Attain The Sky (Engineer Series #2)

▪ twenty-one

I pouted my upper lip when my phone rang out of sudden. I wiped my dry tears using tissue and smiled at the mirror. This is my habit. After crying, magme-make face ako sa harap ng salamin. I cried because the movie was intense and I really can't move-on from the movie that I've watched a while ago.

I like watching movie every night lalo na kung may oras ako. After studying, after finishing everything that I need to do, ito ang ginagawa ko. It's like hindi ako makakatulog nang walang natatapos na movie sa isang araw.

I licked my lower lip before getting my phone on the bedside table. Who the hell would call me in the middle of the night?

"What now?"

"O, my baby's not sleeping, huh?" A familiar voice spoke from the other line.

I bit my lip and smiled a little bit. Napatingin ako sa caller. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi ma-excite when I heard his voice. I really really miss him but we're both busy and we understand each other. Ang pangit din naman kasi na lagi-lagi kayong magkausap ng boyfriend mo. Mauubusan kayo ng topic hanggang sa i love you na lang masasabi. What matters the most is the connection between us. As long as we respect, trust, and love each other, walang makakatibag.

"It's because–" I was about to tell him that I watched a movie but he spoke again.

"Shh," he whispered. "Happy birthday, baby." He said sweetly.

Kumunot ang aking noo dahil sa pagtataka. Umarko ang aking kilay dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinagsasabi niya. I was stunned for a moment when I realized something. That hits me. That fucking hits me. Mabilis akong napatingin sa calendar and yes, it's really my birthday. So that explains kung bakit kanina pa ako tinatanong nina Mommy tungkol sa kung ano'ng gusto ko?

"Thank you," I said, almost a whisper. "I'm sorry. I was shocked. Hindi ko maalala kasi na ngayon na pala 'yon."

"Yeah, sobrang bilis ng araw. Are you going to sleep now?" He asked. "My baby cried again. Did you watch a movie again?"

"Yes, it's tragic."

"Take a rest now. Pagod na pagod na ang mga mata mo," mahinahon niyang sambit.

"Alright, ikaw rin," I said. "Good night."

"Good night. I love you." He said sweetly.

Hindi na ako sumagot at pinatay na lamang ang tawag. Sa kakatingin ko sa calendar, kakaisip kung ano'ng puwedeng mangyari mamaya, parehas nang napagod ang aking utak at mga mata kaya hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako.

At least, I started this day with a happy heart.

Everyone is busy for my birthday party later. My parents took a leave for a while to focus on this event. I fixed my whole room and myself before I went out from my room. Hindi na ako nagulat na halos lahat ng tao rito ay halos hindi na maabala sa sobrang daming ginagawa. Napailing na lamang ako. My parents spoil me that much.

I don't really need this kind of preparation. I mean, I'm fine with simple dishes. Every year nang ganito ang celebration ng aking birthday kaya minsan, nakakasawa rin na maraming tao at maraming mga pagkain na nasasayang lamang. But my birthday party is always open for everyone. Hindi man kita kilala, whatever you are, you are welcome because this party is for everyone, not for me.

But I get that we celebrate our birthdays because we are thankful na nadagdagan pa ng isang taon ang ating buhay, na para maalala na ngayong araw na 'to tayo pinanganak, that we appreciate this day and our life. We must be thankful for everything and appreciate them dahil isa ang mga ito sa susi para magkaroon ng payapang buhay.