HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE: HAPPINESS? 1

Thursday.

Joe looked up at the hoop. Tomorrow is another supposed-to-be tradition day but she doesn't want to see him yet. She sighed. It is true that she misses him. But, it is also the truth that she is still a bit angry with David not keeping his promise. And, it hurts. And though David tells her not to be girly, she can't help it because she is a girl. She has incomprehensible hormones. And curse, those stupid hormones!

She picked up the ball, dribbled and threw it in. It was a perfect shot. She did that several times until she got tired.

She drank water, wiped off her sweat and took her backpack. Then, with tears wanting to fall down again, she walked back home. Maybe she should talk to him. Her birthday is coming up soon. She'll talk to him on that day.

Friday.

David looked at his watch. It is 6:30 in the evening and Joe is still not at the Basketball courts. He sighed. He tried calling her but her phone was turned off.

'Are you still angry with me?'

He sat down on the grass and looked at the hoop. He smiled after remembering their many happy memories at the Basketball courts. He is aware that he is to be blamed if Joe decides not to show up. He had been cancelling out on her countless times for five consecutive months and that last week was the last straw. He took a deep breath.

'I would not show up too if I was her.'

It had been a week and Joe was not even talking to him. He wanted to talk to her but she was not at home during his free time. If she was home, she would lock herself in her room. He tried to barge in at one time but the door was locked. He sent her text and voice messages but she never replied.

The only time he could see her was during breakfast and dinner. During breakfast, she would only talk to Kenji or answer questions if Madame asked her. At dinnertime, she would always excuse herself first with reasons such as projects in designs and those stuffs. She had been deliberately avoiding him… even at school.

David stood up, took the ball, dribbled and dunked. It was perfect! But, it was never the same without Joe. He looked at his watch once more. Thirty minutes had passed. Still, no Joe. David sat down once again and decided to wait some more.

Meanwhile, Joe was in her room sitting on her study desk busying herself with more assignments. She had never been serious with school before. She took a sip from her glass of orange juice and accidentally caught a glimpse on the alarm clock beside her laptop. It was David's gift to her in Junior High because she always oversleeps.

The clock says 7:15. She sighed. It took a lot of courage to stop herself from going to the Basketball courts. The only thing that convinced her was that 'going means waiting and waiting means hurting.' She was in contemplation when she heard a soft knock on the door.

"Joe," it was Kenji's voice.

Joe stood up and opened the door. Kenji went in as Joe went back to her work.

"David's at the Basketball courts. You know that, right?" he told her.

Joe gave him a small smile. "I have so many due dates. I've got no time for Basketball these days. My schedule is so hectic," she reasoned.

Kenji chuckled and teased, "So school just magically became too hectic after last Friday, huh?"

Joe sighed and looked at him, "Can you blame me?"

Kenji met her gaze, "I understand. But, will your pain stop if you continue to ignore him?"

'He has a point.' Joe frowned, "Well… I intend to talk to him anytime soon now."

"So does that mean you're not going there tonight?" Kenji asked.

Joe shook her head, "Not this night."

Kenji nodded and stood up, "Alright then. Have fun with your assignments," he said and started to leave.

"Don't forget to lock the door," she reminded him.

Back at the Basketball court, David stood up. 'She is not coming.' He walked back home.

Monday.

Christine looked up from her drawing book and saw her boyfriend in deep, sad and serious expression. She sighed. "How was the Basketball game last Friday?" she asked pertaining to the tradition.

David looked at her and smiled sadly, "She did not come."

Christine stopped what she was doing and asked right away. "Awww... Baby, are you alright?"

He closed his eyes, "Who could blame her? I stood her up countless times. If I am her, I wouldn't wait for myself, either."

Christine walked to her and sat on his lap, "I'm so sorry. It is all my fault."

David shook his head, "You didn't know anything about the tradition before," he said and kissed her temple.

"What are you planning now? She has to talk to you sooner. Do you want me to talk to her for you and explain everything?" Christine asked again.

"Knowing her, she might cool down before her birthday," he said and smiled hopefully. "But, I have to create a big act to ask for her forgiveness."

Christine chuckled, "How about you give her a surprise party?"

David scrunched his forehead, "She does not like parties."

"Well, because those parties are not the right one," Christine insisted.

"What do you mean?" David asked, confused.

Christine smiled and explained, "Make it a basketball theme party. We can have it in a gym and you can invite one or two of Joe's favorite Basketball players."

David smiled, "That's not bad. Then, there would be an exhibition game between those two Basketball players and the David-Joe tandem."

Christine nodded, "Yup, now you're getting it."

"And, to really show that I am sorry, there will be a Dunk Him Water Booth, where I will be the dunkee and she will be the dunker," David added. "God! She's gonna love that!"

Christine giggled. "Don't forget the cake."

"Her favorite cake was chocolate cheesecake," he informed her.

"I know a pastry chef. And she can even make that chocolate cheesecake look like a real basketball ball. I'll give her a call. Cake's on me," she said and began to dial the number.

David hugged Christine tightly and looked at her with a smile, "Let me get this straight… are you helping me with Joe?"

Christine nodded, "I love you. Besides, even if you say it's not my fault, I know I'm half-responsible for it. Plus, I also wanted to make it up to her."

David chuckled, "Did I mention I'm a lucky boyfriend?"

Christine narrowed her eyes in thoughts, "That would be the first time."

"Thanks…"

"You're welcome."

With that, they shared a kiss.