Chapter 22

18 divided by 4 

I never liked celebrating my birthdays. When I was on the 6th grade, my Mom, Yaya Alma and all the other maids prepared a lot of food for my 12th birthday because they knew that all my classmates would come. That’s what I thought, too

I thought they would come because I invited all of them, despite them bullying me, calling me names, I still wanted them to attend on my special day because I want to share all the amazing food that my Mom and our maids prepared, maybe in that way they would understand why I couldn’t stop eating… maybe they would understand why I am fat and would eventually stop bullying me… but unfortunately, none of them came.

I felt sad and disappointed that time. Since then on, I never celebrated my birthday hosting a party. Sometimes I celebrate it with my parents over dinner when they’re both here, sometimes it was just me and my Mom, sometimes it was me and my Dad, and sometimes it was me alone when they’re both not around.

Today’s January 26. It’s my 18th birthday.

I thought my 12th birthday was the most disappointing day ever but life really is full of surprises, huh? Yesterday, we didn’t get the justice that we wanted. Courtney kept on denying, saying that she never tell what we are all claiming that she told us. And now I got suspended in school for a week… Today’s my first day… and my birthday. And I can say that this day was more disappointing compared to my 12th birthday. 

My parents were both frustrated and they both wanted to file a case against Adam and Nika but I refused… I convinced them not to do it. Ayoko na. Nakakapagod lang. Alam ko naman kasi na hindi kami mananalo. Aside from the video and we, lacking of evidences to defend my case, parehong lawyer ang mga magulang ni Adam.

Ayaw ko na rin pang makaabala sa mga magulang ko. Nahihiya na ako. Just the fact that my Dad immediately booked a flight from Boston to here, leaving his work just to be for his daughter is making me feel guilty. Alam ko’ng pagod siya, alam kong parating kulang ang tulog niya tapos ganito pa ang madadatnan niya.

“Hey there, favorite niece.” I almost drop the cup of coffee that I was holding the moment I heard a familiar voice coming from the framedoor of the kitchen. 

“Tito Mael?” My brows slightly creased. What is Tito Samael doing here? It’s just 5 in the morning. 

He was wearing his blue scrubs and his hair’s a bit messy. A mess that looks good on him. 

He grinned, placing a paper bag on the marble table in front of me. I eyed the bag for a second and then I look back at him. “I just thought that I’d drop this by before I work my ass off at the hospital.” He said, giving me a faint grin. 

Even though he knows that I don’t like celebrating my birthday, he still never failed to drop by and give me a present. Mostly they were books, sometimes fiction, sometimes anatomy. 

“Happy birthday, favorite niece.” He said with a smile. 

I smiled a little. “Thank you, favorite uncle.” I teased, despite the heaviness that I have been feeling inside my chest. 

He frowned a little. “I’m the only uncle that you have.” He said. 

“Well, that means I have no choice… Coffee?” I offered after teasing him.

“Please. One that I can take with me to work.” He said, sitting on the counter chair. 

I placed my cup on the counter. “I have a tumbler here… Wait a second.” I said, turning my back at him to open the cupboard. Tito Samael is the youngest brother of my Dad, he’s an aspiring neurosurgeon and it’s his first year of internship somewhere in Clark. 

Tito Samael is young, smart, and a real head turner. We have a lot in common, we both love coffee, reading, and we both hate Tita Karen kaya nagkasundo kami. Tito Samael and my Dad, they’re a lot like but their differences are still palpable. I love them both. 

“Here’s your coffee, Dr. Clavel.” I said, smiling a little before placing the tumbler in front of him. 

“Thank you, Dra. Clavel.” He replied with a grin. I smiled when he acknowledged me as ‘Dra. Clavel’. 

He caught the tumbler in between his hands and we both went silent for a moment. 

“I’ve heard what happened…” He broke the silence looking at me sadly.

I looked down on my cup, my lips forming a bitter smile. “Why do we have to experience pain?” I asked him suddenly. 

