Breakthroughs within Barriers (Youth Series #4)

35

#BWB35

"Happy Birthday Aurora!" the guest greeted her in unison after we all sang a birthday song to her

Karga karga ko ang anak ko at medyo nilapit ko siya sa cake niya. "Blow the candle baby," I said to her

She looked at the candle for a brief moment before she blew it. I smiled at her after. Ngumiti rin siya pabalik. The rest of my family are behind us including Ross. We're all wearing disney theme outfits, particularly the disney princes and princesses. We look like characters from disney living in fairytail.

Aurora's cake is a chocolate cake coated in pink frosting with edible designs of flowers. Just like her name, there's a small figure of princess Aurora at the top of her cake. Sabi niya siya raw iyon. The real Aurora is blonde but she isn't. I just agreed with her when she said that.

"Mommy. Where's daddy? Why isn't he here yet?" she asked

My lips parted. I looked at the guests to find Jared but he's still nowhere to be seen. Binalik ko ang tingin sa anak ko. "He'll be here baby."

Binaba ko muna siya pagkatapos. Lumapit siya kay Ross dahil tinawag siya nito. Kinuha ko ang phone ko at tinext ulit si Jared. I began to get worried thinking he might not be able to come. 

"Tori," I startled when I heard my sister's voice behind me. Nilingon ko siya.

She gave me a small smile. "Kain na muna."

I nodded. "Sure. Mauna na kayo."

"What's the problem? Makakapunta raw ba si Jared?" 

I bit my lip. "I already texted him. Sabi niya papunta na raw siya."

She scoffed. "Well, he's late. How can he be late on her own daughter's birthday? Yung isa mong kaibigan nakapunta. Heard he's an actor huh?" she crossed her arms over her chest

I saw Ross carrying Aurora while showing her the gift that he bought for her. Aurora looks so happy. Hindi niya kayang bitawan ang mga regalo niya. The other kids went to her as well. Tinignan nila ang mga regalo niya. Halata ang inggit sa mukha nila. Nakipag laro naman si Aurora sa kanila. Dinamay pa niya si Ross. He didn't mind and played with the kids. I assume he really likes kids a lot.

I smiled. "Yeah he is," I replied. "He was also my classmate in college."

"Ah talaga? Hindi ko siya namukhaan. Ang dami mo kasing kaibigan noon."

"Well, I had a lot of friends in college, but he's my only true friend."

I saw him looked on our direction. He smiled at me. I smiled back. 

A lot of people in my life left but he's the only one who came back and stayed. 

Nakita ko nalang siya na nakaupo sa table ng pamilya ko. My parents are talking to him right now. 

"He seems like a kind and humble person despite his fame. We're still getting to know him," my sister said

"Mabait siya, kahit sa likod ng camera."

Bumalik na si ate sa lamesa namin. Tumabi siya sa asawa niya na si Kuya Harold. Pinanood ko sila habang masayang nag-uusap. Ross got along well with my family. I just hope they don't ask him too much questions.

Habang busy ang mga guest na kumakain ay nilapitan ko naman ang anak ko. "Aurora."

Niilingon niya ako. "Yes mommy?"

"Come here. Let's eat first."

She was hesitant at first since I know she still wants to play with the other kids. Sa huli ay tumayo siya at nagpaalam sa kanila bago lumapit sa'kin. Naramdaman kong tumabi si Ross sa katabi kong upuan. Pagkatapos ay nagsimula na rin kaming kumain.