Elegant Affair

IV.IV

It's already past two but I can't sleep yet. And it would be great if I'm awake at this time so early in the morning being productive pero hindi eh. Kanina pa ako lakad ng lakad making sure everything is planned and organized... Everything needs to be perfect for Ella's party.

"Hindi naman masyadong halata na kinakabahan ka."

I nervously checked the menu. "You're sure will like the food ha? I swear, Matteo, if I hear anything negative from your side, this will be Ella's first and last birthday party with both our families."

"They should since my mother was the one to suggest the chef. Remember?" He calmly says.

And why is he so freaking calm? Hindi ba siya iyong palaging hindi mapakali kahit nasa iisang sentence lang ang mga apelyido namin? He's just calmly packing the snacks and toys for the loot bags. Wow.

It's for Ella. It's for Ella. It's for Ella.

Like a mantra, I repeated because if it's up to me, I won't let my family see the shadow of Matteo's family. It was fine when we were doing that these past years. We celebrated with my family. Matteo celebrates with his family. And on the exact day, it's just us three. Akala nga siguro ng anak ko ay tatlong araw talaga ang birthday.

This year, Ella wanted a party. Not just a party. A themed party with her favorite Disney movie, Little Mermaid and she made sure to use her imagination when she was describing to Matteo the type of party he wanted.

Nagkasundo pa talaga ang dalawa and next thing I know, everything is over the top for Ella's fifth birthday.

"She's growing up so fast," he blurted out of the blue habang nagri-ribbon ng purple tulle-like bag. Tulungan ko na nga lang.

He looked at me... just stared at me. And I should feel conscious but I wasn't. I like it when Matteo looks at me. As long as there's that gaze in his eyes that I couldn't explain. Like he's longing for me even when I'm right in front of him.

His lips looked like it was asking to be kissed so I did. Just a light peck. "What's your gift for Ella?" I asked para masigurong hindi kami pareho. For this year, I bought Ella a bike because she's been wanting one and since I don't know how to ride a bike, then he can do all the teaching.

Imbes na sagutin ako, inilapit ulit niya ang mukha niya para halikan ako. "A sibling."

I was so surprised that I bit his lips... intentionally. It felt painful especially when I tasted that metal-like taste. "I'm serious. I got her a bike, for your information and if you got her the same gift, throw it. You bought something else, right?"

The asshole just laughed at my reaction and shrugged bago tumayo at pumunta sa kwarto ni Ella.

***

When Matteo told me to leave him in charge of the venue, I was totally not expecting this.

No matter where I looked, it's a party of activities. Mukhang hindi nga bata lang ang natutuwa because the parents are having fun too.

It's the first time that both families attended her birthday and I have a few of my cousins invited too, same with Matteo kaya madami ang bata.

I caught a glimpse of Samantha flirting with the face painter. Buti nga sa kaniya at mukhang hindi naman siya pinapansin.

And since she's here, andito na din siguro ang mga magulang ko. And to think that I just saw Tita Maribeth, Matteo's mom just roaming around here with her husband. She was obviously looking too cautious, maybe with my relatives.

Bahala na nga sila. I can't definitely please anyone. Kaya nga parang ayaw kong magpakita sa kanila. I don't want to see them fighting or whatever

Oh, here they are. Here are my parents. I can feel my heart beating so fast that I couldn't focus well.