Happy Birthday, EUWAMFE 'Febby' MILAY ❤️

CHAPTER 9

AGAD NA KINUHA ni Blaze ang cell phone na nasa ibabaw ng center table nang tumunog 'yon. Umaasa siyang galing 'yon kay Happy, pero nang buksan niya ang cell phone, chat lang pala 'yon sa Jumbo Hotdog Club. Gusto niyang itapon ang cell phone dahil sa inis na nararamdaman pero natagpuan na lang niya ang sarili na binubuksan ang group chat nilang magkakaibigan kasi naka-tag siya sa isang mensahe roon.

Ream Oliveros: @BlazeVitale, I have another picture. Wanna see?

Nagtatagis ang bagang niya habang nagta-type ng reply.

Blaze Vitale: @ReamOliveros 🖕🏻 fuck you!

Ream Oliveros: 🤣🤣🤣

Hindi na siya nag-reply dahil alam niyang ginagalit lang siya ni Oliveros pero dahil gago itong kaibigan, personal siyang pinadalhan ng mensahe.

A picture of Happy and Vasquez in the parking lot, and Happy was kissing Vasquez on the cheek.

Blaze felt his blood boil. He saw red. His hand trembled in anger before throwing his phone on the wall.

"Fuck!" galit niyang sigaw. "Fuck!"

"Blaze!" Ang mommy niya iyon na nakita pala ang ginawa niya. "What the hell?! Ano ba'ng nangyayari sa iyo?"

He was livid. He could feel his anger consuming him and when he was like this... he was dangerous.

Sa halip na sumagot, umalis siya ng sala at tinungo ang likuran ng bahay nila. Isa-isa niyang hinubad ang damit, itinira lang ang boxer shorts, saka lumusong sa swimming pool.

Blaze tried calming himself by swimming, from left to right, back and forth. Wala siyang pakialam kahit nakaramdam na siya ng pagod at pangangawit ng mga braso at hita. He kept on paddling his arms and kicking his feet until he could no longer move in exhaustion.

Until he felt his body sinking. And he didn't move his body to resurface. Hinayaan niya lang na malunod siya at ipinikit lang niya ang mga mata.

Blaze held his breath for a couple of minutes before he found himself floating on the pool... just floating, uncaring, unfeeling, unmoving and looking at the clear blue sky.

He closed his eyes, begging his mind not to torture him anymore but his mind wouldn't listen.

"Sinagot ko lang ang call mo kasi gusto kong sabihin na huwag ka munang mag-call sa akin? Puwede ba?"

Kumuyom ang kamay niya.

"I still don't want to see you or talk to you, Blaze."

"Hindi lang ako kumportable na makipag-talk sa iyo like before."

Mas dumiin ang pagpikit niya sa mga mata.

"Kasama ka kaya hindi ako sumama."

"I feel like you disrespected me, so I want to leave."

Inilubog uli ni Blaze ang katawan sa swimming pool hanggang sa hindi na siya makahing, saka lang siya umahon na naman at hinayaan ang sarili na lumutang lang.

"I still don't want to see you or talk to you, Blaze."

"Hindi lang ako kumportable na makipag-talk sa iyo like before."

"Fuck..." mahina niyang bulong habang nakatitig sa kalangitan. "I wanna see her... Happy..."

Nagtatagis ang mga bagang na gumalaw siya at umahon sa swimming pool. Kinuha niya ang tuwalya na nakasampay sa recliner na nasa gilid lang ng pool at itinapi iyon sa baywang niya.

Blaze didn't dry himself, so he was still dripping wet when he entered the house. His mom was waiting with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Blaze, mag-usap tayo."

Napatitig siya sa ina. Alam niya kung ano ang gusto nitong pag-usapan. "Wala ako sa mood, Mom."

"Blaze..." Lumapit ito sa kanya, saka masuyo siyang pinakatitigan. "Ako ang mommy mo at kahit maraming taon akong nawala, kilala ko ang mga anak ko... kilala kita... alam kong may problema ka. Please tell me something, I'm worried."

Blaze let his emotion out. Hinayaan niyang makita ng kanyang ina ang halo-halong emosyon na bumabaliw sa kanya.

