Calming the Storm

Chapter 15

The next day, I still don't want to get out of my bed. Parang ayoko mag-celebrate and it wasn't right to be happy after my Mom's death anniversary. 

I grunted when I heard my phone rang. I sat down on the bed as I looked for my phone na hindi ko alam kung saan ko nailagay. When I found it, I didn't looked at the caller ID and just answered the call.

"Rieee!" Nathan greeted. "Happy Birthday!"

I closed my eyes and lay down again on the bed.

"Thanks!" I briefly said.

"I'll pick you up. Lunch daw tayo sa bahay."

"Kayo na lang," I declined.

"Anong kayo na lang? Kaya nga doon mag-lalunch kasi birthday mo eh, anong silbi nun kung wala naman ang celebrant, 'di ba? Gets mo ko?" He sarcastically said. I rolled my eyes kahit he wouldn't see it. Ugh! Nathan the 'always sarcastic and pilosopo' guy.

"What time ba?" I asked. I have no freaking choice. Knowing Nathan, pupuntahan lang din naman ako nun here and will dragged me out.

"Ngayon na! Check mo kung anong oras na para naman mag-panic ka. 10 am na, mag-aayos ka pa tapos mag-dadrive pa ako." Ugh! Daming sinasabi.

"Oo na. I'll hang up. Bye!"

I didn't wait for his answer and abruptly ended the call. I forced myself to stand up and showered. I might as well, dressed up, too. It's my birthday after all. I don't know but something feels a little bit different today. It feels different from my other birthdays. 

I bit my lower lip when a picture frame caught my gaze pagbalik ko sa room ko after showering. I slowly picked it up and stared at the woman beside me in the picture. She's smiling brightly which made me smile too. Nabaling ang tingin ko sa maliit na Adrienne. I wish to smile again like how I used to. I sighed heavily at binalik ko na ang picture frame sa bedside table. 

I wore a beige floral ruched with ruffled hem na dress and partnered it with my chunky heeled mules. I also wore a gold necklace na may pearl lang sa gitna and its partner na earrings. I put my belongings in my LV handbag when I heard the knock from the door. I opened it and saw Nathan smiling widely at me while holding a paper bag in his left hand.

"Happy birthday!" He greeted and gave me the paper bag. I opened it while walking back to the living room. It's a branded hoodie and lounge wear.

"Thanks!" I said and put the paper bag on the couch. I looked at the mirror again and applied my daily make-up look.

"You're getting old," he murmured.

I rolled my eyes. "Says the one who's older than me."

"You have a spare key, right?" He randomly asked after chuckling. I glanced at him through the mirror and nodded.