Chapter 22

The pessimistic part of me was whispering na soon, something bad will happen... I mean, that only makes sense, right? Things have been going well for me lately—really well. So, the universe has to balance it out...

But then again, I'd argue na sobra naman na 'yung nangyari sa family ko! Imagine being 17 and being left alone in Manila! Kung anuman iyong good things na nangyayari sa akin ngayon, well-deserved sila.

I just needed to tune out the negativities in my head. Ayoko makipag-argue kay Finley. The past few weeks have been very good between us! Tapos malapit na iyong birthday ko. Finley's playing dumb, but knowing him? He's a secret romantic! I knew na he'd do something special for my birthday and honestly? I couldn't wait!

"What's my gift nga? Wala bang clue?" I asked him nung hindi ko na ma-contain iyong curiosity ko.

He just got to the condo after the practice. Tapos na ako sa lahat ng homeworks ko. I really try talaga to finish everything kasi gusto ko na pagdating ni Finley, we can just... bond. I knew myself na, noh! I knew na kapag hindi ko tinapos iyong schoolworks ko, there's no freaking way na I would be able to finish them! Kasi kahit umalis na si Finley, my traitor mind would just keep on replaying what happened.

So, yeah. I needed to be strict with how I manage my time. I didn't want my relationship to negatively affect my grades, noh. I didn't want to be one of those teenagers na na-in love lang—

Oh, my god.

Anong in love ka d'yan, Maia Celine?!

Like lang! Like!

"How dare you daydream when I'm right in front of you?" Finley playfully asked as he poked my forehead with his index finger.

I wrinkled my nose as I slapped his hand away. "I was just thinking about your gift," I said na lang. "Clue? Is it cute? Is it pink?" I asked again.

Finley rolled his eyes. "Why are you so convinced na may regalo ako sa 'yo?"

If he said this before, I'd frown at him and maybe even pick a fight with him. But sanay na kaya ako sa kanya. He'd just say dumb things like this... but he'd really give me a gift! I was so sure!

"Why? Are you saying na wala?" I replied, arching my brow.

He shrugged.

I grinned.

"I'm so excited!"

Finley just rolled his eyes at me... the funny thing was, before, I'd think na he's irritated with me whenever he'd roll his eyes... now? I see it as a sign na he finds me adorable. Tsk. Beyond saving na ata ako. Kahit eyeroll lang, ni-ro-romanticize ko na.

After eating, we just stayed on the couch. We were watching a series. Kailan kaya namin matatapos 'to? Kasi we made a pact na papanoorin lang namin together. Ilang seasons 'to and ilang episodes! Minsan, super tempted ko ng panoorin kahit wala si Finley... but I must resist since I made a promise.

Right after finishing two episodes, Finley got up from the couch. We were so comfy. Since lagi kami sa couch, Finley got a new couch—'yung nagiging bed din. But we don't do anything other than make out! We just really like to cuddle. Ang sarap kaya yakapin ni Finley.

"What?" he asked nung tumingin siya sa likuran niya and he saw me frowning.

I shook my head. Kasi ano naman sasabihin ko? Na I was sad na uuwi na siya sa bahay nila? Hindi pa naman ako nababaliw to ask him to sleep over!

Tsk. I always call Finley clingy, pero mas clingy pa ata ako sa kanya... Malapit na rin ako magselos sa basketball kasi anong oras na siya nakakarating sa condo because of practice. More Maia time sana kung walang basketball practice.

Finley stood up and grabbed his things. I walked behind him. Nung nasa may door na kami, he turned around.

"What?" he asked again. "You're being weird," sabi niya kasi hindi ko naman siya sinusundan usually kapag aalis na siya... For some reason... I just felt particularly clingy tonight...

"Nothing," I replied with a small pout.

"Okay."

Tss. Hindi man lang ako inask again why.

"Call me," I said.

"Okay."

"Not when you get home. Call me from the car."

"Okay...?"

"Actually, call me paglabas mo pa lang sa door."

