Promise In The Wind

✥ 20

Chapter 20

LISSIE

“Tita, sana lang huwag magalit si Zach. Paano kung hindi niya po magustuhan ang gagawin ko?”

“Hija, that’s not going to happen. I’m sure that my son will love whatever you’re preparing for him. Oh, I can imagine my son’s reaction when he sees you here!” Tita Amara exclaimed.

God, I’m not sure if this plan will work. I just hope everything will fall into its place.

“I’ll support whatever your plans, hija. Don’t worry.” She said, trying to comfort me.

“Thank you, Tita.”

“No worries, darling. I’ll see you later. Bye, hija.”

“Bye, po.” I replied as I put the phone down.

I heaved a deep sigh as the possible result of what would happen later slammed my mind. Magagalit kaya siya? I hope not. This is a special day for him.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when my phone suddenly rang. Mabilis na nagkarera ang tibok ng puso ko nang kuhanin ko ang phone ko at mabasa ang caller. I answered it with my eyes close, heart pounding wildly and palms sweating.

“Hello?” I greeted first.

“Hi,” Though it’s just one word greeting, I can still sense the happiness dripping from his deep voice.

I bit the lower part of my lips, trying to calm myself down.

“Good morning, birthday boy. Happy happy birthday!” I greeted him with a cheerful voice, trying to hide the nervousness flowing in my veins.

He chuckled. “Thank you, Lis. Indeed, a happy birthday. My first birthday with you.”

“Hmm…” I agreed. “Masaya ka ba?”

“Absolutely. I’ll fetch you later for the dinner party, hmm?”

Ito na! Halos ibaluktot ko na lahat ng daliri ko sa paa dahil sa kaba. Anong idadahilan ko?

“Uhm… Z-Zach… may sasabihin a-ako sa’yo,” utal na anas ko.

It took him a while before he answered. “What? Don’t try to feed me bad news today, woman.”

I swallowed hard, halos wala na akong malunok na laway dahil sa kaba at kaisipang wala pa rin akong maisip na idadahilan sa kanya.

“Speak,” natigil ako sa pagiisp ng magsalita ulit siya.

Kaya mo ‘yan, Lissie! It’s just for a show. Why are you even nervous?

“Uhm… kasi, Zach… ano… hindi ako makaka-attend sa party mamaya. Sasamahan ko ka- “

“The fuck?”

Mas matindi na ang pagkakakagat ko sa labi ko dahil sa tensyong nararamdaman. Paniwalain mo siya!

“Pero pipilitin ko makaabot. Hindi ko kasi matanggihan si Lola Carmen, e. Alam mo naman matanda na ‘yon at parang pamilya ko na rin.” Pagsisinungaling ko. He didn’t answer. Marahas na paghinga lang ang naririnig ko sa kabilang linya. I am now wondering what’s going on his mind. “Zach?”

“You’re aware that today is my birthday, right?”

I nodded. As if he could see me. “Oo n-naman.”

“And this is my first birthday with you, right?”

“Y-Yes…”

“Then ikaw pa mismo ang wala sa party na ihahanda ni Mama mamaya? Ikaw pa na nobya ko?” Nakaramdam ako ng kaunting sakit sa sinabi niya. “So sweet of you.”