"Happy legality, Eli!" 

I smiled awkwardly while the whole cheer dance squad was singing me a birthday song. Umiinom ako ng tubig habang hinihintay silang matapos, pawis na pawis pa sa suot na dolphin shorts at white shirt. Gabing-gabi na nang matapos kaming mag-training for the upcoming UAAP Cheerdance Competition. More extensive na ang training namin kasi malapit na! 

"Thank you, guys." I smiled when they finished singing. "Attend my debut party this weekend, okay? Coach, sorry, absent that day." 

"Hay nako, Ledezma." Our coach laughed. 

"Anyway, here na 'yong sundo ko so I need to go na! Bye guys!" Bumeso ako sa kanila bago kinuha ang duffle bag ko at saka nagmadaling umalis.

It was already around eleven in the evening, and my driver was not around, so my half-brother, Shan, had to pick me up. Pagpasok ko sa kotse ay nakasimangot na siya at nagce-cellphone. It looked like he waited for too long.

"Hi!" I smiled and wore my seatbelt. "Let's go na, Kuya!" 

"Ang tagal mo. I missed a date," my brother shook his head.

"Wow, you still have so much time to date when you're already in law school, huh!" 

Tumawa lang siya at nag-drive paalis. I was on my phone the whole time, checking some online shops. I wanted to buy a new bag or new shoes, or maybe a new case for my laptop? Tumingin ako sa taas, nag-iisip ng gustong bilhin. Birthday ko naman today, eh!

"One hour before your day ends. I'll treat you to dinner," suggest niya. 

"Really?!" I clasped my hand together and looked at him with my puppy eyes. 

Excited akong nag-search ng 'Most expensive restaurant in Metro Manila.' Duh! It was my chance, okay?! I hoped restaurants were still open. It was so late at night already.  

"Ugh! Bakit close lahat?!" reklamo ko habang nagii-scroll at nakikita ang closing hours.

"You know what's open at this hour?" He raised a brow. 

"Yesterday's Coffee?"  

"McDo. 24/7." 

"Nakakainis ka naman eh!" Hindi ako nagtagumpay sa plans ko! Sigurado akong pinag-isipan niya na lahat ng 'to bago pa 'ko alukin ng libre! He knew limited restaurants lang ang open, 'no! I wanted to eat steak pa naman!

We really ended up eating at McDo. Nakasimangot ako habang sinasabi ang order ko. I wanted Kuya Shan's wallet to suffer, but I had no choice. I was also on a diet. Nag-take out na lang kami so we can go home early. If not, magagalit si Daddy sa kaniya. 

Ihahatid niya lang ako because he was staying in his mom's condo near his law school. But he already moved out when he went to college. I thought he hated dad, which was why he moved out. 

"I'm home!" I announced when I entered the mansion. "Ah! Jewel!" 

Lumuhod ako at sinalubong ang chihuahua kong nakasuot ng damit. I carried her and hugged her to my chest. I looked around, looking for mom, but she was not around. Helpers lang ang nakita ko. 

"Mommy? Daddy?" I called but no one answered. Lumingon ako kay Kuya na nakatayo malapit sa pinto at hindi pa umaalis. 

"Happy birthday to you..."

Kumunot ang noo ko at tumingin kay Mommy na nakahawak sa cake at dahan-dahang naglalakad palapit para hindi mawala ang apoy sa kandila. Daddy was behind him, smiling. 

"Mommy!" I pouted when she started singing more. It was so embarrassing!

"Happy birthday, sweetheart." Dad gave me a soft kiss on the side of my head. 

"Make a wish!" Tuwang-tuwa si Mommy, showing me the cake.

Sumandal si Kuya sa may pader at pinanood lang kami nina Mommy. Mom looked at him when she noticed my brother was still at the door, refusing to go near us. 

"Shan! Come here," my mom said in a sweet tone. "Elyse will open the gifts."

"I need to go, Tita." Kuya just gave her a small smile. "Thank you."