Finley's face showed confusion for a few seconds before he finally realized what was happening. He arched his brow, and then there was that annoying grin on his face again.

"You miss me already even though I'm still here?" he asked in a teasing tone.

I rolled my eyes. "Ugh. You're being a pest. Thanks for making this easier," I said as I pushed him palabas sa door. Finley was just laughing, but as soon as he got outside, my phone began to ring.

F lang naman iyong name niya sa phone ko, but bakit kini-kilig na agad ako kapag nakikita ko 'yon? How can one letter hold such power over me?

We talked while he was driving hanggang pagdating niya sa house nila. I even heard Riley sa background. Finley was so shameless when he told him na kausap niya ako sa phone!

But... I kinda like that he tells his family about me.

I will tell my parents about him din kapag nagkita na kami ulit.

He deserves to be shown off.

* * *

The next few days were equally great.

I love that for me.

It was like a great way to lead up to my birthday!

My birthday falls on a Saturday. Friday pa lang, hindi ko na ma-contain iyong excitement ko. Finley hasn't told me anything yet, but I already prepared my birthday dress. It was a powder pink tube dress with feathers at the bottom. Hanggang mid-thigh ko 'yung dress. I also paired it with powder pink stilettos and mini pink clutch. I bought these using Finley's card, but I just really wanted to look cute for my birthday! I promise to pay this kapag okay na iyong finances ng parents ko. And hindi naman siya super mahal compared sa mga binibili ko before.

"You wanna go out later?"

"Nope," I said to my friend who asked me. They didn't even know na birthday ko tomorrow. It's fine. As long as Finley knows, I'm good.

The whole day, I tried my best to focus on the class. Nung dismissal na, I was about to text Finley. He probably has some spidey sense kasi he called me just as I was about to hit send.

"I was about to text you," I said.

"I'll pick you up at 7PM."

"I knew it."

It was as if I could see him rolling his eyes. "It's so hard to surprise you."

I chuckled. "I still don't know what you got me!"

We just talked while I was walking home. I didn't mind since malapit lang naman talaga iyong condo. And for sure if sumabay ako pauwi kay Finley, may makaka-kita sa amin sa parking lot.

Pagdating ko sa condo, I immediately began my beauty ritual. I took an everything shower. I made sure I smelled great. I fixed my makeup and hair to perfection—but made sure na I didn't look like I tried so hard kahit sa totoo lang, ang hirap kaya! It's so hard being a girl, but at the same time, kinda fun.

After like two hours, I was finally done! I was wearing my birthday fit and my hair was in a loose-high pony tapos I curled the ends din. I took my OOTD photos and some selfies. I couldn't post sa IG because my boyfriend's such a stalker. Naka-on notif niya for me, sure ako. Ang bilis niya ma-view, e. One of these days, I would test this theory... I'd post habang nasa tabi ko siya para makita ko if may notif.

When I heard the knock on the door, for some reason, my heart began to race. It was so stupid. Literally, kasama ko si Finley every day. Why was I suddenly acting nervous?

I wanted to take a peek sa may peephole but decided against it. Finley deserves to see his girlfriend fawn over how good looking he is.

I thought I was prepared. I knew he'd look good... but goddamn! My boyfriend's so hot?!

"Why are you frowning again?" he casually asked like he didn't look like he walked out of a fashion magazine?! He was wearing black dress trouser, charcoal short-sleeved shirt with vertical ribbing texture and a mandarin-style collar. His shirt was loosely tucked in and he was wearing a black belt and silver watch on his right arm.

Gosh, he looks so good!

He'll turn so many heads tonight.

Tss. I wanted a hot boyfriend, but ang hirap pala na potential kaagaw ko lahat. Kapag nasa labas kami, gusto kong tusukin iyong mga mata nung mga tumitingin sa kanya. Like gusto ko na lang lagyan ng sign iyong noo niya na 'Maia's property—back off.'

"Nothing," I said and then forced myself to smile. I should think about that. Tonight's gonna be so good!

