"Wick, dude, are you throwing a party on your birthday, right?" Umakbay si Olly kay Wicker habang papasok sila sa loob ng bahay. Dumaan sila sa likod, matapos iparada ang kotse mula sa garahe.
They are wearing thick coats. The weather in Fawnbrook is getting colder and colder these past days.
"No party. Have to celebrate it with someone who I promised a dinner."
Olly scoffed. "You're so inlove, dude! Of course, you wanted to spend your birthday with Catherine and not with me and Migo." Kumunot ang noo niya. "Teka, ngayon ka lang magce-celebrate ng birthday na hindi party ang theme, ah. What happened?" pagtataka nito.
"Dude, party isn't a thing here. This is for a change. Isa pa, I need to change my plans. Alam mo na, baka malaman ni Mom na nagpapa-party na naman ako sa bahay. Malilintikan ako roon!"
"Mukhang may nagpapa-good shot, ah. Good boy." Tinapik ni Olly si Wicker. "Ayos 'yan, dude!"
Umupo silang dalawa sa sofa at binuksan ang chips na binili nila kanina sa convenience store pati na ang dalawang can beer para sa isa't isa.
Dumating ang Dad ni Wicker sa kalagitnaan ng k'wentuhan nila. "You can have a party anytime you want, Wicker. Kung pinoproblema mo ang Mom mo, ako na ang bahalang magpaliwanag sa kanya," sabad nito habang niluluwagan ang necktie galing ng trabaho.
Nanlaki ang mata ni Olly na napatingin kay Wicker. "Dude! You heard Tito, right? Ako na ang bahalang mag-imbita sa buong school na magpapa-party ka at—"
"Schedule it some other time. Hindi talaga p'wede, Olly. Nangako na ako," tugon ni Wicker.
Wicker's dad shrugged and leave them alone. Pumanhik na ito sa k'warto nito.
Lumungkot ang mukha ni Olly sa pag-aasam mula sa gaganaping party ni Wicker. His excitement fade when he knew it'd not happen for the next coming days. Ilang araw na lang din kasi at sasapit na ang kaarawan ni Wicker.
"Catherine must be excited to be with you on your day. Did Catherine not pick a party over a dinner? Sa pagkakakilala ko sa taong 'yon, mas gugustuhin no'n i-celebrate ang birthday mo through a party and not just only a dinner date with her."
"Sino ba'ng may sabing si Catherine ang makakasama ko over a dinner?" Wicker said and having a sip onto his beer.
Olly paused and put his eyes on Wicker. "Kung hindi si Catherine, sino?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong nito, "Wait, is it the girl you were always talking about? What's her name? A-annara?"
Tumango si Wicker. "Yes, she is. Matagal na akong nangako sa kanya. Nakakahiya naman sa tao kung hindi ko tutuparin 'yon. It's actually happening after our school festival."
"Papasok ka pa sa birthday mo? Come on, dude, you're being weird. Dati parang holiday para sa 'yo kapag sasapit ang birthday mo. Kahit ano'ng mayroon sa araw na 'yon, quiz man o exam ay hindi mo talaga papasukan. Ano'ng nangyayari sa 'yo?" Olly patted Wicker's neck. "May sakit ka ba?"
Wicker took away Olly's hand. "I told you, things have changed." Bahagyang napangiti si Wicker at napatingin sa isang banda.
"How about Catherine? Tiyak susurpresahin ka no'n. Paano kapag nakita niyang magkasama kayong dalawa ni Annara sa iisang dinner table? She'll get mad for sure."
"No, she won't. Baka nga matuwa pa 'yon since gusto naman niyang makilala si Annara. And one thing, why would she'll get mad to her . . . magkaibigan lang naman kami ni Annara and they've met once. Kaya't may first impression na sila sa isa't isa."
"I mean, yes, you're friends. Pero hindi ka ba naguguluhan? Mas pinipili mong mag-spend ng birthday mo kasama si Annara over your girlfriend? If I were in position of Catherine, I'll get jealous seeing you two. Magagalit ako nang slight."
BINABASA MO ANG
Strange Voices of the Dead
Mystery / Thriller"I feel more than infinite with you." When Adrian died, Annara, a student library assistant, began hearing ghostly voices. Later in life, she meets Wicker, who resembles him, and this changes everything, making her realize that those strange voices...
