Hidden Hearts and Summer Skies (Silent Secrets of Summer #1)

Chapter 3

I made my way to our Gazebo, it not that far from our garden where the event takes place, we also put some light around the Gazebo so it won't look dull.

I saw Jiro holding his phone, obviously didn't noticed me walking towards his place.

"I thought you wouldn't come." I said while putting down the plates on the table, Jiro looked at me startled.

After he recovers, he chuckle in response, a small smile plastering on his face. I just noticed he was wearing a formal attire, a light blue polo that he paired with deep blue slacks, he also styled his hair, making his face more visible now.

"It's your birthday, your 21st birthday at that, I wouldn't miss it for the world." He said as I took a seat leaving some space before him.

"Everyone was looking for you though, your friends was there, also Callix and Zaliah." He looked at me as if I was trying to be funny.

"Zaliah? Looking for me? You must be joking."
He said that made me chuckle, Zaliah and Jiro always get into each other's throat every time they're on the same place, I just don't understand why.

"I mean, Callix and your friends, Zaliah excluded, you know how she acts towards you, so don't expect anything."

After that, a silence engulfed us. I was just thinking how could I possibly start opening up that issue, I glance at Jiro and he seems to be thinking the same way, he was fidgeting, maybe looking for the right words to say.

"About that day... I thought I haven't said my apologies properly, I don't have the courage to face you yet so, I'm sorry if it took me days. I'm sorry. I apologized for being so insensitive and all," he sadly smile at me, an expression of him I always see whenever he thinks I'm dissapointed "that was so immature of me, and I know you are mad at me and it's all valid, I'm really sorry. Also here's my gift, I actually placed my 2nd gift together with the others, this one's my third gift so, I thought of giving it to you personally." Jiro handed me the gift, I just silently took it and smile at him, 'maybe I was too immature that day as well.'

"I actually thought you were mad at me, not the other way around. I was actually thinking of making up with you last week, noong pumunta tayong mall, but everything turns the wrong way, so." my lips form into thin line, I was wrong too for not addressing the issue to Jiro, I always let it passed. "I'm sorry. I know I was wrong too and I'm sorry. I hope we could just communicate it properly next time." I heaved out a sigh, I feel like I was free from a heavy burden on my chest that's been bothering me for weeks. I saw Jiro who genuinely smile at me, a smile that says we're okay now, that we learned our lesson.

"Happy birthday Haven, I'm gonna do better so that you won't be mad at me anymore," he slowly move beside me taking the space between us "Can I hug you?" He asked, still hesitant to make the first move that made me chuckle, I just nodded at him, the next thing I know he was caging me with both of his arms, a tight embrace that assures us that we're okay now.

He tighten the hugs, letting go that suppressed breath he was holding earlier.

I also put my arms around his torso, and chuckle at his gesture when he lay his head on my shoulder "So. What's with you giving me 3 gifts?"

"Wala lang, I want your every birthdays to be memorable. Palagi naman akong may bagong pakulo," he lowly laugh "Hindi ka pa nasanay, though I hope you haven't forget anything."

"Hindi naman din ako makakalimutin, also who would forget about their birthday when you rented the whole arcade to play with me, that was so extra." I said, remembering my 18th birthday when he took me to an arcade he rented for a whole day.