In my case, why do I always have to experience pain? Sometimes I wish I was just numb so that I won’t have to experience what it feels like to be hurt by the cruelty of this world and lack of fairness of its people. 

Kung ako nasasaktan dahil hindi ko nakuha ang hustisya na dapat para sa’kin, paano pa kaya ang mga ibang kababaihan na mas grabe ang dinanas kaysa sa akin? How about those women who kept on experiencing sexual abuse over and over again? And what is worse is their abusers are roaming around free, doing anything as they please while those women suffer in silence. 

Sexual abuse happens everyday and it can happen to anyone. Nakakagalit at nakakalungkot isipin ngunit pati iyong mga batang walang muwang ay nararanasan ang ganito kalupit na sitwasyon. 

When will these morbid things stop? When will they stop blaming the victims for experiencing sexual abuse? It’s not about what we wear, it’s not about the amount of skin that we show because even the most conservative person sometimes experiences sexual abuse, it’s not about us, it’s about those people who allowed themselves to be driven by their disgusting desires. 

It’s about those people who ignore the cries of the victims, it’s about the society’s wrong mindset, it’s about the lack of fairness in our justice system. 

He pushed out a sigh and I lifted my eyes to look at him. He eyed me for a second before wetting his bottom lip. “You know, Mona, in order for you to be strong you have to experience pain first and figure out a way on how to conquer it. Pain can sometimes overwhelm you but don’t ever let it drown you, Mona… because what doesn’t drown you is what makes you unstoppable. You see, pain is something that we never want but sometimes it is what we need…” He said. 

My mouth turned in slight agape as I looked at him with creased brows. “How can you say that we need pain?” 

Hindi ko kailangang masaktan. Ayaw ko na nga, eh. If only I could get rid of this pain, I will. 

“Well, how can you show empathy for the people who are hurting if you, yourself, doesn’t even know what pain is? You know, your Dad always tells me, sympathy and empathy are different kinds of things. Sympathy is pitying a person who is suffering but empathy is taking some of a person’s pain and making it as yours, too. That’s how it is in the medical field, one must always know how to give empathy because we don’t just save lives, we change them, too.”  He said and one corner of his lips lifted up as his features turned brighter. 

“I’m hurting because you’re hurting at the moment, Mona but I can’t also help but to feel proud because I know, someday, that you would be a great surgeon. A surgeon who gives great empathy towards her patients.” He said, looking down on his wrist watch before frantically standing up from his seat. 

“I gotta go. I will be so fucking dead.” He frantically said. 

I smiled. “Take care, Tito! Go save a lot of lives!” I cheered, smiling a little because I knew that he made a very good point. Kapag naging doktor na ako, I will help those women and even men who experienced the cruelty of an abuse. I will give them my empathy. I will stand with them. 

“Yep. Will see you when I’m not busy. Bye!” He said before making his quick steps to exit in the kitchen. 

When the silence began invading the whole kitchen again, I pushed a deep sigh before bring my cup of coffee and pouring it to the sink. This is my third cup already. 

Kagabi pa ako hindi makatulog. I kept on tossing and turning and sometimes I would cry because it hurts and it’s frustrating. 

After pouring out all my coffee into sink I quietly went back inside my room carrying the gift that my Tito Mael gave me. I placed it on my table before throwing myself on my bed. 

I was lying on my stomach as I stared at the Golden Gate Bridge that I placed beside my bookshelf. 

My heart ached the moment I saw Ciel’s face in my head. So, I wouldn’t be able to see him for a week, huh? The person who knows how to console me with his words and his presence. Hindi ko siya makikita dahil sa one week suspension na ibinigay nila sa amin ni Adam. 

I haven’t heard a word from him since yesterday. But the anger and disappointment in his face was very palpable the moment he told my parents politely that he’d go back in class, kahit na pinilit niya pa’ng ngumiti sa harapan ng mga magulang ko, nakikita ko pa rin ang galit na bumabalot sa mga mata niya. I don’t even know what’s running on his mind because he’s just too unpredictable.

