FAKE PREGNANCY °[KathNiel] ✓COMPLETE

5. Heartaches

Elqenna

I stayed in the room for the entire day. Tita Marga still didn't arrive home. It even gave me the idea that she's now dating again her ex-husband. I wish things in real life resembled to what's in the books and movies. 'Yong masisigurado mo na pagkatapos ng sakit, may happy-ending sa dulo. Wait, siguro may mga libro si Mavvy na pwede kong hiramin. I can't end this day doing nothing.

I was about to knock but I halted upon noticing that the door's on the latch. Mavvy's talking to someone on the phone.

"Limang araw na nga. Isipin mo naman si mommy, gusto niyang umuwi ka hindi lang dahil sa girlfriend mo. She wanted you home because she missed you. Umalis ka nalang nang hindi nagpapaalam. Gago mo!" singhal niya sa kausap.

Is he talking to Raven?

"Raven, gago ka. Kapag ako pinikon mo, pupuntahan kita diyan at makikita mo kung ano'ng gagawin ko."

After overhearing that, I ran dowstairs and settled under the tree in their backyard. Is he hiding from me? Or maybe the question should be, is he hiding something from everybody?

Raven, hindi ko kakayanin kapag nalaman kong may iba. Mamamatay ako.

***

I was a bit anxious when Raphie didn't pick up my calls. It's been an hour now since the time we agreed to meet. Did something happen to her on the way? My gosh. Please no. Naghintay ako ng ilang minuto pero talagang hindi siya dumating. Naiinis na nangangambang umuwi ako ng bahay.

"Happy Birthday!" everyone greeted when I turned the lights on in my room.

Raphie stood behind Raven who's standing in front of me. His friends; Van, Clink and Kristoff were also in the room. I looked around and saw the balloons reaching my ceiling. Some were on the floor along with the rose petals.

"Happy Birthday, moe," bati ni Raven na muntik nang magpaiyak sa'kin. "I know you hate celebrations like this but you deserve this, even more than this actually. You are so special and you need to know that every day. You're eighteen now but you will still be my babygirl. I love you, Qenna."

Yayakapin ko na sana siya kaso may dala-dala siyang cake. Everyone gestured me to blow the candles so I did. Raven quickly placed it on the table to hug me. I was out of words. Nakapagsalita lang ako ng maayos nang magsimula nang magsayawan at magtawanan ang mga kaibigan namin habang nasa couch kaming dalawa. Nakayakap siya sa'kin.

"Moe," I called out. "Thank you for this." He smiled to respond. "Hindi ko kaya kapag nawala ka sa'kin. Maliban kay Raphie, you're the most special thing that I ever had in my life. Thank you for this and for everything you do for me. I'm so happy, Raven," umiiyak na sambit ko.

"Shhhh. Moe, mahal na mahal kita. Alam mo 'yan. Kaya alisin mo sa isip mo na mawala ako kasi hindi naman ako aalis e. You're my home, Qenna."

***

What happened then, Raven? Paanong nagbago ang lahat? Sabi mo hindi ka mawawala. Sabi mo hindi ka aalis. Pero bakit wala ka sa tabi ko ngayon?

It's just a month since he put an end to our relationship and the pain gets worse every day.

Moe, bumalik ka na. I'm your home and you're supposed to be in my arms.

Dahil sigurado naman akong walang tao, hinayaan ko ang luha kong kumawala. Ang hindi ko lang sinadya ay ang mapahagulhol ng malakas sa sobrang sakit.

From a distance, I eyed Mavvy peering around like he's looking for something. He spotted my direction and turned to walk towards me so I quickly brushed my eyes off to wipe my tears away.