Between Pages and Reality

Prologue

To be loved is to be known. It's a feeling that goes beyond words because someone sees you for who you truly are. They notice the little things that even you might overlook. The way you tap your foot when you're anxious, or how you always sing along to your favorite song in public. They remember your birthday without needing a reminder. They know your favorite book without having to ask. To be loved is to be known, to be understood, to be accepted, to be seen, to be heard, and to be valued.

Today is my birthday pero ni isa walang bumati sa 'kin. I don't know but I'm sad because they forgot my birthday even my Mom and Dad, my bestfriend Azriela, and my cousin Zara. I know na busy sila pero kahit sana man lang sa text or sa chat batiin man lang nila ako, pero wala hindi nila ako binati. Naiinis ako sa kanila. They know how much I love na binabati ako tuwing birthday ko pero hindi nila ako binati ngayon. Even I'm 25 now I want them to greet me.

I'm frustrated now and I'm really sad.

I went to my bookshelf and pick my fave book, I want to read this para maging okay ako. I was busy reading it and suddenly my phone rang. Azriela is calling now, Oh My God. I hope na batiin niya na ako. I answered her call but I was disappointed, she didn't greet me, I was annoyed with her. She just said that she will come to my house later to pick me up because we are going to an event, an event that I don't know where.

They are so annoying. They forgot my birthday. Dapat masaya ako ngayon pero wala malungkot ako tapos masama ang loob sa kanila... Why did they forgot my birthday?

Hindi ko sila bati.

I continue reading my book and when I finished it I went on the kitchen to eat. Manang Belen is here and the other maids. It's 12 in the afternoon and I'm eating my lunch now, Manang Belen prepared rice and adobo one of my fave. I love Manang Belen talaga she knows whats my fave. Inaya ko rin sila Manang na kumain kasi mag-isa lang naman ako, buti pumayag sila kaya may kasabay ako ngayon. Manang Belen and the other maids also forgot na it's my birthday today. They didn't even greet me so I'm really sad. Nakakainis this year lang nila nalimutan yung birthday ko, ayoko naman na pilitin sila na batiin ako kaya nanahimik na lang ako at hindi pinahalata na hindi ako okay. But the truth is I'm so sad, disappointed and frustrated now. Damn!

Nang matapos akong kumain I went back to my room. Dito pa rin ako nakatira even I'm already working na, may condo naman ako pero mas gusto kong dito umuuwi, iba pa rin yung bahay namin na 'to.

So many memories. Memories kasama sila Azriela at Zara plus the three boys, Kai, Benj and Miguel. I miss our senior high life and the bonding we used to have. Busy na kasi kami ngayon kaya minsan na lang kami magbonding.

Matutulog ako ngayon and sinabihan ko si Manang na gisingin ako mamayang 5pm kasi aalis kami ng 6:30pm ni Azi mamaya for the event na hindi ko alam kung saan at anong magaganap don. Nakatulog na ako at nagising dahil sa ingay ni Azi mukhang may kausap ata siya sa phone niya, napansin niyang gising na ako kaya pinatay niya na yung tawag at nagmadaling lumapit sakin. I miss this silly girl, minsan na lang talaga kaming magbonding dahil sa sobrang busy namin sa work.

I smiled at her and she smiled too, I thought babatiin niya na ako pero hindi pa rin pala. Hindi ko pinahalata na hindi ako okay kaya pinilit kong ngumiti sa harapan niya. Nakakainis na talaga, bakit wala man lang ni isa sa kanila ang bumati sa akin.

"Thanks God nagising ka rin." Natatawang sabi niya at niyugyog pa ako.

"Anong oras na ba?" Inaantok na tanong ko sa kanya. She said na 4:30pm na raw ang aga pa naman bakit kasi ang ingay niya nagising tuloy ako.

"Come on Elle, don't be so lazy. Kailangan na nating mag ayos. Dinala ko nalang yung susuotin ko dito para dito na lang magbihis." Makulit na sabi niya at hinila ako patayo kasi humiga ulit ako.