Kiss or Slap

Wakas

This is the last chapter. You've made it this far. You are so amazing.

____________________Wakas

"Hala ka, Elaina, umiyak." Si Yeji na nataranta rin sa pag-iyak ni Mecho.

"OMG, hindi ko in-expect na iiyak siya, Kuya." Elaina whispered back.

Natahimik silang lahat. I looked at them with my apologetic eyes. The prank didn't work. It was a fail. Ni hindi man lang napansin ni Mecho ang mga balloons sa paligid. Pati nga iyong cake na hawak ko, hindi niya napansin.

"Mecho, that was a prank." I softly informed him. "We were planning to surprise you."

Nag-ingat ako sa mga sinabi ko dahil hindi ko na mapigilan. Parang piniga ang puso ko noong tumingala siya sa akin na parang bata. Beads of tears were making his eyes swell and red.

"A-Are you....not with another man?"

I shook my head at ipinakita ang cake. "Wala. That was a only a prank."

I was beyond amazed seeing him as emotional as this. Nasabi ko ng prank ito. Pero hindi nagbago ang kanyang hitsura.

He was like a baby trying to contain his sobs and cries inside. Parang hinahaplos ng isang mainit na kamay ang puso ko.

"I was so relieved. Akala ko..." his voice was suddenly ragged with feeling.

"Happy birthday!" I filtered all of my emotions using my laugh.

Inilapag ko sa kama ang cake at itinayo siya. Para naman siyang natulala na ewan, at 'saka na lamang nagising sa reyalidad nang nagsilapitan sila Yeji sa amin habang tumatawa pa.

"Ang drama, pucha!" Duval said and gave Mecho a light pat on his head.

"Happy birthday, Kuya! I love you. Sorry for this, but it was worth it!" Elaina hugged Mecho, who was still preoccupied at the moment.

"Ayan, natulala na, pinaiyak mo kasi." Pang-aasar ni Jandra na hanggang ngayon ay hawak pa rin ang camera.

"Hindi ko rin alam na umiiyak si Kuya!" Elaina said, pouting.

Now, you know, little kid.

"Ouch! Kawawa naman si Mecho! Are you still breathing, dude?" Yeji asked, laughing so hard.

"Fuck you," he cursed at them.

Yeji laughed at nakipaghype five kay Duval.

"Wala na. Nasira na iyong plano, Mecho. This was supposed to be a plain surprise with us, throwing the confetti at your face, pero iyakin ka kasi kaya nasira na!" Singit pa ni Jandra.

"Blow the candles na kuya!" Pumalakpak pa si Elaina.

In his dark and introspective mood, it took a few moments for the possibilities of the scene to make an impact on Mecho. He was like in deep thinking, ni hindi niya na inalintana pa ang panunukso nila Yeji sa kanya.

"Okay ka lang ba, p're? Ako kinakabahan sa'yo," Yeji suddenly waved his hand on Mecho's face.

"Dude, 911, on screen." Duval showed his cellphone dialler.

I giggled silently.

"Paki-check nga kung humihinga pa," gatong pa ni Jandra.

Mecho turned to me with eyes full of unsaid thoughts. Napaawang ang mga labi ko.

"Blow your candles," I smiled.

Kanina pa, eh. Kulang na lang matunaw nang tuluyan iyong kandila.