21

KABANATA 21: His gift

Lumipas na naman ang araw, palapit na palapit na ang aking kaarawan. Palagi ko siyang pinapaalalahan na mag-ingat at huwag na ulit uminom. Nagugulat na lamang ako dahil umuuwi na siya sa tamang oras at hindi lasing. Hindi ko alam kung ano na ang nangyayari sa tangka niyang pagkalas sa kanilang organisasyon, ngunit may tiwala ako sa kaniya at hindi mababali iyon.

Naging matibay ang pagkakaunawaan namin kahit malabo ang aming relasyon. No one dared and asked about the relationship we have, we are both happy with the solace between us whenever we are together.

Lumipas na naman ang ilang araw, hanggang sa napansin kong kaarawan ko na. Namuo ang luha sa aking mga mata, pagpatak ng alas dose mamayang gabi, wala akong kasamang pamilya.

We planned to make my debut the best, naroon ako habang nagpaplano sila. We were happy, laughing and arguing about the designs, the cooks, and my evening gown. I was there with my fallen family, talking about everything in our mansion.

Ethan and Evan used to argue about the theme as well as my dress. And now they're simply gone.

Everything turned into ashes, ngayon nga'y walang magaganap na debut. The most awaited moment in my life froze, broke and will never happen.

I have no Bernice Beau Monde, no Cassandra Beau Monde, not even Evan and Ethan Beau Monde. It's just me, alone, hoping that Lyreb would come home early and celebrate my special day with me.

I'm sad, hindi ko napigilan ang aking pagluha. I had been through a lot of storms before my legal age, and I don't know what cyclones will I face when I become legal. I should be thankful because I am still alive, but I can't. Hindi ko lubos maisip na nabuhay nga ako, ngunit ako na lang mag-isa.

Mom and Dad no more, as well as Evan and Ethan... and Elvie. I was left alone.

"Lyreb," I whispered his name when the clock strike at 9. Huli na naman ang uwi niya ngayong gabi, ngunit nakapagtatakang alas nuebe na ay wala parin siya.

Kapag nahuhuli siya ng uwi, alas 9 ang kaniyang dating, until this night happened. Time passed and it's 10, pabalik balik ako sa pinto at bintana ngunit wala ni kaluskos o anino niya.

Nagsimula na akong mataranta. What happened to him? At bakit ngayon pang gabi na kung saan 18 na ako pagpatak ng alas dose?

"Oh, shit!" I cursed when a lightning flashed inside the house. Kung dumarating nga naman ang malas ay sunod-sunod. Gaano ba kagalit sa akin ang langit? What did I do wrong to suffer like?

"It's about to rain," I whispered. "Where is he?"

Another lightning flashed followed by the raging thunder, and the night sky cried out it's heaviness. The rain falls because the sky can no longer handle it's heaviness, I can no longer handle the pain too, can I cry again?

I am tired of crying, but the pain is still heavy. Would I cry and make myself tired again?

Bakit ngayon pa? Sumabay pa ang langit sa aking kalungkutan.

"Lyreb..."

Bagsak akong napaupo sa aking silid dahil 11:30 na ay wala parin siya. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong mapaiyak. Patuloy na dumadagundong ang kulog habang ang kidlat ay tila nananakot.

I have no family at all to celebrate with me, and now Lyreb? I think I should just accept my fate, and it is to suffer while living. Hanggang sa patuloy na tumakbo ang oras, walang Lyreb na dumating.

Tumingala ako sa bintana habang humahagulgol. Ang dami kong natutunan sa labing-pitong taon ko. I lost my family, and I was there when everyone was massacred. Someone abducted me, no, he saved me, and we got along. Going on the way, realizing he's the only person I got, and now he isn't arriving yet.

"Lyreb," I whispered his beautiful name. What happened to him? Bakit wala pa siya?

Lumabas ako sa sala upang silipin ang oras, tuluyan na nga akong bumagsak at umiyak sa aking tuhod ng pumatak ang alas dose. I am alone, no one was there to greet me, and it was the saddest gift I've received in my entire life.

It's still raining. Patuloy akong umiyak. In my mind, I asked kung bakit nangyayari sa akin ito. What did I do wrong to deserve this suffering? I was about to give up when I remembered Jesus suffered more while everyone knows He didn't even do a single sin. Paano pa kaya ako? Good thing, Elvie, was always there for me to preach. I have learned so many things in life, and I secretly thank those persons behind it.

12:00

"Happy Birthday Belle Damsel Beau Monde," I whispered to myself and blow the wind instead of a candle.

"Happy Birthday to you..."

Napalingon ako sa pintuan.

"Happy Birthday to you..."

Everything went on a slow motion when I saw him panting, sweating and singing a birthday song to me. Tumutulo pa ang tubig sa kaniyang basang damit dahil sinalubong niya ang ulan.

"Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday...."

