He Was My Umbrella

14

He dropped the call and I didn't have to think. Where did I first meet him?

The gymnasium.

I went to my closet to wear a yellow wrap-around blouse, white shorts and I wore white 3-inch heels. I wanted to look fancy so I also curled my hair, put on pearl earrings and I also wore that pearl clip na parehas kami ni Icah. I sprayed perfume and then went back to my bed to get my bag and my phone and I went out of the house.

Pumara ako ng tricycle at pumunta na sa gymnasium. I think that it's a birthday date, pero bakit sa gymnasium? Ano'ng gagawin namin doon? Kung maglalaro, parang ang hassle kasi nag-heels ako. Pero how thoughtful of him to invite me to a place that I treasure. Nakarating ako sa gymnasium, walang mga naka-park na kotse, wala ring tao. Ano'ng meron dito?!

I went inside through the main door and gasped when I saw that it was empty and dark. I went further inside and the door closed behind me. Shit. Nilibot ko ang tingin ko sa paligid at nakitang nandoon si Kuya Ren sa gitna ng kadiliman, may hawak na white tulips at choco marble na cake na may candles.

Parang kinikiliti ang puso ko sa sobrang tuwa. Habang nakikita ko siyang nakatayo doon, lumapit ako sa kanya.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, happy birthday. Happy birthday, Adi." Kumanta siya.

I made a wish and then blew the 13 candles.

"Thank you, Kuya Re-"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ADI!"

Bumukas ang mga ilaw at nakita ko sina Frances, Icah, Ate Mae, Tita Sally, Rai, ang buong SC, mga tita at tito ko, si Daddy at nandoon rin si Cheska! May pa-confetti si Frances! Agad naman silang tumakbo sa akin at niyakap ako. Nang madikitan nila ako, I felt the tears coming. I didn't really expect this. It was all out of the blue.

"How long have you guys been planning this?" Masayang tanong ko sa kanila.

"July 27. Sorry, I couldn't see you for the past few weeks since I'm back to my condo since another school year has started. And, ito lang ang maibabawi ko sa 'yo, I'm sorry if it isn't so grand," tumungo siya.

"Parang tanga ka ata..." huminga ako ng malalim. "MALAMANG, THIS IS ALREADY GRAND. DUH, KUYA REN ANO BA, BOANG KA BA?!"

Natawa siya at ibinaba ang cake doon sa gilid. Niyakap ko naman at binatukan sina Icah dahil hindi nila ako binati.

"It's all part of the plan, of course! It was intentional! Pero you know naman na I wanted to greet you. Kaso your Kuya Ren looks like he would tie me in a chair if I did," Cheska laughed and looked at Kuya Ren. I also turned around and I saw him looking at me.

"Hey, you." I went closer to him. I made sure nobody was looking at us. "Thank you for this," I hugged him. He went stiff for the first few seconds and then I felt him hug me back after a few seconds.

"You're welcome, Adi. It's the least I could do. Busy na kasi ako sa school since 4th year na ako. I hope you understand," he let me go.

"Of course, Kuya! This is already too much na nga, e. Don't feel bad, I am grateful for this!" I hit him lightly on his shoulder.

Natawa siya at humalukipkip. "You know, if your friends weren't here to help me prepare this, I couldn't have done it. Especially Cheska and Icah. 'Yan dapat ang mga kaibigan na kailangan mong kaibiganin habang-buhay. They already show the potential needed." Napangiti siya kayna Cheska na nagtatawanan doon sa gilid. "You're lucky."

"I am, aren't I? 'Wag ka mag-alala, I am also lucky to be your kapatid."

"Kapatid, amp."

"Oh, bakit? Nanay mo ba ako?! Bala ka nga d'yan, kakain na 'ko." Inirapan ko siya at kumain na.

Ang saya talaga ng puso ko dahil nakita ko ang effort nila para sa 13th birthday ko. It was just super unexpected! Pero, pumasok rin naman sa isip ko na may surprise. Pero for once in my life, hindi ako nag assume.

Pagkatapos ko kumain, hindi ko na alam kung ano'ng gagawin. Napatingin ako sa harapan nang may magsalita.

"Ehem, okay. As part of Adi's 13th birthday, her friends and family prepared wishes and messages for Adi," sabi ni Daddy ng malakas para marinig namin siya.

Unang umakyat si Cheska.

"Hi, Adi! As you know naman na we've known each other for almost half a decade. Despite that I am you know naman, makulit, conyo kaya you oftenly hit me sa batok which hurts kaya. And then when you found new friends, I felt sad. Pero ngayon syempre, I'm happy na. Because I also met Frances and Icah. I wish you all the best in life, to more years with you, I guess? Love you! Happy birthday!" she sent me a flying kiss before going back to her seat.

The next one was Tita Sally.

"Hi, Adi ko. Alam mo naman na simula bata ka pa lang, mahal na mahal na kita bilang anak ng isang kaibigan ko. At alam mo rin na inalagaan kita. I have to say that you grew up well. Mabuti at napalaki ka ng daddy mo ng maayos, mapagpasalamat at mapagmahal. I wish that you'll continue to be the Adi that you are now, to the Adi that you will be. Happy birthday, Adelaide ko." Ngumiti siya bago bumalik sa upuan niya.

Icah was the next one which made me thrilled.

"Hello, ACS! So ayan na nga, teenager ka na! Oo na, ako na 'yung 11 dito. Char. Ayun, just like every typical birthday wish, good health always, take care, be God-fearing, be filled with gratitude even with the littlest things. Omg ka, I sound so tita HAHAHAHA," aba'y tumawa muna ang gaga. "Anyways ayun nga, it's a great blessing to be your friend. Just like what Tita Sally said, continue to be the Adi that you are. Happy birthday, ACS!" She waved at me after her message.

It's Kuya Ren's turn. Somehow it made me nervous in a way I don't know why. He grabbed the mic and exhaled.

"Hi, Adi." Iyon pa lang ang sinasabi niya, I already felt shivers all over my body. "In this very place, this is the place where we first met. On that day, I caused you trouble by being the cause of your injury. And, I'm deeply sorry about that. Tapos noong nagkita tayo madalas, I saw the goodness in your heart. You were, at some point, selfless. And I admire you for that. Ang dami mong katangian na hindi ako makapaniwalang meron ka. Those are your selflessness, your kindness, pagkataray, pagkamoody. You're also very smart and very talented. Count in your beauty. I also love the way that you're so appreciative even with the littlest things I give you. Not just the things from me, also the things from your family and friends. Now that you're already 13, it's a new journey. Always remember that I'll always be here for you no matter what. I will repeat what my mom said, continue to be the Adi that you are, because that's the Adi that I loved as my very own sister. I wish you all the best in life, my future attorney."

Tears started to form in my eyes as he mentioned me as his future attorney.

"Happy 13th birthday, Adi."

*****