He didn’t even greet me a happy birthday. Well, none of the three did which is understandable because I never told them about my birthday. 

Alam ko naman kasi sa sarili ko na wala akong balak mag-celebrate ng debut ko kaya hindi ko na sinabi sa kanila. 

But my initial plan was to take them out after class because today’s a Wednesday meaning it’s our soft day. Half day lang kami parati tuwing Wednesday kaya balak ko sanang ayain silang kumain sa labas to have a mini celebration of my 18th birthday. 

But of course, life isn’t always how you planned it to be. I was really excited to break them the news, I was anticipating to see the surprise on their faces the moment I tell them that today’s my birthday but things suddenly screwed up. 

Napangisi ako nang mapait habang nakatitig pa rin sa miniature na ibinigay niya sa akin noong kakagaling lamang niya ng San Francisco hanggang sa bumigat na ang aking mga talukap at makatulog na ako nang tuluyan. 

--

I woke up at 10 AM with a severe headache and a heavy body. I immediately went to the bathroom to take a shower, changed into new pair of clothes, dried my hair and after that I went downstairs to go get myself some fresh milk. 

I was about to step inside the kitchen but then I stopped on the frame door when I saw my Mom and Dad. 

Dad was currently boiling some pasta and my Mom was behind, hugging him from the back. Her cheek was resting on my Dad’s back and her hands were wrapped around his waist. 

“Dev, h’wag ka nang malungkot… It’s our daughter’s 18th birthday today.” I heard Mom said. 

“I know, baby. I just can’t help it. I don’t think I can go back tomorrow in Boston. I can’t leave you both after what happened yesterday. Mona needs me. I want to be there for her.” I heard my Dad replied, touching my mother’s arms that were wrapped around his waist. 

“Dev, I get it that you’re worried about our daughter pero mas lalo lang magu-guilty ang anak natin kapag nalaman niya na mags-stay ka dito at iiwan ang trabaho mo. I’ll just go get another off tomorrow, okay? Ako ang bahala sa anak natin… Isa pa, our daughter is strong. She may be hurting like we are right now but I know she’d stand up and rise again. Our daughter is as wise and as strong as you, Dev.” 

“No, baby. She is just like you… I love you both and there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do for you both, Yno. Nothing.” 

“I love you too, Dev…” Mom hugged him even tighter. 

At some normal days I would be probably wincing looking at how lovey dovey my parents are but at this moment, I feel fuzzy and warm watching them like this. They’re both amazing persons who don’t just save lives, they change them as well. This cruel world needs a lot of them. It needs a lot of Wynona and Devin Clavel. 

Tahimik at nakangiti ko silang tinalikuran. I went inside the elevator, pressed my bedroom floor with a warm smile on my lips. 

I wish I could find someone just like my Dad. A man who would love me bravely and dauntlessly. A man who would do anything for me. 

I don’t know how long I’ve stayed inside my room, holding a book, trying to finish a chapter but I was still stuck on the first sentence of the first chapter. 

I hear a crack of his skull… 

That’s it. That’s all I’ve managed to read and I couldn’t even understand a single word. What is ‘I’? What is ‘Hear’? What is ‘Crack’? What is ‘Skull’? I don’t even know… I was being overwhelmed with my thoughts and most of them were negative. 

It’s my birthday today. Dapat masaya ako… kailan ba ako sasaya? Puro sakit na lang ba? No matter how I try to think of nice things the pain is just so strong that it’s starting consume my mind and my whole body. When will this pain stop? 

The cruel reality sucked me in the moment I heard a knock from the outside of my room. 

I cleared my throat. “Come in!” I said. 

The door gently opened but my eyes were still fixed on my book. I read the first seven words once again. 

