Her Crush

- 50 -

HETTY MERANDUS

Healer missed your call.

Patapos na ang birthday ko, pero hindi ko pa rin ma-contact si Healer. His last message was from yesterday, assuring me that everything will be fine, that it was my party and my celebration. He was thousands of miles away, but still could tell that I was nervous.

I did not want to do it: the traditional grand debut celebration with 18 roses and candles, bukod sa magastos, there were just too many things to prepare. However, my friends and family insisted. Minsan lang daw ako mage-eighteen so I might as well do it. My friends, and even Light were too excited for the preparation.

All seven of the Engineering Hotties were part of my 18 roses! Feeling ko tuloy humaba ang short hair ko. With Healer of course, as my last dance.

Riley was part of the roses as well, at dahil hindi magpapahuli ang kaibigan ko, kasama rin siya sa candles with our girl friends.

I was too happy, everything was perfect. We only had a month to prepare and I knew it was all going to be worth it.

But a week ago, kinailangang bumalik ni Healer sa America. Sinugod ang grandma niya sa hospital and had been critical for a few days. His family needed him, he would have to stay longer.

Hindi siya makaka-abot sa birthday ko.

I had no right to be sad, it was his family, his grandma whom he loves so much. They should be first.

Pwede namang mag-celebrate ulit once he was home...

Still, deep down, nalungkot pa rin ako. The selfish part of me wanted to dance with him alone... to look pretty not just for myself but also for him... but he was not even there.

My last dance was only meant for my valentine, I did not want to replace him, but a few days ago, Ian visited. We told him about my debut and volunteered to fill in for Healer. He was being kind, and a debutant should have a last dance... with a half-heart, I agreed.

That very night, I mentioned it to Healer... he felt guilty again and apologized kahit ilang beses ko nang sinabi sa kanya na walang siyang dapat ika-guilty o ikahingi ng tawad.

"Still... I wish I could celebrate it with you."

Masaya pa rin naman ang debut celebration ko, I enjoyed every second of it and was very grateful. It was indeed a very memorable night...

But...

It was just...

It felt incomplete without my valentine.

I stood up and sighed. Kahit sana marinig ko man lang ang boses niya bago matapos ang araw.

Twenty minutes, and my birthday would be over.

Nagtagal pa ako ng ilang saglit sa labas ng bahay, hoping, wishing Healer would pop out of nowhere to greet me. When he, of course, did not, bigo akong bumalik sa loob.

"T."

Shaking my head, I heaved a sigh. Me and my imagination.

I turned the knob and there was another, "Love, I'm here."

Whipping my head from the direction of the too familiar deep voice, I froze. "Oh my god."

Healer in all his glory, was standing in front of me. His hair was in a perfect slick back, with a few luscious strands on his handsome face; and with his elegant suit and dashing smile, he was surreal, magical.