MY LOVELY STRANGER

CHAPTER 38: Bribe

October 25
It's my birthday.
I don't know if Tristan knew. He never showed in school, even knowing na bakasyon na bukas.

Nakakainis sya.

I'll spend all of my vacation days on work anyway. Malamang magkikita pa rin kami. Pero gusto ko sana syang makasama ngayon.

Since nameet nya sila mama at Chandria, madalas na sya sa bahay. At home na at home na nga eh. Kulang nalang dun tumira. Gustong gusto sya ni Mama. Mabait raw at walang kayabangan sa katawan. Kung alam lang ni Mama. Over confident kaya yun!

7PM. Oras na para umuwi. Nagpunta ako sa kitchen, direcho sa mga locker para magpalit ng damit. Nagdadala na ako ng extrang damit ngayon.

Lumabas ako ulit sa shop matapos magbihis. Nagpaalam na ako sa manager.

Sa door ng cafe, may pumasok.

It was Tristan, wearing a white polo, and on his hand is a bouquet of roses. He also carries a guitar. Inilapag nya ang bulaklak sa lamesa at nagsimulang tumugtog ng gitara at kumanta..

"You are the one girl
And you know that it's true
I'm feeling younger
Every time that I'm alone with you

We were sitting in a parked car
Stealing kisses in the front yard
We got questions we should not ask but.. "

Maganda ang boses nya. Ano pa't kinilig ang mga tao sa ginagawa nya. He was looking at me while singing..

"How would you feel,
If I told you I loved you?
It's just something that I wanna do... "

My heart is racing fast. I can feel my face is turning red with all the attention I'm getting.

"I'll be taking my time.. Spending my life..
Falling deeper in love with you,
So tell me that you love me too.."

I wasn't an emotional person. But at this very moment, I simply got teary eyed. I felt the connection between us. He was so sincere.

Palakpakan ang mga tao. Hindi ko namalayang tapos na ang kanta.

Lumapit sya sa akin at inabot ang bouquet of flowers. Then kissed my cheek.

"Happy Birthday, Princess"

Just then my co-workers threw confettis around and greeting me on my birthday. They even gave me gifts. I was so happy. Even the guests are greeting me.

"Thank you everyone" I said, tears running down my face.

Tristan dried my tears. "Maganda ka parin kahit umiiyak ka."

He held my hands and we said bye to everyone. He led me outside and opened his car for me.

"Thank you" I said nung nakapasok na sya.

"You're welcome. I will do this every year" he winked.

It is my 18th birthday. I never wished for a celebration like other teenagers dreamt of. I just want to spend time with my family on this day. I received more than I desired.

We drove home. Pagdating sa bahay ay dumiretso kami sa kusina. May mga decoration sa paligid at maraming pagkain sa lamesa.

"Wow" I was amazed. "Naku, nag abala pa kayo"

"Kami ni Kuya Tristan ang naghanda nito" sabi ni Chandria. "Happy birthday"

"Happy birthday Anak" lumapit si mama at niyakap ako.

"Thank you Ma. Chandria, Tristan. This is the best birthday ever" masayang sabi ko.

Naupo na kami para kumain.