* * *

Everything aligned perfectly that night. Finley got us a reservation in really good restaurant. We were seated sa may pinaka-gilid. I didn't know for sure if it was because Finley knew that I didn't want to be disturbed by our schoolmates or if it was because of the view. Glass iyong buong wall, so we were having dinner with the view of the city lights of Manila.

It was... perfect.

The dinner lasted for three hours. Usually, I didn't like dinners like this kasi ang tagal because isa-isa sine-serve iyong food. But with Finley, it's like the concept of time doesn't exist. We literally talk about the most useless things yet it was still fun.

"What?" he asked when he caught me grinning. I knew he was trying to lengthen the time kasi gusto niya na mag birthday salubong kami together. He's so cute!

"Nothing," I said, deciding to be cooperative.

I even ignored the fact that Finley threw a subtle look doon sa assigned na waiter sa amin when it was around 11:50PM na.

Then two minutes before it was officially my birthday, the waiter returned with a small pink cake with sparklers on top. He placed it on the table. May flowers din. It was a bouquet of pink tulips!

"Hindi ko pa naman birthday," I said as I took a quick snap. Because of the sparklers, hindi naman kita iyong face ni Finley sa background but it was so obvious na may tao sa background nung cake tapos kita rin iyong flowers sa gilid. It was such a nice photo!

"Okay na. Greet me," I told him.

He rolled his eyes so lovingly. But then he got something from his pocket. What?! How was that even possible? I checked kaya kanina—Finley even teased me that I was groping him. As if!

"Happy birthday," he said as he slid the pink velvet box. Pink ba talaga 'to or did Finley have it customized because so far, pink yata ang theme ng birthday ko?

"You know, I was honestly just teasing you—the dinner's enough."

"Really," he said. "I have a feeling you would've frowned kung wala kang regalo."

I frowned. "Hindi kaya."

"Disagreed."

I pouted at him as I opened the box. It was a rose gold tennis bracelet. "Are these real diamonds?" I asked him as I was still staring at his gift.

"Do I look like I'll give you fake ones?"

I frowned. "Show off," I said as I got the bracelet and handed it to him so he can put it around my wrist. I was so kilig as Finley was putting the bracelet around my wrist. I couldn't even wipe the grin off my face even if I tried to!

"Thank you," I said with a small voice. I was just so... overwhelmed. Because who knew? Who would freaking knew na from celebrating my birthday last year with friends who didn't even remember na same date lang naman ang birthday every year! Now, I am celebrating it with someone who cares a lot about me na alam niya iyong mga likes and wants ko.

It wasn't even about the material things... It was the small things that Finley does for me without even me asking. I appreciate them a lot. I hope I can show Finley how much I care about him. I will work so hard to become someone who deserves him because honestly, sometimes, I feel like he's too good for me... And I didn't want to wallow in that thought. Instead, I'll work hard to deserve him.

We got back to the condo. Finley was holding the box of cake and I was holding the flowers.

"Finley..." I said because I knew na any second now, he'll go home na.

"Can... can you tell your family that you're sleeping over in one of your friend's house?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Bakit ako makikitulog sa kanila?" he asked, a bit confused. I just couldn't ask him directly that I wanted him to sleep over. I was shy!

"No," I said. "I mean..." I chewed on my lower lip, drew a deep breath, and looked at him. "Sleep here. I want to spend my birthday with you," I said. "The entire day," I continued because at this point, I felt like I needed to make myself clear that he wouldn't leave my side the entire time.

Finley's lips were slightly parted.

"But sleep lang!" I said because it was as if I could see the thoughts in his head.

"In the same bed?" he asked, being so annoying.

"Yes, but like may pillow wall in between!"

There was that annoying grin on his face again. "Fine, but can we kiss?" he asked. I knew he was teasing lang naman, but I felt my entire face heating up.

"Yes," I whispered. "Basta kiss lang!" I said and then he laughed as he pulled me close to him as he grabbed his phone and texted his parents that he's sleeping over sa friend niya. I promise, Finley's parents, no monkey-business happening tonight!

**

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