Opposites Collide

Chapter 12

Josh's

"Happy birthday to you!~ Happy birthday to you!~ Happy birthday~ Happy birthdayyy~ Happy birthday to youuuu!~"

"Happy 7th birthday, our Joshieeee!"

"Happy 7th birthday, baby."

I giggled when Dad brought the cake closer to me so I could blow out the candles. But of course, I made sure to make a wish before I blew them out, and after that, the whole venue erupted with applause from the guests.

"What did our baby wish for?" Mom asked me sweetly.

I heard Dad giggle. "As far as I know, you’re not supposed to say your wish kasi hindi natutuloy."

Natawa si Mom. "Come on, honey, naniniwala ka pa rin sa paniniwala na 'yan?"

Dad shrugged his shoulders and ruffled my hair. "Fine, what did our baby wish for?"

I smiled widely, and seeing how my parents cooed at my cuteness, I couldn't help but giggle softly. And then I told them the wish I made before blowing out the candles.

"My wish is to spend many more years with you, Mommy, Daddy. I want you both to be there when I become a pilot!"

Mom giggled as she reached for my hand and kissed it softly, then placed it on her cheek and smiled at me sweetly. "Baby, where would your Daddy and I go? Of course, we’ll stay together as a complete family until you become a captain."

I beamed and looked at Dad, who was just watching us. "Daddy, what's wrong?"

Because of that, Mom also looked at him and noticed his strange expression. She looked at him with concern and placed her hand on Dad's forehead and neck.

"Hindi ka naman nilalagnat. Why does your face look like that? Are you feeling unwell, hon?" Mom asked, and Dad just shook his head.

"Nothing," he replied with a smile. "Come on, hon, asikasuhin na natin ang mga bisita ni Josh. You too, Josh, play with your friends, hm? Make them comfortable at your party."

I nodded with a smile on my face. Mom patted my head once more before they walked away to interact with the visitors.

I couldn't stop smiling as I watched them talk to our other relatives. Dad even put his arm around Mom, and I could see how she was trying to hide her smile.

I couldn't help but feel happy seeing my parents like that.

Unaware that it would be the last time I saw them happy and together.

-

I heard a loud crash from downstairs while I was heading to my room to sleep. It was already midnight, and mga around 10 PM na kami nakauwi from my birthday party.

I was about to go to the stairs to check what was happening downstairs when Manang Ysabel stopped me. She shook her head and said I needed to rest.

"But yaya, I just want to check if maybe a thief got into the mansion and that's why it's noisy downstairs."

"Hindi na, Josh. Makinig ka na, hm? May pasok ka pa bukas, right? Gusto mo bang ma-late ng gising kasi late ka na din natulog?"

I shook my head. Manang Ysabel just smiled at me softly and accompanied me to my room. But before we could start walking, I suddenly heard a scream.