I hear a crack of his— 

“Looks like the birthday girl is busy…” 

Nanigas ako sa kinauupuan ko nang marinig ko ang tinig ng isang pamilyar na lalaki. My eyes immediately went up and my jaw almost dropped the moment I saw Cyprian and Colton standing inside my room. Cyprian was holding a huge square and I’m not sure what’s inside it since it was wrapped with brown paper and Colton on the other hand was holding a small bluetooth speaker. 

Ciel… Where is Ciel? I shook the thought of him away as I placed my book on my bed to stand up and take steps towards their direction. 

“What are you guys doing here?” Gulat na gulat kong tanong. I was still flabbergasted and I can’t believe that they’re really here! They’re both changed into casual clothes. Siguro pagkagaling nilang school ay umuwi muna sila para magbihis. 

“Well, it’s your birthday. We can’t miss it for the world!” Cyprian said with a wide grin on his face. 

Nagulat ako dahil nandito sila at mas lalo pa akong nagulat dahil alam pala nila ang birthday ko. 

“Hindi naman kayo nagsabi na pupunta kayo… Hindi man lang ako nakapag-ayos!” I told them, pouting a little. I was just wearing high waisted denim shorts and a plain cream shirt. 

“Nah. You look great.” Colton said, grinning before giving Ian a side glance. “Ibigay mo na ang regalo natin sa kanya.” He urged. 

“Oh, yeah. Here… Buksan mo.” Iniabot niya sa akin ang hawak niyang nakabalot sa brown paper. 

Napangiti ako nang tanggapin ko ito. I opened their gift with the help of them and my mouth fell into agape and my eyes were suddenly filled with amusement the moment I saw my face but it was on the body of Mona Lisa.  The one that Leonardo da Vinci painted. Sa may pinailalim, sa left right corner may tila ba pirma na nakasulat doon. 

Leonardo da 3Cs. 

Napangisi ako nang malapad at tiningnan silang dalawa. 

“Ang witty niyo, ah.” I told them smiling widely. “Thank you… I really appreciate this. May idi-display na naman ako dito sa kwarto ko.” I added, looking at them dearingly, like they’re the sweetest creatures ever, because they really are. 

“Ako nag edit diyan…” Pagyayabang ni Cyprian habang nakangisi pa rin. 

“Ako nagpa-frame at nagpa-print.” Hindi nagpatalo si Colton. 

Guhumit ang isang mapait na ngisi sa mga labi ko. They’re both here. Colton and Cyprian… but where is Ciel? Talaga ba’ng wala siyang balak magpunta? Hindi ba siya nasabihan ng dalawa? 

“E, ‘yung Ciel na ‘yon ano’ng ambang?” I asked bitterly in a joking manner. 

“Ako nakaisip.” 

Awtomatiko akong napatingin sa pinanggagalingan ng pamilyar na boses na pagmamay-ari ni Ciel. His voice that I’ve been longing to hear. 

My heart ached the moment I saw him, standing there with a faint grin on his lips showing that irresistible dimple as he holds a bouquet of red roses. The way those deep brown eyes looks at me softly is making my heart ache even more… It was aching in a good way. 

I think it was his art… turning ache into something good and satisfying. 

“You’re here…” I said, almost a whisper. 

He smiles. “I am.” He confirmed, raising the bouquet. “Shall we go to the 18 roses part of this debut?” He said before breaking away his sweet gaze to mine to look at Colton and Cyprian. 

Natawa ako nang bahagya. “Anong 18 roses, e tatlo lang kayo? Baka 3 roses?” I said.

Umiling si Ciel habang nakangisi. “18.” He stubbornly said. 

I noticed my Mom and Dad from the outside of my room together with Yaya Alma, watching the four of us with warm smiles on their faces. Mom nodded at me, urging me to enjoy and I smile at them, mouthing a ‘thank you’ before drawing my gaze back to Ciel who was currently dividing the roses. Dalawang tag-aapat na ibinigay niya kay Colton at Cyprian at dalawang taglilima, ibinigay niya ang isang set ng lima kay Daddy. 

