Let Me Be

Chapter 23

"Hey! Are you okay?" Napaiwas ng tingin si Gabie sa kanyang mga kaibigan. Kanina pa siya tinatanong ng mga ito at tanging pagtango lang ang kanyang sinasagot. Kinakabahan talaga ang dalaga.

Today is Zion's birthday. At hindi siya mapakali mula pa kahapon. Hindi niya alam kung magugustuhan ba nito ang dala niyang regalo. It took her a week to ask her friends about the gift. Isang linggo din siyang napaisip at naghanap sa mall.

Tinanong na din niya ang banda kung ano ang gusto ng lalaki. They only said that Zion is not materialistic. Magparamdam lang daw sa birthday nito ay ayos na sa binata. Pero ayaw naman ni Gabie iyon. Ito kasi ang unang kaarawan nito na kasama siya. And she wanted this day to be different. Now that she also considers him special.

But base on her decision, it only proves that she didn't know him too well. Another reason to wait for the right time and get to know each other. She wanted to understand him more, especially on his feelings. Mahirap para sa dalaga na siya lang ang nakakaramdam ng ganito. Despite of her assumptions, natatakot din siyang umasa na pareho sila ng nararamdaman ng binata pero iba pala para dito.

"Chill, Gabie. Hindi ka naman aayawan ni Zion dahil sa ganda mo ngayon," sabi ni Frederick na nasa tabi lang niya.

He gave her an assuring smile pero lalo yata siyang kinabahan. Gabrielle is wearing a green midi dress and she tied her hair into a high messy bun. It makes her shape and tall height more accentuate. Her friends told her to wear something stylish because they're sure that Cass will also be there. Isa rin sa mga rason kung bakit hindi siya mapakali.

"Fred is right. Relax, okay?" it was Edziek's turn to say.

Gabie and Fred are sitting on the backseat while Greg is the one who drives. Edziek is sitting on the shotgun seat. Napagdesisyunan nilang sumabay na lang sa mga kaibigang lalaki papunta sa bahay ni Zion. They are using Greg's car. Kasama naman ni Adrienne si Lance sa kotse nito.

But what bothers her is the gift. It was the first time that she's not confident with it. Madalas kasing inaalam niya muna ang gustong regalo ng mga taong pagbibigyan niya bago siya bibili. And most of the gifts that she bought are expensive. But not until now.

Nakarating agad sila sa bahay ni Zion. Nasa isang exclusive village ito kaya kinailangan pa nilang tawagan ang binata para makapasok. Gabrielle didn't expected that it was a mansion. It is not that she's exaggerating but it is huge. Gate pa lang nito ay kasya na ang dalawang kotse sa pagpasok. Baka kapag nakatira silang dalawa sa bahay nito ay hindi na sila magkita.

Then she suddenly thought. Can we really live together? In future, perhaps?

But she shrugged it off. Her mind is too advance for these things. A lady opened the gate for them. Nakasunod naman sa kanila sila Lance at Adrienne. Dala ang mga regalo, bumaba ang magkakaibigan.

They are amazed as they saw the whole mansion. The interior is incredible having a gray and black motif. It is also spacious despite of the furniture and decorations. And he has a pool outside!

Did that guy needs to work? Ang yaman-yaman na niya!

"Hi guys!" A familiar voice came from the stairs. Awtomatikong napatingin si Gabrielle sa direksyon nito at nag-umpisa nang mag-ingay ang kanyang puso.

It was Zion, flashing his manly smile. He looks handsome in his casual getup. Ilang araw din niya itong hindi nakita but still, he has the same effect on her. Mukhang katatapos lang din nitong maligo. But what made her giddy is the fact that he's wearing a green printed pocket shirt. Terno kami!

"Si birthday boy! Happy birthday, pre!" sabi ni Frederick at tinapik ang balikat nito. Greg and Lance also did the same and the other two ladies greeted him with a peck in the cheeks. She froze when it is her turn. Tumingin pa ang lahat sa kanya kaya lalo siyang nailang.