With A Smile

27

D

July 18, 2018
Seascape Village

"Happy Birthday to yooouuuu..." as they end the birthday song for me.

"Blow the candle, anak." mom said. Si ate at dad nag checheer lang for me.

"Okay, alright. Let's eat." dad said.

They all flew here to celebrate my birthday. Sabi ko nga sa kanila wag na dahil examination week namin ngayon. Pero pumunta pa din sila just for this, for my birthday.

"Hey, Deans. I thought, Jema's coming?" tanong ni ate habang kumakain.

"Yeah, anak akala ko may ipapakilala ka sa amin." Mom.

"Did you tell her the time ba, Deanna?" Dad.

"I did. But..." anong sasabihin kong dahilan? Kanina ko pa din minemessage at tinatawagan si Jema pero hindi pa din siya sumasagot.

"Call her, Deans." bulong sakin ni ate.

Sinabihan ko naman si Jema ahead of time na dadating yung family ko for my birthday. Saka ngayon ko nga siya ipapakilala, nag confirm naman siya pero wala pa din siya hanggang ngayon.

I excused myself, tumango lang naman sila mommy at daddy. They're busy talking about something.

I called Jema.

I'm starting to feel worried di pa din niya sinasagot nakakailang ring na.

"Baby, hello. I'm sorry, I'm on my way na, malapit na. Ang traffic lang sa España kanina, sorry talaga."

"It's alright, baby. Pero di ba I told you naman na dinner to, bakit di ka umalis ng mas maaga? Lagi naman talagang traffic sa España pag rush hour. They're waiting for you, baby. I'm not mad, it's just that they are expecting you, baby eh."

"Yes, baby. I know naman, I'm sorry talaga. Natagalan ako mag exam at nahirapan akong mag book ng grab kanina. But, almost there, babe."

"Okay, baby. You'll see me at the entrance, sunduin kita."

After the call, nagpaalam ako kina dad na susunduin si Jema sa entrance baka maligaw pa siya sa laki nito.

I saw her walking towards the entrance. I waved at her para makita niya ko agad.

"Wow, babe! You look beautiful." sabi ko pag lapit niya sakin.

She just smiled and hugged me.

"Happy birthday, Deanna Wong! Welcome to the club. Here's my gift for you." inabot niya sakin ang isang paper bag.

"What's this? Kaw talaga, nag abala ka pa. Kahit wala ng gift basta nandito ka."

"Eh gusto ko eh, basta that's my gift."

"Okay, okay. Let's go, naghihintay sila dun. I'm sure gutom ka na din."

"Sobra baby ko huhuhu, ang hirap ng mga exam."

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J

"Alam ko namang papasa ka babe. Kaw pa kayang kaya mo lahat ng exam mo." sabi niya at hinawakan ako sa kamay habang naglalakad papasok sa loob.

Nahihiya at kinakabahan ako. It's my first time meeting her family tapos late pa ko. Di ko naman inexpect na matatagalan akong makapag book ng grab kanina 🥺

"Just be yourself, Jema ah. Yun na sila dad oh." turo ni Deanna sa isang table pag pasok namin ng restaurant.

Grabe rinig na rinig ko yung kabog ng dibdib ko sa sobrang kaba.