Love in Bangketa

46

"Happy birthday, Queenie!"

"Thank you, Ate Xynnah!" She enveloped me in a warm hug. I hugged her back. I handed her my gift. Deretso na magsalita si Queenie ngayon, unlike when she was very very young.

"Do you like it?" I asked her the moment she opened the paper bag. I bought her two dresses. When I looked at it, naiimagine ko na 'yon ga'no kabagay kay Queenie. My little spoiled sister!

"Yes, Ate! It's so beautiful! Thank you," She smiled sweetly at me. I waited for Yuan to come tonight. Based from his texts, male-late raw siya nang konti because of the traffic.

To: Yuan

Don't text me. Please, drive safely.

Before, he would argue pa, but nakikinig na siya sa'kin ngayon.

"Ate Elisaaa!" Queenie shouted Elisa's name, kaya napaharap ako to see her. She was also holding a huge paper bag in her hand.

"Happy birthday, my chikiting! Here's my gift! Ito naman from Kuya Rex," Rex is Elisa's boyfriend. She would complain before about him, pero marupok pa rin siya. Silly, Elisa.

"In fairness, you came here alone, huh?" I laughed. Elisa rolled her eyes.

"Hindi raw makakapunta si Rex. Nakakabwisit!" Bumulong-bulong siya.

Tumawa ako sa reaksyon ni Elisa. Mas batang-bata pa rin talaga siya umakto. "Understand him na lang. Business world, alam mo naman,"

"Yeah, right! Alam ko... pero, basta. Let's not talk about him muna, I came here to party, Xynnah," Inilingan ko na lang siya. Minutes after, nagsimula na ang birthday party ni Queenie. Ang theme ng birthday niya ay Sofia The First, kaya halos light purple ang makikita mo everywhere.

That's our pagkakaiba ni Queenie. She's more into Violet naman.

Dad came over para na rin makiparty. Though, kahit na may ibang family na si Mommy, my Mom and Dad still talk. Hindi nga lang ng gaya dati.

"Oh, sabihin mo "Happy birthday, Queenie" ng sampung beses ha," Ani ng clown sa isang bata.

"Ha? Paulit po?" Napakamot ang bata sa kaniyang ulo na kinatawa ng lahat.

"Sabihin mo happy birthday, Queenie, 10 times. Kapag nabulol ka, syempre, evicted ka na. Ano, game?"

"Happy birthday, Queenie. Happy birthday, Queenie. Happy birthday, Queenie. Happy birthday, Queenie. Happy birthday, Nikwi--" Napa facepalm ang bata nang magkamali siya. I laughed. Ang cute niya!

"Out! Oh, babye na, kuyang bubwit! Oh, next nexttt!"

The other children played tons of games din. They were so eager because of the prizes. I helped Mommy to pick prizes that will make the children happy, kaya ito, super delighted sila sa birthday ni Queenie.

Minutes ago, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was too heavy! Naamoy ko agad ang pabango ni Yuan. He was handsomely wearing a casual suit while his hair was properly done. Gwapo.

"Am I late?" He asked while eyes still on the stage.

I raised an eyebrow. "Can't you see? Ayan oh, you have your watch, Yuan,"

He only laughed at me. I commanded him na ibaba ang kaniyang kamay. It was too heavy talaga! "Baba mo na. Ang bigat,"

"Later,"

"Yuan! Daliii, so heavy!" I irritatingly exclaimed. He smirked at binaba niya naman na. After the games, we were now about to give a message to Queenie.

"Happy birthday, my dalagita. You're already 5 years old, pero it feels like yesterday since I first held you in my arms. It was a serene feeling. Noong makita kita, naalala ko rin ang Ate Xynnah mo," Mommy looked at me, I smiled at her.