Chapter 29 : Happy Birthday
"Where are we going?."
"You'll know." Caden said and eventually open the door for me to step inside the car.
"Inaantok pa ako e." reklamo ko. I notice how I get sleepy all the time. The doctor already warned me about this hormonal changes while I'm pregnant.
"Sleep while we're on the way."
We stay for a few days in the province. Habang halos nakahiga lang ako sa kama buong maghapon o hindi kaya ay kumakain , abala si Caden sa mga bagay bagay na hindi niya sinasabi sa akin.
"Will you drive?." Tumango siya habang inaayos ang seat belt ko.
"Gusto kitang katabi." I pouted.
This past few days I also got more clingy to him.
"Okay. I'll ask someone to drive us."
Sa huli ay nagsama na lamang ito ng isang driver. Habang nasa biyahe ay nakaakap ako sa kaniya. It remind me of old days.
Sinilip ko ito at nakitang nakapikit siya. Hindi na rin ito nakakatulog ng maayos nitong nakaraang araw dahil palagi akong nagigising sa gabi at nanghihingi ng pagkain. I don't want to trouble him but he insist that he must assist me with whatever I need or want. Kung inaantok ako ay mas lalo na siguro siya.
Inihilig ko ang kaniyang ulo sa aking balikat. Sinilip niya ako.
"Just sleep."
Nawala ang antok ko habang nakatingin kay Caden. He have occupied my mind since. I can't stop myself from smiling as I caress his hair. Kahit nakapikit siya ay ramdam kong gusto niya ang ginagawa ko.
"I love you." Bulong ko sa kaniya at hinalikan ang kaniyang noo. I saw how he smiled at that.
"Why are we here?." taka kong tanong nang makarating kami sa harap ng bar ni Troy.
He didn't say any word and lead me inside. Halos magulantang ako ng makita ang loob. Hindi na ito mukhang bar dahil sa mga dekorasyon.
The stage where the band hired by Troy perform was now decorated with white and blue balloons , curtains and flowers of the same color. The chair and table are all lined up vertically. Freshly pick flowers are on its center. Chandeliers and lighting are changed.
"May okasyon ata rito." I said pulling Caden but instead I end up pulled by him.
Kahit saang sulok ako tumingin ay walang tao.
"Ano bang ginagawa natin rito? May okasyon ba?."
"Hindi mo naalala?."
"Naalala ang alin?."
Halos magsalubong na ang dalawa kong kilay sa kakaisip sa kung ano bang mayroon sa araw na ito pero wala parin akong maalala.
Caden hug me from the back and turn my head back to the stage.
"Can't you read , baby?."
My eyes focused on the words imprinted with the design in front.
"Happy birthday?." basa ko. I'm silent for awhile thinking who could be the celebrant. Hindi naman si Caden dahil kakatapos lang niya noong nakaraang buwan. Hindi naman si Troy dahil sa huling buwan pa ito. Sino bang—
"Oh shit—." napatakip ako ng bibig sa gulat at nanlalaking lumingon kay Caden.
"Birthday ko ba ngayon?."
Tumawa ito. "Ba't ako ang tinatanong mo niyan? Hindi mo ba alam kailanang birthday mo?."
"H-Hindi ko naalala." Nanubig agad ang mga mata ko.
"Oh. Ba't umiiyak ka na? Hindi pa nga nagsisimula ubos na agad ang luha mo."
Hinampas ko ang kaniyang dibdib at umiiyak na yumakap sa kaniya.
"I-I didn't remember. I'm too occupied."
"Sshhh. Don't cry. Ba't ba ang iyakin mo na ngayon?."
Kinurot ko ang kaniyang tagiliran pero hindi naman siya nakikiliti.
"Did you prepare it?."
"Nagpatulong ako kay Troy. That's why you find me here that night."
"Sabi mo nag-inuman lang kayo?." Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. My arms are still around his back and my chin resting on his chest.
"I lied. It's a surprise. My original plan was to surprise you this day and beg you to come back to me." seryoso ang kaniyang mukha habang sinasabi iyon.
"You don't have to beg now and you shouldn't be."
"Yeah. Marupok ka kasi."
"Ikaw kaya!."
"Fine. Ako ng marupok."
I smiled at him and kiss his neck. He flinch dahilan para matawa ako ng mahina.
"Avery." He said in a warning.
"Ano?." Nagpapanggap kong tanong.
"Don't start."
