Drop in the Ocean (Upper East Side Three)

Chapter Fourteen

14 - Afraid

"Baby, close your eyes first," Reizo whispered before we entered the restaurant.

I closed my eyes and felt his arm around my waist, guiding me towards the room. My right hand was holding his hand.

"Okay, baby, open them now." My eyes glistened with tears when I saw the place prepared by Reizo.

"Happy birthday, love..." He greeted behind me. He tilted his head and kissed me on my cheek.

"Thank you, love! You're so sweet." I faced him and gave him a hug. I saw Ridge, smirking at me, walked towards us while holding the cake.

"Make a wish, baby..." Reizo said beside me. I closed my eyes and expressed my wishes for myself.

I hope that all things go well with my family and me. I hope Reizo and I will love each other constantly. I wish that if anything happens, Reizo will always be with me.

I celebrated my 20th birthday last May with my family, Reizo, and his family. Umuwi sila Mommy at Daddy for one week and went back to New York. After that day, I also celebrated with my friends.

In the first week of June, we were surprised when Kenza told us that she and Novel are kind of dating.

"What? Kind of?" Nalilitong sabi ni Winnova. We saw Kenza happily nod at us.

"Yes! We're always texting, and he's asking me every time about me... about us." Paliwanag niya.

"Pero bakit mo naman nasabing kind of dating kayo? You were just texting!" Still, Winnova keep on asking Kenza.

"Of course, Winnova. It looks like we were kind of dating because we do that stuff." She rolled her eyes.

Nakita kong nilingon ni Winnova si Ceres na parang nanghihingi nang mas malinaw na sagot.

"I don't know about them." Ceres shrugged her shoulders.

"Winnova, stop it. Let me be happy now. It's Novel we're talking about." Kenza said, continuing to eat her snacks.

"Kenza, I'm just asking since it looks like you're too drown with your feelings to Novel and assume things that perhaps not really true."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Ceres bago niya binalingan si Kenza at ako naman kay Winnova.

"Winnova..." I mumbled, trying to stop her now before she might say things that would hurt Kenza.

"I assume things because of what we're doing. I think I'm the only girl he's texting, and I like him, Winnova! What's wrong with assuming things?"

"You might get hurt because of your assumptions," Winnova replied monotonously.

Kenza laughed without humor before shaking her head.

"At least we're texting. Eh kayo ni Spiro? Hindi ba wala ka namang napapala?" Napapikit ako nang sabihin niya 'yon.

It was too late for Ceres and I to stop them from exchanging words. Nakita ko na lang ang sarili kong sinusundan si Winnova na umalis pagkatapos ng sagutan nila ni Kenza.

Pagbalik namin sa loob ng room, hindi nagpapansinan sila Winnova at Kenza na pinag-alala ko. I bid my goodbyes to my friends when Reizo came to pick me up after class.

My parents visited us here in the country with Lolo Cillian. We were having dinner together with my cousins and my Titos and Titas.

"Are you in a relationship, Kainoa?" Lolo Cillian asked Kuya. I felt him stilled beside me. I looked at him and saw him looked at me before returning his gaze to Lolo.