I Would Hate To Be You

Chapter 47 [all the same]

Chapter 47

August 23

"Look who I brought?!" I enthusiastically exclaimed while pointing at the person standing beside me.

Elysse's eyes widened at the sight of a Sash Marquez holding a box of cake on her right hand while standing in front of her door. She couldn't believe it with her own eyes, but yep, I was able to convince her to join us for today's celebration. Sobrang milestone na 'to dahil itong si Sash, ang hirap kumbinsihin na lumabas sa lungga niya.

"Wow! Bilib na talaga ako sa convincing powers mo, Atom!" Tumawa siya habang kinukuha ang cake sa kamay ni Sash. Humakbang na kami papasok sa bahay nila at sinarado niya ang pinto sa likuran namin.

My mouth gaped upon entering their home. I've been here countless times, but every time I see how beautiful this house is, it still renders me speechless. The design is a combination of both industrial and minimalist. Most of their furniture have monochromatic colors that play around the palette of steel gray, wooden brown and off white. Iba talaga kapag architect at engineer ang parents.

Dumiretso kami sa sala para ilapag ang mga bags namin. Marami kaming bitbit dahil mago-overnight kami ngayon ni Sash dito sa bahay nila. We actually wanted to book a hotel para less hassle. Pero nag-invite itong isa na sa bahay na lang daw nila dahil wala ang family niya. Nagbabakasyon kasi sila sa Cebu ngayon kaso hindi siya nakasama dahil sa Master's niya.

It's a double-celebration for her birthday last July 17 and mine tomorrow. Nag-decide kami na pagsabayin na lang dahil baka mahirapan pa kami na makapag-schedule ng ibang araw kung paghihiwalayin pa namin. Plus, baka hindi na maulit na mayaya namin 'tong si Sash. Kaya naman noong mapapayag ko na siya, sinabihan ko na agad si Elysse.

Normally, when it's my birthday, I only celebrate it with Sash, my family and Ate Asia's family over a simple dinner. But since this year is very special, I agreed to do it a bit different. Mabuti na lang at pumayag sina Kuya Boaz at ang parents ko na sa ibang bahay ako magsalubong. And I branded this very intimate party as 'special' because we are finally saying goodbye to our teenage years. Well, last month, Elysse already said goodbye to hers. While I'm yet to bid farewell to it tomorrow. Oh, how time flies so fast, isn't it? When the clock hits twelve in the morning later, I'll turn twenty. And I don't know exactly know how to feel about that.

"Atom used her birthday card on me for you, Elysse," Sash informed her while we're walking towards their kitchen. Bitbit namin ang mga pinamili namin sa grocery bago kami nagpunta rito. Ipagluluto raw kasi kami nitong si Elysse. Papakitaan niya raw kami ng mala-MasterChef levels na pagluluto niya na ikapapahiya ni Gordon Ramsay. Kulit talaga.

"Aww. Love mo talaga ako, Atom!" Elysse cooed while holding her chest, as if she's so moved with what she heard. Then, she ran towards my direction and gave me a hug.

"Sobra," I replied, smiling widely while tapping her shoulder.

We broke the hug and we put the groceries on top of their kitchen island table. For this celebration, we bought ingredients for Elysse's signature tuna pasta with olive oil and mushroom. She'll also cook buffalo wings and potato mojos for us. For dessert, we have Tres Leches from Slice, of course—our favorite cake. Plus, sparkling wine for our fancy toast. Well, ako lang naman ang iinom nito dahil mayroon kaming ibang drinks na binili. Soju para kay Elysse at sake naman para kay Sash just because she fancies everything Japanese.

Sash gently massaged her shoulders while looking at Elysse after she brought down the last plastic bag. "Nabanggit ba ni Atom sa'yo ang legendary way ng pag-greet ko sa kaniya ng happy birthday?" she asked her.