December 25, 2019
12:00 am
This is my most awaited Christmas day because it's my eighteenth birthday! Could you imagine? After 18 years of waiting, i'll finally have my freedom. Hindi na ako natulog dahil hinintay ko talagang pumatak ang alas dose. In my family, we always have a family dinner at Christmas evening to celebrate our birthdays. Yes, we all have the same birthdays but this year is special because I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO WILL TURN EIGHTEEN!
Patalon-talon pa ako habang naglalakad sa pasilyo papunta sa office ni daddy. Gusto kong ako ang unang makita nya ngayon at gusto ko na ring kuhanin ang regalo ko in advance. I don't want my other siblings to get to my dad first and ruin his mood. Mamaya pwede na kapag nakuha ko na ang regalo ko pero ngayon dapat ako muna ang makita niya.
"Hey!"
Napawi ang ngiti ko nang makaharap ko si Nicolai na kalalabas lang ng pinto ng office ni dad. Ngiting-ngiti pa siya sa akin kung alam niya lang kung gaano ko kagustong tanggalin lahat ng ngipin niya sa pagkairita. Bakit ba hindi nalang ibigay itong araw na ito para sa akin? Lagi nalang ba akong mauunahan?
"Happy birthday, Nat! Are you looking for dad? He's inside and well, you're lucky because he seems to be in a good mood."
Inirapan ko nalang sya at binuksan iyong pinto sa office ni daddy. I smiled widely when I saw my father sitting on his swivel chair.
"Happy 18th birthday to me, daddy!" I exclaimed. Mabilis kong niyakap ang daddy ko para maglambing. Alam na niya kaagad kung bakit ako nandito.
"Are you that excited to leave the house, Natalia?" Seryosong sabi ni dad. Natawa lang ako. Lagi namang seryoso ang daddy kahit na minsan ay nagjojoke siya tapos hindi mo alam na nagjojoke pala siya.
"Are you gonna cry because you realized that your baby girl isn't a baby anymore, daddy? Oh c'mon! You're better than that."
Hindi siya nagsalita at mula sa ilalim ng table inilabas iyong pinakahihintay kong susi. Agad kong kinuha iyon at nagtatatalon sa sobrang tuwa. OMG! I am really having my OWN PLACE! And my OWN CAR!
"Don't be too excited, Natalia. You know what those things entail right?"
My father is really a kill joy but i am too happy and I don't really give a damn about what he's saying. All I know is that I am finally free.
"Do you hear me, Natalia?"
I nodded not really taking his words seriously but i answered nonetheless.
"Yes, dad. I know about my RESPONSIBILITIES"
I almost rolled my eyes. Of course, may kapalit. I already know that. Hindi naman ako ang panganay kaya nakita ko na iyon sa mga nakatatanda kong kapatid.
"Good. Now,start making me proud. Earn that CPA title no matter what"
This time I laughed.
Wala na bang mas hihirap pa? That's too easy! I wouldn't even sweat.
**
