01
"Just give him the invitation, Khaleesi, please? You know naman na if I was there, ako na ang mag-gi-give sa kanya ng invitation para sa birthday ko, pero dahil wala ako d'yan. Kaya ikaw nalang, please?" Pagmamakaawa saakin ni Viri.
I shook my head and looked at Viri on my iPad's screen. "What is his room section again?"
Viriana's smile widened when she heard what I said. From her prone position on her bed, she got up and sat down while facing me.
"Stem 1-A, Khal."
I gave a nod. "All right, I'll just give him the invitation tomorrow. Kailan ba ang balik mo?"
Ilang araw na rin simula nang magkaroon siya ng party sa kanila. She stayed until Friday, and on the weekend she left for Australia. She was there to celebrate her birthday with her relatives who live there.
Tatlong araw na s'yang absent at sa sabado na ang birthday niya. She called late at night, in the middle of my study hours, just to ask me to give her suitor an invitation for her birthday.
Si Krysanthe sana ang kakausapin niyang magbibigay kay Bryan ng invitation pero hindi rin papasok si Krysan bukas. They're both absent tomorrow, and we'll probably just see each other again at Viri's birthday party. Matagal na naman kasing ayos ang invitation para sa birthday niya pero hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi niya pa nabibigyan ang suitor niya.
"I don't know pa, 'e." She twirled her hair around her fingers. "Baka Saturday morning? Basta you'll give the invitation to Bryan, ha? Important na present s'ya pata at least kahit mukhang business party ang birthday party ko, complete kayo."
I wanted to feel sad for her, but she doesn't want sympathy. She doesn't want people around her to pity her.
Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya habang nagkukuwento s'ya saakin tungkol sa mga ginawa niya sa Australia kasama ang mga kamag-anak niya. She complained about how dull their celebration is. Viri talks a lot while I study quietly and listen to her stories and rants.
I narrowed my eyes on her when she suddenly became quiet, and I saw her sleeping soundly on her bed, still facing the camera in front of her.
She looks like a kid sleeping. Akala mo hindi mag-17 sa sabado. Naka terno s'yang pink na pajama tapos nakayakap pa sa unan niyang pink na may tatak na hello kitty.
I took out my phone and took a picture of her. Her face could not be seen because it was hidden behind a pillow. I posted her photo to my Instagram story with the caption "sleep well."
After that, I'll call off our video chat and continue studying until I feel sleepy.
The next day, just like I told Viri, I went to the Stem building to give Bryan the invitation to her birthday party. Maaga pa pero alam kong maaga rin si Bryan dahil varsity player. Maaga ako palagi pumapasok at alam kong maaga pumapasok ang mga varsity dahil ilan sa kanila ang madalas ang una kong nakikita sa school kapag ganitong oras.
I immediately went to the Stem Building. I'm clutching the pink invitation that Viri had sent to our house earlier. I clutched the book I was carrying to my chest and examined each section of each door I passed.
When I finally found the Stem 1-A, I tried to sneak a peek inside to see if Bryan was inside. I heard noises from inside, so I'm sure there are students na. I decided to open the door wide to see if Viri's suitor was inside.
"Hala, sorry!"
Napahawak ako sa noo ko at napadaing nang mahina nang tumama ang pintuang bubuksan ko dahil mukhang isasara dapat iyon mula sa loob.
