The Stepsisters

19-Angelie's birthday

-Angelie P.O.V-

It's my birthday. This party is only for me since Steff refused.

"Hey happy birthday."

"Thanks Jared."

"Ge. Have to accompany my girl."

He waved and went straight to their table. Andun ang varsity at si Steff. Kaunti lang naman ang bisita. Simpleng party lang ang hiniling ko kay Tito Eric. Ganun na lang ang gulat ng lahat ng mamatay ang ilaw.

"What happened?"

May biglang kumanta kasabay nun ang pag ilaw. He was there! Holding a flower while singing. Unti-unti siyang lumapit sa pwesto ko. My tears start to flow. He is full of surprises. My heart beats so fast as he stop in front of me.

"Happy birthday Angelie."

"Clark?"

He handed me the flowers then kneeled in front of me.

"Alam kong hindi pa okay ang lahat. Pero handa akong sumugal ngayon. The first time I saw you there's something on you that I can't explain. Until one day I found myself falling for you. And on this day I take so much courage to ask you this..."

He sigh and look me straight into my eyes.

"Angelie, would you be my girl?"

I'm speechless. He never fails to amaze me. I nodded in response. He get up and hug me tight.

"I love you Angelie."

"I love you too Clark."

And he kissed me. Narinig kong nagpalakpakan ang mga bisita. And I know I blushed. Nakakahiya naman kasi.

"Congrats bro!"

Sigawan ng varsity team. We look at them and smiled. Napatingin ako kay Steff. She's just looking at us blankly. I mean there's no anger or pain written. Bigla siyang tumayo at naglakad paalis. She don't even look back at Jared who's calling her.

"I have to talk to her."

"Pero Angelie?"

"Trust me Clark."

Iniwan ko siya saka sinundan si Steff. I found her at her room finding something.

"Ate Steff?"

"Why are you here? You left your visitors downstair?"

"I'm sorry."

"For what Angelie? You made your choice. You shouldn't be sorry for that bitch!"

"I love him Steff. I just want to be happy."

She looked at me as she grab her phone. Tahimik lang akong nakatingin sa kanya.

"Where are you going?"

"It's your birthday party Angelie. I'm afraid if I stay here I might ruin it."

"Steff?"

Nagsimula na siyang maglakad. Pero bago siya lumabas she said something that left me dumbfounded.

"Well I guess you win this time Angelie. But it's just for this night. I'm still not done yet."

Then she left. Napaupo ako sa kama niya. She really mad at me. But I won't lose hopes. I know she's starting to accept the reality. She even left the party for me. That means she want me to enjoy it without worrying her presence. I put a smile on my face and head down.

"Hey your fine?"

"Yeah."

"What happened? I saw Steff leaving."

"Nothing. Let's just enjoy."

Nginitian ko siya saka kami lumapit sa mga kaibigan namin. They all congratulate us. Even Jared. Ganun na lang gulat ko ng tumabi si Rica sa akin. Kasama siya ng varsity kaya andito siya.

"You really want to suffer huh."

"What do you mean?"

I look at her. Palagi akong kinakabahan kapag kausap ko siya. She's always into something.

"Sana hinintay mo muna siyang maka move on. You know how much she hates you for stealing Clark."

"I don't stole him."

"Of course you don't. But you both stepped on her pride you know."

"Stop that Rica! Tinatakot mo siya."

He look at me seriously.  There's no emotion on his face. He look so bored.

"I'm not scaring her Jared. I'm just giving her a warning."

"Let her enjoy her day Rica!"

"Duh! C'mon Jared, you know you can't stop Steff all the time."

"Yeah! But it's her birthday. She shouldn't worry such things right now."

"Whatever!"

She face me and smiled.

"Anyway just ready bitch! Your the dragon's prey now."

Agad siyang umalis saka tumabi kay Jared habang nag uusap sila. A dragon's prey? I know that. But I don't want to worry about that thing. I know Steff still a good one too.
It's 2 in the morning when they decided to go home. Pero hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin bumabalik si Steff.

"Jared?"

Tiningnan niya ako habang nakasandal sa kotse niya.

"Hindi pa rin umuuwi si Ate Steff."

"Where did she go?"

"I don't know. She didn't even bring her car."

"Okay!"

Tumalikod siya saka binuksan ang kotse niya. Hindi man niya sabihin alam kong nag-aalala siya. Napatingin ako sa taong umakbay sa akin.

"Do you think she will be fine?"

"Of course. Jared will find him for sure."

"I'm worried Clark."

"Don't be. She will be fine hon."

I look at him. He smiled sweetly at me. Napangiti na rin ako.

"I have to go too."

"Okay. Take care. I love you."

"Sure hon. I love you too."

He kissed me on the lips. Pagka alis niya ay pumasok na rin ako sa bahay. I hope I will survive for the coming days. And I know Clark will always be at myside from now on. It's just a trial. I will overcome it.

-to be continue-