The Lost Helianthus (COMPLETED)

Chapter Thirty Six

Marahan akong umahon mula sa pagkakahiga. Wala akong ganang bumangon ngunit kailangan.

I sighed as I closed the door as silent as I could. I cannot hear any noise from the premises of the house. Mukhang tulog pa ang dalawa. Nakatulog na ako pagkatapos akong patahanin ni Tori ngunit naalimpungatan ako at narinig pa silang nagdidiskusyong lahat sa labas. I barely noticed the time when the two men went home. Mukhang lahat sila ay puyat.

Hindi naman ako puyat ngunit gusto ko pang mahiga. Hindi naman puwedeng gawin ko ang gusto ko dahil kailangan ko pang maghanda ng pagkain ko para makapagtake na ng insulin.

I was busy munching and forcefully pushing the food down my throat when I heard a knock from the front door.

I sighed. Baka sina Markian o Theo lang iyon na nangangamusta o nag-aalala. I can still see the concern and the fury in the eyes of my friends last night. Seriously, there's no need to worry. I can take care of my own.

Mabagal at walang lakas akong nagtungo sa pinto para pagbuksan sila. They can wait for how long I want. Bwisita naman sila. Maybe they are here for the cake stocked in the refrigerator. Ni hindi nila iyon nabawasan kagabi.

Saglit akong natigilan nang ang makita ko sa labas ay si Alek. He's the least person I've wanted to see right now. If I can trade anyone for his position, mas nanaisin ko pang sina Theo o Markian ang nasa harapan ko.

"Hi," he greeted, beaming me with his brightest smile. As if he didn't do something that hurt my feelings.

Mariin ang pagkakatikom ng bibig ko. I didn't greet him back. I could not muster up the delight I needed to show right now. Hindi ko iyon madama. All I can feel right now is utter disappointment. Sa sobrang dismaya ko ay hindi ko na inalala ang itsura ko. I bet my hair was mussed and my face pallid.

"What... are you doing here?" Tanong ko sa pinakamahina kong boses.

Natigilan siya sa tanong ko at nang makabawi ay ngumiti siya. As if that will equate the grief and despair I have felt in front of everyone who aaked where the hell was he last night.

Humakbang siya papalapit sa akin ngunit ako naman ang umabante. There's hopelessness in his eyes. Sa huli, iniabot niya na lang sa akin ang hawao niyabg bouquet na walang imik kong kinuha.

I looked at him, waiting for him to just go away but he cannot read my mind. He stood still while looking at me. "I'm sorry, hindi ako nakasipot kahapon. Nakalimutan ko."

I nodded and smiled. That's the most asshole-st thing I've ever heard. How can he forget my birthday when I can remember his? Kahit nga hindi importanteng event sa buhay niya ay nakatatak na sa isip ko.

Ayos lang kung hindi siya nakasipot noong sinabi ko sa lahat na engaged na kami. It's fine to me no matter how shitty it made me feel while standing alone. Pero, iyong hindi siya sumipot kahit na birthday ko? I don't know... It's all right for me if he's late. Maghihintay ako kahit madaling araw pa iyan hanggang sumulpot siya. Mapapatawad ko siya... but then, nakalimuan niya ang mismong araw ng birthday ko.

"When are you going to leave?" I asked him frankly.

I saw him blinking. "Do you want to go somewhere? To celebrate your birthday?"

Mabilis akong umiling. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa bungkos ng bulaklak na ibinigay niya sa akin. He must be in a hurry because it's not the usual type of flowers he always gives me. Mukhang gustong-gusto niya na mawala ang galit ko sa kanya ngayon.

Pero bakit kami magce-celebrate? Tapos na ang birthday ko. Yesterday was my birthday and he's here right now after 27 hours. 5:10 am ang birthday ko. He's late.