“Wow. Lima ang sa kanya.” I heard Colton teased, exchanging looks with Cyprian before eyeing Ciel. 

“Syempre, gusto kitang kabugin, eh.” Ciel said, making us all chuckle. 

“Matagal mo na yata akong kinabog, eh. Pabibo ka kasi.” Nakangisi niyang sabi bago kinuha ang phone niya mula sa bulsa ng jeans niya. 

“Tito, mauna po kayo.” Cyprian politely said to my Dad, pertaining to the slow dance. 

Humiwalay si Mommy kay Daddy. “Alma, Alma! I-video mo!” Maluha-luhang sabi ni Mommy at ibinigay ang phone niya kay Yaya Alma habang papasok sila sa loob ng kwarto ko. 

Colton manipulated the speakers and the music. 

Isn't she lovely

Isn't she wonderful

Isn't she precious

The song of Stevie Wonder starts playing the moment my Dad held my hand for a slow dance. He was looking at me while we’re slow dancing and his eyes are beginning to moisten with his tears.

“Daddy…” I said, my voice is quite shaking because I’m on the verge of my tears, too. 

I never thought through love we'd be

Making one as lovely as she

But isn't she lovely made from love

He chuckled with a crack voice. “I can’t believe my baby’s already 18… Bakit ang bilis? Parang kailan lang noong unang beses kitang kinarga. You were so tiny back then yet you managed to bring enormous joy in our lives.” He said, cupping my cheek with his free hand as we kept on dancing. 

“Oh, Dad…” Was all what I have managed to say. 

He smiled giving me a quick peck on the forehead. “I love you so much, Mona. If Daddy could only take away all the pain and struggle that you are feeling right now and you’re about to feel in the future, I would… I don’t want anything but the best for you.” He told me sincerely. 

“I love you, Daddy.” I said, hugging him so tight and he did, too. 

“Oh, my baby…” He said. 

I met the eyes of the three looking at us with warm smiles plastered on their faces. When my eyes shifted into my Mom, I saw her face bathing with tears. 

“Alma, tissue. Pahinging tissue.” Umiiyak niyang sabi. 

Yaya Alma was currently taking a video of us and she doesn’t know if she’d follow my Mom’s order or what.

“Here, ma’am.” Inabot ni Ciel ang isang box ng Kleenex kay Mommy. 

“Thank you, love.” Umiiyak na sabi ni Mommy. “Oh my God… This is beautiful. Partida wala pa itong engrandeng party, ha? Diyos ko, ang baby namin dalaga na. How did that happen? I still remember how she came running to me, crying, and saying that she thinks she stabbed her vagina because it’s bleeding. She has no idea that it was her first menstruation.” She sobbed, wiping her face with tissue. 

My eyes narrowed at her as my face turned red in embarrassment. “MOMMY!” I yelled, giving the three Cs an embarrassed glance pero nagkaniya-kaniya sila nang iwas nang tingin. May nakatingin sa kisame, may nakatingin sa sahig, at may nakatingin naman labas. Mukhang pati sila ay nahihiya na dahil sa bibig ng nanay ko! 

“What? Menstruation and vagina is normal! Para namang hindi pa nakanood ng porn ang mga ito...” She said before burying her nose in a tissue. 

“Daddy…” I groaned at halos mapapadyak-padyak na ‘ko sa kahihiyan. 

Dad let out a delicious chuckle before caressing my head. “She couldn’t just shut that beautiful mouth of hers.” He said.  

Hiyang-hiya ako. Kaya tuloy nang si Cyprian na ang magsayaw sa akin ay hindi na ako makatingin sa mga mata niya. 

The song shifted into a Jason Mraz’s song. 