"Look at me, Mom, and tell that it's gonna be okay... Please tell me I'm gonna be just fine... tell me... tell me..." Napasabunot niya sa basang buhok habang nagtatagis ang mga bagang. "I'm trying really hard... I'm trying, Mom, I was okay—I felt okay... because of her... I was able to sleep and to smile and be genuinely hap—hap—fuck it! I can't even say that word because of her. And it's all my fault. I slipped, Mom. I disrespected her and she's mad at me. I know they're different, but it's still hard sometimes, but I'm trying really hard... I am... truly... I am... can't she see it? Why does she had to go around kissing someone and dating someone and just—fuck! I don't even know why I'm angry. I don't even know why I'm a mess because she won't talk to me. She's not my Cassie... she's not my love, she's just Cassie's look-alike. But seeing her happy with other man... I can't stand it... I was livid."

"Blaze..." Masuyong sinapo ng kanyang ina ang pisngi niya, saka pinakatitigan siya. "I'm glad that you finally accepted that Happy and Cassie are two different people, but don't be angry at Happy for being happy with other man or kissing and dating someone. It's her life and you can't stop her unless you two have a relationship."

He stilled. "Relationship..." he whispered. "No, we don't have that..."

"Then don't blame or be mad at her," sabi pa nito. "Wala siyang kasalanan sa iyo at karapatan niyang gawin kung ano'ng gusto niyang gawin. She grew up in the States, Blaze, she has different values than us, than you—than Cassie. Para sa kanya, baka isang simpleng halik lang 'yon at walang malalim na dahilan—"

"I was her first kiss, Mom." His jaw tightened in irritation. "That kiss... was not nothing."

Nagtatagis ang mga bagang na umalis siya sa harap ng ina at nilampasan ito. Alam niyang hindi siya dapat magalit dito pero kumulo bigla ang dugo niya dahil sa sinabi nitong wala lang para kay Happy ang halik na 'yon.

It was not nothing!

Happy was just mad at him... that was why she was dating and kissing Vasquez.

That's it... that's all!

Tinungo niya ang kuwarto, saka nagbihis, pagkatapos ay binalikan niya ang cell phone sa sala na sira na. Ibinasura niya ang sirang cell phone, maliban sa sim card niya, saka lumabas ng bahay at sumakay sa kotse niya.

Then he went to the nearest mall to buy a new phone. And on his way home, he stopped over Happy's hotel to see Happy... to talk to her.

But he was surprise to see Vasquez outside the hotel— talking to Happy.

And Happy... she was smiling. She seemed... happy. Even without him, she was happy. While without her, he couldn't focus and was a mess!

Blaze gritted his teeth when he saw Happy held Vasquez' hand and pulled him inside the hotel while they happily conversed with each other.

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa manibela sa nakita kasabay ng pagdidilim ng paningin niya. He was livid... and he didn't think twice.

He drove his car fast and furious and slammed it against Vasquez' Cadillac.

Paulit-ulit niyang binangga ang sasakyan ni Vasquez nang walang habas hanggang sa sirang-sira na 'yon pero hindi pa rin nabawasan ang galit na nararamdaman niya.

So, he just drove away. Baka kapag nakita niya si Vasquez na lumabas ng hotel ni Happy, sagasaan niya ito hanggang sa malagutan ito ng hininga.

Kilala niya ang sarili niya. Alam niyang sa emosyong nararamdaman niya sa sandaling 'yon, hindi siya mangingiming tapusin ang buhay nito.

And he hated to kill a friend.

"COME ON IN," magiliw na aya ni Happy kay Reigo papasok sa hotel room na inookupa. "Why ikaw ang nag-carry ng parcel? I thought your mother will send it sa akin gamit ang courier? I don't want to abala anyone."

Nilingon niya si Reigo nang hindi ito umimik at nakatitig isa kanya habang nakataas ang sulok ng mga labi.

"What?" she asked, frowning.

"May nakapag-sabi na ba sa iyo na ang conyo mong magsalita?" tanong nito na parang may pigil na ngiti sa mga labi.

