Love and Lies

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

12 am, June 29

"Happy Birthday to you... happy birthday happy birthday, happy birthday to you..." kanta ko habang hawak ang maliit na cake na binili ko kanina sa MJ Square.

Nasa baybayin kami nun ni Ly at nag s-shot ng konti hanggang sa maantok, akala ko nga gigisingin ko pa sya para maggreet ng happy birthday eh, kaso pareho kaming gising ngayun at umiinom ng alak at nag uusap tungkol sa mga bagay bagay, with bbq, curls, stallion, kaunting bonfire at syempre background music. We're just savouring out last night in Bantayan Island. Chill chill lang sa tabing dagat, stargazing, inhale exhale sa fresh na hangin, pa music music lang, tingin sa alon, usap about life.... gaya lang ng dati.

She smiled as she realized na birthday na niya pala, tawang tawa panga sya kasi isang slice lang ng cake yung hawak ko tsaka bday candle na pink.

"Blow na.. sorry walang whole eh, sliced lang." sabi ko saka nilapit na sa kanya yun.

"Naaaahhh.. it doesn't matter..."

I smiled. "Make a wish na..."

She closed her eyes.

Then open it and blow the candle.

"Yehey!!!" Saka nilagay na yun sa ibabaw ng icebucket. "Happy Birhday!" Sabi ko sa kanya.

She smiled and looked at me. "Do you want to know what i wished?"

I thought for a second or two. "No."

Napa kunot noo naman ito agad. "Why?"

"Because... kapag malaman ko... or kapag  sinabi mo.. edi... di na mangyayari yun."

Napaisip naman agad ito. "Ganun ba yun?"

Tumawa ako. "Ewan! Pero dba may parang general rule yun regarding wishes..."

"Ahhh.. ganun ba yun?"

"Yes.. so just keep it..." sabi ko sabay pinch sa pisngi nito. Napatingin naman agad ito sakin.

She's as if looking through me. Ang lalim eh, o baka  dahil kanina pa kami umiinom ng alak, at mejo natatamaan na.

She held my hand na nakahawak parin sa pisngi niya.

She gently squeeze it.

"Thanks..." sabi nito.

I smiled. "Saan?"

"Everything?"

"Sus.. wala yun..."

"No.. but seriously... thank you, Den."

I looked at her, i could see sincerity in her eyes.

"I would be happy if you're still by my side tomorrow..."

Unti unting nawala ang ngiti sa labi ko, and looked away.

"Den... if only."

I looked above and let out a sigh.

"Please, Ly." i already cried my heart out kanina, kasi alam  kong walang patutunguhan ito.

Then bigla niya akong hinila palapit sa kanya, i landed on her chest, she then hugged my tight.

"Let's just stay like this... for a while."

1...2...3...

I could hear her heart beating. And i love the sound of it, nakakalma, sabay pikit ng mata.