Our Delicate Bliss

Chapter 11

I grew up knowing that birthdays are just normal days. But whenever I'm invited to one it doesn't feel like a normal day.

— A line from someone's journal

Shan

I enjoyed my afternoon with Lana.

Ayoko na sanang umuwi pa e, kaso baka mapagalitan na naman ako. I came home a little later than my father's allotted time. We always celebrate my birthday through eating together as a family.

"Can't you not follow simple instructions, Wren?"

Kinakausap ako ng father ko dito sa office niya.

"Hindi ka ba nahiya?" galit ang boses niya pero binabaan niya lang para siguro hindi siya marinig na nagagalit sa anak niyang may birthday ngayon. "You made our guests wait," madiin niyang sabi.

"He didn't make us wait."

A voice of a woman interfered. It was Aunty Marvic. She went in. She's my mom's sister.

Lumapit siya sa 'kin na may ngiti sa labi niya. "Baka may ginawa lang naman kasi si Wren sa school kaya medyo natagalan, 'di ba?" palihim siyang kumindat sa 'kin. It was a gesture that made me feel like she's my savior today from my father.

"I'll be taking him now," saad ni Aunty Marvic. "Gusto kasi makipag laro ng mga pinsan niya." Wala nang nagawa father ko when she leads me out of his office.

"Mag bihis ka na, Wren," she softly says to me. "You deserve to enjoy the rest of the evening."

Ngumiti ako sa kan'ya. "Thank you, Aunty Marvic."

Tumaas ako sa kwarto ko para mag palit ng damit. I wore black pants and a simple navy blue button up shirt.

Pagbaba ko nandoon na mga kaibigan ko, hinihintay ako.

"Angas ni baby birthday boy," Ben teases.

I laugh. "Shut up, Ben." He and his nicknames.

"Happy birthday ulit, Shan." Ayin smiles as he hands me a small bag from Dior. It seemed to be a perfume.

Lumaki ngiti ko. "Thank you, Ayin. You didn't have to."

"Maliit na bagay."

"Naknang tupa," tiningnan ni Ben ang laman ng binigay sa 'kin ni Ayin na bag. "Ano 'yan, sauvage?"

"Oo," he replies.

Biglang napa-ubo si Ben na para bang pinipilit lang. "Ehem ehem, baka naman, malapit na din birthday ko."

"Isn't your birthday next year?" Rick buts in.

"Ber months naman na din, ibig sabihin malapit na mag next year, ibig sabihin malapit na birthday ko," he grins.

Ayin laughs. "Oo na, Ben. Kukuha lang ako ng juice."

"I love you, bro!"

"I'll come, Ayin," Rick follows him. "I don't want to be next to this idiot." He glares at Ben.

Ben blows him a flying kiss as they walk away. "Labyou sugar pie!"

"Would you stop it?" Andrea's voice appears behind us. "There's children around." She was carrying our 2-year-old cousin in her arms. She was wearing a black ruffle blouse tucked in dirty-white high-waisted pants.