Natigilan siya sa tanong nito, saka napangiti nang maalala kung sino ang nagsabi niyon sa kanya. "Yes. Mayroon na. And I'm sorry if I'm conyo. I actually learned the meaning ng conyo kasi I asked Google. Nagli-learn pa kasi ako ng language n'yo and I'm still not deretsong magsalita sometimes. But malapit na ako." Napangiwi siya. "I think."

Nakangiting tumango lang si Reigo, saka inilapag ang dala nitong box sa center table ng sala.

"Thank you sa pagdala ng key chain ko," wika niya.

Reigo nodded before glancing at the door and to her. "Sayang kasi kung mawawala. Ten million pa naman 'yan."

Mahina siyang natawa. "Salamat again."

Tumango si Reigo at hindi nagsalita pero hindi naman ito gumalaw para magpaalam o umalis.

Hanggang sa lumabas ang daddy niya sa kuwarto nito at natigilan nang makita si Reigo.

"May bisita pala tayo," sabi ng ama niya, saka naglakad palapit sa kanila ng lalaki.

Agad na inilahad ni Reigo ang kamay sa ama niya para magpakilala. "Sir, I'm Reigo Vasquez, friend of Happy."

Tinanggap naman ng ama niya ang pakikipagkamay ni Reigo. "Dominick Quinn, Happy's father." Tipid lang itong ngumiti, saka bumaling sa kanya, "I'll be in the restaurant downstairs. I want to taste their dessert. Call if you need anything. And no, princess, I didn't gamble last night. I was a good boy."

Happy chuckled before kissing her father on the cheek. "Thank you, Daddy."

"Yeah, yeah," sabi ng ama niya, saka lumabas na ng kuwarto.

Saka lang niya hinarap si Reigo. "Want to have tanghalian with me?" tanong niya.

Reigo nodded with a small smile on his lips. "Sure. Downstairs?"

"Nope." Itinuro niya ang nagsisilbing kusina ng hotel room. "I cooked tinolang manok, one of sikat na Filipino dish. Dad said it's masarap."

For the first time since they met, Reigo chuckled. "You're cute."

"Thanks."

Mahinang tumatawa pa ring pinaunlakan ni Reigo ang imbitasyon niya ritong kumain. Nag-uusap sila ng kung ano-ano lang habang pinagsasaluhan nila ang tinolang manok.

And to Happy's delight, Reigo was fun to talk to.

"So alam mo how to cook?" tanong niya sa lalaki.

Tumango ito. "I became independent at the age of seventeen since I studied on the States, so I have to learn to do everything myself."

"Me too." She chuckled. "Well I was in coma when I was seventeen, so I learn to do things on my own after I woke up and I was already nineteen at the time. Need kong mag-take ng series of test so I'll be able to attend college without going through elementary, middle school and high school. After kong magising from coma, Dad buried me with books and lots of books because I have so much to learn for my tests and I'm the only one who can help myself pass."

Reigo was looking at her in shock. "You were in a coma?"

Tumango. "Since I was four. Fifteen years in coma."

"The hell..." Reigo blinked in shock. "How does it feel like? I mean, what happened?"

"I got really sick and fell into coma. It runs in the family. My great grandmother was so sick as well and fell into a coma for years. Sabi ng dad ko it was a miracle that I woke up, hindi siya nag-hope na magigising pa ako but ayaw niya akong i-let go. Sabi niya it was a torture seeing me na ganoon but he didn't let the doctors disconnect me from the life-support machine because he believes that only God can take lives and because of his faith, I'm alive." She sighed at the memory. "Nang magising ako, everything is new, everyone is a stranger. I have to learn how to walk after I woke up. I have to learn how to read and how to write and it was confusing and all. Pero I got through it because like my daddy always says, I'm brilliant." She grinned proudly. "I have a slight, just slight, photographic memory." She chuckled. "Kaya it was easy for me to learn because of that."

"I was right." Reigo smiled. "You're one hell of a woman."

That put a wide smile on her lips. "And again, thank you."

Natawa si Reigo, saka tinulungan siyang magligpit ng pinagkainan nila pagkatapos habang nag-uusap pa rin sila.

"At nang malaman mong may kapatid ka pala rito, agad kang pumunta rito?"