Kumaway siya sa 'kin bago umalis. Napanguso ako at nagkatinginan kami ni Mommy. Daddy pursed his lips and changed the topic. Pumikit na lang ako at nag-wish about many things. Wala namang rule na dapat isa lang ang wish ko! Tutal, maraming candles! More candles, more wishes! 

"Where are the gifts?" I was so excited! 

My mom led me to the living room and pointed at three designer paper bags. My eyes sparkled when I saw my favorite brands. Kinuha ko kaagad ang pinakamalaking paper bag at binuksan ang black box doon. 

"Omg! I wanted this, Mommy!" Halos maiyak na 'ko nang makita ang pair of shoes na gusto ko last month when we went to New York. 

"This one's from your dad." Nilagay niya sa harapan ko ang isa pang paper bag. 

"Oh my god, Dad! Thank you!" I hugged him tight when I saw the white Chanel flap bag inside. It was so pretty! Simple but elegant! Bagay lang sa 'kin! 

I collected bags more than shoes. The other paper bag was just clothes. Iyon ang tinitingnan ko kanina sa online shop! Nandito na kaagad sila sa harapan ko! I was so happy that night, halos hindi na nga makatulog kaka-reply sa mga nagme-message sa 'kin ng happy birthday. I felt so loved!

The next morning, I woke up early to prepare for my debut party. My family spent months preparing for this big event! I was so excited because, finally, mararamdaman ko nang legal age na 'ko! But I was also scared of a lot of things like... prison! I didn't want to go to prison! 

"Ang ganda ng bag! I also wanted to buy this, remember?! But I wanted the cream color." Binagsak ni Fraida ang sarili sa kama ko. She was my bestfriend since high school. Blockmates din kami ngayon. 

Nakaupo ako ngayon sa harap ng vanity table ko, pinapatuyo ang buhok habang wala pa ang magme-makeup sa 'kin. 

"Since eighteen ka na, maybe you can now get a boyfriend?!" Tuwang-tuwa si Ida na umayos ng upo. 

"'Yong gusto kong boyfriend, lumipad na sa Florida!" I pouted and rolled my eyes. 

"Oh, come on, Elyse! Kuya Hiro was probably just a crush! Find someone suitable for you, since hindi ka naman papatulan no'n ever because he's your brother's best friend! That's not allowed!" Tumawa ulit siya. 

"I can't find a boyfriend material," I pouted again. "Wala pa akong nakikita."

Nang dumating na ang maga-ayos sa 'kin, naging abala na ako, pati ang bibig nitong si Fraida, trying to keep me entertained para hindi boring during the makeup process. Hanggang ibaba ng dibdib ang buhok ko na inayos ng stylist into a messy but elegant bun. I had little bangs na inayos niya rin. I was also wearing a pair of grey contact lens.

"You're so pretty!" puri ng stylist ko sa 'kin nang iharap ako sa salamin. "Wala ka pa talagang jowa?" 

"No," I denied. "My dad is strict."

My dad was strict with having boyfriends, and also strict din si Kuya dahil nga minor pa 'ko, but I already turned eighteen so baka pwede na! I was so excited to explore a lot of things. Marami akong gustong malaman and ma-experience! All those cute stuff na nababasa ko sa books or napapanood sa movies. 

I looked at myself in the mirror. My face was in the perfect size and shape. The nose line made my nose even more pointed, my eyes reflected an innocent angel, my cheekbones were a bit high, and I had soft lips and perfect brows. My skin was a little lighter than my brother's dahil magkaiba ang nanay namin. 

Champagne-colored ang gown ko with crystals all over it. It was an off-shoulder gown. I had to wear heels because of my height. I think I was around 5'3? Minsan 5'2... depende sa nagsusukat ng height! Ida was only taller than me by an inch. 

The party will start at six in the evening. We went there around four thirty in the afternoon for a little photoshoot inside my hotel room. Ida was wearing a white satin dress, and her hair was also in soft curls. We took pictures together as best friends, too.

