Aftertaste

Two

To: Ana ♡
 
Hey Ana! Happy Birthday! I know we're not close anymore but... please know that I'll be here when you need a shoulder to lean on. You're a very sensitive person so please stop listening to what others are saying. Pangalawang birthday mo nang hindi tayo nagkikita but I hope you're happy. I'm sorry for what I've done in the past. Once again, happy birthday Anayah!
 

I pressed the send button when the clock striked 12 midnight on the 16th of November 2021. I turned off my phone when the message was sent, not expecting for her reply. After what my mom told her, for sure ay nawalan na sya ng gana'ng kausapin ako.
 

I yawned and felt myself dozing off to sleep.
 

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon nang may narinig akong sunud-sunod na katok sa kwarto ko. I groaned then covered my face with a pillow.
 

"Elysia! OMG! Happy birthday!" Narinig ko ang maarteng tili ni Vance mula sa labas ng pinto. Napaupo ako.
 

"Legal na sya huhu!" I heard Astrid faked a cry. Napairap ako. Bumangon na ko para maghilamos at toothbrush bago sila pinagbuksan ng pinto.
 

"It's too early people! What's the hell is wrong with you." I glare at them when they comfortably welcomed thereselves in my room. Dumiretso si Nash at Vance sa couch ko para manood ng tv at si Astrid naman sa kama ko.
 

"Ikaw na maganda sa umaga." Astrid spoke. I opened my mouth, ready to complain, when my mom and dad entered my room.
 

"Mom! Dad!" I exclaimed. "Didn't know you’re home?" Nagtataka kong tanong.
 

"Happy birthday, sweetheart." Mom greeted and handed me a red velvet box. My eyes widened at the sight of it when I opened the box. It's a car key!
 

"Happy birthday, darling." Dad smiled and kissed the top of my head.

 
"Thank you, Mom! Dad! I kissed them both in the cheeks and hugged them at the same time."
 

"Kaloka naman bakla! Kaka-18 lang pero may carosa na si ate mong girl!" Lumapit si Vance at Nash. "Good morning po, Tito and Tita! Patawarin nyo po kami sa maaga naming pangge gate crush. Amen." Pinagdikit ni Vance ang dalawa nyang kamay sa tapat ng dibdib nya at nag bow ng parang prinsesa. Natawa ang magulang ko sa ginawa nya.
 

"Good morning po!" Bati ni Nash sakanila.
 

"Hi! Can you still see me?" Dad joked.

 
"Hello po Tito and Tita! I'm Astrid. Alam ko pong maganda ako. Salamat po!" Sumingit sa pagitan namin ni Vance si Astrid para magpakilala sa parents ko. Nagtawanan lang kami hanggang sa tawagin na kami ni Ate Lara para sa breakfast.

 
Hanggang sa hapag ay hindi natigil sa pagpapatawa sina Vance at Astrid. Naaaliw ang magulang ko sakanila!
 

"Saang bar nga ulit gaganapin ang party mo, Elysia? Pagkuwan ay tanong ni Mommy habang iniinom ang ice coffee nya. I cleared my throat before I answered her question.
 

"Sa APT, Mom. A Place to Toast. It an hour drive from here." I informed and they both nodded.
 

"Just take care, okay?" Dad sighed.

 
Hindi ako pumayag na magkaron ng traditional debut party gaya ng gusto ng parents ko. I'll just feel the absence of my bestfriend kapag nag party ako. Kaya naman I decided na i-spend na lang ang first day of being legal age ko sa bar. Pina reserve ko ang buong VIP longue para sa mga kaibigan at kakilala ko lang.
 

Nang magbandang tanghali ay napilitan nang pumasok ng parents ko sa trabaho. I told them na mas kailangan ng business namin ang atensyon nila kesa sakin. It's just a birthday and besides, hindi naman ako magpa party so masasayang lang ang oras nila saken.