The Monster Inside Her

Chapter 18

Michelle's PoV

Deafening noise welcomed me when morning came. I furrowed when I saw my friends on our living room. Some are fixing the decorations and the others are in charged with the food.

Kinusot ko ang mata ko, nagbabakasakaling panaginip lang ang nakikita. Why are they so noisy?

"Uy, gising ka na pala!" Heather said and came to me. "Happy birthday, pa-inom ka naman!" She giggled and pinched me.

"Aw! Mapanakit malala, ha!" Reklamo ko.

"Happy birthday!" Caroline greeted while smiling sweetly.

"Pulang pula buong bahay niyo, ha? Baka hindi ka pa matuwa niyan!" Jillian said.

Nilibot ko ang paningin ko. There are mixed of white and red balloons all over the place. The background of the banner were white while its texts are in maroon. I smirked.

"Matutuwa 'yan! Simula highschool nga pula na bag niyan e! Magpapalit pero pula pa rin ang kulay," I looked at the laptop that was rested on the table. It was Ophelia. They're in a zoom meeting.

Napailing ako sa kaniyang sinabi. I just realized that what she said was nothing but the truth. Hindi ko noon napapansin na pula pala parati ang bag ko. Ang totoo niyan, ang buong akala ko ay yellow ang paborito ko. For me kasi ang relaxing tignan ng dilaw. But upon reflecting, nearly everything that I own was red. Everything that's red is pleasing for me. College ko lang napagtantong niloloko ko lang ang sarili ko na dilaw ang paborito ko.

"Happy birthday, anak," papa walked towards me.

"Thank you," I said.

The whole house was filled with laughter and sometimes annoying noises from Heather and Marco's petty fight.

"Ninang ako ng anak mo, ha?" si Heather.

Natawa naman nang bahagya si Marco. "Ikaw ba kaibigan ni Moira?"

"Bakit? Friend ako ng ate niya," feel na feel niya pang hinawi ang buhok niya.

Few hours before the sun comes down, but there were no signs of Dean. Paulit-ulit akong sumusulyap sa telepono ko at gayun din sa pinto. Hoping that he'd appear in our open door. A sudden sting occupied my heart. I held my chest and bit my lower lip.

Pinipilit ko ang sarili kong huwag isipin na matatapos na kami. Kahit anong pukpok ko sa ulo ko na huwag mag-overthink, ay 'yun at 'yun pa rin ang nararamdaman ko.

Takot.

I am scared of losing him. He was there. He witnessed my short comings. He knew my flaws. He was still there amidst all the shits that I have to survive. In him, I found my safe place.

He's my safe place.

He occupied the space in my heart. He gave the things that I am longing for so long. I can't lose him.

"Okay ka lang?" Caroline approached. She handed me a glass of liquor.

Ngumiti ako. "Oo naman."

"Liar," she commented.

"Baliw," I said and sip on my drink.

"Sasabog 'yang utak mo..." I looked at her with disbelief.

"Bomba ba 'yung utak ko?"

"Pilosopo. Whatever you're thinking, right now...it might crash that," she pointed my head. "Mukha kang problemadong-problemado. Birthday mo pa naman. Bukas mo na 'yan isipin, kung ano man 'yan."

"Ano pinagsasabi mo? Inom mo nalang 'yan," I faked a chuckle.

She just shrugged and obliged. Nang uminom siya ay nakuha ng singsing niya ang atensyon ko. It was her engagement ring. Napangiti ako nang mapait. They seem happy.