Kanina pa ako ikot ng ikot sa kama. Hindi na'ko naka-tulog ng maayos, ang aga ko pa nagising! Tinignan ko ang oras sa aking telepono. Mag-aalas-sais pa ng umaga. And there's a message in there. It's from dad. There's also some notifications from my social media but I ignored it.
Dad
Happy Birthday, my princess! I'll make it up to you when I get back.
Me
Thanks, Dad.
How I wish dad is with me. The last time we celebrated together, mommy was still alive and everything was in good place. I jumped off to bed and went to mirror.
"Happy Birthday self" sabi ko sa aking sarili habang nakatingin sa salamin. This is going to be a good day. I should shrug all negative vibes and enjoy the day.
Agad akong naligo at nagbihis. I wore blue maxi dress with side slits and black two-piece below. I paired it with my gladiator flats. Aakmang lalabas sana ako ng kwarto nang biglang may bouquet na humarang sa akin. It's a bunch of peach roses, my favorite. Nakatabon ito sa mukha ng isang lalaki.
"Keifer?" I said and smiled widely. Agad naman ne'to tinanggal ang rosas sa mukha niya pero agad rin nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ko. Sinuklian niya ang ngiti ko. I stood speechless.
"Happy Birthday!"He chanted. I suppressed a smile to him.
"Thanks" I said. He handed me the roses and hugged me.
"How 'bout me?" he said.
"Happy Birthday too!" I said and he hugged me tighter.
"Ah Tristan I can't breathe na" trying to get rid of his hugs.
"I'm sorry. Let's eat our breakfast. I prepared it for you" he said and hold my wrist. I watched his hand on my wrist. Why can't I feel anything like what I felt when Keifer touched me last night?
"Let's go?" he said. I gazed at him. Am I really over him?
"Ah sige!" sabay ngiti. Dinala niya ako sa restaurant kung saan kami kumain ni Keifer kagabi. Gising na kaya siya?
Habang papasok kami, andoon na si Keifer, Jane at Greg. Nakuha kaagad ni Keifer ang tingin ko. Nag-katinginan kaming dalawa. Para ba andami niyang gusto itanong sa mga titig niya pero agad rin nawala. His face now has no emotions. Bigla akong natakot.
"Happy Birthday!" sabi ni Jane pagkalapit ko sa table nila. She smiled a little. I know she already read my mind. She hugged and let go of me. Umupo siya din siya agad.
Inalalayan ako ni Tristan pa-upo sa tabi ni Keifer pero umupo rin naman siya sa kabila. I glanced at Jane. Nagtaas siya ng kilay sa akin. I know what she's thinking. It's damn awkward!
"Thank you" I faked smile to Tristan. I glanced at Keifer. He's looking at me intently. I cleared a throat. Wala ba'tong balak mag-greet sa akin 'tong isang 'to?
"Waiter!" Tawag ni Tristan.
Inutusan ni Tristan ang waiter na kunin 'yung pinahanda niya at pagkatapos ay nilagay niya ang kamay niya sa likod ng upuan ko. I cleared a throat again.
"Ah, Tristan this is Keifer. Our workmates and a friend too" I said to him. He nodded to me.
"I know him. I asked him earlier where's your room." Wala ba siyang maalala nung nangyari sa bar?
"As I remembered too, siya yung biglang sumuntok sa akin sa bar" dagdag niya. I looked at him. He sounds cool. I furrowed.
"Pero okay na 'yun. Diba pare?" tiningnan niya si Keifer na nakangiti. That is one thing why I loved Tristan. Madali siyang magpatawad, hindi siya nagtatanim ng galit. Tiningnan ko rin si Keifer. He remained his face emotionless.
