Rhythmic Laws (Law School Series 2)

14

It's been a week since Clay and I met because of busy schedules. While he's busy with recording his new music release, I'm busy finishing my thesis.

Kaya ngayong gabi, nakaplano na magkita kami. I told him to come over in my unit. Hindi ko siya madalas na papuntahin ng mag-isa sa condo lalo na kapag hindi siya sinusundo, pero ayoko namang masira ang surprise.

Tomorrow is his birthday and I've been planning since last month to create a big surprise with him because this is the first birthday now that we're official.

Pero hindi sang-ayon ang schedule naming dalawa. Even tomorrow, may mga dapat siyang asikasuhin and I doubt we can have our time like we have right now. Kaya susulitin ko na.

I cooked his favorite foods, baked cookies for him, and prepared the gifts I've been collecting from the past months. I wanted him to know that I am aware of every details that he likes, especially about himself.

And I want him to know that he's important to me.

Nagring ang aking phone kaya sinagot ko ito kaagad.

[Parking na ako, aakyat pa ba ako?] he asks, clueless about the plan.

"Come here muna, nagbibihis pa ako," I lied, ang alam ni Clay ay kakain lang kami sa resto gaya ng madalas naming ginagawa sa tuwing nagcecelebrate kami ng aming monthsary sa mga nakalipas na buwan.

[Tsk, you said you're ready? Wait, I'll park lang,]

"Sorry sorry babe, just come here muna,"

[Okay—] he prolonged the word and hang up after saying i love yous.

Inilabas ko na ang camera pareho naming binili. This is the camera we use as a couple to restore pictures and videos that we have. It's a vintage camera we bought from a second hand store and we've been using this all the time.

I light the candle to his cake, then dimmed the lights, waiting for him to knock on my door.

It took him five minutes before reaching my unit. Maingat kong binuksan ang pinto habang recording na ang camera.

"Bakit naka-off lahat ng ilaw—" before he could even say anything, I kissed him on the cheeks, camera lowered through our chest, tears forcing not to come out.

"Happy birthday, my love, my singer, my life," I said in a serious tone but he just laughs at me.

"Love..." he pouts, then starts crying.

I walked him to the table, right in the middle of my unit.

"Go ahead, make a wish, matutunaw na yung candle," I said, still recording him as he close his eyes.

When he finished blowing that candle, ibinaba ko ang camera sa lamesa at kinantahan ulit siya ng birthday song.