Found You

96

"Ma'am bakit po kayo umiiyak?" the makeup artist said.

Kung niya pa sinabi hindi ko mapapansin. I look myself in the mirror. My tears are foolishly falling from my eyes.

"Can you give 10 minutes?" she confusedly looks at me before nodding and left the suite. 

Aki's message was sent 12:00 AM. Hindi na ako nakatulog simula noong nabasa ko iyon. I was crying non stop, never minding my eyes that will surely get puffy. I wanted so much to forget him, but I couldn't. Hindi ko magawa... o ayaw ko lang talagang... gawin. Wala na ba talaga? Can't our families reunited so we can be together? But that's so selfish, Abi! Liking him is painful. What if loving him will be the death of me? I just want to be with him without all of these, but that is so impossible.

Lumilipad ang isip ko habang inaayusan ako. My bestfriends tried to cheer me up the whole time. When the hairstylist and makeup artist finished, I can't help but to admire my rose quartz tube top ball gown. It has 3d pink floral lace with black accent on the bodice around waist. The skirt has interesting pattern and golden glitter tulle overlay. Kinulot ang aking buhok at may iilang palamuti. 

Nakayuko lang ako habang naririnig ko ang pagpapakilala sa akin ng MC. When the door opened, awe is in the eyes of the guests. It's so hard to smile. Nadaanan ko ng tingin sila Kyru kaagad na hinanap ng mga mata ko siya, but he wasn't there. Nangingilid na naman ang luha ko kaya hinayaan ko na iyong tumulo. 

It's my birthday today. I should be happy, but no, I'm sad.

I looked around to see where my parents are. Dad's smiling while Mom isn't. She's just standing there, watching me closely. I'm unaware of what's happening in the event, I just only speak if necessary. Tahimik lang ako at paminsan-minsang ngumiti noong cotillion. When it's the time for my 18 roses the ambiance of the hall change. Naging malamlam ang ilaw. Daddy is my first dance.

"Happy birthday. Me and your Mom wishes you all the best. You're the greatest gift God has given to us. We love you..." he said as we dance. I can't help but to shed a tear.

"I love the both of you too, Dad... Thank you for everything."

I was awkward with the next guys. Tumatango lang ako habang kinakausap nila.

"Stan," I greeted and gave him a small smile. Stan smiled back and handed me the rose.

"Huwag kang sumimangot, birthday na birthday mo pa naman..."

"Pake mo ba?" I laughed. "Thank you for coming."

"My gift's expensive, muntik nang maubos ang allowance ko gamitin mo 'yon, ha!" pinandilatan ako ng mata nito.

He tried to pull some jokes and it makes me laugh. Nathan followed. Magaan ang  pagkakahawak sa aking bewang as if he doesn't want to touch it.

"Nandidiri ka ba sa akin? Why are you far from me?" I asked him, confused.

"Of course not! Kailangan lang dumistansya baka mayari.  By the way, nice party. Sarap ng pagkain kaso bakit walang shanghai? Okay na sana, e..."

"Wow, ha. Sige mag paparty ulit ko tapos puro shanghai ang pagkain, ewan ko na lang kung hindi ka manawa," umirap ako sa kaniya.

Si Kuya Xyvion ang sumunod. His brow arched while watching my expression.

"What?"

"I should be your last dance! Why did you choose that Kyru ba?" he asked.

"I've never been this down on my birthday, Kuya. He sent me a message that's why I'm like this. I want to take him back... so badly..." I whispered the last sentence. Pinisil ni Kuya Xyvion ang aking kamay.

"You can't be together."

"Ang hirap-hirap naman kasi, Kuya, e. Alam mo namang patay na patay ako roon, 'di ba?" Kuya's eyes widened when he saw my tears.

"Shh... don't cry. I'm sorry if I can't do something, I'm sorry..." I smiled bitterly. Kuya Xyvion hugged me before giving me to Kyru.

The strum of guitar echoed the whole place. My chest throbbed loudly. As if something's going to happen.  Kyru walked slowly towards me. I gulp and tighten my hold to the roses. Parang may nagbabara sa lalamunan ko habang pinapanood si Kyru na naglalakad papunta sa'kin. I can't deny these beatings. Sigurado akong sa kanya lang ito nangyayari at hinding hindi sa iba. Sa kanya lang ako nagkakaganito.

He stopped in front of me, and I can't barely move when our eyes met. This is Kyru, right? This is Kyru behind that mask. Sinuyod ko siya ng tingin. They had the same outfit. Same hair. It's impossible that this is him.

Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you

Binigay niya sa aking ang huling rosas. He kissed the back of my hand before we started to dance. Nakahawak ang isang palad niya sa aking bewang. The other hand is holding my hand.

Si Kyru nga ba 'to o si...

Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin?
If I can't help falling in love with you

"A-Aquiver?"

"Happy birthday, my princess..." right there and then I confirmed that it was him.

Shocked was written all over my face. How did he get here? Is this a surprise or what? I don't know!

"I'm sorry," he said again. My lips twitched. Puro na lang iyak ang ginawa ko sa araw na'to.

"I'm sorry too. I don't want to leave you hanging it's just that..." hindi ko na napigilan at yinakap siya. I don't care what are the guests thinking right now. I missed him so much.

Naramdaman ko ang pagyakap niya sa akin pabalik. Tumawa si Aki nang maghiwalay kami at nagpatuloy sa pagsasayaw.

"We only had limited time..."

I nodded. "Kaya sulitin na natin. We'll never know, maybe this is the last time we will see each other. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ka nandito, but you made me so happy, Aki... you're the only person I wish to be on my birthday and it came true!" tuwang-tuwa na sabi ko.

We kept on whispering each other until it's time.

"Abi?" he called me.

"Hmm?"

"Aantayin kita... baka hanggang dito muna sa ngayon. But if you want to come back... I am always here." He kissed my forehead.

My stubborn heart will always choose him.