The man in the moon

1.

Today, I celebrated my 17th birthday. 17 years of Insomnia, I sometimes wonder kung bakit at paano pa ako buhay. Every year mama would ask me ano ang wish ko and it never change, every year for my birthday I only wish for two things and that is to be back to my old self and to be able to overcome my Insomnia. Ever since na diagnosed ako ng Insomnia, mama flew me and my brother JM to Australia. for 12 years I spent my days there, I was seven and was an only child nung sumunod kami ni mama kay papa. However, after what happened and dahil senior high school na din ako and future doctora, we needed to go home. Mama will be staying in Australia for 2 years then going back home to Philippines with us again.

I was sitting on my desk when I heard my phone notified. "Heyy my crispy, HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY TO YOU, ILYYY" Nicole, my bestfriend. I met her through my dad's colleague, we've been friends for 2 years now. she's a year younger than me and the exact opposite of me, Opposites do attract they say. We're like black and white, she's my sun and I'm her moon. Though when you look at us, it looks like I'm the sun and she's a moon. She's an Introvert and I'm an Extrovert. "Mika, are you ready na?" my mother asked me. "Yeah, I'll be down in a minute mama" I shouted through the stairs. I had an appointment with my psychiatrist, my last appointment to be exact, since uuwi na kami sa Pilipinas. Yes, I am excited since it's been 5 years na din since last naka uwi kami. Dr. Jeon said makakatulong daw yun sakin para ma-divert yung isip ko. New environment along with new people comes a new story sabi nga ni Nicole. I don't honestly remember when was the last time I slept properly, pero yes, tao din ako kailangan ko ding matulog. hindi nga lang sing tagal ng normal na tao ang tulog ko dahil everytime I close my eyes i'd rather keep them open..

"Happy birthday ate! mukha ka pa ding zombie" bati sakin ng Kapatid ko, habang naka ngitin sya. "Salamat bunso, hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba ako sa compliment mo o hindi eh" "Ate, Kuya David and Ate Nicole is outside waiting for you." I nodded and looked out the door, I have a very few friends, small circle but they're the best of friends I could asked for. Every since bata pa lang ako, my parents along with my grandparents are very protective na sila sakin. "Rich kid" ba sabi nga ng iba, pero they didn't fail to teach me proper and good values in life. I wasn't allowed to go out with friends without a parent, si David at Nicole lang nakaksama ko dahil kasama ko sila sa Church and kilala ni mama at ni papa ang magulang nila. I'm Rapunzel in the tower as I say, I am really not aware of the things outside my walls. kaya nga nung trinay kong lumabas sa wall na yun, Insonmia ang nakuha ko. Madali kong pinuntahan sila Nicole at David, dahil mainipin pa naman yung si David. I'm the eldest in us three, David is 4 years younger than me and like I mentioned Nicole is a year younger than me. "Ate Mika, bat ba ang tagal mo??" sabi ni David, they presented themselves to come along my appointment dahil they said they wanted to spend my remaining days here in Australia. "Ikaw ba mag dr-drive?? bat ba madaling madali ka ah, David?" sabi ko naman.

We finally arrive at my doctors office. "Dyan lang kayong dalawa ah? wag kayong maingay, David wag nyo akong pahiya." I said jokingly and earned two eye rolls from them. "Mikaela Fate? the doctor is ready to see you" sabi ng nurse. I stood up and made my way to Dr. Jeon's office, knocked on his door and I was greated with a "How are you feeling?" Dr. Jeon asked. "Okay naman po, same pa din ng dati" I said sitting down and yes, he's a Filipino. "Well, at least you are stable." he said then got up and went to his drawer and pulled out a box. "Happy birthday Mika, me and Seo-yun wanted to give you this." he said while handing me the box "Hala! there's no need Dr. Jeon, you taking care of me is already enough" I said refusing to accept his gift, "No, please do accept it." sa gwapo ba naman nya sino ang tatangi? and papa always said, pag blessing dapat tinatanggap. I reached out my hands to receive the gift and opened it, I tilted my head upon seeing a blue bracelet with an infinity charm. "It's beautiful, thank you po" I smiled and bowed to show respect. "well, I'm glad you like it. You're ate Seo-yun actually picked that for you" "she said she was reminded of you, and balita ko, konti lng yung mga ganyang bracelet na nagawa sa mundo."Really?? " I asked. "Haha, I don't know. Malay mo soulmate mo na pala" I rolled my eyes jokingly with what Dr. Jeon said, Yes, I do believe in soulmate but sa panahong ito mahirap maniwala sa mga bagay na ganon.

My appointment ended and I took David and Nicole out to eat and proceeded to go home, meron pa kaming family dinner since birthday ko nga. "Baby?" papa knocked at my door and handed a box with a ribbon. "what's this papa?" "Me and your mama picked that out for you, wear it for tonight's dinner. I bet bagay na bagay sayo." I smiled dearly and hugged my dad, I closed the door and opened the box. It was a beautiful pink dress that compliments me, indeed, kilala nga ako nila. I got ready and went downstairs, all eyes were on me as I go down the stairs...

"Grabe par, may dalaga ka na" sabi ng tito ko. "Napaka ganda manang mana talaga saken." biro naman ng ninang ko. "hay nako nang, tito, tama na nga yang pang bobola nyo baka malate pa tayo sa restaurant." ani ko. After that, the drive to the restaurant was very noisy. Everytime magkakasama sila daddy at ang kanyang mga kapatid, expected na non-stop kwentuhan ang mangyayari and whenever that happens me and my brother would just sit quietly and listen to them. We arrived at the restaurant and as we enter, I saw all the staff forming a line. "Happy Birthday Ms. Songco" they greeted. I looked at my Uncle and rolled my eyes, is it only me or normal lang na maging awkward pag lahat ng attentsyon na sayo? I just smiled through the pain, char lang. I continued walking towards the table kahit hiyang-hiya na ako. I can feel my cheeks blushing so hard, we finally sat down at the table my parents reserved for us. 

"So, anong balak nyo?" my Ninang said. "Eto, uuwi na kami ng April or bandang May. gusto din namin abutan ni Mika yung pasukan" my dad replied. "Well, that's good pare. You know yung anak ng kompare ko sa pinas na din nag aaral" "ah si Jake? ba yun?" Banggit naman ni mama. "Kilala mo yun, love?" "Oo, gwapong bata nun." "ilan taong ka na ulit mika?" bigla nilang harap sakin. hay nako, eto nanamn tong si Ninang. Everytime makakarinig sya ng pogi, tatanong nya ako kung ilang taon na ako. irereto nya nanaman ata sakin, "17 po nang" sagot ko naman. "Pigilan mo ang inis, Mika." sabi ko sa sarili ko "ay 20 na ata yung si jake, kaka 20 lang." "oh! wala namang problema dun ah! 3 years lang agwat nilang dalawa" and just like that, my birthday dinner ended talking about my love life.