𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗨𝗧 [𝙴𝙽𝙷𝙰𝚂𝙴𝚁𝚈𝙴 #1] 𝙹𝙰𝚈

19.

Sunghoon's

I smiled and waved to Sungjae before starting the car engine. Birthday niya ngayon and he wants Christine to come kaya kinulit niya ako na sunduin ito, although it's really my plan to do so, para hindi na rin siya maabala sa pagpunta dito.

It's been a month since that night in Batanes pero wala naman nagbago. We're still really close, I can say, mas naging close pa nga ata since I can finally express to her what I feel without pretentions.

I texted her that I'll fetch her, para hindi siya magulat mamaya kung bakit ako dumating. Hindi ko alam, buong biyahe lang ako nakangiti. I was just so happy right now for some reasons.

"Sungjae asked me to fetch you because he really wants you to come." Sambit ko nang makasakay siya sa kotse. She just smiled. Probably, cliche as it may sound, but my heart skipped a beat. Effortlessly, she can make me internally freak out.

"May kailangan raw gawin si Ate Bea, so baka hindi siya makapunta. Happy birthday na lang raw kay Sungjae." Saad niya at iniabot sa akin yung ang isang gift na may pangalan ni Bea sa card. Gusto niya raw personally ibigay kay Sungjae yung gift niya.

"And by the way, Ate Sungjin really wants to meet you." Sambit ko bago nagdrive ulit paalis. Medyo nagulat siya at hindi agad nakasagot.

"Don't worry, she's nice. And excited raw siyang makilala ka." I assured her. Tumango naman siya at ngumiti. Ate really wants to meet her, especially after I opened up to her na I gave it a shot last December. Tinawanan pa ako ni Ate Sungjin kasi nabasted raw ako. But I explained na hindi naman ako humihingi ng immediate answer, I just want to be honest with my feelings.

Sa mga taong hindi nakakakilala kay Ate, aakalain na sobrang intimidating niya at mahirap kausapin, but in reality, she is my greatest confidant. I can tell everything to her and she gives me the best advices to everything. Sungjae and I were so very lucky to have her as our older sister.

Halos isang oras lang ang nakalipas ay nakarating na rin kami sa bahay. Nauna akong lumabas para pagbuksan siya ng kotse. Nakita ko pa siyang bumuntong hininga bago lumabas.

"Relax." I gave her a smile as an assurance.

Sa garden yung main venue ng party ni Sungjae, pero pinili ko na idaan siya sa loob ng bahay kasi maraming ng tao dun for sure and I don't want her to be uncomfortable. Binati naman niya sina Manang Dolor bago kami pumunta sa garden.

"Okay lang ba itsura ko?" Bigla niya naman tanong. Bahagyang umurong rin siya nang makita yung mga tao.

"You look.. wonderful" Sagot ko. Tumango lang siya pero halatang hindi parin siya mapakali.

I look around and found Ate Sungjin talking to some guests. Hinanap rin ng mata ko si Sungjae. Naramdaman ko na may humawak sa kamay ko.

"Kuya!" Sambit ni Sungjae na kasalukuyang hawak rin ang kamay ni Christine.

"Happy Birthday, Sungjae." Umupo si Christine para mapantayan si Sungjae, not letting go of his hand. I can't help but to smile just by looking at them.

"Thank you for coming to my birthday, Ate Christine." Sungjae kissed her on the cheek. Medyo nagulat pa siya but she smiled and hold Sungjae's face.

"Anything for you, Sungjae." She said. They are so pure to watch. Sungjae really likes her so much.

Naglakad na kami papunta sa kinaroroonan ni Ate Sungjin. Wala na rin siyang kausap at nakita niya na rin kami na naglalakad papunta sa kanya. She smiled brightly and gave me a playful look.

"You must be, Christine." Sambit niya.

"Yes, po." Nahihiyang sagot ni Christine.

"Yes Ate, and she will be Kuya's future girlfriend." Pagsabat ni Sungjae.