Well here's to the hearts that you're gonna break

Here's to the lives that you're gonna change

Here's to the infinite possible ways to love you

I want you to have it

He chuckled. “It’s alright… Your Mom is cool.” Cyprian said, chuckling a little. 

“I love her but she’s always embarrassing me.” Iling-iling kong sabi. 

“All mothers do.” He shrugged before looking at me warmly. “Dalaga na ang Mona namin…” He said as we kept on slow dancing. 

I looked up at him, smiling. I’m so glad these guys found me. My life wouldn’t be the same without them in it. 

Here's to the good times we're gonna have

You don't need money, you got a free pass

Here's to the fact that I'll be sad without you

I want you to have it all

“I hope nothing but the best for you, Mona. Kaming tatlo, nandito lang kami lagi para sa’yo… Don’t hesitate to call us whenever you feel low or sad, alright? You know we’re always down for you. I love you like how a brother loves his sister, Mona.” He sincerely said. 

I smiled, giving him a tight hug. “And I love you like a sister loves his brother.” 

“Happy birthday…” 

The song changed into a One Direction song when it was Colton’s turn. 

Been a lot of places

I've been all around the world

Seen a lot of faces

Never knowing where I was

On the horizon

But I know, I know, I know, I know

The sun will be rising back home

“Happy birthday,” he greeted me with his signature grin that never failed to make every woman swoon. 

“Thank you.” I said with a smile. 

We went quiet for a while until he broke the silence once again. “I’m sorry…”  He suddenly said. Nag-angat ako nang tingin sa kanya habang nakakunot ang aking noo. 

Don't forget where you belong, home

Don't forget where you belong, home

If you ever feel alone, don't

You were never on your own

And the proof is in this song

He wet his bottom lip without wiping off his faint grin. “I just thought you needed to hear it since I’ve never got a chance to give you a formal apology for pushing you away that day…” He said. 

Bahagya akong tumawa nang maalala ko. “Okay na ‘yon… Naiintindihan ko naman.” I told him. 

“I just don’t want you to get involved with my games, Mona. You’re my friend, you’re important to me and you deserve more than what I am willing to give…” 

“I know, I get it now… Masaya na ‘ko sa kung anong meron tayo ngayon. Isa pa, may bago na kaya akong crush.” I half joked at him. 

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi niya. “Ah, let me guess… He’s got those hot as fuck curls, yeah?”  

“And he’s also annoying.” I said, grinning. 

“And he’s also annoying.” He agreed, nodding his head. 

We both chuckled until the song shifted into an Edwin McCain song. Colton broke away from me leaving me with nothing but these thirteen roses on my hand. I met Ciel’s soft gaze as he took steps towards me without taking his eyes off me. It was his turn. 

I hate to admit this but I’ve been waiting for his turn and now that it was, I just want to go back to the beginning again to avoid him because the waves of emotions that his single gaze could give me was way too much for me to handle. 

He was still looking at me. Damn. 

Bigla tuloy akong na conscious. I wasn’t wearing the fanciest gown that a debutant must wear, kahit make up ay wala ako! 

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful

Stop me and steal my breath

Emeralds from mountains and thrust towards the sky

Never revealing their depth

My heart skipped a beat the moment his palm hit mine, slowly entwining his fingers to mine to hold me still. And when his arm encircled around my waist, my knees suddenly turned weak.

I don’t even know what to think anymore… Is it the fact that his gaze is making me feel conscious or is it how his simple touch could make me evaporate in less than five seconds? 

“Shh…” He shushed me, suddenly with a teasing grin on his lips. 

“Huh?” 

“You’re overthinking again, I can see it… and you don’t have to.” He said with that low and smoky voice again. God, when will I get ever used to that voice? 

“Akala ko hindi ka darating…” I said, looking on his face a bit sadly. 

“Pwede ba ‘kong hindi pumunta sa espesyal na araw ng prinsesa namin?” He said, grinning at me softly. My heart melted at how he addressed me. He said that I’m their princess. 