Nakangiti siyang tumango. "Yes. I always wanted a sister. At heto na siya. I will never miss this chance to be with her and meet her and be a big sister to her."

Reigo's face softened at what she said. "You're a good person, Happy. I'm glad I met someone like you."

Happy just nodded her head and continued cleaning the dining table while Reigo was busy putting back the plates on the plate holder.

Tahimik silang dalawa nang mag-ingay ang cell phone nito na agad naman nitong sinagot.

It wasn't a call or a text—it was a video call.

And Reigo's phone was so noisy. Ang daming boses ng lalaki na sabay-sabay na nagsasalita na wala nang maintindihan ang makakarinig niyon.

Pero hindi pinatay ni Reigo ang video call kahit magulo ang mga kausap nito. Parang sanay na ito sa ingay na naririnig dahil parang hindi ito apeketado.

At dahil sa ingay ng mga iyon, hindi niya maiwasang marinig ang usapan dahil hindi naman gumamit ng headset si Reigo.

"Manlilibre nga si sinto-sinto!"

"Bakit? Nakapagtataka!"

"Wala akong pakialam! Basta manlilibre siya, talo-talo na!"

"Saan ba? Kung barbecue 'yan at beer, ihahanda ko na ang helicopter ko. Pupunta kami ni T diyan."

"Hell, yeah! I miss the barbecue!"

"Sama ako!"

"Alis na ba tayo?"

"Fuck! I hate being away!"

"Fuck!"

"Fuck!

"Holy fu—my Princess Kisses, go to Mommy. Daddy is talking to his friends... go, we'll play later."

"Gusto mong papuntahin ko riyan ang anak ko?"

"Fuck you, Wolkzbin!"

"Vasquez, magsalita ka naman riyan." Parang boses iyon ni Ream, hindi siya sigurado.

Tipid namang sumagot si Reigo. "Hi. Tinatamad akong magsalita."

Napalatak ang mga kausap nito.

"Palagi ka na lang ganyan. Kapag hindi ka MIA, SIA ka naman."

"Gago! Nagpapauso ka na naman nang abbreviation mo, Sanford. Manahimik ka nga!

"Mauna kang tumahimik, Sudalga."

"I know what MIA means, but SIA, what is that?" tanong ni Reigo.

"MIA is missing in action. SIA is silent in action."

"Shut up, Sanford! Fuck you ka."

"Manahimik kayo!"

Pero walang nanahimik, patuloy ang pag-iingay ng lahat.

"Vasquez, nasaan ka ba?" Parang boses uli 'yon ni Ream. "May pagkain pa ba sa bahay n'yo? Masarap 'yong pagkain n'yo sa party. May natira pa ba? Pa-take out naman kami."

Napailing si Reigo. "Wala ako sa bahay nina Mommy. Hindi ko alam kung mayroon pa."

"Bakit nasaan ka ba?"

"I, ahm, somewhere," sagot ni Reigo.

"Pakita mo nga sa amin kung nasaan ka," may pagdududang sabi ng isa sa kausap nito. "Baka nasa ibang bansa ka na naman at tinakasan mo na naman kami at hindi ka naman a-attend sa meeting natin doon sa barbecue-han mamaya."

Reigo tsked before tapping something on his phone while walking towards the kitchen's window to show his friends that he was still in the country.

"Back up! Back up!" biglang sigaw ng isa sa kausap nito. "Is that a woman I saw?!"

"It's a woman!"

"Fuck! A woman!"

Natigilan siya sa narinig at napatitig kay Reigo na humihingi ng pasensiya na tumingin sa kanya.

"Sorry," he mouthed.

"Fuck! Kinakausap mo ba 'yong lalabs mo, Reigo?"

"Fuck you, Oliveros," biglang sabi ni Reigo.

"Wait... I know that woman. Is that Happy Quinn?"

"Yes, it is!"

"Yep. That's her!"

"What are you doing with her, Vasquez?"

Reigo sighed. "She cooked tinolang manok and I had lunch with her. That's all, lunatics—"

"Wait, where did Blaze go?"

Happy stilled when she heard that name. Blaze.

"Pinatay yata ang video call niya."

