Lucky (EXO Series III)

i

February 7, 2014 | 6:00pm           

______________

i

Seth

Today, I celebrated my birthday with people closest to my heart. Seeing my family, some close relatives and my friends here in this house completes my day. Puno ng masasayang kwentuhan ‘yung bahay namin. I didn’t really like celebrating birthdays this grand, pero dahil umuwi sila Mommy at Daddy galing Australia para sa birthday ko, this was the only way I could welcome them back. Reunion na rin namin ng mga kaibigan ko ‘yung araw na ito, since matagal-tagal na kaming hindi naiipon. It was last month when they all came dito sa beach house.

Masayang sinalubong ko ‘yung iba pang paparating na bisita. They all wished me a happy birthday.

“Seth, Anak. Halika na, you have to blow your candles.” Hinila ako ni Mommy palapit sa buffet table.

Nahihiyang napakamot ako ng batok. “Mom, I’m not a kid anymore.”

“Anak, pagbigayn mo na si Mommy,” naglalambing na kumapit si Mommy sa braso ko. “We’ve been away for years at ngayon ka na lang ulit namin nakasama sa birthday mo. Just this one. Please, Son?”

Mom was always like that, malambing. Kahit binata na kami ni Kuya Brent, she always makes us do whatever she likes us to—kahit na ang mag-blow ng 19 candles on a 3-tiered cake ang anak niyang pa-3rd year college na, who was wearing a very manly tux, by the way—at dinadaan niya ‘yun sa paglalambing niya na alam niyang hindi namin matitiis ni Kuya.

Naramdaman ko ‘yung pagpisil ni Bianca sa kamay ko. I looked at her with pleading eyes. “Ngayon lang naman ito, Seth. Pagbigyan mo na si Tita,” she said with a sweet smile.

“Bee, pati ba naman ikaw?”

Natawa siya as she spoke. “Okay lang ‘yan. Mahal pa rin kita kahit magbo-blow ka ng candles.”

I sighed as a sign of giving up.

“Everyone, may I have your attention, please.” My father raised his wine glass and caught everyone’s eyes. All our guests gathered around the table and waited for my Dad’s announcement.

Nakita ko sila Chan at ‘yung mga kaibigan ko na nakatayo sa harap ko mismo. Pigil ang tawa ng mga ito. Panigurado, ako na naman ang pagkakaisahan nila pagkatapos nito.

“Today is my son’s birthday and I thank you all for coming.” He smiled at everyone. Saka siya tumingin sa’kin. “Son,” he said, “I thank God for giving us a son like you. Your Mom and I are so blessed to have you and your Kuya Brent as our sons. We are all witnesses on how good you are as a person.”

Napangiti ako sa mga sinasabi ni Daddy, at naramdaman ko ‘yung pagpisil ni Mommy sa braso ko. They’re both smiling at me like proud parents. This rarely happens, dahil nga madalas nasa ibang bansa sila.

“So, Seth, my son, we wish you nothing but happiness. We love you.” And he raised his glass higher, “Cheers for Seth.”

Everyone clapped for me. “Cheers!”

“Seth! Blow ka na ng candles mo!” panira ng moment na sigaw ni Chan, which made all of them laugh.

“Make your wish muna, Seth!” pahabol pa ni Hans.

Tinapik ni Mommy ‘yung balikat ko. Nahihiya man, humarap ako sa cake, which was specially made for my birthday, at pumikit. I wished for everyone’s happiness dahil ‘yun naman ang kelangan ng lahat. I opened my eyes and blew the candles on my cake. Nagpalakpakan muli ‘yung mga bisita kasabay ng pagbati nila sa akin.