I have no words so I just smiled at him. Our eyes were locked as we kept on dancing with the music that’s playing in the background. 

Tell me that we belong together

Dress it up with the trappings of love

I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips

Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

“Mona?” he called me. 

“Hmm?” I said, feeling my heart aching again… but it’s all in a good way. 

“Do you wanna know something that I’ve never told someone about?” He asked.

I slowly nodded my head. 

“I love looking into your beautiful hazel eyes… because they never failed to give me a glimpse of all the nice things in this world.” He said, putting my hand that’s currently entwined with his on his shoulder. After that he cupped my cheek, looking at me delicately. 

“And the only thing that makes me hate looking into your eyes is when they’re clouded with sadness…” He whispered. 

I'll be your cryin' shoulder

I'll be love suicide

I'll be better when I'm older

I'll be the greatest fan of your life

“Ciel…” I called him, my lips, shaking as I felt the heat on both corners of my eyes. 

His thumb began gently stroking my jaw while still staring at me. “I don’t think you realize how much power you hold through those eyes, Mona… Because your gazes can either build me or break me.” He said. 

“I hate seeing you getting hurt… because it hurts me, too.” His sincere whisper managed to send a pang on my chest. 

“Mona, I know things are kind of rough right now but I want you to know that you are not alone in this fight. And when your fire is starting to turn into embers, I will always be here to fuel you and to remind you of all the things that you are fighting for.” 

And with that my tears began falling abundantly from my eyes. 

“Damn…” He cursed, wiping my tears using the back of his palm. “Please don’t cry, Mona… Baka patayin ako ng tatay mo, sabihin niya pinapaiyak pa kita.” Biro pa niya. 

“Totoo naman, eh… you’re always making me cry!” I said, sobbing hard. 

“But it was always in a good way. You make me cry and you make my heart ache… all in a good way.” I whispered, sincerely without breaking my gaze away from his. 

A warm smile drew across his lips. “You make my heart ache, too… all in a good way.” He whispered as we continued slow dancing. We went quiet for a moment until he finally spoke. 

“I have something to give you,” He said slightly breaking away from me to fish something out of the pocket of his jeans. It was a small box. 

He removed the cover, showing me a beautiful silver paper airplane necklace. 

“Wow. Ciel…” I said, flabbergasted and amused. It’s beautiful! “This is mine?” Hindi ko makapaniwalang sabi. 

He smiled and nodded his head. 

“I bought this when I went home in Frisco… I’ve been wanting to give you this.” 

“It’s a paper airplane…” I said, smiling at him. 

“It symbolizes my dream to fly high… and I want to share it with you. I want to give you a piece of me because just like this paper airplane, I sometimes lose my sense of direction but you always knew how to get me back on the runway. This necklace is a remembrance that you once believed that I will reach for my skies someday.” 

Marahan niyang tinanggal ang kwintas sa loob ng maliit na kahon saka niya ako pinatalikod para isuot iyon sa akin. 

I bit my bottom lip when I felt the cold chains touched the skin of my neck.

I turn around to face him again before holding the paper airplane pendant with a sweet smile on my face. 

“It wasn’t just once… Because I always do. I always believe that you will definitely reach for your skies someday… And I will be there, Ciel. I’ll be there to watch you soar high.” I told him sincerely. 

A sweet smile formed on his lips showing me that dimple again. Ah, one of my favorite sights.

“Come here…” He said, pulling me into his tight embrace. 

“Your Dad might kill me for holding you like this but I’d die happily.” He joked while laughing a little. 

Maging ako ay natawa bago ginantihan ang kanyang mahigpit na yakap. It’s fascinating how a person’s warm embrace could make you feel the sense of home. 

“Happy birthday, baby.” He whispered, pressing a soft kiss on my forehead. 

I smiled… because this was indeed a happy birthday. It was the happiest birthday of my life. 

______________________________

sabog again so will edit na lang tomorrow hahah goodnight!