Aligning the Stars (GXG)

XV - Birthday

Astrea

Napamura nalang ako sa isip-isipan ko nang mabasa ko ang mga greetings ng ALC group chat. I don't have any intention to open it at all nor reply to their messages. Kaya ang ginawa ko; I muted the gc and went on with my day.

It's January 20, Friday.

Last week lang nag-start ag second semester. My schedule is quite hectic pag MWF, especially with my afternoon classes that ends at 7:30 pm. Pero maluwag naman kada TTHS, since early classes lang naman ako at maaga ang tapos ng klase ko ng hapon.

Ms. Elise has a subject in our block, and it's surprising that she finally greets me before classes start, which she never really does before. So.. I guess we got closer now?

I was submitting my portfolio for one of my classes online nang biglang tumawag si Karis via facetime.

Kahit nasa ibang bansa 'tong babaeng 'to, nambubulabog pa rin talaga.

Usually, wala naman akong ginagawa when it comes to my birthday. I still treat it as a normal day. Though for the past few years, Karis has always been consistent with greeting me and treating me the whole day. Buti nga at malayo 'to sa'kin. I never really want to go out.

I answered her call, and I was shocked when I saw that there was a banner behind her and a cake with the number 22 candle on it. May party hat pa nga at naka-ayos pa siya.

Isang mahinang tawa naman ang binigay ko sa kanya at napailing pa. "What the heck? You really prepared all of that just to greet me?"

"You deserve it, dummy." She rolled her eyes, "Bukas pa ang birthday mo dito, pero birthday mo na sa Pinas kaya hindi pwedeng wala akong gagawin."

"You don't have to do that, you know?"

"Kulit mo." She huffs at me, "I'm doing this because I want to, Astrea. Kahit ayaw mo, I'll still do it."

"Fine fine," I answered her. Inirapan niya lang ako at maya't maya ay nakuha pang mag prepare sa sarili niya by doing the exhale and inhale thing.

"Happy Birthday, Astreaaaa!" She greeted me as if she just didn't give me an attitude and even drew the cake closer to her camera. "Come on, blow your candles."

"How can I possibly–"

"Just do it."

I sighed as I followed what she said and blew the candles on the screen as she did the same. Siya lang din naman ang nag blow ng candle, anong silbi ng ginawa ko?

"Good thing I recorded this call." She winked at me. "It's like you're blowing me a kiss."

"What?"

"Cute mo, kiss kaya kita?"

"Patayin ko kaya 'tong call?"

Sumimangot naman siya at binaba ang cake na hawak niya, "Don't! My heart will be shattered."

"Ewan ko sa'yo, Karis. Kahit ang layo mo na, hindi mo pa rin talaga ako tinatantanan."

"Aww, you miss me na 'no? I miss you too."

"Delulu." I pointed at her, "That's you."

"Edi hindi. Just say so." Umirap na naman ito sa'kin, "..While I'm here missing you each day."

"Karis.." Napabunting hininga nalang ako, "You're really not gonna stop these feelings of yours, aren't you?"

She looked at me, "Bakit? Pinigilan mo ba yung nararamdaman mo para kay Ate Vien?"