Daddy in the corner.
Pinasama na nya din yung circle of friends namin na nagkumpol-kumpol na sa stage na yun. The pictures still came out decent though even if they were a little chaotic.
" Hoax. " tawag ko before he leaves the stage after
Liningon naman nya ako agad, " I'll give you your present later, sweetheart "
He gave me a kiss on the forehead first saka sumama na kina Vallerie pababa so that they could make way for the other people wanting to take pictures with us.
" So, nagkabati na talaga kayo huh? "
Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Lock, " It's your fault. You betrayed me first. "
" Marupok ka lang. Di ko na kasalanan yun. "
" Heart! "
Mukhang pinataas din nina Mommy ang co-workers namin pareho. Yung mostly mga ka-close lang din namin with Xandros. May sarili din namang friend group si Lock sa firm so they're with him as well.
I can't help but stare at Cairo who's with Klare. I tried not to look at him too much at baka kung ano na naman ang isipin ng iba. I just stayed still habang tinabihan ako ni Klar and he's right behind me.We didn't even speak a word when the camera started clicking.
" Happy birthday, Heart. " bulong nya sakin
At umalis na din sya pagkatapos nun.
Everything stays the same with him. We've been keeping distance from each other and I sometimes miss him but it doesn't affect me too much. Besides..... I have Hoax now. And he's right there, looking at me na parang binabantayan nya ako.
" Mga anak, kain na din kayo. " tawag na samin ni Mommy
Tumayo naman agad kaming dalawa at baka may ipagawa pa samin while we're still sitting there. Hoax took my hand so that I could go down the stairs safely. Sabay na kaming dalawa na kumuha ng sarili naming pagkain habang nakabuntot pa din sya sakin.
It's a little embarrassing how he puts his chin on my shoulder when we're in line or randomly kisses my head out of nowhere. Madami na namang nanunuyo samin and most of my relatives there kept asking me if we were together. Ngungiti na lamang ako tapos hindi sasagot.
We're not even officially a couple yet! But I'm feeling pressure again that we should be one because everyone is expecting us to. There's really nothing wrong with it but I'm not 100% sure yet.
" You look really pretty today. "
Hinawi ni Hoax and aking buhok that was covering my face after we sat down on our table. He also made sure that we stay close together.
Then everyone there started groaning in disgust.
" They're being chummy again. " iling ni Vallerie
" When the fuck did this happen? " tanong naman ni Kuya Relic
Then Elixir clapped a little for us, " Buti naman at ayos na kayo, Ate. "
" Respeto po sa single! " nag-ingay na naman si Vallerio
" Sabi na eh... " iling lamang ni Klare
Cairo was still just quiet beside her that was sitting across from us. Buti naman at yinaya sila ni Vallerio na umupo kasama namin or else he'll be lonely. I don't think Hoax liked it that much though. He's not giving off a positive aura everytime he looks at Cairo, probably to check if he's looking at me as well.
What did I expect from Hoax anyway? Pagkatapos nung insidente na yun kay Gill, he started getting even more and more protective of me. I'm also wary of the people around him anyway so I guess we are even. It's just a little uneasy now because of the many conflicts we had.
My mind is pretty made up at this time. I'll probably choose Hoax but... something is making me stop to go all the way with him again. It's just been weeks since we made up anyway. I have more time to figure it out.
" Heartstring. "
Tiningala ko na si Lock who was with his work friends the whole time we've been eating.