Namuo ang luha sa aking mga mata. I didn't let him finish the song, kumaripas ako ng takbo patungo sa kaniya ay mahigpit siyang niyakap. Hindi ko pinansin kung gaano siya kabasa, I just want to hug him. He's all I have.

"You came!"

"Happy Birthday, baby."

Napahinto ako at napatitig sa kaniya. Pinunasan niya ang luhang pumatak sa aking pisngi at saka hinalikan ang aking noo. Natuod ako, nagulat sa kaniyang ginawa. He just kissed my forehead and I saw his sincerity. I don't want to put a damn meaning but I saw something in his eyes.

"Lyreb,"

He removed his dirty shoes full of muds, pati na rin ang kaniyang jacket na basang-basa dahil sa ulan. He didn't removed his shirt, I'm sure he doesn't want me to feel awkward by being topless. Pinunasan ko siya at muling niyakap.

"Happy Birthday, Eighteen," batid kong nakangiti niyang saad atsaka itinaas ang kahon na hawak niya, "I'm sorry. Kinakailangan ko pang mambulabog ng isang bakeshop para makabili ng cake. Out of stock sila kaya naghintay ako para magawa ang cake."

"Lyreb," muling pumatak ang luha sa aking mga mata.

"I am so sorry, huli na ba ako?" Lumingon siya sa orasan na nasa sala, "I'm not, let's celebrate."

Hindi naalis ang pagkakayakap ko sa kanya. He hugged me back. Naglakad kami paupo sa sofa sa ganoong posisyon. I thought it would be impossible or awkward, but it was not since it was me and him. It will always be beautiful, aesthetic, astonishing and captivating.

"Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday,

Happy birthday to you..."

Napangiti ako nang muli niya akong awitan. Wala akong ibang nagawa kundi ang yakapin siya. Mali na naman ako, I thought my birthday would be a sad and mournful one. But Lyreb came and saved me from drowning again, instead he drowned me with his different way of care and love. And yes, I'm drowning with the beast.

"Thank you so much," bulong ko.

Inilabas niya ang heart shaped cake atsaka sinindihan ang kandila matapos iyong maisaayos. Muli akong napangiti sa gitna ng aking pagluha. I never imagined it will be him who'll save me from everyone and everything. And it was him, always and will always be him.

"What's your birthday wish?" He asked and stared at me.

"Hmm?" Nag-isip ako.

"Go, make a wish and blow your candle. I'm sorry, ganyang cake lang ang-"

"Please, stop saying sorry. You don't know how you changed my mood, how you made me happy, you don't know how grateful I am that you came," I cut him off.

I smiled and closed my eyes. Tahimik kong ipinagdasal na sana'y mangyari ang aking kahilingan. It was all in my head and heart, and I hoped that it would happen.

"What's your wish?" He asked.

This time, I was the one who stared at him, "Secret."

Ngumisi siya at naglabas ng isang box. Napasinghap ako nang kunin niya ang magandang kwintas doon, at hindi ko na nga napigilan ang sarili kong mapaluha. Labis labis na ang kaniyang ginagawa sa akin, how would I express my gratitude after this?

"This will be a memory of you and me," bulong niya habang inilalagay ang kwintas sa aking leeg, "Always wear this. It'll remind you that I am and will always be with you whatever happens."

"What?" Nabagabag ako sa tono ng kaniyang pananalita.

"Hush," aniya at niyakap ako matapos mailagay ang silver na kwintas na may pendant na susi. "I'll protect you no matter what. At kahit ano pa man ang mangyari, tandaan mong ginagawa ko iyon para saiyo."

"Lyreb,"

"Happy Birthday Belle Damsel Beau Monde," he whispered and caressed my back.

And for the nth time, I cried again not because of sadness but with Felicity and joy. Wala na akong mahihiling pa kundi ang patuloy siyang makasama. I don't know what would I do without him anymore.

"Look, we have the same necklace. You got the key and I've got the heart." aniya at ipinakita ang pusong pendant na nakasabit sa kaniyang kwintas, "Simply, you are the key to my heart," nakangiting aniya.

Naghuramentado ang puso ko. Ganoon na lamang ako kasaya nang oras na iyon, at dahil sa sobrang sayang aking naramdaman na patuloy niyang ibinibigay ay hindi ko namalayang buong puso kong ibinigay ang aking labi sa kaniya.

He stiffed, he never expected me to kiss him neither I.

But I didn't took a step back, I wrapped my arms around his neck and enjoyed the extreme delight we have at the moment. He kissed back, the moment became majestic, glorious and unforgettable. It was the best gift I've ever received, not the cake, not the necklace, but his kisses.

"You are 18 now, I can kiss you whenever I want to." He whispered and smiled before his kisses, "Prepare yourself, I am rough and hard."

I smiled. At that moment, we both shared the blissful time with our kisses with passion and love.

I never thought I would fall for the beast, but indeed he's worth it so I freely fell and good thing he was there, always there to save me.