Chandler's POV
She didn't show up on my birthday.
In-asa-han ko ang pagpunta niya-- hindi ako na-pa-ngiti ng tatay at mga kaibigan ko kanina--pero siguro sobrang busy niya sa trabaho. Hindi ko na siya nakikita, tuwing nag-pupunta ako sa kanila, wala na siya, hindi ko siya na-a-abut-an. I even went there to invite her to the orphanage, but I ended up going alone. Prince was asking about her again but I didn't give answers.
Nasasabik na ako sa kaniya. Kanina pa ako hindi ngu-mi-ngiti hanggang sa umalis na lang ang mga kaibigan ko at sina Chandria na lang ang nandito.
It's already night but there's still a part inside me that hopes that she would come.
I felt someone is behind me so I turned, it's Channing, looking at me with his innocent look. I formed a fake smile, "Hi Channing!"
He suddenly hugged my legs. I was bewildered but I just hugged back.
"You're sad, don't fake it. Stop being plastic." He snapped. That made me smile a little, where did he get those words? It seems from out of nowhere.
"I'm not being plastic."
"Really? You're not even smiling a while ago. The fact that it is your birthday."
I messed up his hair and lowered myself to face him. "Bata ka pa talaga. You won't understand for now."
"Believe me, I do. To lessen your sadness, come with us." By looking at him, I see he's an intelligent child, and when he grew up, he will be a good guy.
"Saan naman?"
He reached for my ears and started to mumble, "I was begging Mom to bring me to the amusement park--it has opened today--help me please, I really want to go but Mom disagrees. Please, Tito!" He clasped his hands and kneeled down in front of me.
"Your Mom has your reasons, I'm sure of it. I won't interfere with her decisions." I lectured him.
He snapped once more and crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "Don't talk to me from now on."
I laughed. I guess it's not a bad thing. Maybe we'll see something there that might transform my sadness. "Okay, okay. Na-patawa mo naman ako 'e."
"Really? I'll take you to Mom. Talk to her!" Then, he pulled me and we crossed the dining room.
"Mom! Tito has got something to say to you." Shouted Channing. Chandria swiveled her head towards us and raised her brows. Emerold made a curious face, and Dad, still busy and serious to whatever he's doing on his phone.
"What is it?" Chandria asked.
I cleared my throat, "Punta tayong amusement park." I looked at all of them, they are puzzled.
"Why are you inviting us all of a sudden? Channing, you are behind this, aren't you?" She suspected.
I was about to answer when Channing stopped me. "Yes honestly. You are not listening to me, maybe you'll listen to Uncle. Please, Mom."
"Payagan mo na nga kasi, love. How about we all go together? Dad, would you come with us?" Emerold asked. Dad looked at us then shook his head.
Chandria looked at her son, "I can't believe you two," We waited for her answer, "Very well, I will just bring Emerald in the room, she's asleep and good thing she doesn't get disturb easily." and she stood up and asked Dad if he could check out Emerald. And when he nodded, we shouted hurray.
We arrived and I was stunned. I haven't even thought that the amusement park Channing talks about is the same place we used to hang out back then in high school.
It is absolutely nostalgic, and memories came flooding in my mind. I somehow forgot about this, maybe because when I was in college, I busied myself to studies and didn't let myself go out.
The difference is it's now renovated. "Let's try the new extreme ride!" Channing shouted behind me.
"It only opens every December unlike before. You remember?" Chandria asked.
I slowly nodded, "Yes, flooding in my head."
"Close your mouth. Let's go. Nauna na 'yung mag-ama doon."
How would I stop myself from opening my mouth? The place got more beautiful. Thousands of lights are playing, laughter is in the air, yells from the extreme rides, the fragrance of foods from the food avenues, and a hand waving in front of my face.
A hand?
Then, a snap of fingers bought me back to my senses. "Hello! Naiwan na nila tayo. Faster! I'm losing my sight of them." Chandria pulled me by my wrist and ran. She let go when she saw I was back in reality.
I lined up behind Chandria and others to the space shuttle but I saw the Ferris wheel and suddenly realized I want to be alone on top of it. "Sis, magkita na lang tayo mamaya." Bilin ko.
"Ha? Saan? Pati saan ka pupunta?"
"I'll just call you."
She called and asked me to come back but I didn't bother to swivel my head instead I headed to the Ferris wheel to get a ticket.
There are only few people in line so I ride on faster than I expected. I climbed up and buckled myself for safety. As I sat, I felt my phone being sit on so I fished it out of my pocket. I opened it and saw my wallpaper, then my sadness came back.
My fingers voluntarily pressed the call button of Ken's number. I noticed it late, she's already answered it.
["Hey. What's up?"] Her words felt like someone has stabbed my heart. She greeted me like she haven't forgotten my birthday.
["Chandler, I'm busy. What are you calling me for?"] She said innocently. Yes, she has amnesia but I texted her to come but why she didn't?
The ferris wheel goes down and for a second I think I heard her voice. And when it goes up, I looked down and searched for her.
"You didn't come to my birthday. Where exactly are you right now?" I asked.
["In the office. Why?"] Then, as I looked around again and saw a figure same as hers near the billiard zone.
My eyes narrowed, I tried to figure out if she was that. It's hard to see clearly, the shadow is the only thing I see.
Am I just being ridiculous or she's really lying to me?
Then, the figure started to walk away. I don't want to get off this ride because I am trying to relax but my instincts are working and I think I must rely upon this. I shouted, "Stop this ride!" but the operator made an X sign and shook his head.
Damn! How could I catch up!?
"I'm gonna jump from here if you won't make it stop!" I threatened and poked my head out the window.
I heard the operator cussed and just stop the ride when the people gathered and gasped in shock. Yes, I'm kinda making a scene here.
"Ano bang ginagawa mo!? Baliw ka na ba!?" The operator asked and his face was distorted with rage.
"Pasensya na po pero kailangan lang po." I bowed and just gave him some money as an apology for the scene I made. Then, I ran towards where I found the figure but it was gone.
I panted and stopped for a minute. I want to believe that she's not lying and she wasn't that figure, but something in my mind says I need to figure it out.
And what if? What if she's slacking off my back? No, she can't do that, she may has amnesia but she's Ken. Maybe not her because I trust her, but Thad--
"Thaddeus!" I whispered angrily. If I found out that he's stealing my girlfriend from me, I'll beat him up to death!