It was Narda's birthday. Instead of celebrating with her friends she chose to go home at her grandparents house.
Malakas ang ulan sa labas, mag-aala diyes na ng gabi. Mataim na pinagma-masdan ni Narda ang bawat patak ng ulan sa labas. Matatapos na ang birthday niya pero wala padin si Regina. She understands though she misses her. Her flight was pushed back due to bad weather. Mas nanaisin niya pang hindi ito dumating ngayong gabi kesa madisgrasya pauwi sa kanya. She held her breath when a hand caressed her back.
'Okay ka lang apo? Ang lalim ng iniisip mo.
It was her Lola, the one who raises them after her parents died early.
'Opo. Iniisip ko lang po si Regina', sagot niya saka humilig sa balikat nito.
'Sure naman ako na if she have a chance to spend your birthday today eh malamang andito yun. Baka naman nagta-tampo ka pa ha, wag naman. Hindi naman niya kasalanang may bagyo', her lola chuckled.
'Hindi naman po 'la, grabe ka sakin. Ano lang po namimis ko lang, tapos mag-isa pa yun sa Cebu ngayon. Worried lang po talaga ako. Mukhang wala pang signal kasi nga maulan.
'Tatawag din yon o kaya eh ime-mesage ka. Pahinga ka na apo, mag-hapon mong nilaro ang mga pamangkin mo eh.
'Opo 'la. Sa sala po ba tayo ulit?
'Oo apo. Dating gawi tatabi ka muli sa amin ng Lolo mo', nakangiti nitong saad.
Isang matamis na ngiti ang ibinigay niya rito saka magka-hawak kamay na umalis sa pwesto ng malaking bintana.
She was panting, walking back and forth. Her luggage was scattered on the floor. Her hair was messy and wet. She changed her clothes into a casual one. Ten thirty, as the clock says on the wall. Regina don't wanna miss today's agenda. It was her Bubbab's birthday, she don't wanna miss it.
It was raining hard outside. She didn't even know if she can get through it. Out of bad luck her car stopped. She was pissed until her phone rings.
'Ate ano umabot ka? It was Maloi.
'Andito pa ko sa labasan eh. Huminto yung sasakyan ko.
'Ha? Teka sandali papuuntahin ko na lang diyan yung sundo mo. Ten minutes 'te andiyan na yun. Wait lang.
And then she hang up. Like what Maloi said, ten minutes after her sister arrived and knock her window. The rain was not pouring so hard by that time.
'Ate Dok tara na hangga't dipa malakas yung ulan', aya nito.
'Sinong kasama mo Faye? saad niya habang inila-lock ang sasakyan niyang ipinark sa gilid ng daan.
'Ako lang Ate. Tulog na kasi si Mama kaya di na ko masasamahan. Ay nga pala ate isuot mo ito', sabay lapag ng boots sa paanan niya.
'Bat may dala ka niyan? takang tanong niya.
'Bilin kasi ni Ate Maloi dalhan ka nito kasi pagod yang paa mo galing ng biyahe, baka mapasma. Tsaka maputik ang daan Ate, hindi ka fan non kaya suot mo na 'to.
'Hindi na Faye, okay lang. Ngayon lang naman madudumihan. Gusto ko lang talaga makita Ate Narda mo.
'Naks, downbad yarn? tumatawang saad nito. 'Para sa pag-ibig, hahamakin ang lahat kahit maputikan pa.
'Sira', natatawang saad niya.
The rain finally stopped for a while, Narda on the other hand was still refreshing her phone. Waiting for Regina's calls or even a single message. She sigh after seeing what the time is. Ten minutes away, her birthday was over. Her mind was drifting somewhere when she heard Faye's voice.
