You Captured Me

Chapter 22

"Ay, ang taray!" Bungad sa amin ni Sage. They entered Casa Manila with a smirk on their faces, even Bethany showed herself with raised eyebrows. I may be getting older now, but the night is young. And I'm enjoying the day so far.

Amavi stifled a small laugh and hid her face on the crook of my neck to hide herself. So cute.

"Sana all."

"Sana all."

Puro 'sana all' lang ang mga sambit ng mga kaibigan ko habang nakatingin samin. Natawa naman si Amavi at napailing lang ako.

"Ay, oo nga birthday mo pala!" Leo exclaimed. Sabay bati naman nilang apat.

"Your family's in the restaurant, already," ani Blaze.

"Even Dad?" Tanong ko.

"Yeah. Pero aalis din daw agad." The usual. Lagi naman iyon busy. But I'm glad he took the time to come here.

"Ok. Let's go."

We all hurriedly went to the Sky Deck that's on the rooftop of a luxurious hotel. The Sky Deck exudes more modern structure and elements surrounding it. Fairy lights were hanging above the tables, the night sky overhanging the customers' heads, black and grey chairs with fine dining plates held by waiters, and the soft but upbeat music faintly playing in the background. At the corner of the venue, I saw my family sitting at the reserved table. Nixie waved at me excitedly. Lumapit na kami agad.

"Dad."

Lumapit ako at nagmano. I kissed my mom on the cheek and hugged my sister. Nagmano at bumati rin si Amavi pati ang mga kaibigan ko.

"Happy Birthday, son." I smiled at the greeting.

My friends went to the table next to us and hurriedly ordered their drinks.

"Lumien, care to join us here?"

Tiningnan ako ni Amavi. She nodded politely while she sat next to my mother. My mom hugged her and excitedly greeted her.

"Finally, we've met!" She smiled and held my girlfriend's hands warmly.

"Nice to meet you po, tita," Amavi nodded. Nixie greeted her too.

"Napakaganda mo naman in person."

My girlfriend looked at me shyly before looking at my mother again.

"Thank you po. You look gorgeous as well, tita."

"Food's here!" Nixie said.

Lumapit naman na ang waiters at inilapag ang mga pagkain. We joyfully ate and my sister just kept on babbling to my girlfriend for majority of the dinner. My mom took out something from her bag and gave me her gift. Gulat ko naman itong tinaggap.

"Mom, you didn't have to."

"Anak, ako pa ba? C'mon, it will look good on you. Open it."

I opened the gift carefully and in it I saw this sleek vintage golden watch. I don't usually buy luxurious items for myself, let alone for my style but I appreciate her giving something for me. I smiled and thanked her for it.

"Kuya, pwede bang gift ko na lang ay wala akong bagsak sa card ko? Ok na ba yun?" Tanong ni Nix. Tumawa naman ako.

"Thank you, Nix. At tanggap pa rin kita kahit may bagsak ka."

"Kuya, 'di kita magulang." She rolled her eyes and continued eating. I sipped on my wine and looked at my girlfriend right in front of me.

"Are you okay?" I mouthed.