Chapter 16 - All Too Well (Flashback)

“Happy birthday to you!” and confetti bursts and I blow my candle out after they sing a ‘happy birthday’ song – asynchronously. My parents prepared a small celebration with my relatives – a family dinner, assumably – yeah! only my relatives were invited because I don't have any friends.

“Happy eighteenth birthday Kris!” mom and dad greeted like a hundred times this day, they kissed me and my eyes didn't flick as the camera flashes. Behind us were balloons stuck from the ceiling and some had my pictures on the strings attached and a cut-out letter spelling my name taped on the wall with cute fairy lights.

“Thank you so much!” my reaction flooded with so much excitement and joy when they begin to reach every single gift they have for me, this is an annual celebration and everybody must be rich to have the celebrant a little present. And I've got a kiss from my cousin.

“Thanks.” I murmured.

Our living room swarmed by my uncle, aunties, cousins, and grandparents from both sides of my parents, everyone was invited except those who were already on the other side – kidding.

I checked my phone, it's already six-thirty and the game had started about an hour prior. I placed it on the table and just grinned to my visitors.

“Kris!” my mom's mother opened her arms and kissed me on the cheek, she was sitting on the couch and I sit on her lap slightly, while my whole weight was actually on my feet.

“I recalled you were just a little boy and a cry baby and look at you now, a grown-up teen.” I chuckled and kissed me again, cupping my face. I'm not a cry baby except if someone tries to steal my lollipop or my cotton candy.

“Thanks, granny, I love you.”

“So, who's the lucky chick?” my uncle joked, and everyone was busy with their food.

“No, I'm not in a relationship uncle and there's no lucky person yet.” and I fist-bumped, and he hugged me.

“You know there will be a no lucky chick, right?” I whispered and both laughed. Each here knew and understood who the real Kris was, I have nothing to hide from my tenderhearted and loving kin. Except for my little cousins whose minds were still explicit innocence.

“Kris, why not slice your cake and served it to your cousins..” mom approached me with a bowl of macaroni salad, she put it on the table that's almost thronged by other platters.

“Mom's so proud of you, you're so handsome and intelligent, and – ” she sniffed my neck and kissed me on the cheek, “You're still my little boy.”

“Mom, I'm not a kid anymore, I'm eighteen.” her face – teary-eyed, and I hugged her, so warmly.

“Thank you mom, I'm blessed to have you and dad on my side. I love you.” and she paced back to the kitchen and I sliced my chocolate moist cake which she had also baked.

“A slice of cake.” and I handed it to my auntie where my little cousin seated on her, she smiled.

“I've never thought that you would grow up to be a very handsome guy Kris.” she praised, I never also thought that I'll be adored and honored so, so much tonight. I just smiled back at her.

This is one of the common scenarios of an Asian celebration. You'll be the star of tonight's; asked about your school, if you're single or not? Will be cheered like a celebrity and what I love the most you'll be receiving cash from them before they'll leave later.

“Of course he had his mother's eyes.” my mom prompted and stands beside me, her arm on my shoulder.

“And most he had his father's charisma.” dad's inserted from the conversation, standing on the other edge with the wine on his hand. Everyone chuckled.

“Okay, honestly I've never been that super apple of everyone's eye but maybe only tonight, and thank you so much for coming. I'm totally happy and flattered.” and that was it, the night continues with like a parade of questions and talks and ‘thank you's’ till it's time to go home and the dinner's over.

There are plenty of food left and my mom tends to share some – also a fact and part of our tradition. As I've told earlier cash automatically materializes on my hand as they are leaving. I was standing on the front porch and waving my hand gaily.

I checked my phone and it's eight-thirty. I helped mom with the dishes and dad was clearing all the decorations they had prepared and Carly was with him in the living room.

“Did you enjoyed your day buddy?” dad entered the kitchen and arranged some glasses on the sink.

“Yes, more than that I've expected.” and I hugged him.

Our house is back to what it was. I trailed to my room, upstairs and started to unwrapped the gifts I've accepted.

“Wow!” I mumbled to myself as I opened a brand new shirt. I proceeded with the other, it was a perfume and sprayed some. Then next and the next one till I'm done unboxing them all.

A knock on my door caught my interest as it opened gently and both of my guardians emerged. “Happy birthday.”

“You guys have said it like more than a hundred times today and thank you.”

“We just wanted our son to be happy on his special day!” mom walks closer to me and I started to put my stuff on my table.

“And you guys did, I am very pleased.” and dad surprised me with a box.

“Oh my – this is too much!” I cried out, inside of the box was a brand new camera and I hurriedly laced my arms, hugging them, sitting on my bed, and whispered, “Thank you!”

“And you've said that like a hundred times today also!” dad chirped and we all laughed. I smiled at them with an overflowing bliss painted on my face as they made their exit.

After a little moment arranging my gifts, I walked downstairs to drink water when mom called out my name from the living room.

“What is it, mom?”

“You have a visitor,” she yelled and walks to her direction after I drank and feel refreshed.

“Right now? Who?”

“Hey! I see you!” my jaw dropped as I saw standing in front of me was Romeo Halliday, completely sweaty, hot, and havoc.

“Happy birthday Kris!” then he wears his medal to me, my eyes broadened as I didn't expect him to be here.

“Would you wanna come to my room?” I asked excitedly. Mom was standing stunned, in the way that she never wanted someone in my bedroom, but she didn't argue 'cause it's her son's birthday. Romeo smiles widely and nods.

Our paces echoed on the stairs and we entered my room, I locked it. Standing before my bed, he subsisted closely to me and I placed my hand on his puffing chest. I don't know what are we but I'm already consumed by his presence.

“Can I kiss you?” I asked, listening to every breath he exhaled, I'm solely lost and flattered, possibly.

“And that's the thing I wanted to do with you, right now,” he confessed. And didn't wait for the next second as we joined our lips together, his sweaty natural odor makes a perfect harmony on the setting.

And that's my first kiss.