"Hey..." Napatingin ako kay Kuya na kakapasok lang ng hotel room ko. 

"Kuya!" I covered my mouth in awe when I saw him holding a bouquet of tulips. 

He was wearing an ash-grey suit. He looked so formal and tall. Mukha siyang matino ngayon at hindi mukhang heartbreaker. Tumingin siya sa paligid bago naglakad palapit sa 'kin at marahang hinalikan ang tuktok ng ulo ko bago inabot sa 'kin ang bulaklak. Tuwang-tuwa kong inamoy 'yon bago nilapag sa may table. It smelled so good! 

Good thing he came to my party. Akala ko hindi siya pupunta. He was always trying to distance himself from the family.

"Where are they?" tanong niya nang mapansing wala sila Mommy sa loob. Ang stylist, si Ida, at iba pang staff ang nandito sa loob. 

"Oh, they're greeting the visitors at the venue," I explained. 

"Hiro wanted to say happy birthday. Hindi siya makaka-attend," he informed me.

I pouted and roll my eyes. Nakakainis naman na hindi niya naabutan ang debut ko! Pero okay lang dahil kailangan naman talaga niyang umalis... pero nakakalungkot pa rin!

"Elyse, honey, tara na. They're already starting." My mom entered the room and smiled at my brother, greeting him too. My brother just gave her a nod and a small smile. 

Tumayo ako at inalalayan ako nina Fraida pababa sa malaking venue sa isang five-star hotel in Manila. 

"Good luck!" Fraida kissed me on the cheek before entering the venue, leaving me outside for my entrance. 

When I was introduced, all of my visitors stood up and clapped. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad sa red carpet, nakangiti at nakahawak sa braso ni Kuya para maalalayan niya 'ko. I saw so many faces! 

Ang mga matatanda ay halos hindi ko kilala dahil either friends ni Mommy or friends ni Daddy, or business partners. I saw my friends, blockmates, teammates, some socialites, and some UAAP players. Halo-halo ang lahat. I was so glad they came. It was just my mom and my brother who convinced me to invite a lot of people kahit hindi naman kami gaanong close. 

"Larkin Sanchez," the emcee called for the eighteen roses. 

Everyone looked around, trying to find the famous and great Arkin. I heard some whispers from the crowd. Napakunot ang noo ko at tumingin din sa paligid, sinusubukan siyang hanapin. Saan ba nagpunta 'yon?! How dare he ruin my party?! 

We waited for a few more seconds. The emcee was about to call another name but someone stood up. 

Kumunot ang noo ko nang may lalaking naglakad palapit, mukhang napilitan lang. He was holding a rose, nakasimangot. Some were shocked because the man wasn't Arkin. It was.. someone I didn't even know! What the fuck! Sino 'to?!

Binigay niya sa 'kin ang rose at kinuha ko 'yon. I went with the flow and acted normal para hindi masira ang party. He awkwardly placed his hand on my waist, and I put my hands on his shoulders. 

He was tall. Like... really tall. 

"Who the fuck are you?" I whispered.

"Nasa restroom si Kino," simpleng sabi niya. 

Tumingin ako sa paligid when UAAP players started cheering and laughing. My cheering squad clapped too. Napakunot ang noo ko at binalik ang tingin sa kaniya. 

"Go Camero!" one of the basketball players cheered. 

The guy in front of me smiled and playfully gave him a salute. He had dimples. The longer I stared, the more I appreciated his features... but no! Sino ba siya?! 

Hinigpitan ko ang aking hawak sa balikat ng lalaking nasa harapan ko para bumaon ang kuko ko sa balikat niya. Sino 'to?! Bakit ba sinasayaw niya 'ko?! Ang tangkad niya pa kaya nakatingala ako! 

"Go. Walk away. Now." I glared at him when the emcee announced the next guy in line. 

"Okay, chill. Galit na galit." He laughed and walked away. 

