The Fairy Tale Princess [Wainwright Series 4]

FAIRY TALE 29: Happy Birthday

KHALLIELEYA

It's a quiet day. 

And to my utter dismay, Arizs did not greet me. I expected too much from him again. 

When I slept happily in his arms. He woke up embracing me. Then expect a 'happy birthday' from him. Yet nothing happened.

"Don't show how sad you are, little one. Be happy. It's your birthday." Bulong na naman sa akin ni Kuya Codie.

Yes, I call him Kuya Codie because he insisted I call him that. He went on telling me that we will be close to one another. So it's better to call him by his nickname.

"Kuya, hindi pa rin ako binabati ni Arizs."

"Shh. Papansinin ka niya kapag wala ako. Maniwala ka sa akin."

Tumigil ang sinasakyan naming karwahe sa paaralan. Naunang bumaba si Kuya Codie. Sumunod din si Arizs. I carried my bag and step out of the carriage too.

"Let's go?" Kuya Codie lend me his arm and I cling on to him. "Arizs, pumunta ka sa Ili-jea ulit ngayon. Samahan mo ang mga kapwa mong kabalyero na nagbabantay sa mga tao roon."

"What?! Pero paano na lang si Khally?"

"I can protect her, Arizs. Go and look over Ili-jea for the meantime." Maawtoridad an tugon ni Kuya Codie kay Arizs. Napatakla si Arizs at padabog na bumalik ulit sa karwahe. Sumenyas si Kuya Codie kay Mang Peng na umalis na sila.

Before we went straight inside the school, I look over my shoulder. I saw how dark and sad Arizs's eyes were. Like he did not expect to leave that early. Does he want to stay by my side?

"Khally, there's a prince who is looking right at you. Do you know him?" Tanong sa akin ni Kuya kaya bumalik ang atensyon ko rito. "Ayon siya na may kasamang tatlong estudyante."

Tinungo ko ang tingin ko sa apat na estudyante na tinutukoy ni Kuya Codie at napangiti ako. "Mga kaibigan ko po sila, Kuya!"

"Oh, that's nice. Shall we?" Naglakad na kami palapit sa kanila tapos nagpaalam na rin si Kuya na pupuntahan nito ang principal namin. "I'll see you around, little one." Paalam niya at naiwan na ako kasama ang mga kaibigan ko.

"He is handsome! Is he the guy that you told us who was engaged to you?" Tanong sa akin ni Lady Giea na nagniningning ang mga mata.

"Giea, this isn't the right time! Huwag kang magtatanong sa kaniya!" Suway sa kaniya ni Princess Crisza. "Khally, pagpasensyihan mo na. Malandi kasi kaibigan namin. Ganiyan siya tuwing may natitipuhang mga lalaki."

"Hey!"

"It's true, Giea. Anyways, we're glad you are here and safe. Sa susunod na may ganoong aktibidad ay pagpipilitan naming magkakasama tayong lima upang di maulit muli ang nangyari noon." 

I love Princess Crisza. She's like one of my older sisters—specifically Ate Khei. Protective and caring.

Kumapit ako sa braso niya at nginitian silang lahat. "Mamayang gabi, ng alas-sais, gaganapin ang birthday celebration ko. Nawa'y makarating kayo."

Pumalakpak naman si Lady Giea at napayakap sa akin. "Aaah! Birthday mo pala! Happy Birthday, Leiya!" Masayang bati sa akin nito.

"Happy Birthday, Leiya," sunod na bati sa akin ni Prince Riener.

"Tabi, tabi," tinulak ni Eric ang dalawang bumati sa akin tapos pinatabi niya rin si Princess Crisza kahit nakakapit pa ako sa braso nito. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KHALLY!"

"Aaah!" Napatili ako nang buhatin niya ako at inikot. "E-Eric!"

Binaba niya ako tapos niyakap. "Happy sixteenth birthday, Khally! I wish you more years and wisdom."