Solace in You

Chapter 12

The sun always made me happy. It reminds me of how beautiful life is despite all the darkness that consumes me. It makes me see color that I never thought I'd see before. It helped me to appreciate life in some way. However, the night, along with its darkness and quietness, still calms me. It helps me to reflect and to think of ways on how I could live a better and happy life.

I have always loved at looking at stars and I never thought that I would love eating underneat the shiny precious stars where I could almost touch them.

"Nilalamig ka ba?" tanong ni Apollo. I looked at him. The place was not that bright because of the yellow lights that they use as decorations to which they hang on almost every single corner of the restaurant despite the low lightings, his face card never declines. He chose a rooftop restaurant where we're the only costumers because he rented the place in order for us to celebrate privately. Oh, the perks of being rich!

"Hindi naman," sagot ko kahit medyo nanginginig na ang binti ko sa lamig. Nasa 4th floor kami, syempre, mahangin dito at medyo malamig nga dahil gabi na.

I heard him chuckle. "I can see your arms and chin shaking from here."

"Alam mo naman pala, ba't nag tatanong ka pa?" pagtataray ko. Agad akong nakonsensya pero nakita kong mas natawa lang si Apollo. He stood up, took his white jacket from the back of his chair and placed it on my shoulder.

"Hindi na aesthetic sa picture," pagiinarte ko.

Again, he chuckled then took the jacket back. "Pictures first para hindi naman sayang ang paghahanda mo para ngayong araw. The world needs to see how gorgeous you are."

Napairap ako, kunwari'y hindi naniniwala sa mga pinagsasabi niya pero ang totoo'y unti-unti na akong naniniwala na sadyang gano'n talaga siya. Hindi natatakot na sabihin ang kahit na anong maisip niya. Sanay na sanay siyang mag express ng sarili niya, kabaliktaran sa'kin.

He took my photos using his phone since mas maganda nga naman ang quality ng camera niya. We also took selfies and asked a waiter to take a photo of us in the table and the city lights as our background.

"I'll send the pictures later." I agreed then we started our dinner. Suot ko na ang jacket niya at nabawasan na nga ang lamig na nanunuot kanina sa aking balat.

The night was peaceful and it made me feel things that I shouldn't feel. Date ba 'to o birthday celebration lang talaga? Aasa ba ako o sadyang ako lang ang kakilala niya rito kaya kaming dalawa lang ang nagcecelebrate? Iyong nangyari sa kotse kanina, may meaning ba 'yon? O magkukunwari na lang kaming wala lang 'yon?

Imbis na magisip ng kung ano-ano, ieenjoy ko na lamang ang gabing ito. I took a sip at the red wine. Bigla kong naalala ang regalo ko para sa kanya.

Patapos na rin naman kami sa dessert kaya naisip kong abutin na ang paperbag mula sa ilalim ng mesa at ibigay sa kanya.

"Happy birthday, Apollo!" nakangiti kong bati ulit. Inabot ko sa kanya ang paperbag. Nakita niya naman na kanina 'yong paperbag pero syempre hindi 'yong loob. Iyong para kay Willa, iniwan ko sa sasakyan niya para siya na ang magbigay.

"Thank you, Iris." Tinanggap niya ang regalo. Bahagyang kinilatis ang brown paperbag na binili ko sa divisoria malapit sa palengke.

Hindi pa nga niya nabubuksan ang regalo pero parang manghang-mangha na siya sa kanyang nakikita.

"Can I open it now?" Tumango lang ako. Tutok na tutok ako sa reaction niya habang binubuksan ang paperbag. He looks so excited. When he successfully opened the paperbag, his face went from excited, curious to amazed. His face showed so many different emotions in just a snap that I can't help but laugh.