Two Hearts, One Rhythm

Chapter 23

"Happy birthday, Misha!"

I groaned at mas lalong siniksik ang mukha sa pillow at blanket ko! Umagang umaga, nakakabadtrip na agad ang boses ni Crim!

It's a weekend, kaya nandito sila para manggulo sa akin! Kumakanta pa nga si Bella, habang si Crim ay tumatalon talon sa higaan ko!

I groaned at halos sipain siya para tumigil sa ginagawa. She laughed, bago mahiga sa tabi ko. Si Bella ay nasa kabilang gilid ko naman.

It's finally my 22nd birthday. There's nothing grand about this day, because I wanted to take this day as my rest day dahil ilang araw tambak sa work. Pumayag naman ang parents ko, pero magkakaroon pa rin ng mini party sa bahay with just Crim and Bella's families to celebrate with me.

"What's your wish, Misha?" Bella asked me. Pare pareho kaming nakatingin sa ceiling ng room ko.

Crim scoffed. "Tinatanong pa ba 'yan? Malamang pangalan lang ni Kai babanggitin niyan!"

Hinambalos ko siya ng unan. "Epal mo talagang pangit ka!"

"Sus! 'Kala mo hindi kinikilig! Siya na ba ang pipiliin mo?" She bursted into fits of laughter that Bella joined in. I pouted when I realized na pinagtutulungan nila ako.

"You won't hear the end from me kapag may maasar na ako sa inyo." Banta ko.

"Okay lang, hindi naman kami natatakot." Crim replied, to which Bella nodded.

We all sighed while still staring up. Lahat kami naka pajamas pa, at mga sabog pa ang hair! Dumiretso siguro ang dalawang 'to dito pagkagising nila!

"Ngayon 'yung photo exhibit ni Kai, right?" Crim asked.

My eyes widened. Oo nga pala! He informed me about that several days ago during our date, sadyang natapat sa birthday ko. He even sent an invite to me, kaya I will gladly leave my birthday celebration here just to attend it! Isang araw na event lang din 'yun, kaya hindi ko palalampasin.

My mom, together with my father, went inside the bedroom kaya tumayo na kaming tatlo. My father's holding the cake, while my mom's singing the birthday song. Sumabay sila Crim, kaya halos ibalot ko na ulit ang sarili ko sa kumot because of hiya!

"Blow the candles na, anak!" Inutusan ako ni mommy kaya wala akong choice at tumayo na paalis ng kama.

I made a wish before blowing the candle, then they clapped for me afterwards. My mom went to me and hugged me. I pouted as I saw my mom tearing up.

"Why ka umiiyak? You're such a drama queen, naiiyak na rin ako, mommy!"

"Lalo ka na kasing gumaganda habang tumatanda, feeling ko nagiging pangit na ako dahil tumatanda na rin ako!" My mom lamented. Si dad natawa na, habang sila Crim lumabas na ng bedroom bitbit ang cake para mabigyan kami ng privacy.

"Daddy still finds you pretty kaya because he got no choice!"

"Bastos talaga bunganga nitong anak mo, Red! Bakit pa ba natin ginawa 'to?"

My eyes widened and I softly punched her arm. "Mommy! Kadiri ka!"

My mom laughed. "Halika na, naghihintay na sila sa baba. We'll be eating our brunch outside the garden. Aalis ka ba today?"

I bit my lip para hindi niya mahalata na gusto ko umalis dahil may pupuntahan ako! "Yes, mommy. After brunch, can I go out? Don't worry, kasama ko sila Crim and Bella!"

"Oo na, oo na. Basta mag ingat kayong tatlo kung saan kayo pupunta."

I grinned and hugged her again. "Thank you, mommy!" Then I went to my father and hugged him, too. "Thank you both for loving me."