Around You

Chapter 3 [M]

A year had passed. Allie continued living with Mave in Mave's apartment.

Today is Allie's 21st birthday. She's looking forward to celebrating it with Mave. She had planned to take her best friend out for dinner, she saved up so they could eat at a fancy restaurant to celebrate her birthday.

Allie came home excitedly. She was confused when she saw that all of the lights from their home are not opened.

"Is Mave not home yet?" Allie asked herself. She shrugged it off and just continued to walk inside so she could change from her uniform to her casual clothes.

When Allie opened the lights, Mave was holding a birthday cake on her hand and started singing a happy birthday song while lighting up the candles.

"Happy birthday, My Allie!" Mave greeted her while she moved closer to Allie's place so the latter could blow the candles on her cake.

Allie looked at the cake and then back at Mave who's waiting for her to blow the candles.

"Hey, Allie? Natutunaw na 'yung candle!" Mave stated.

Allie couldn't take it anymore, she hugged Mave as tightly as she could. Her arms are both on Mave's waist, her head is buried on the taller girl's shoulder.

"Thank you for this, Mave." Allie said. Mave put down the cake on the table beside them and hugged the other girl back.

"Anything for you, Allie." Mave replied as they broke off the hug.

"Blow your candle na! I still have another surprise for you!" Mave added.

Allie blew the candle and they took pictures before heading out to the place where Mave's surprise is.

They are now at their apartments rooftop. There was a picnic set up waiting for them.

Allie felt the cold air as she walked towards the mat and food set up in the middle of the rooftop.

A jacket was now on her shoulders. She looked at Mave who placed it there and smiled.

"Baka malamigan ka." Mave said as she held Allie's hand, guiding her to sit down at the mat.

They ate the food that Mave prepared as they looked at the sky.

"Sayang, walang stars" Allie said disappointingly.

"Meron, wala nga lang sa langit." Mave stated. Looking at the girl beside her who's still looking up.

"Huh?" Allie replied, now looking at Mave who's looking at her.

Mave just smiled and stood up.

"Wait here, I'll just get something." Allie followed her with a gaze.

After a few minutes, Mave came back holding an acoustic guitar. Allie's eyes were closed because she was appreciating the coldness of the night, she didn't notice that Mave was already behind her.

"Binibini..." Mave started as she slowly strummed the guitar.

Allie immediately turned her head and looked at Mave who's playing the guitar.

"Alam mo ba kung pa'no nahulog sa'yo...

Naramdaman lang bigla ng puso"