Project: I Love You (Academic Strand Series #1)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

#PILY13

“Happy birthday Frances!” I greeted Francesca.

She went to hug me tightly and even kissed me in my cheek.

Kinuha ko ang regalo ko at binigay sa kaniya. It was a branded bag na dali-dali ko lang binili kahapon.

“Thank you Bes! Sure kang mamahalin to ah. Kung hindi ganito din ibibigay ko sayo sa debut mo.”
Natawa ako sa reaksyon niya. Kahit kailan talaga.

Pinapasok ako ni Francesca sa loob. Marami siyang bisita na dapat
kaya naman ay susunod na lang daw siya.

Nilibot ko ang aking paningin sa paligid. Everywhere is filled with decorations. It was a black and white themed birthday celebration.

Malawak ang loob at labas ng bahay nina Francesca kaya naman dito na idinaos ang kaarawan niya. It was just a simple celebration.

Totoong maarte si Francesca pero ayaw niya ng mga magarbong selebrasyon. Sa halip daw kasi na sa isang handaan lang sila gagastos e ipambibili na lang niya ng mga damit. I like her mindset though, at least praktikal siya kung mag-isip.

It was very opposite from a ballgown-like party. Mas mukha pa nga itong clubhouse party dahil sa mga patay sinding mga ilaw, bagay na gustong-gusto naman ni Francesca.

Unlike her, gusto ko naman yung magmumukha akong prinsesa sa kaarawan ko. Tapos 18 roses na sigurado kong puro nagwagwapuhan. Sa isip ko pa lang na si Julian ang last dance ko ay kinikilig na ako. Paano pa kaya kung magkatotoo?

I wanted a yellow-themed party too, inspired by my favourite flower Tulips. That’s my dream debut.
“Blaire dito!”

Napalingon ako nang may tumawag sa akin. It was Jasmine who was sitting in one of the tables together with Shan and Kuya na hindi ko inaasahang mauuna pa sa akin. They were all wearing black just like the birthday celebrant unlike me who’s wearing a white off the shoulder dress.

“Good evening everyone and welcome to my dear Francesca’s birthday. My daughter wanted a simple celebration but as a mother I wanted this special day to be memorable. I love you anak, I hope you’re happy tonight.” Tita Fatima said that made Francesca shed tears.

The lights turned off after that. Nabalot ng katamihikan ang paligid. And when the lights were finally back, we screamed in shock all together.

Shit. Tumambad lang naman sa harapan naming ang sikat na grupong Boyband Ph!

Russell, Neil, Ford, Tristan and Joao is in the house!

We were all shocked and strucked as they started to play a song.

It was Photograph by Ed Sheeran. Francesca’s one of her favourite songs.

Loving can hurt, loving can hurt sometimes
But it’s the only thing that I know
When it gets hard, you know it can get hard sometimes
It is the only thing that makes us feel alive

As soon as they hit the note, Francesca’s dad came in front with a rose.

We keep this love in a photograph
We made this memories to ourselves
Where our eyes are never closing
Hearts are broken
And time’s forever frozen still

They dance with the rhythm. Francesca is emotional. I can see extreme happiness in her eyes. After her father, our classmates came and dance with her next. Even the five stars came one after the other and groove with her.