Ken's POV
As the cycle goes around everyday--Chandler was checking me if I am here--his birthday came. Tenth day of December. We're supposed to celebrate it, dating somewhere or in his house. In fact, last year, I invited him to a movie date, then we went to the overview of the lake. We watched the stars and the moon in the sky, while holding hands in the car.
It is raining outside, para bang nakikiramay sa aking kalungkutan na hindi matatanggal sa puso ko. Gumuhit ako ng sad face sa bintana ko. Sa dinami-daming lumipas na kaarawan ni Chandler, ito ang pinaka-malungkot. Hindi ko siya makakasama at ganun din siya kasi hindi ako pupunta. He texted me earlier to go in their house, our friends are invited too but I doubt if they would come.
Naghahanda na sana ako ngayon at excited na makita siya pero hindi pwede. I told myself, I'll never let him know. Paninindigan ko ito.
Pero sana maging masaya naman siya ngayon, kahit dito lang sa ibibigay kong regalo.
Gustong-gusto ko siyang yakapin at halikan at maramdaman siya tabi ko. Gustong gusto ko siya makita ngayon, at sa araw-araw. Gusto ko siyang mahawakan at mabati ngayon.
I hugged my knees and cried, I can't do things like that. I don't think I can do those things anymore. But every time I don't, I almost do.
Chandler's POV
I texted them at 8 am but no replies until now, 10 am. I invited them to come, Dad has fixed everything--he foods, the living and the dining room decorations, and the cake--but no one has come yet. Especially, my girlfriend.
I already checked my message, if my messages were not sent, but apparently, it's sent. I wonder what's wrong.
What if I call them?
I retrieved my phone from the drawer and dialed Aurisse's number.
["Happy Birthday, Chandler!"] Salubong niyang sambit. Naalala naman pala niya 'e, bakit wala pa?
"Thank-you. Have you received my message?"
["Yes, yes. I am on the way. Sorry if I'm late, I waited for my husband, kakarating niya lang."]
"Talaga? Sige, hintayin kita. Salamat!"
["Syempre naman, birthday mo, wala akong mamimiss ni isa. Sige, bye muna."] Ibinaba niya na ang telepono bago ko pa man magawa.
Sunod kong tinawagan si Yejenia, kahit naman galit sa akin yun, kaibigan ko pa rin 'yun, hindi ko makakalimutan na imbitahan siya.
["Hello?"]
"Hi. Have you received my message?"
["Oo naman, hindi sira cellphone ko 'no. Oo nga pala, Happy Birthday. Pupunta ako diyan kapag dumating na 'yung papalit sa shift ko."] Pataray niyang saad pero alam kong hindi niya 'yun makakalimutan kahit may galit siya sa akin.
"Okay, thank you. Can I receive a gift?" I joked.
["Anong regalo naman?"]
"Forgiveness? Galit ka pa ba sa akin?"
["Hays. Oo, galit ako sa iyo noon, pero sige, pinapatawad na kita. I was sorry too, you know? Ang immatured ko."] I am happy to what I just heard.
"Thank you so much. I think you were not, may rason naman kung bakit ka nagalit sa akin."
["You're welcome, Chan. Happy Birthday ulit. Bye muna."]
Masaya naman akong pupunta mga kaibigan ko, akala ko hindi na 'e.
Kahit nga si Thaddeus ay inimbitahan ko rin. Kabilang naman siya sa grupo namin. Basta inimbita ko siya, hindi ko na aalamin kung pupunta siya.
Pero si Ken, 'yung girlfriend ko, 'yung pinaka-hinihintay kong mag reply. Sana pumunta naman siya. I miss her, hindi ko siya ina-abutan sa tuwing pumupunta ako sa kanila.
Namimiss ko na siyang yakapin at halikan. Gusto ko siyang makita, kung sa condominium lang ito, matatakbo ko siya pero hindi 'e. This is our house, not my condominium.
"They're coming?" Dad asked from behind.
"Yes, Dad. Hindi pa po ako sure kung si Ken ay pupunta rin."
"But you messaged her?"
"Yes, Dad." He nodded and motioned to the kitchen. The door bell rang, and from the surveillance camera, it is my sister, her family's with her.
"Happy birthday, little brother! Open the door this instant or I will!" She threatened.
"I prefer the choice 'you will'." I laughed but opened the gate for her.
Pagkapasok nila ay sinalubong agad ako ni Channing at niyakap. Emerold pat my shoulder, and Chandria hugged and greeted me.
Then, sunod sunod na silang nag-si-datingan. Aurisse with her husband, and Yejenia with Hugh. They all hugged and greeted me before got accommodated by the maid. "Feel at home guys! Be comfortable!" I reminded.
I am standing by the door, waiting for Ken to come. Ken has never missed a single birthday of her friends since high school so I know she will come. I just gotta wait for her.
"Ah, Sir, hinahanap ka na po doon sa kusina." Kalabit sa akin ng isang maid.
Napatingin ako sa relo ko at sa gate, at nag-buntong hininga. "Last five minutes, tapos pupunta na ako doon." Sagot ko sa maid na tumango naman at umalis.
Natapos ang five minutes, pero wala pa rin siya, na-namlay ang aking mga balikat. Lumakas din ang ulan at hangin sa labas, unti unti ako nababasa dahil sa dalang ulan ng hangin kaya naisipan ko na lang na pumasok ulit pero bago pa ako makarating sa dining room ay tumunog ang doorbell.
Alam kong siya na iyun! I know she will come!
Binuksan ko agad ang pinto, hindi na tinignan ang surveillance camera at tumakbo na lang patungo sa labas.
Mabasa man ako ay wala na akong pakialam basta makita ko lang siya. Napangiti ako nang makita kong may tao nga sa labas.
Nang makarating ako sa gate at nabuksan ito ay bumagsak muli ang aking mga balikat.
It's not her. It's a delivery girl, carrying a box in her hands. "Sir, delivery po from Miss Kennedia Wyatt. Wala po kayo sa isang address 'e. Buti na lang ay dalawa ang binigay ni Ma'am. Pakipirmahan na lang po rito." Pumirma ako sa mga itinuro niyang lines at naglakad na patungong dining room.
Nagpapasalamat ako sa regalo ni Ken, pero siya pa lang sa tabi ko ay sapat na. She should just have been here.
I would have been happy if she was but no--the only person that I really expect to come and means most to me is the one who didn't show.
I reached the dining room. They bursted the confetti but I didn't get shocked. They are standing around me singing 'happy birthday' and I should be happy, but something is missing. And that was the happiness only her can fulfill.