Rhys have been true to his words. He patiently waited for my answer. Time flew so fast...three months na kaming nag-uusap. At sa loob ng mga buwan na iyon, walang araw na hindi niya pinapasaya ang puso ko.
He's always there to comfort me through my ups and downs. And every day, I'm falling deeper and stronger. I can't hide my feelings anymore, it's obviously written on my face.
"Ang blooming mo today." Hera complimented.
"Ganiyan talaga kapag inlove." Yani added then she pointed me. "Tignan mo nga 'yang babaeng 'yan, parang baliw, nakakaiyak pinapanood natin pero nakangiti siya." naiiling na sabi niya.
Mahina akong natawa. "Ang bitter mo."
" Oo nga." Hera agreed.
Yani grunted irritably. "Falling inlove?...Cringe." she mimicked the famous video she saw on tiktok.
Hera and I just shrugged.
I opened my phone to check my messages but a notification popped.
Rhys Archiever Enriquez is celebrating his birthday today, leave a greeting on his timeline.
"Oh my god!" Birthday niya ngayon!?
"Saan?" pero mas nagulat ako na may hawak nang tsinelas pamalo si Hera. "Nasaan ang ipis?" tanong niya.
Pinitik ni Yani ang noo ni Hera. "Gaga ka, walang ipis. Kinikilig lang siya."
Napailing na lamang ako sa bardagulan ng dalawa.
Mabilis akong nagtipa ng mensahe para sa kaniya.
MESSENGER
Rhys Archiever Enriquez
Thursday, 5:21 PM
Akemi:
Hi!
Happy birthday!
Sorry late, ngayon lang ako nakapag-open ng fb.
Rhys:
It's okay.
Thank you, love.
Akemi:
Free ka ba mamaya?
Rhys:
Hmm? Bakit?
Akemi:
Video call tayo.
Rhys:
Talaga? Sige sure!
Akemi:
Okay, chat ulit kita mamaya.
° ° ° ° °
Nang mahatid ko na si Hera at Yani sa bahay nila ay dumeretso ako sa isang pastry shop para bumili ng cake.
I chose a simple black forest cake for him. Then l requested a dedication above on it. I smiled when it was done.
Happy Birthday
Rhys, l love you!
"Ang sweet niyo naman sa boyfriend niyo ma'am." nakangiting sabi ng babaeng nasa counter.
"Ay hindi ko pa po siya boyfriend, magiging boyfriend pa lang." I corrected.
Yes, l'm planning to answer
Rhys....tonight.
Nang makauwi na ako, nagshower ako at nag-ayos ng sarili para magmukha man lang akong presentable sa kaniya kahit sa skype lang namin makikita ang isa't isa.
When l'm done, l chatted him then l opened my macbook. I composed myself before l call him.
Woah, this is it, kaya ko 'to!
My eyes widened when he answered the call. Then l able to see his face up close on screen.
Damn!...so fine!
"Hi, love. Good evening." His husky voice filled my ears.
Nabingi ako sa sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko. Wala akong masabi, nakatingin lang ako sa guwapo niyang mukha.
"Love? Can you hear me?"
Love.
Why does it sound so sweet?
"Akemi, hello?" he look so adorable waving on the camera to check if l can hear him.
"H-Hi" shit! nautal pa nga!
"Oh, thanked God you could hear me." He grinned happily which made my heart beats rapidly. "How's my baby today?"
I calmed myself before l answer. "I'm good, how about you?" I tried not to stutter.
"Best birthday ever," he smiled."kasi nakausap kita."
Yumuko ako dahil pakiramdam ko nagkukulay kamatis na ang mukha ko.
"By the way, ano nga pala 'yong sasabihin mo sa akin?" tanong niya.
I almost forgot the cake, nasa tabi ko lang ito kaya sinindihan ko muna bago ko ipinakita sa kaniya. Napamura at napatakip siya ng mukha nang makita ang cake na hawak ko.
"Shit! Para sa'kin ba 'yan?" He asked, the reaction on his face look so soft.
What a softie. I thought.
"Happy birthday to you," I started singing while clapping my hands. "happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday...my love."
His eyes widened when he heard the last two words l said.
"D-did you just c-called me l-love?" he stuttered.
I gave him a soft smile. "I love you, Rhys..."
After nineteen years of being alone and caged my heart in the dark...for the first time in my life, l'll commit myself and give my love to this adorable man in front of the screen.
"...It's a yes. Sinasagot na kita."
Gone the doubts and fears,
l love him so damn much.
