It's already 1 AM and I'm still waiting for his birthday cake to bake. I already messaged him my birthday message.
It's his third birthday that we're going to celebrate together. I am planning to surprise him today. All he knows is we're gonna meet tonight, but I'm going to meet him earlier this morning.
The cake was now baked. I am foolishly smiling as I decorate the cake. I hope he likes this. After decorating, I put the cake in the fridge, and went to my bed to get some sleep before meeting him.
---
I put on my best dress and make-up. I looked at the time, it's already pass nine o'clock. I looked at my phone to see if he already saw my message, but it's still unseen. Maybe, he's still sleeping.
---
I took the bus to his condo unit. I looked at our photos together, and today, we'll be having a lot of good memories again. That means, more photos of us together. I smiled.
---
I texted him again. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin niya nababasa ang message ko. Nasa elevator na ako, just waiting to reach the 12th floor. I'm holding a box of cake that I made for him, and his gift, a scarf which I also knitted.
Naglalakad na ako sa hallway, as always, I feel excited seeing him. Para akong tangang naka-ngiti.
Since I know his code, I just typed it. Tahimik akong pumasok sa loob. It's still dim, kaya binuksan ko ang ilaw. I saw some bottles of empty beers and a pizza box with some left-overs. Did that guy celebrated last night?
Inilapag ko muna sa kitchen niya ang mga dala ko bago niligpit ang mga kalat niya. The door to his room is slightly open. I saw his face, he's still sleeping. I smiled. Lumapit ako sa pinto at dahan dahan itong binuksan.
My mouth fell and words were stolen. Agad kong naisara ang pinto. Nagmamadali akong lumabas sa unit niya, balisa. He's half-naked, and with another girl. They're covered in sheets. He's sleeping soundly and in his arms was another girl.
I pressed the elevator buttons at pagkapasok ko, unti-unting tumulo ang luha ko. I don't know what to feel. Naghahalo ang lahat pero nananaig yung sakit.
Parang may mabigat na nakadagan sa puso ko at nahihirapan akong huminga. The elevator opened at may mga pumasok. Napayuko na lang ako, trying to stop my tears.
Nang marating ko ang first floor, agad akong tumakbo palabas ng elevator, palabas ng building. I ran and ran until hindi ko na alam kung nasaan na ba ako. I just saw a bench, at pumunta ako dun para umupo.
I laughed bitterly. I love him, I loved him for almost three years. He also said that he loves me... But why? Why did he cheat on me on his birthday? We always celebrate together. We were happy.
Ako ang tinatawagan niya kapag gusto niyang uminom, kapag gusto niyang mag-usap. I am his girlfriend for almost three years. So, how can he do that to me?
Nag-ring yung phone ko. I grabbed it from my pocket. It's him, he's calling.
"Love..."
"Good-" I sniffed, "Good morning, love." I tried to control my voice, making it happier. "Happy birthday, love!"
"Did you drop by?" he asked. I bit my lip, trying to stop my tears.
"Y-yes love. I just dropped my gift. U-umalis din ako agad."
"Ganun ba? Thanks, love. See you later?"
"See you. I love you."
"Call you later, love. Bye."
Before he ended the call, I heard another voice in the background singing him his birthday song.
Napahagulgol na lang ako. I can't explain this feeling. Sobrang sakit. Sobrang hirap huminga. Pinipiga na yung puso ko. I just cried, cried my heart out.
---
I'm here at my apartment, still crying my heart out. I don't even know what's the time.
He's been calling me for the past hour, but I don't know if I can control myself. I don't want to ruin his day by crying and asking him why. I just texted him to celebrate his birthday with his friends 'cause I'm not feeling well.
Narinig ko ang doorbell. I ignored it but it keeps on ringing. I wiped my tears and lazily stood up. I didn't bother looking at the peephole and just opened the door.
"Ano bang kailangan mo!?" I asked, shouting. Not realizing it was him.
"Love, are you okay? May dysmenorrhea ka? I brought your faves, love." He said, smiling. His hands are holding plastics filled with foods, most of them are my favorite.
"Did you cry? Masyado bang masakit?"
I laughed bitterly and suddenly my tears started falling. "Oo, sobra." I said.
"Love, let me take care of you."
Pumasok na siya at dumiretso sa kusina. I followed him. Inaayos niya yung mga dala niya, I just looked at him, still crying. Lumapit ako sa kanya, and hugged him tight tsaka umiyak ng umiyak.
"I love you..." I mumbled.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Ako lang ba talaga, Love?" I asked him, still crying.
"O-oo naman, Love..."
He sounded stiff. I hugged him even tighter. "Happy birthday, Love."
I felt him kissed the top of my head. "Thank you, love."
I let go of him. He cupped my face and brushed my tears. I looked at his eyes, and I know, he doesn't look at me the way he does before. There's no love anymore.
"I have another gift..."
I tiptoed, reaching his lips with mine.
"Let's break up." My voice cracked.
"W-what?" He asked, confused.
Napaiyak ako nang maalala ko ang nakita ko kanina.
"M-magbreak na tayo. I'm sorry... B-but, I saw you earlier. Nakita kita... Sleeping with another girl."
He's silent. Not denying anything. Lalo akong napaiyak. "John, I'm..."
Tang ina. Ang sakit.
"I'm letting you go." I said.
"Thank you, Amy."
He hugged me one last time as he went outside. Napaupo ako sa sahig at humagulgol. Wala na siya. Wala na ang taong mahal ko. Wala na.
Happy birthday, Love. I hope you loved my gift. My gift of setting you free.
