Love Me (Completed)

Chapter 18 - Birthday

Sa bahay ang celebration pero gusto kong sabay kaming pumunta ni Sebastian kaya pinuntahan ko pa siya sa apartment.

When I opened the door naabutan ko siyang inaayos ang buhok.

"Ohh, gwapo mo naman ngayon." Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin at ngumiti.

Though kahit na usual attire lang naman ang suot niya I still complimented him for his benefit. I know he spent so much time thinking what to wear.

Tinatanong pa niya ako kung anong dapat niya suotin. I just told him not to wear black. Pinagtatawanan rin siya ni Liam dahil nagtanong rin siya sa kanya.

He gave me his devil smirk while slowly walking toward me. I know what he wants to do so I stopped him before he could come near me. "Nope. Later."

"Why later? Why not now?"

I leaned back while laughing. "Nakalipstick ako. You'll ruin it."

Ngumisi siya and I frowned in defeat but instead of kissing my lips, his lips landed on the side of my neck.

And I almost-- almost didn't want to go to the party.

Smack lang ang ginawa niya but I can still feel his lips on my neck. First time niyang ginawa 'yun and the feeling was so weird that it lingers.

"Kinakabahan ka ba?"

I chuckled when he didn't answer. "Sebastian Valdez kinakabahan umattend ng birthday party?"

"It's not just a birthday party. Birthday ng Papa mo."

"So? It's the same anyway." I said nonchalantly. "Besides nandun naman sila Liam so you'll be okay."

We entered the house and I heard Sebastian exhaled when he saw the pool of people in red. Different shades of red flood the room. I, myself is wearing red also.

Nakaset ang mga tables sa space sa labas ng bahay and are decorated as Mama's instructions. Nakita ko agad si Papa sa may bandang unahan na table at katabi niya si Mama.

"Happy Birthday, Pa." I kissed his cheek and he eyed Sebastian.

"Sebastian. You know him. We're friends since high school." I said very carefully.

"Happy Birthday po."

I almost sigh in relief as he extend his hand to Sebastian and smiled.

"Is your Dad always intimidating?" He asked as we walk to our table.

"Sometimes. Hindi mo pa narinig ang no-further-discussion voice niya."

"Let's hope I won't be hearing it?"

Pabiro ko lang siyang pinalo nang nakarating na kami sa table.

"Good mood si Uncle ngayon ah." Sabi ni Liam pagkaupo namin.

"Sympre birthday niya ano ka ba!" Sagot ni Flynne sa kanya.

Napangiti lang ako dahil kami lang ni Liam ang may alam kung anong ibig niyang sabihin. Bihirang ngumiti si Papa sa ibang tao, usually I only see his smile when he's with us or madalas pag kausap si Mama but he rarely showed it to anyone.

Of course Liam knows. We've been friends since kids. Sabi nga niya siya ang not-chinese-kid na favorite ni Papa.

I left our table after eating and went to my parents table with some of the elders.

Of course dinala niya ako sa mga kaibigan niya at pinakilala ulit though they know I'm his daughter. Sanay na rin ako since he always does that and I'm glad because it makes me feel that he is proud of me.

Family pictures, singing birthday song, some introducing again. Say hi and smile on repeat. Finally tapos na so I went back to our table.

I stuck my tongue out at Liam who is laughing at me. I should've dragged him with me!

Tinatawanan rin ako ni Sebastian at inabutan ako ng tubig. "Baka nauuhaw ka."

But I know that voice. It is definitely not concern. Puno ng pangaasar ang boses niya na alam kong pinanood niya ako kanina habang nginingitian ko 'yung mga kaibigan ni Papa at anak nila.

"Remind me to drag you along next time." Sabi ko tapos tinignan si Liam. "Ikaw rin."

"Hindi ko alam na palangiti ka pala." Flynne added.

Cedric laughed. "Kung ganyan ka lang talaga kabait sa amin."

"Actually tinatanong ni Papa kung sino 'yung chinese na friend ko. Gusto mo bang ipakilala kita?"

"Woah. No thanks." He said and raised his hands. "No offense but your dad looks scary."

"And you should be. Asar pa guys."

"Looks like you will need all the luck in the world. Good luck." Jordan smirked and patted his shoulder.

Bumukas ang bibig ko and for once I didn't know what to say. Sebastian and I, we're not.. we're not what they think we are. I don't even know what we are.

Hindi namin 'yun pinagusapan. It happened so fast and sometimes I think boyfriend ko siya but most of the time parang hindi. I just know that we're more than friends pero wala pa kami sa in a relationship talaga.

But I don't know. I wouldn't know what to think or what he thinks about us. The kiss just happened and then that's it. Tuloy tuloy na. Hindi naman niya sinabing gusto niya ako at wala rin ako sinasabi.

I glanced at Sebastian and he said nothing so I answered. "OA niyo guys. But I'll make sure to tell him what you guys think. Lalo na ikaw, Jordan."

Nagasaran pa kami and when they are distracted I used the chance to pull Sebastian and lead him to our swimming pool.

Tumaas ang kilay niya. "Late night swimming?"

I leaned in. "Why not?"

He cleared his throat. "I don't remember you celebrating your birthday like this. Or hindi lang ako invited?"

"I think you're the kind to crash the party so why bother?" Sabi ko at natawa siya. "But no. Simple celebration lang pag birthday ko. We just eat."

"Pumayag parents mo?"

"Hindi lang sila ang may no-further-discussion look."

"I'm not surprise at all." Sabi niya.

Tumingin ako sa part kung nasaan silang lahat. Medyo matagal pa bago matapos ang celebration dahil maguusap pa sila Papa at magiinuman pa sila ng mga kaibigan niya mamaya.

"Do you want something to drink? Kuha ako." I pointed at the house.

He looked at the house and me then the house again. Iiwan mo ako dito? His look says.

I chuckled. "Unless gusto mong ikaw ang kumuha? Okay lang rin."

"I'll stay." He said.

I thought so. I patted his arm as an assurance na babalikan ko siya before I went inside.

Nandun pa rin siya nakatayo pagbalik ko. He smiled faintly when he saw me. Inabot ko sa kanya ang baso ng wine.

Kinuha niya 'yun and then he brushed his hair using his fingers. Which he does when he's thinking of something.

"Okay ka lang?"

Tumango siya at pinagsalikop ang daliri namin. For a moment gusto ko siyang itanong ulit but I didn't. Ngumiti lang ako at hindi na nagisip ng kung ano pa.

"Cheers?" I clinked my glass to his.