"Wala naman ah. Ang bad mo." I pouted my lips and he immediately caught it with a passionate kiss.
"Ano? Maghahalikan lang kayo diyan?." Napahiwalay ako sa kaniya ng magsalita si Troy sa likod namin.
"Swerte niyo naman at may alipin kayo noh."pagdadabog niya at inilapag ang dala sa mesa. Mga pagkain ata iyon.
"Sorry , Troy. Change of plan." ani Caden.
"Yeah. I see. Nauna ang honeymoon."
Nagkatinginan kami ni Caden. Kinindatan niya lang rin ako.
Dumating sina mommy at daddy. Sumunod naman ang mga magulang ni Caden which surprised me a lot. Akala ko ay nasa probinsiya sila but they actually already drive here before us. Gaya ng unang kasal namin ni Caden bilang lamang ang mga nandito. Pinakamalapit na kamag-anak at kaibigan lamang. Hindi ko nakita si Cassey o kaya si Daniel kaya inaasahan ko na silang hindi dadalo.
Not that I don't want them to. It's on their choice now. Naka-move on na ako. Thanks to Caden.
Nagpalinga-linga ako sa paligid para hanapin ito. I found him talking to dad and mom with all smiles. Nang mapalingin siya sa gawi ko at nahuling nakatitig ako sa kaniya ay nagpaalam ito kina mommy at nilapitan ako.
"The party will begin in few minutes. Are you getting bored?."
"No." How could I possibly get bore thinking that he plan it all. The thought keep on giving me excitement.
It wasn't as elegant as I want. But it's simplicity touch my heart as if like it keeps on telling me , everything will be a smooth sail now.
"I'm excited."
Ilang minuto lang ay nagsimula na rin ito. Just simple program. They greet me a happy birthday , give me gifts which probably cost a thousands and messages that really flutter my heart.
I remember my eighteenth birthday. The very first time mom give me a speech. Naiyak rin ako noon and I felt like it now.
Sa dami ng pinagdaanan ko nitong nakaraang buwan. I never imagine I could still live up to another year. I've been miserable and even think of ending my own life but still here I am celebrating another year , another chapter of my life with new stories and changes for a better version of myself. A new love and family.
I was in the midst of laughing after Troy give his speech. When it's Caden's turn natahimik ako. My heart skip a beat. Magkahalo ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Kaba , excitement at kung ano ano pa. Habang nagsasalita ito ay nakatitig siya sa akin. I felt drowning as I stare back.
Bigla na lang naglaho ang nasa lahat ng paligid. At parang kaming dalawa na lang ang nandito.
"First off. Happy birthday."
I gulp. Naalala ko kasi ang birthday niya. I hope I could have done something like this. A surprise for him. A gift. But instead I broke his heart that very moment. Nagsimula ng manubig ang mga mata ko.
"While others goal is to live and find love. I don't. My goals in life is to become the well known owner of a hacienda. A successful businessman. Expand my business around the globe and earn millions. Getting rich exactly."
He's a hell ambitious one.
"I don't believe in love." He added. "I never did. I never did love someone ever since. I'm cold and arrogant as they say. I had my reasons. I'm not like it before. I'm a good son and a brother but sometimes destiny has a habit of playing with us. It change me. Change me into something I didn't imagine. I become cold because that is the only way I know so I won't be in pain anymore. To save myself."
"I don't believe in love but I believe in marriage. It's just that I don't believe a marriage with love. I almost did. But when I receive the news that I am infertile. I lost all the belief."
Tiningnan niya ako.
"One night. I was driving in the busy street of Manila having nothing in mind but how to persuade my investors. I was too occupied that I end up crashing my car with another. The thought of it is scary. I don't want to go to a jail. I wanted to run away but something push me to do the opposite. I step out of my car and check the other one. The night is dead silent. When I check the car , I found her."
Hindi nito inaalis sa akin ang kaniyang titig.
"I stood there silent and unmoving whole staring at her when I realize something. I know her. She's quite familiar. Though it's not my habit to remember unnecessary persons in my life but I remember her. I don't know her exactly but her face , I can't keep myself from staring at her. That's the first time I saw her near."
He continued stating our history. At some point , I found myself laughing , smiling and then crying. Isn't it funny how one man can make me feel such different emotions at one time.
"For me. Nothing has been certain until she came."
He's also teary eyed when he walk toward me. He leaned near and kisses my forehead.
"I love you." He whispers.
