Surprise Surprise

Baking a cake is no easy feat. But what can I do? I'm a person with a sweet tooth. I say, let's make the most out of lemon cake.

Today is Joaquin's 22nd birthday. Actually, I'm not a person who loves surprises. It sounds cliché. But that being the case doesn't make it right for me to generalize. Kaya naman heto ako at nagpaplano ng surpresa para kay Joaquin. I even consulted Georgina since she has a lot of experience, perks of having experienced numerous relationships with different people.

Ilang ikot pa ang ginawa ko bago umalis ng bahay. Madalas kasing may nakakalimutan kahit na ilang beses ko ng tignan ang mga dala. I have the cake, camera, his gift, my phone and wallet. Wearing a white polo shirt and my denim skirt paired with my nude sandals, now I'm ready to go. Masaya akong naglakad palabas ng bahay.

"Where are you going?" kuya asked. Sa gulat ko ay muntik ko ng maibagsak ang cake na dala. I clutched my hands to my heart to calm myself. I better not ruin this.

"Birthday party!" I smiled. Naalala ko ang ilang batch na pinapraktisan ko. Simula sa 'hindi makaing kung ano' hanggang sa 'pwede ng pagtiyagaan'. Kuya witnessed all of it. He only tasted those that he deemed edible. Maganda na ang maingat sabi nga niya. I made the one he suggested. Lemon!

May halong pagdududa ang tingin na ipinukol niya. Matapos ang ilang sandali ay tumango at hinayaan lang akong umalis.

Today, I decided to drive my car. Nakakailang buwan pa lang simula noong matuto ako sa tulong ni Joaquin. Napailing ako ng maalala ang araw na tinuruan niya ako.

'Stop. Stop.' I stepped on the break and closed my eyes. Waiting for the collision to come. Unti-unti kong idinilat ang aking mga mata. I sighed in relief when I realize that we are safe.

'I told you to focus Lilliana. Ano'ng iniisip mo habang nagdadrive?' he said dangerously.

'Look at the tree.' turo ko. 'Ayos pa naman.' I tried to smile my way to forgiveness. But this time, it didn't work. Ihinanda ko ang sarili sa sermon na aabutin.

'Ihihinto natin ito kung hindi ka naman nagseseryoso. Do you think we're playing?' umiling ako. I should ace this. Lalo na at si Joaquin ang nagtuturo. I can't afford to get distracted by his presence.

After an hour, I arrived at his house. He's not someone who likes to be confined to a small space. A condo unit was not an option for him. The spacious backyard houses an array of plants. Malamang ay ang kasambahay niya ang may gawa. It gives you the comfort of home. Kumpara sa propesyunal na taga-ayos, mas gusto ko ito.

His house is a reflection of him - clean spaces, dark mysterious pieces and a cozy place. It exudes a certain charm. Parang ayaw mo ng umalis kapag nasubukan. My smile froze when I saw my favorite chair used by someone unfamiliar.

There, a woman wearing a dress with that sexy heels, is occupying my spot. Her presence screams feminine. She turns her head and smile at me, showing that gorgeous small face.

"Hi!" sabay turo sa cake na dala ko. "Is that a chocolate cake?" she asked while tilting her head. That dimples added to her charm.

I froze on the spot, not knowing how to respond. Napalingon ako ng makita si Joaquin. He's wearing a polo shirt paired with his denim jeans. Aren't we the couple of the day? Hahakbang pa lang ako ng maunahan ng babae kanina.

"What took you so long Joaquin?" she purrs. I can feel myself starting to get irritated. The way she bahaves naturally with him makes me mad. "Why didn't you return my calls? Buti na lang at sinama ako ni tita ngayon. You can tell me what gift you want-" huminto siya ng makita ako. "By the way, she brought you a cake. Right?" she said, not really waiting for my answer.

Ikinuyom ko ang aking kamay para pigilan ang sarili. Raising my chin in defiance of her presence brought courage. The Severinos never cower. I straightened my stand and looked at her. "You are?" kalmadong tanong ko. Like a general in control of the battlefield.

Her eyes dimmed a bit but she quickly masked it. "Cia. We grew up together." she extended her manicured hands. I smirked inside. Who is she kidding? My man grew up with me. I never saw this woman before.

I raised both my hands to show her that I can't afford to shake hers. I heard Joaquin coughed at my side. "She's my cousin." paliwanag niya habang dumidistansya sa babae.

I stiffled a laugh that threatened to escape. Being vague for me to misunderstand their relationship is a cheap trick. See? Didn't he say she's a relative?

