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Chapter 27 - So Much More than a Birthday Surprise (Part 2)

"Eki!" Tinanggal ko naman ang pagkakahawak ko ng kamay kay Eki ng marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses ni Tita Kris. She emerged into the crowd and walked towards us.

"Tita Kris."Banggit pa ni Eki. Hinila naman kami nito sa isang sulok.

"Buti nakita kita. Kayong dalawa. Ilalabas na iyon cake in a short while. Ang gusto ko ikaw ang magpresent ng cake kay Liv."

"Ahm..."Eki looked at me worriedly. "Pero-"

"Teka, aalis ka na ba? Maaga pa ah. Atsaka hindi pa nailalabas iyon cake. At nagpaalam ka na ba kay Liv?" Tumingin naman sa akin si Tita Kris. "Si Eki na ang pagdadalhin ko ng cake ha. Alam mo na dagdag na rin sa publicity ni Liv. Pag-uusapan itong birthday niya at kung sino ang kasama niya. Alam ko naman naiintindihan mo iyon, Belle. Atsaka, alam mo naman may magandang pagtitinginan na ang kapatid mo at itong si Eki. Boto ka naman sa kanila, hindi ba Belle?"

Napalunok naman ako dahil sa sinabi ni Tita Kris. Tumingin ako kay Eki and he was looking at me waiting for my reply. Then I looked at Liv who was sitting on the stage.

"Halika na, Eki." Hila pa ni Tita Kris kay Eki. Eki held my hand but I quickly brushed him off.

"Go."Salita ko. He just blinked at me. "Go, Eki. Huwag mong paghintayin si ate." I pushed him a little and he caught my hand again.

"We'll talk after this. Belle, wait for me, we'll talk later. Promise."Assure pa niya. Tumango na lang ako at tumalikod sa kanya.

...

I saw a familiar figure who was sitting in one of the tables and I approached. Titus looked at me worriedly. Naupo na ako sa tabi nito.

"I saw you."Mapang-akusang boses nito. "I saw you and Eki together. I warned you about this."

"We will talk later. He promised."Mahina kong salita at yumakap sa kanya.

"Believe me. It won't happen."

"Please don't jinx me." Irap ko pa rito.

''I am not. Pero malakas ang kutob ko."

Natigilan naman kami pareho ng humina ang tugtog at biglang may nagsimula ng birthday song. All of the people stood up and we just followed and they were all singing. Eki pushed the cake trolley towards ate and she acted surprised again when she saw Eki. Eki was all smiles as he approached ate.

Tumigil na ang pagkanta at hinipan na ni ate ang kandila. The emcee asked for a birthday wish from ate and she said a very general one. Success in career and good health pero may dinagdag pa ang emcee, about love life. That's when the crowd became noisy. The emcee halted the noise and interviewed Eki. Asked him what his name and how he was related to ate and both, ate and Eki replied that they were childhood friends.

To add more to fuel to the fire, the emcee asked invasive questions. Invasive question that I know where it was heading.

"Childhood friends lang ba talaga? Sige na Liv, balato mo na sa amin mg fans mo ngayon birthday mo, childhood friends lang ba talaga kayo." From the crowd someone screamed. I know that familiar voice. It was my cousin, Diana. Hindi ko namalayan na nandito pala sila.

"Ay miss, What did you say?" Inabutan pa siya ng mic ng emcee.

"I said, they are not just friends. These two are lovey-dovey since childhood. They were childhood sweethearts and who knows maybe the 'were' is still 'are'. I know that because I am Liv's cousin." Umirit ang emcee.

"This is the biggest revelation of Liv's life. I like you na ate."Salita pa nito.

"So...what now, Belle?" Napatingin naman ako kay Titus.