The shouts around are all muffled. All I can hear is my heartbeat ripping my chest.
"I love you , too."
"Come on. We stop have something for you." Aniya at ginaya ako patayo. Nasulyapan ko si Troy. He smiled mysteriously.
We went out. Sumalubong sa amin ang malamig at madilim na paligid. Gabi na rin. Mag-gabi na rin kasi nang bumiyahe kami.
"What are we doing in here?." baling ko kay Caden.
"Look up." bulong niya. Nasa likuran ko ito. Sinunod ko ang kaniyang sinabi.
At the right moment I look up , the sky was lit up with colors are fireworks blasted in the dark sky. I stare at it majestically.
"It's beautiful." Just like the stars that lit up the dark sky and reminding the moon that he's isn't alone.
It took a several moment of breath taking display after the sky went dark again. I'm a little bit disappointed to see it ends. I wanted more.
"Is it done?." baling ko kay Caden.
"Don't look away. You'll miss the moment."
Sa simabi niya ay muli akong napatingin sa kalangitan. Mula roon ay dumaan ang isang helicopter and from there was Troy and Zach with a big *HAPPY BIRTHDAY* word held out. Dumaan ito sa ibabaw namin at nagsaboy ng mapupulang rose petals na mukhang kakapitas lang dahil sobrang bango pa ng mga ito. It look like just raining rose petals. Mukhang nabulabog na rin ang mga tao sa paligid at nagsilabasan na mula sa kanilang mga bahay.
Nang mawala ang helicopter ay muling nagkaroon ng firework display. The helicopter whirl above us again. Naroon parin sina Zach at Troy pero nagbago na ang mga salitang hawak ng mga ito. Despite the darkness , the four words caught my sight.
Will you marry me?
My knees weaken as I read the words again and again. Gusto kong lingunin si Caden pero hindi ako makagalaw at nanatili lamang ang titig sa mga salita iyon.
"Scarlette Avery Young."
Nang magsalita ito ay doon lamang ako nakahanap ng kakaunting lakas para lingunin siya. My knees weaken more as I see him one knee on the ground. A red velvet box was in his hand and from there lay a ring.
"I'm not a perfect man and I can't promise to give you the perfect love but I promise that everyday I'll be on your side. Hindi kita iiwan."
Saglit siyang lumunok bago nagpatuloy.
"Will you marry me?."
Katahimikan ang namayani sa paligid. Nakakatitig ako sa kaniya. Hindi alam ang sasabihin.
"A-Avery?." Mula sa singsing ay napatingin ako sa kaniya. He's worried.
"A-Akala ko ba hindi pa ngayon?."
"Ayaw mo ba?."
"Damn you!." I hit him hard and ended up kneeling with him in the ground. "Napakasinunggaling mo talaga."
I caught his lips and went on hugging him.
"Is this a yes?."
Hinigpitan ko ang yakap sa kaniya.
"No one will say no to you. So , yes. I'll marry you Caden. Again."
Kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap sa kaniya at muli itong hinalikan. Abot tainga ang ngiti nito matapos ko iyong gawin.
"Your becoming a good kisser." nang-aasar niyang bulong at sinuot sa akin ang singsing bago hinalikan ang kamay ko.
"CONGRATULATIONS!!."
Napatakip ako ng tainga nang lumapit sa amin si Troy habang naka-mega phone. Halos mabingi ako.
"Kumain na tayo dahil practical to say , hindi nakakain ang singsing."
"Better ka lang." Inirapan niya lang ako.
Inalalayan ako ni Caden patayo. Muli ko itong yinakap ng mahigpit.
They all congratulated us. And I'm going to congratulate myself as well.
Inaantok na ako ng yayain ko si Caden na umuwi na. Sa condo niya kami tutuloy ngayong gabi. Naiwan roon ang ibang bisita na nag-iinuman at nagsasayawan na.
"Did you drink?." I ask after smelling a scent of alcohol from him. He carried me inside the unit. Ayaw ko na sana dahil marunong naman akong maglakad. Hindi naman ako lasing.
"Few bottles. Napilit lang."
Despite the alcohol. I still like his scent. Sobrang bango. Nakakaantok ang kaniyang bango. Naramdaman ko ang malambot na kama pero masyadong mabigat ang mga mata ko upang magmulat. Naramdaman ko na lang ang kumot sa aking katawan.
"Good night , wife." He give me a soft kiss in the cheek.