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin habang sinasayaw ako ng kaibigan ko. Nakita ko siyang bumalik sa inuupuan niya at malakas na binatukan si Arkin na kababalik lang galing sa restroom. Arkin was laughing and teasing the guy earlier, who already looked so badtrip. I saw him raise a middle finger, too. 

What a shameful act! Middle finger, really?! Who invited that.. disrespectful man to my party?!

After the eighteen roses, we had eighteen gifts, and then it was already dinnertime, so I changed my outfit into a white cocktail tube dress. I roamed around per table to greet some visitors, including my dad's business partners. My brother was with his friends. Sina Ericka, Helen, Neil, Arman, and others. Kulang dahil wala si Hiro. 

"Ah, Elyse, this is Selene, my secretary," pagpapakilala ni Daddy sa babaeng sunod na lumapit pagkatapos noong lalaking kabilang sa board. 

"Hello-" Napatigil ako nang makita ang lalaki sa likuran niya. Sumimangot kaagad ako nang makita 'yong lalaki kanina! 

He was wearing a black suit, perfect for his fit. He looked like someone who was always at the gym because of his broad shoulders and perfect arms. Nakabukas ang coat niya kaya napansin ko ang panloob na kulay grey. Nakabukas din ang tatlong butones no'n, revealing his chest a little and the silver necklace he had. Hindi na talaga siya nag-abala pang maglagay ng necktie! 

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay nang magtama ang tingin namin. He also raised his brow at me, mocking. He looked annoying, but I must admit that he looked good. Perfect nose and jaw, skin just one shade darker than mine, thick brows, welcoming eyes, and.. of course, the dimples. 

Hindi naman ganoon kalalim at napapansin lang tuwing nakangiti siya. He looked like he smiled a lot.

"Sevi, batiin mo ang anak ni Sir Ledezma." Siniko siya ng Mama niya. 

"Binabati kita," barumbadong sabi niya sa 'kin. 

I immediately glared at him. What was that?! So disrespectful!

"Thanks," I sarcastically replied. 

"Kumusta ang studies, Sevi? Graduating na, ah!" My dad commented, holding a champagne glass. 

"Oo nga po, eh." The guy smiled and scratched his head a little. "Hindi ko binabati, Sir. Baka hindi matuloy, eh." 

Umalis na 'ko agad doon para puntahan ang teammates ko sa isang table. They attended my party! Halos lahat sila ay mas matanda sa 'kin pero mayroon namang mga ka-edad ko lang. Kasama nila sa table ang ibang players namin. 

We took some pictures before I sat down to strike up a conversation. I was enjoying their company until Wayne, one of our basketball players, stood up and called someone. 

"Camero!" He waved his hand. 

"What the hell, stop calling that stranger!" Hinatak ko kaagad ang coat niya upang maupo siya ulit pero hindi siya nagpatinag. 

"Stranger!" Tumawa si Ate Raya. 

"Bakit? Do you know him?" I curiously asked. 

"Bebe, he's the captain of UST Growling Tigers! Their basketball team? Don't you remember him? Natalo tayo sa kanila last season!" She laughed. 

"Yeah, Eli, he's hot. How could you forget about him?" Ate Dianne added, then they laughed together. 

Umayos lang sila nang lumapit ang lalaki at nakipag-apir kay Wayne. They were talking about something, probably basketball. Nanatili ang masamang tingin ko sa lalaki, trying to figure him out. There was this aura about him that I did not like! 

Dahil nakatingin ako sa kaniya nang masama, napatingin din siya sa 'kin at nawala saglit ang ngiti sa labi. Napuno ng pagtataka ang mata niya at kumunot nang bahagya ang noo bago binalik kay Wayne ang tingin. Siningkitan ko siya ng mata at tinitigan siya hanggang sa mailang siya. 

"Elyse, happy birthday! Sorry kanina!" Lumapit si Arkin at bineso ako sa pisngi. 

