CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
HINDI ako makapaniwala. Birthday ko ngayon! Today's my eighteenth birthday! My debut!
I've been here for quite a long time now. At dahil sa sobrang pagiging occupied ko habang nag-istay ako rito, nakalimutan ko nang alamin ang petsa.
"Really? Today's your birthday?" Aunt Ember asked in surprise. Agad akong tumango habang nakangiti nang malawak. Since I was a child, I always look forward to my birthday because that's the only occasion when I get to eat chocolate cake. Hanggang sa tumanda na ako, lagi kong inaabangan ang birthday ko kahit na madalas ay wala akong handa at cine-celebrate ko lang ito sa bakery shops.
"Happy birthday, my favourite niece," Aunt Ember greeted me and stood from her seat. She enveloped me on a tight hug. Habang magkayakap kami ay pumasok naman sa loob ng kusina si Uncle Pyr.
"Anong meron? Bakit kayo nagyayakapan?" Tanong niya habang kumukuha ng baso. Binitiwan ako ni Aunt Ember at hinarap si Uncle Pyr.
"Birthday niya raw ngayon. Naku! Kailangan natin itong i-celebrate!" She happily said and giggled. Uncle looked at us with shock written all over his face.
"Birthday mo ngayon, Aurora? How old are you?" He asked me.
"I'm officially eighteen today," I replied enthusiastically. My eyes widen when he wrapped me into his arms.
"Happy birthday, little princess," he mumbled. Napangiti ako nang malawak at pumikit habang niyayakap siya pabalik. Nang maghiwalay kami ay hinaplos niya ang ulo ko.
"This calls for a celebration! May alam akong kainan kung saan pwede tayong mag-celebrate," sabi ni Uncle. Nagtaas-baba siya ng kilay sa akin kaya napatawa ako. My Uncle is the coolest person I've known, really.
"Pwede po ba mag-request ng chocolate cake?" I hopefully asked. He touched the tip of my nose and nodded.
"Your wish is my command."
*****
Pagkatapos naming magtanghalian, sumakay kami sa karwahe. Bale tatlo 'yong carriage namin tapos kasama ko rito sa loob sina Uncle Pyr at Flint. Brand greeted me a while ago and apologised because he's unable to leave the rancho. I felt a bit sad knowing he can't be with us. I promised to bring home some chocolate cake for him.
Mataman lang akong nanonood ng mga sceneries mula sa labas ng bintana habang nakasandal sa likod ko si Flint. Ang sarap ng tulog niya. Nakakahiya namang istorbohin.
Maya-maya pa, naramdaman ko na ang paglamig ng paligid. I am wearing a thick red dress that lies through my ankle. I grabbed the white jacket I brought with me but I can't wear it just yet because Flint is still sleeping. My heart became elated when I saw a glimpse of the white sceneries nearby. I really love the wintry atmosphere outside of Granja. But I also love Granja's warm weather.
Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko nang mapagtantong pamilyar na ang mga nakikita ko mula sa labas ng bintana. Parang alam ko 'tong lugar na 'to ah. Lalo akong nangamba nang makita ang Teatro Ipeniano. We're at the marketplace at Mercado!
"Uncle, bakit tayo nandito?" Nababahala kong tanong saka lumingon sa kaniya.
"Relax, Aurora. We will celebrate your birthday on a restaurant owned by one of our members," he simply replied with a kind smile. Ah, miyembro rin naman pala ng DOTS eh. Ayos lang naman sigurong magsaya. Birthday ko naman ngayon eh.
The carriage halted in front of a two-storey building that looks a bit old. Uncle immediately jumped out of the carriage while I was left with Flint here. I tried slapping his cheek lightly and he immediately got woken.