"Oh come on. Malayo na iyon." she stepped forward and went to Joaquin. Tila hindi alintanang nilayuan na siya kanina. "Is she your guest?" malambing na tanong niya.

"Why are you here?" bulong ni Joaquin. Tila hangin lamang si Cia na hindi na pinansin pa. I raised one light brow at him. Asking in silence. Shouldn't I be here? Compared to the two of us, I have the moreright to be here.

"It's your birthday. And I want to surprise you. Am I not allowed to?" tukso ko. He pats my head and hugged me for a second before kissing my hair. I melt at his gesture, loving his warmth. He makes me feel safe. "Happy birthday Joaquin." habol ko. I saw the smile hidden in his dark eyes. Para akong nalulunod tuwing tinititigan niya.

Nakabawi naman agad sa gulat si Cia. She graciously acknowledge what's in front of her. "So, she's your girlfriend? Why didn't you tell Tita? I'm sure she'll be happy." she gasped. "Unless Tita doesn't know her?"

I pinched my lips at her remark. I don't know if her mom knows about us. Pero sa asta ni Cia, mukhang malabo ito. Kinabahan ako. Hindi na itinuloy pang isipin ang mga pwedeng mangyari. Why should I? Dapat ay si Joaquin ang mamroblema ng mga ito. That's her mom.

As if knowing what I'm thinking, Joaquin comforted me. He pats my hand lightly. "Let's go somewhere." kinuha niya ang dala ko at ibinigay ito sa kanilang kasambahay. Just like that, Cia was left all alone.

He drove my car to the suburbs. Bagay na madalas naming ginagawa pampalipas ng oras. There's a wonderful restaurant that's deeply hidden. He knows I love it here not just because of the ambiance but because of their specialty - pasta!

"Ayos lang bang umalis tayo?" tanong ko habang nag-aayos ng buhok. Tumango siya. Hindi ko na alam kung ilang beses ko ng inayos ito. These curls keep on misbehaving.

Joaquin glanced at me and smirked. "Why don't you just let it be?" I huffed away the unruly hairs to stress my point. He just chuckled at me.

Still bothered by the fact that we left his mom which was supposedly there to celebrate with him, I looked at him. "Bakit nga tayo umalis?" kinagat ko ang aking labi at nag-isip. Drawing a shaky breath, I ask again. "Ayaw mo ba akong ipakilala sa kaniya? Will she object to us? Being together, I mean."

Tumingin siya ng seryoso. "I can celebrate with her. Pero may kasama naman siyang iba. Don't you know the meaning of that?" Napakunot ang noo ko. Umiling ako ng hindi maisip ang sagot sa tanong niya. "She's not coming back now. Iniwan niya yung pinsan ko sa bahay hoping we'll be closer to each other."

Natigil ako ng marinig iyon. "You and Cia?" Hinarap ko siya at tinitigang mabuti. "She's gorgeous. Bagay kayo." pilit na sabi ko sabay iwas ng tingin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan ko pang mainis gayong kami naman ang magkasama.

"Really?" tukso niya. "Mas bagay kami noong isang gusto ko." he held my hand and squeezed it. Pilit kong kinakalas ito ngunit mas lalo niyang hinigpitan. "Ano pa man ang iniisip nila, labas tayo doon. Hindi ka na dapat magpaapekto pa." Para akong alipin ng boses niya. Everything is in a daze when I'm with him.

Ngumuso ako. Hindi na napigilan ang magselos dahil lang dito. "I know. Pero kasi-"

"Basta ipangako mong kakausapin ako kapag may pagdududa ka. If we can't even do this, then our relationship can't last."

He's right. Ang mga maliliit na problemang ibinabaon ay malaki ang potensyal na makasira ng relasyon. They will just pile up till you can't breathe. You'll explode, destructing everything around you even the most precious thing.

"Should I thank you for being so mature?" sabay ngiti ko. He put the unruly hair behind my ear and whispered.

"There's no need for thanks between us." his phone lit up for seconds. While he's busy reading, I looked at him deeply engraving every curves and edges on his face. He looks like he received a good news.

"Is there something you want to share?" masayang tanong ko. Nag-isip siyang saglit bago bigyan ako ng sagot. Sa huli ay umiling siya.

"I'll tell you someday. It's not yet a sure thing. Let's celebrate once it's confirmed." gusto ko mang malaman kung ano ito, pinigilan ko pa rin ang aking sarili. I should learn to wait.

The Severinos aren't impatient.