Some women were staring at him, starstruck. Napailing na lang ako. Nakaka-starstruck naman talagang makakita ng sikat na artista sa harapan mo, right? Well, as for me, I saw them often so it wasn't a big deal anymore. 

"Sabi ko kay Sevi, kapag wala ako at hindi umabot sa turn ko, siya na ang pumunta sa harapan. Sorry talaga!" Arkin laughed. "Oh, nag-meet na kayo, 'no?"

"Yeah." Umirap ako, hindi nagugustuhan 'yon. 

"Sevi," tawag niya sa kaibigan niya.

Lumingon sa kaniya 'yong lalaki at nagpaalam saglit kay Wayne para lumapit sa pwesto namin. Nakaupo ako at si Arkin ay nasa harapan ko. Umakbay siya sa kaibigan niya pagkalapit nito. The man looked confused now. 

"Elyse, this is Sevi, bestfriend ko," pagpapakilala niya. 

"Yeah, I don't care," sabi ko, hindi nakatingin.

"Attitude siya, p're." Tumawa 'yong Sevi. 

"Hayaan mo na, ganyan talaga kapag major na," Arkin joked. 

"Iba na talaga ugali ng kabataan ngayon." Napailing 'yong Sevi at nagtawanan sila. Ano kaya ang nakakatawa?

Agad akong tumayo at humarap sa kanila, masama ang tingin sa lalaki. I crossed my arms and raised a brow at him, obviously making him feel I disliked his presence. He looked at me casually, not even intimidated by my stare. Instead, he smiled at me. 

"Excuse me, I'm not 'kabataan' anymore," malditang sabi ko. 

His eyes were immediately filled with amusement. Tumaas ang dalawa niyang kilay niya at napakagat sa ibabang labi, pinipigilan ang ngiti. 

"I'm not kabataan anymore," he mocked and laughed a bit.

"Inaasar mo ba 'ko?!" Humakbang ako palapit sa kaniya at taas-noong hinarap siya. 

Arkin stepped aside, hindi man lang nang-aawat kahit mukhang magsusuntukan na kami rito ng kaibigan niya. Sevi smiled wider, enjoying the moment. 

"Hindi ah. Bakit naman kita aasarin? Smile ka na. Birthday mo ngayon oh." The smile did not leave his face when he said that. 

"Kahapon ang birthday ko, hindi ngayon," masungit na sagot ko.

"O, eh di happy birthday!" He made a peace sign with both of his hands. 

Umirap lang ako at tinalikuran na sila para maglakad sa susunod na table. Pinalagpas at sinubukan ko na lang kalimutan ang inis ko sa lalaking 'yon hanggang sa makabalik na 'ko sa harapan. Pagkatapos ng eighteen wishes at eighteen shots, nag-message na 'ko para sa mga dumalo. 

I thanked everyone for attending my party before it officially ended. For the after-party, I invited the people I knew to the rooftop bar. Reserved na 'yon para sa 'kin, pati ang pool. I went back to the hotel room again to change my outfit. 

"You did good, babe!" Ida gave me a thumbs up. 

"Nabadtrip nga lang ako sa friend ni Arkin. Nakakaasar!" reklamo ko habang nagtatanggal ng earrings. 

"Huh? Sino? 'Yong pumalit ba sa kaniya sa roses? In fairness, ang gwapo no'n, ah! Ano'ng name?" curious na tanong niya, mukhang type niya pa. 

"Sevi," sagot ko.

Nagsuot na lang ako ng dark red satin dress and let my hair down. My parents entered the room to deliver all the gifts. Ngumiti ako at nagpasalamat sa kanilang dalawa. They will sleep in the hotel room next to mine so that they could give me privacy. 

"Hindi ba siya 'yong captain ng basketball team?" tanong ni Fraida at pinakita sa 'kin ang na-search niya sa google. "Look! Siya 'yan, 'di ba?" 

"Yes, I think so. I don't care. Why are we talking about him?" Kumunot ang noo ko. 

"5th year, civil engineering, UST," pagbabasa niya. 