"Bakit naman—"

"Bye, lunatics," sabi ni Reigo. "Uuwi ako mamaya sa BV para sa barbecue." Pagkatapos ay tinapos nito ang pakikipag-video chat, saka humarap sa kanya. "I'm so sorry about that. Maiingay talaga ang mga kaibigan ko. Pasensiya na talaga."

"It's okay." She smiled.

Ibinalik ni Reigo sa bulsa ang cell phone, saka nagpaalam na sa kanya. "I have to go, may appointment ako. Maraming salamat sa masarap na tanghalian."

"Welcome."

"Sa uulitin," sabi nito na nakangiti, saka may iniabot sa kanyang calling card. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me."

Nakangiting tinanggap niya ang calling card nito.

"May gagawin ka ba mamaya?" kapagkuwan ay tanong ni Reigo, "Dinner is on me. Later. Makabawi man lang ako sa masarap na tanghaliang niluto mo."

"Sige. Dinner. Salamat for praising my cooking."

Bigla na lang natawa nang mahina si Reigo, saka nagpaalam sa kanya uli bago naglakad palabas ng hotel room.

Hindi nag-isang minuto mula nang makaalis si Reigo ay pumasok ang ama niya.

She smiled. "How's the dessert—"

"Ano'ng nangyari kay Blaze?" biglang tanong nito na ikinagulat niya, lalo na ang emosyon sa mukha nito. Parang iritado. "Bakit iba na ang kasama mo ngayon?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Dad, Reigo is a friend."

"I know, he seems like a good kid. Mukha namang okay at mabait pero sa opinyon ko lang, princess, mas mabait at mas okay si Blaze para sa akin kaysa sa kanya. And Blaze seems like a good man too." His father started walking towards his room. "It's just my opinion, princess."

Napatingin na lang si Happy sa pinto ng kuwarto na isinara nito nang makapasok doon.

Naiwan siyang nakatigagal sa sala, tinatanong ang sarili kung ano ang nakain ng daddy niya at namili ito bigla kahit hindi naman ito pinapapili.

Happy was dragged out from her reverie when her phone rang. Pinulot niya ang cell phone na nasa center table, saka sinagot ang tawag ni Blaze.

"Why did you ca—"

"We need to talk," sabi ni Blaze sa walang emosyong boses. "And I won't take no for an answer, Happy."

She took a deep breath. "Okay. Where mo like na mag-talk?"

"Remember when you got lost? The same café. Tonight. Hihintayin kita roon—"

"I can't," sabi niya. "I have a dinner appointment with Reigo tonight."

Natahimik si Blaze sa kabilang linya bago ito bumulong. Mahina 'yon pero sapat na para marinig niya.

"Can't you choose me?"

Happy pressed her lips together. "I already said yes to Reigo, Blaze."

"Bawiin mo."

"Ayoko," sabi niya sa may diing boses. "Nakaoo na ako kay Reigo. Nakakahiya naman sa kanya. At ako 'yong kind ng tao na doesn't like to back out on my word. Is it okay if bukas na lang tayo mag-talk?"

Natahimik si Blaze ng ilang segundo bago nagsalita. "Is it true?"

She frowned. "What true?"

"That you cooked and you two dined together?"

"Yes. Why are you asking?"

"Kasi hindi ko matanggap na ginagawa mo sa kanya ang mga ginawa mo para sa akin. Hindi ko gusto na siya ang kasama mo at hindi ako. Nagagalit ako kasi masaya ka kahit wala ako, samantalang ako, nababaliw na sa kakaisip sa iyo."

Happy's face saddened. "I'm sorry if I made you feel that way, Blaze. Let's talk about it tomorrow, okay? We'll figure something out about our situation and we'll do something about it. Pero tomorrow na please?"

Blaze was silent for a couple of seconds before he whispered. "Okay. Tomorrow. I'll see you."

"Sige." Malumanay ang boses niya habang kausap ang lalaki. "Bye, Blaze. See you tomorrow." Pagkasabi niyon ay pinatay niya ang tawag at napatitig sa kawalan.

Tomorrow. I'll see Blaze tomorrow. And she was hoping that tomorrow, after their talk, she could finally stop the chaos in her mind... and in her heart.

CECELIB | C.C.