It wasn't a big deal to Lena that Cyrus didn't know her birthday. She didn't think that he needed to know. Hindi rin naman niya alam ang birthday nito. But her family was upset, especially her dad. Unang boyfriend daw niya, hindi man lang inalam ang birthday niya. Kakausapin daw nito si Cyrus kapag nagkita ang dalawa. That's why she asked Martin not to call him.
"I thought he knew," Martin told her. "Ang aga nya pang umalis kanina. Bibili raw ng bulaklak. Akala ko--"
Hindi nito natapos ang sasabihin dahil siniko ito ni Lacey. Her sister studied her with concern.
"Okay ka lang, Ate?"
"Yeah," sagot niya. Iniisip lang niya kung para kanino ang mga bulaklak na binili ni Cyrus. Is he seeing someone else?
But surely, he would tell her if that's the case. Hindi naman niya ito itinatali sa kanya. Out of respect lang, kung may nagugustuhan na pala itong iba, e sana sabihin nito sa kanya para matapos na nila kung ano mang kasunduan meron sila.
Okay, so she's not totally being honest with herself. She was a bit disappointed when he didn't come. Si Julie nga, pumunta. Bakit ito, hindi? But he didn't know, she reminded herself. Pero hindi ba dapat ay inalam man lang nito? After the big talk yesterday about prioritizing her, she kind of expected more from him.
May kasalanan din naman siya. Hindi niya sinabi rito. She just didn't think that he needed to know. And a part of her wanted him to take the initiative to know. Ayaw kasi niyang siya pa ang nagsasabi sa ibang tao ng mga dapat nilang gawin para sa kanya. Pakiramdam niya ay pang-o-obliga iyon.
"Bakit kasi hindi mo sinabi, Lena?" Martin asked her.
"Nahiya kasi akong sabihin," pag-amin niya.
"Ate, pa'no nya malalaman kung hindi mo sasabihin? Hindi naman sa lahat ng pagkakataon, dapat pinanghuhula na lang ang mga lalaki."
"Tama," Martin agreed. Inakbayan nito si Lacey. "Gumaya ka sa kapatid mo. She tells me what to do all the time."
Siniko ulit ito ng kapatid niya. Martin laughed and kissed Lacey's cheek. She had to look away. It was painful to watch.
"Ate!" Nikola called. "Can I open your gifts now?"
Hawak-hawak nito ang isang box ng regalo. It's from Lacey.
"Sure."
Tumabi ito sa kanya sa sofa. Nikola ripped the wrapper open. He then pulled Lacey's gift from inside the box. It was what she expected to get. A dress.
"I had that made by Rajo," Lacey told her. "Hindi na hand-me-down 'yan, Ate, ha. Sana naman isuot mo."
It's a long chiffon black dress with flowy straps that can be tied in different ways.
"Try it!" Kenna urged.
Agad siyang umiling. Sleeveless iyon. She'd have nowhere to hide her wrists.
"Isusukat ko na lang pagbalik ko sa bahay," sabi niya.
"Pero hindi namin makikita kung bagay. Sige na, Ate!" pamimilit ni Lacey. Sinang-ayunan ito ni Martin pati na rin ng parents niya. Ito ang hirap sa hindi madalas mag-ayos at magpaganda. Whenever there's a chance, people will surely force you out of your shell. She just wished that she had their confidence. Sa pamilya yata nila, siya ang pinakang-mahiyain.
Lacey and Kenna helped her inside Kenna's room. Doon daw siya magbihis. Mabuti na lamang at hindi nagpilit ang dalawa na ayusan pa siya. She was left alone inside for a while.
She studied the dress with curiosity. Nagagandahan naman siya sa pagkakayari. Hindi lamang siya sigurado kung babagay iyon sa kanya. Contrary to what other people think, she actually likes girly things. Maganda kasing tingnan ang mga heels, bags at dresses ng mga babae. Iyon nga lamang, madalas na hindi siya kumportable. So she contented herself with wearing jeans and sweaters. Comfort over style, anytime.