So he was three years older than me? Or four? Ka-age niya siguro si Kuya. 

"Tara na nga," I changed the topic. 

Umakyat kami sa rooftop bar. Naroon na ang mga kaibigan ko at sinalubong ako ng birthday shots daw. 

"She doesn't drink!" agap ni Fraida. "Don't give her too much!" 

It was true. Hindi ako umiinom ng hard drinks. I have tasted wine or champagne during gatherings pero ang mga hard drinks like tequila, and rum, nakikita ko lang 'yon kina Kuya. I never tasted any of them because they never let me! 

"It's okay! I'm eighteen now!" sabi ko kay Fraida. 

Everyone cheered when they did five seconds of pouring three different bottles in my mouth. Fuck, they tasted bad! Why would people drink alcohol?! It tasted so fucking bad, muntik ko nang isuka 'yon! 

"Here! Lemon!" Inabutan ako ni Ida ng lemon nang makita ang itsura ko. 

"Ano 'yan?! It tastes like.. medicine! Ang init pa sa lalamunan! Bakit ang init?!" reklamo ko kay Ate Ericka. 

"This one's Bacardi and that one's tequila kaya mainit. Don't worry, you're fine." Tinapik niya ang balikat ko. "Sorry, Shan! Debut niya!" 

"Yeah." My brother sighed. He couldn't do anything now!

Some people were dancing already and some were in the pool, having fun. Naramdaman ko na ang hilo sa aking ulo ko nang pinainom nila 'ko ng tatlo pang baso. Pagkatayo ko, muntik na 'kong matumba! 

"Oh..." May humawak sa braso ko para hindi ako masubsob sa sahig. 

"Ikaw na naman!" Tinanggal ko ang hawak niya sa braso ko at humarap sa kaniya para ituro siya. 

"Sorry, hindi ako kumakausap ng lasing." Sevi laughed and turned his back against me. 

Inis ko siyang sinugod para pigilan maglakad paalis dahil magtutuos kami! Humawak ako sa coat niya at hahatakin na sana nang madulas ako bigla sa tabi ng pool kaya nasama ko siya.

"Putangina!" 

Nagsilayuan ang mga tao roon nang bumagsak kami para hindi masaktan. Umahon kaagad ako sa pool at... oh my god! Niyakap ko kaagad ang sarili ko sa sobrang lamig ng hangin. Umahon din si Sevi sa harapan ko, basang-basa ang buhok at ang damit. 

Agad siyang umahon at umupo roon sa gilid, tinatanggal ang coat niya. Fraida immediately ran towards me, holding a towel. Tinulungan niya 'kong umangat mula sa pool.

"Oh my god, my makeup!" sabi ko kaagad.

"It's fine, it's fine. Hindi kumalat ang mascara... Uhm, maybe a little bit. I'll fix it." Ida tried to fix it. 

Lumingon ako sa gawi ni Sevi na tinatawanan na ni Arkin. He pushed his wet hair back before his hands fumbled with the buttons of his dress shirt. My lips parted when he smoothly took it off from his shoulder to his sleeves. Some women stared at him, and his perfectly fit body. 

"Athlete nga," bulong ko pagka-iwas ng tingin. 

"Huh?" nagtatakang tanong ni Ida. "Ayan, ayos na ang hitsura mo! Kaso basang-basa ka. Your phone! Where's your phone?" 

"It was with you, 'di ba?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

"Oh, right!" Nilabas niya ang phone ko mula sa bulsa niya at inabot sa 'kin. "Wait, how about the captain's phone?! Nakakahiya, Eli, hinatak mo siya sa pool! Tinanong mo na ba?! Look at him! Basang-basa siya! Pati ang sapatos!" 

Na-guilty kaagad ako at naglakad palapit sa kinaroroonan niya. He was seated on the white lounge chair now, katapat ni Arkin na tumatawa pa rin. Hinubad niya ang sapatos at medyas na basa na. He pursed his lips, obviously now annoyed with what happened. 

