Stuck in Love

Chapter 29

Everything’s set for my birthday.

The part of the bar we rented is the open-air area. I want to have sort of a street party. We occupy the backdoor portion. There is a very small chance of light rains so at least we’re safe. Some of the perks I can enjoy with having a best friend whose boyfriend is a bar-owner and a real estate agent is unlimited drinks, delicious pulutan, enormous sound system with a DJ on the side—all for 50-percent discounted price. Pasok sa budget!

Carol and Brandon are first in the venue. I arrive at around 8:30 in the evening. Jacob arrives just a few minutes after.

“Happy birthday,” he greets.

It’s still awkward between us but I flash a smile to him. “Hey. Thank you for coming.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he cheers as he brings out a small gift and hands it to me. “For you.”

“Thank you. Have you had dinner? We’ll have one at a restaurant nearby. Would you like to come with us?”

At the restaurant.

“Wow. I remember this exactly a few years ago. The four of us,” Brandon comments.

“Double date. You and Carol have stayed strong, though,” said Jacob.

“Well, I still see the spark between you, guys,” said Carol.

I quickly kick her a little. “What time are the people coming?” I ask to divert the attention.

“Around 9 perhaps.” Carol’s phone rings. “Hey. You there already? Oh, alright. We just had dinner nearby. We’ll be back in a bit. Bye. It’s Grey.”

“Well then, we have to hurry,” I said.

“Oh no, dear. You’re the birthday girl so you better have a grand entrance.”

“I don’t want that,” I resist.

“I insist. You have an escort so, there should be no problem,” she glances at Jacob.

I mumbled words to her, “Stop doing this.”

But she just waves her hand and stands. “Let’s go, babe. We should entertain people. And we should give these two alone time.”

And Carol and Brandon leave us alone, making me feel more awkward. Carol is wrong. I don’t feel the spark between us anymore. I’ve stopped feeling it a long time ago. Ba’t n’ya ba ipinipilit ‘to?

From the corner of my eye, I can see Jacob taking glances at me. “You look great tonight,” Jacob compliments.

But then again I don’t blush with that. “Thank you, for the third time.”

“I’m sure you’ll have fun. Your closest friends will be there, the people you want to see and be with on your birthday.”

“Not all,” I whisper. “I mean—some can not make it. The invitation is a little short notice so—“

“But I’m here so you don’t have to feel sad. You’ll enjoy this night, I bet.”

“I hope so,” I just say while still wishing someone I want to be here will be here, today, on my birthday. But I know it’s impossible.

***

As I enter the venue, my friends approach me one by one, giving me hugs and kisses. My high school friends start to arrive and I’m full smile for all of them. Oh, how I miss them. The last time I saw my high school friends was in the reunion months ago.

Oh, the reunion. The thought makes me a little sad but I don’t show it. Besides, as Carol said, I should not associate him with every moment of my life. Today is a special event of my life and I don’t want to ruin it.

The DJ plays party-rock songs, making us all stand on our feet and dance to the beat while holding our bottles up. The other visitors come one by one, filling up the seats. People whom I do not expect to come are there and it just makes me so blissful.

Carol, the best friend-organizer, then stands up to formally open the party and give a very touching message as if we were in a wedding reception.

“Later, when the clock strikes 12, our Elizabeth will turn 26. You’ll be at the other half of your 20’s. And I can see how you will turn into a fine young lady like me.” The crowd cheers. “We want you to enjoy the night, get drunk but not too much as we cannot carry you home, and of course, be happy, be young, wild, and free. The night is yours, Lizzy. Don’t you ruin it.” Carol then suddenly becomes serious. “I’m happy and proud of what you have become, Betchay. I’ve seen how stronger and wiser you’ve turned over the years. I’ve seen you fall in and out of love and get yourself back up after everything that has happened. You’ll always be my best girl. I love you, Liz. Happy birthday, in advance! Let’s drink to that!”

Everyone raises their bottles/glasses for a toast. I’m a little teary-eyed that I hug Carol after her speech. Trining then gets in the way and asks me to stand in front.

“We have surprises for you, dear,” Trining says. The projector then is turned on. A video of my family plays in the big screen as they greet me a happy birthday.

It does not stop there. Some of my high school and college friends and crushes who cannot make it also have their own video greeting. Everyone is teasing me crush after crush. The heads behind these researched well. I’m a little embarrassed but I am laughing to death.

“And for the last video, Liz. Keep still and don’t falter in kilig…” Trining warns.

The video opens with a guy trying to fix his webcam. It’s a Facetime, I suppose. “Am I on,” he asks. He sits in front and I quickly recognize him. Sandro, my head and my mouth simultaneously say. My heart starts to pound as I feel my breathing lapses.

“Hey, Liz. It’s been a while. Happy birthday! And uhm…” he bows his head and whispers, “God, I miss her…”

“Did he just say he misses me,” I whisper to myself. Even though his voice was soft enough to hide the words, I’m sure I heard it.

The video continues to roll. I can hear Trining’s voice, who’s at the other side of the Facetime. “Wait a second…what?”

“I’m sorry, can you—can you edit that out?” SJ asks in the video.

“Do you want me to delete that?”

“Let’s just record another.”

“Okay you can just continue your message, I’ll just edit it. Wait, I think the Internet connection is not so good. I’ll fix it. Just keep on talking so I can test.”

“You know, this is quite hard for me.”

“Hard? Why? It’s just a message.”

“I-I can’t tell now. I’m not ready.”

“Do you need a script?”

He sighs and seems to look afar. “The message you want. It reminds me of…”

“Of what?”

“A lot of things…about her.” SJ’s facial expression seems to change a bit. “The last time I went back to the Philippines, we became close for a few weeks.”

“How close?”

“I felt really comfortable with her. But it did not end up very well. ‘Di nga kami nakapag-usap bago ako umalis papuntang Australia, eh.”

Trining says. “Well, I heard, you’re Elizabeth’s first love.”

“I’m flattered with that information but—is the Internet okay now?”

“There you go. So, SJ what’s your birthday message for Liz?”

He is quiet for a minute or two. “Can I just put my message in a song?”

Then I hear a guitar strumming from the background. I thought it’s still part of the video but it’s too loud. I realize, it’s live. I turn to see what’s happening.

Sandro?

***