Always Have Been, Always Will Be | ✓

26

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Chapter 26

Surprise

"Happy birthday, Elize!"

Umawang ang labi ko nang sumabog ang kanilang bati sa akin pagkapasok ko ng aming lugar. They were all beaming at me, each wearing party hats, as they started to sing me the happy birthday song. On the other hand, I was petrified on my stance, trying to process what was happening all of a sudden.

"Kunan niyo ng picture 'yan!" Humahalakhak na sigaw ni Thaianara habang tinuturo ang mukha ko, tinatawanan ang aking gulantang ekspresyon.

Agad namang kinuha ni Swyney ang kaniyang cellphone at itinutok ito sa akin. Usually, if someone was to take pictures of me, my first instinct would be to cover my face or turn away, but perhaps I was too surprised that I didn't budge at all, my head still loading.

I just came back from my picture taking session. I was having fun photographing different views of the resort under the moon, and this is what was waiting for me to return to?

Nang makaahon na ako sa pagkatulala, nadatnan ko si Sauyer na pumapagitna sa kanilang lahat, suot-suot din ang kaniyang party hat at malaking ngisi tsaka may dala pang cake. He slowly walked towards me, the candle illuminating his face amidst the offed lights, his eyes darting on me, glistening with admiration.

Biglang natahimik silang lahat at pinanuod ang paglapit ni Sauyer sa akin.

"Happy birthday, Elize," he whispered as he looked down at me.

I felt a lump getting stuck on my throat that caused me to swallow, trying to get rid of it as it was hindering me to speak clearly.

"I-It's my birthday?" I managed to croak out.

One of his brows shot up, a little confused as to how I couldn't remember my own birthday.

"Yes, it is. Do you not remember?" Bulong niya. Bakas sa tinig niyang nagtataka siya ngunit hindi niya pinaramdam sa 'king manhid ako dahil nakalimutan ko ang sarili kong kaarawan.

I shook my head and stifled a smile. "Nakalimutan ko..."

His lips parted a bit at my statement, his eyes remaining on me as they got weary for a brief second, before he recovered by pressing his lips together.

"Were you having fun that much that you didn't realize it was your birthday?" He chuckled.

Bumagsak ang aking mga mata sa hawak niyang cake. It had the numbers one and seven together, indicating that only a year left until I was legal. Only a year left to enjoy my teenage years...

"Partially..." Natawa na rin ako nang bahagya. "But it's because I just don't give my birthdays much thought..."

"Why?"

I cleared my throat. "Because it's not a big deal. We never celebrate it that much."

Iniangat ko ang aking mga mata upang salubungin ang kaniyang titig. Nagtama ang aming paningin saglit bago siya lumingon kay Thaianara na tila bang naghahanap ng konpirmasyon sa aking sinabi.

Napaurong si Thaianara sa biglang paglingon ni Sauyer, ngunit nang maintindihan niya ang nais iparating, lumunok siya at tsaka dahan-dahang tumango.