"U-uhm..." Lumapit ako, may towel pa sa balikat. 

He glanced at me once but immediately looked down, busy squeezing the water out of his dress shirt. Nakita ko ang phone niya sa tabi niya, basa na. I felt more guilty now! 

"Towel." Kumuha ako ng towel sa gilid at inabot sa kaniya. 

Hindi siya nagsalita at tinabi lang ang dress shirt para kunin ang phone. He tried to open it, but as soon as it did, it flashed a green screen, then it went black. He sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose, frustrated now. 

"Okay lang 'yan, tol. May backup naman 'yan, 'di ba?" pampalubag-loob ni Arkin. "Hayaan mo na. Wala ka namang girlfriend kaya walang message convo na mawawala. Ha-ha!" 

"Gago, hindi nakakatulong ha," inis na sabi ni Sevi.

"I'm so sorry, I'll replace it," nahihiyang sabi ko, nawala na ata ang alak sa sistema. 

"Huwag na." He looked at me and gave me a small smile. 

"Anong huwag na? Ano'ng gagamitin mong cellphone?" Kantyaw ni Arkin. "Sige na! Papalitan mo na! Kasalanan naman ni Elyse!" Tumawa pa si Arkin.

Masama ko siyang tiningnan. He was even adding fuel to the fire! 

"Ewan. Phone mo na lang kukuhanin ko." Binatukan niya si Arkin, naiinis na dahil tawa nang tawa 'yong best friend niya. 

"I can replace it! Like, now na! Promise!" agap ko. 

Tinapunan niya lang ako ng tingin at bumuntong-hininga ulit, nakatingin na sa basang coat na nasa gilid niya na rin, at tapos nang mapiga. 

"Mas kailangan ko ng damit ngayon kaysa cellphone." He shook his head. 

"Y-yes! Of course!" Nagmamadali kong tinawagan ang driver ko para magpabili ng damit, pati na rin cellphone, kahit alam kong gabi na at sarado na ang ibang mall. Sana lang makaabot siya sa closing ng mga 10 PM na stores. 

Bumalik muna ako sa hotel room para makapagpalit ng damit dahil basa na rin ako. I also removed my makeup and just applied blush and lip tint again before my driver knocked and gave me two paper bags. 

"Hey, here. You can change in my room if you want." Inabot ko kay Sevi ang dalawang paper bag pagkaakyat ko sa rooftop. 

One was for the new phone, and the other was for his clothes. I hoped I got the right size. Hindi ko naman alam ang size niya. 

"Thank you." Kinuha niya lang ang paper bag ng damit at tumayo na para pumunta sa C.R.

Nanatili ang tingin ko sa paper bag ng cellphone. Arkin laughed at me because I looked like I was rejected by a crush or something! 

"Hindi niya tatanggapin 'yan. Sa akin na lang," tumatawang sabi niya. 

O, eh di huwag. Pakialam ko?! Hindi naman ako ang mawawalan!

Padabog akong umupo roon sa lounge chair at hinintay siyang bumalik para malaman ko kung tama bang size ang naipabili ko. 

Tumayo ako ulit nang makita siyang naglalakad na palapit, wearing a pair of black sweatshorts and a white Adidas shirt that looked... fit on him. It emphasized his biceps and his broad chest.

"Masyado atang maliit," I commented.

"Okay na 'to." He still gave me a smile. "Thank you. Happy birthday, Elisa." 

Agad kumunot ang noo ko.

"What?!" I was so offended! 

"Elyse, p're," bulong ni Arkin sa kaniya, correcting him. 

"Ah..." Sevi laughed awkwardly when he realized that he got it wrong. "Happy birthday, Elyse, p're." 

I was so close to punching him in the face. I knew I did something wrong to him tonight but... I really wanted to punch him in his fucking face! He was so annoying!

"Elyse," he corrected now, eyes still playful. "Happy birthday, Elyse." 

________________________________________________________________________________

:)