Until the End | SB19 Sejun [SB19 Series Prequel]

8

Sejun's POV

December 20th was a memorable day for me. Today was Gab's birthday and since her family was in Palawan and she has no relatives in Cavite, mom offered to cook for her. Gab refused at first, probably shy. Mom, being the tough cookie that she is would not take no for an answer. She insisted. Tremendously.

"You are part of the family, Gab. Of course, we're throwing you a birthday party," Mom said.

Gab was speechless. She was not expecting that from my mom. It looks like Mom was bent on making Gab her daughter-in-law. I had stayed beside Gab, clutching her sweaty hand. Gab still staring astounded at my mom while Mom looked unbothered.

"Uhhhh...." Gab trailed off, unsure of what to say. She had looked at me helplessly.

I just nodded and said, "Mom's right. You are part of the family now."

She turned red- like a tomato. She had lightly smacked my arm but I could tell that she was all giddy from what I said.

"So, Gab?" Mom prompted. She was not letting this issue go until Gab would agree. Mom can be stubborn sometimes. This was one of those times that I was glad she was stubborn.

Gab deserves a birthday party. She deserves to have a celebration in her honor. I had felt bad that her parents could not come to her- what with their family business being in Palawan. But Mom had thankfully solved that problem. Mom was very willing to throw Gab a birthday party.

"I really don't know what to say," Gab answered. She looked teary-eyed. She probably was not expecting this too.

All throughout med school, Gab had celebrated her birthday with just a cake and a few friends. They would spend about an hour celebrating then would focus right back on studying since Gab's birthday usually falls before year-end exams.

Gab had told me before that she wished her birthday was not before her year-end finals, that she wished it was after. She wanted to be able to celebrate freely. Not with the impending doom of failure looming over her.

I snorted when she said impending doom of failure. Even when she said that she failed miserably in a couple of her quizzes, I knew those were not enough to pull her grades down. Failure is a part of life but Gab was tenacious in her studies, she might have failed but I was confident that she had pulled through.

She did pull through. I'm just so proud that my girlfriend is now a licensed doctor. I wanted Gab to have a night ultimately dedicated for her. A night, not an hour.

"Just say yes," Mom coaxed.

Gab finally agreed. It looked like Gab is now my mom's new daughter.

***

Gab had a blast on her birthday. Her party consisted of her, my family, my Dad via Messenger, and her parents via Zoom. She was all smiles the whole time. I was glad that Mom pushed for her to have a party. She looked so relaxed.

I was happy that she was having a great time. Happy future-wife, happy life.

After dinner, Gab and I wanted to stroll around the plaza. The streets of Imus were well lit, filled with Christmas lights. This would be my first Christmas season with Gab, the first of many more Christmas celebrations with the love of my life.

Denise and Alex wanted to come with us. Mom had thankfully shepherded my sisters and said, "You two need to be tucked in bed early."

Gab was chatting away, excited about how she was going to start working as a resident in the Family Medicine department at the hospital where we first met. I am so proud of her. Gab had blossomed and had become surer of herself, more confident.