"Why didn't you attend the engagement party last night?." I noticed how her face went blank at my question.
Mula sa condo ni Caden ay pumunta kami sa bahay. I want to talk to Cassey. Gusto ko lang siguruhin na ayos na kami bago ako magsimula ng panibagong buhay.
Nag-iwas ito ng tingin.
"I wanted to come but I got tired." pansin kong mas nahihirapan ito ngayong malapit na siyang manganak.
"Where's Daniel?." Madalang ko na lang siyang nakikita sa bahay.
Hindi siya sumagot.
"Hindi ba dapat ay sinasamahan ka niya."
"Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko." May lungkot sa kaniyang boses.
"Tell me the truth. Maayos ba kayo?." Sinulyapan niya ako. Nababasa ko sa kaniyang mga mata ang sagot.
"I seduce him Scarlette. At the beginning , I wanted his love and attention. But when I had it , I realize I'm fooling myself. Hinding hindi niya ako mamahalin gaya ng gusto ko."
"What are you talking about?."
"I let him go. Bubuhayin ko ng mag-isa ang anak ko. Ayaw ko siyang ipilit sa bagay na una pa lang ay hindi niya gusto. Ayokong napipilitan siya. Masaya na ako na may anak kami."
"Alam ba to nina daddy?."
Tumango ito.
"Aalis ako pagkatapos kung magsilang. I'll start a new life and I hope we all had our peace at that time."
"You don't have to leave. You can stay here."
Umiling ito. "I wouldn't find my peace here. The past will always haunt me. I need to go far away."
"I'm sorry." I held her hand. "I'm getting selfish and I didn't realize it. Kaya nagka-ganiyan ka. It was partly my fault and I am sorry."
"We had to much of the sorry. Sorry rin."
I know Cassey don't deserve what she is now despite what she did. No one notice his misery. No one comforts her and she was all left alone with the monsters inside her. That was what forces him to do what he has done. I know , she didn't mean any of it.
"Is the baby out already?."
Kanina pa taranta sina daddy habang naghihintay na lumabas ang doktor ni Cassey. She's delivering his first born today. It's a boy by the way. Sobrang saya ni mommy dahil iyon ang gusto nitong gender ng kaniyang apo.
"She'll be okay , right?." nag-aalalang tanong ni mommy. May kaselanan kasi ang kaniyang panganganak. She need a cesarean section.
"She's a fighter , mom."
"How is she?." tanong ni Caden na kakarating lang.
"Nada delivery room parin."
He kissed my forehead and hug me from behind.
"Caden?." tawag ko sa kaniya dahil kakaiba ang kaniyang katahimikan.
"Hmm."
"Why are you all silent?."
Humigpit ang kaniyang yakap sa akin.
"I'm scared."
"Scared of what?."
"Baka mahirapan ka rin kapag nagsilang ka na. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
I caress his hand.
"I'll be fine."
Napahiwalay ako sa kaniya nang makarinig ng iyak ng sanggol. Nagtaka kami dahil matagal na lumabas ang doktor. Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto ay lumabas ang isang nurse karga karga ang isang sanggol. Sandali iyong ipinakita sa amin bago dinala sa nursery ng hospital.
"How is she?." Napatingin ako kina mommy na ngayon ay kausap ang doktor.
"The delivery is successful. The baby is healthy. But she lost a lot of blood. She's unconscious as of the moment. I'll be honest with you. She's not fine. She is in a critical condition. Her vital signs are dropping. We'll try our best to save her. For now , you need to pray she'll gain consciousness within the hour. It will be safer for her."
Binalot ng kaba ang dibdib ko. I don't know if I will be happy or what. The baby is safe but Cassey is not.
Nang bumaling ako kay Caden ay nababalot rin ng kaba ang kaniyang mukha. Alam ko ang tumatakbo sa kaniyang isipan. He's afraid it will happen to me.
"It's fine. It will be alright." Pinisil ko ang kaniyang braso para pakalmahin ito.
He tried to smiled but the anxiety is still evident.
"I'll be strong."
"I don't want to lose you. "
"You won't." I assure.
Hinaplos niya ang aking tiyan.
"Baby. Don't give mommy a hard time , okay. If you do , I'll throw you away."
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.
"I'm just kidding." yinakap niya ako.
"Avery?."
"Hmm."
"I want you to know that when the time comes that I need to choose between you and the baby." Napatingin ako sa kaniya.
"I'm going to choose you."