PETRICHOR

Title Six

In a spacious, exquisite dining room with a shining chandelier made with real gold placed in the middle of a long, crystal-clear table with so many delicious foods along with seven crystal-clear chairs on both sides, one chair at the end and another in front of the table where her father, who is grinning from ear to ear, is seated, Rei's eating quietly.

"Beksy." mahinahong tawag ng kaniyang papa sa mayordoma nila.

"Yes, sir?"

"Call everyone to join us and dine in. Tell them it's Simon's daughter's birthday." utos ng ama.

"Right away, sir." tugon ni Beksy saka naglakad palabas.

Maya-maya lang ay naka-linyang naglabasan ang labing-apat na kasambahay nila na kapwa nakapang maid's uniform kasabay ng anim na drivers na naka-uniporme din. Ito ang mga full-time in service sa kanila. Ilang taon nang nagsisilbi at naglilingkod sa kanilang pamilya. Ang iba kasing drivers at bodyguards ay hindi gaanong lagay ang loob ng kaniyang ama. Gayunpaman ay maayos ang pakikitungo nito sa kanila.

"Don't just stand there, guys. Take a seat. There's plenty of food for us to enjoy, come on." aning kaniyang ama sa mga naiilang at nahihiyang mga kasambahay ngunit agad namang sinunod ang utos nito.

Rei turned to face her dad. Putting aside the bitterness she has about 'Dark's issue', she is feeling proud. Her father has always been a man who values having good relationships with everyone in his life.

"Maraming salamat po sa pag-imbita sa amin dito, sir Samuel" magalang at nakangiteng bati ni nanay Cecelia, ang asawa ni tatay Simon.

"Walang anuman, Cecelia. By the way, is this Shane? Wow, you look so much like a man now." tugon ng ama kasabay ng pagtayo nito para guluhin ang buhok ni Shunn na hanggang tenga na sa kaniya.

"Pa, it's Shunn." pagtatama ni Rei. Ngumite naman ang binata at lumapit sa kaniayng ama.

"Hello po, tito Sam. Kayo naman po ay bumabata." biro naman ng binata dahilan upang tumawa ang kaniyang ama. 19 years old lang ito at kasalukuyang 2nd year college. "Hi, ate Rie." nahihiyang bati nito sa kaniya.

She greeted him back.

"And you must be, Ashley?" tanong naman nito sa batang babae na katabi ng kaniyang ama.

Nakangiteng tumango si Ashley, "Good morning po, tito Sam." bati nito na ikinatuwa ng kaniyang ama.

"Happy birthday, hija. Dati lang, you're just in this height." iminuwestra nito ang kaniyang tuhod. "But look at you right now, you make me feel like I was away for a very very long time. Anyway, kain tayo muna. It's a special day. Specially for you, little one." iginaya ng ama ni Rei ang bata sa dulo ng lamesa kung nasaan ang isang pink cake na may 12 candles na kulay pink din. 

"I heard your favorite color is pink?" tumango naman ang bata at natutuwang umupo kaharap ng cake. "Well, not to mention, I'm a great baker so I personally baked you this strawberry cake as a birthday present and this is a bonus." iniabot nito ang maliit na red velvet box na namamangha namang inabot ni Ashley.

"Oh my gosh! Maraming pong salamat, tito!" niyakap ng bata ang kaniyang ama. 

Mr. Severrein giggled.

"Happy birthday, Ash!" lumapit ang bata at yinakap siyaaza. "Sorry, I was busy. 'Di ako nakapaghanda ng gift." she said feeling disappointed. 

Tumango naman ang si Ashley habang nakangite na tila ba excited. "Thank you, ate Rei. Okay lang po 'yon! Your presence is enough hehe."

Rei smiled. 

"Later, abot ko sa'yo." dagdag niya na ikina-kilig ng celebrant.

Sunod-sunod na bumati ng maligayang kaarawan ang mga tao sa loob ng bahay kasabay ng pagkanta ng 'happy birthday' song at pag-ihip ni Ashley ng kandila sa kaniyang birthday cake.