Indeed God is amazing.

He didn't give me a perfect life yet, He gave me a person who makes me feel that my life is perfect. The pains, tragedies, losts and heartaches that I've gone through in life. It all became worth it when I met him.

The tons of tears that my eyes welled up when I lost the people who created my life, became worth it. When my eyes met the most beautiful pair of an eyes painted with emerald. All the countless breakage of my heart became worth it, when finally it found the perfect beat on his.

My messed up life suddenly feels like perfect, when he became a part of it. When I met the green-eyed General who taught me how to smile genuinely again and how to find the true beauty in life. Napangiti na lang ako sa mga bagay na naglalaro sa isip ko. Hindi ko aakalaing darating ako sa punto ng buhay kong ito. Na kung saan ako mismo ang bumuwag sa sarili kong prinisipyo.

I vowed to myself that I will only admire the Philippines flag and everything about my country, no one else and nothing more...

A sarcastic smile formed on my lips when I remembered the principle I'd created. Ang prinsipyo na ngayon ay hindi ko na mabigyan ng hustisya simula nang buwagin ko ito at humanga sa isang lalake.

Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako saka bumangon na sa kama ko. Hindi pa man tuluyang sumisikat ang araw ay maaga na akong pumunta sa Malacañang. Now is the day where the UN will finally announce who win in the West Philippine Sea's territory, case.

"A marvelous morning ma'am, greetings to you for your natal's day," Zalysha greeted me with a sweet smile. I just gave her a genuine smile as a response. She accompanied me towards my office.

"No work for you now ma'am, it's your day," wika nya. Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako sa sinabi n'ya.

Right it's my day. The day where my mother gave birth to me. Ang araw na isinumpa ko. I can still remember where I celebrated my 28th birthday. I celebrated it amidst the war, and away from my family.

Sa halip na usok mula sa kandilang nakatusok sa keyk, ay usok mula sa mga pagsabog at nguso ng baril ang bumati sa 'kin noon. Sa halip na mga nakangiting mukha ng pamilya ko at mga tawanan nila ang dapat na masilayan ko at marinig sa araw na iyon, ay iyak ng mga kasamahan kong sugatan, ingay ng mga bomba, baril, at kahit ano pa mang ingay ng karahasan at kamatayan ang pawang narinig ko sa mga panahong iyon.

Sa halip na kasiyahan ang ibigay sa 'kin ng araw na iyon, ay kaguluhan ang iginawad nito sa 'kin. At tatlong araw lang matapos ang selebrasyon ng kaarawan kong iyon sa gitna ng digmaan, ay ang mismong pagkawala ng pamilya ko na hindi ko man lang nasilayan sa huling pagkakataon. Kaya't sino ang hindi isusumpa ang araw na iyon? Ang araw na kung saan tatlong araw ang nakalipas ay sinalubong na lang ako ng nitso ng aking pamilya.

"The celebration will start 10 minutes later ma'am, we should go," Zalysha informed me.

Tumango na lang ako sa kan'ya. Labag man sa kalooban ko ang ipagdiwang ang araw na ito ay para sa mga taong nasasakupan ko ay pinilit ko na lang ang sarili kong paghandaan ang araw na ito.

Everyone in Malacañang prepared a simple refection as a celebration for my day, just like how I want it to be. I don't like creating special celebrations mostly for my day.

Kaya't sa halip na maghanda ng isang engrandeng selebrasyon ay pinili ko na lang na mamigay ng mga pagkain sa mga taong palaboy sa kalsada, maging sa mga taong nakatira sa mga squatter areas, at sa lahat ng mga taong minsan lang kung malasahan ang sarap ng pagkain.

I am not like other woman who will have grand celebrations for their day just to show how sophisticated and fortunate they are. I don't need to prove anything. I prefer living a simple life.

Nang ilang minuto na lang bago pormal na magsimula ang selebrasyon ay ibinalita na sa 'kin ni Zalysha ang resulta ng kaso. And I was right! Philippines won in West Philippine Sea's territory, which is really should be the result.

Hindi na ako nagulat pa sa resulta dahil talagang pag-aari naman ng Pilipinas ang karagatan, pero kahit papaano ay hindi ko rin maipagkailang makaramdam ng tuwa. Sa wakas ay wala ng rason pa ang bansang China upang angkinin ang karagatang teritoryo ng Pilipinas.

I drag my feet towards the stage when the emcee called me. With my blue simple Kimona I stand boldly in front of everyone.

"A marvelous morning ladies and gentlemen. It is such an overwhelming feeling of glee for me to have all your presence on this remarkable day. A day where a woman who vowed for survival and warfare was born. To the people who prepared this day and contributed something on this celebration I grant to you my utmost gratitude," I confidently said without any trace of uncertainty on my voice. I tried to suppress a smile for everyone.

"Now, I can thoroughly say that this is a day of triumph. For the UN already announced it's decision. And as a result, it confirmed that the West Philippine sea is the Philippines territory. May the others will recognize and respect our authority on our beloved sea. Together let us raise our glass and have a toast for this remarkable day!" I vigorously said as I raise my glass.

"Cheers to President de Lara's day, and to our country's victory! May we all have a marvelous day ahead," the emcee added.

Nang makababa na ako mula sa entablado ay sinalubong ako ng iilang mga politiko at binati ng magandang kaarawan. They all smiled at me as they greeted me. At nang ang bise-presidente na ang susunod na babati sa 'kin ay ngumiti ako sa kan'ya ng tipid.

"Greetings to your natal day ma'am," he smiled at me.

"Thank you... Mr. Perez," nag-aalangan kong sinambit ang apilyedo n'ya lalo na't kinamumuhian ko iyon. Ngunit alam ko namang wala s'yang kinalaman tungkol sa mga kagagawan ng kapatid niya.

Matapos n'ya akong batiin ay umalis na rin s'ya kasama ng isang senador. Iginala ko ang mga mata ko sa paligid, umaasang masusumpungan ko ang berdeng mga mata. At hindi nga ako nagkamali dahil 'di kalayuan sa lokasyon ko ay naroon s'ya sa isang mesa habang mariing nakatitig sa 'kin. Nginitian niya ako nang magdaop ang mga mata namin.

Ilang politiko pa ang bumati sa 'kin kabilang na doon sila Mr. Alejandro at ang iba ko pang kasama sa partido, dahilan para saglit na malihis ang atensyon ko mula sa kan'ya.

Nang ibalik ko ang tingin sa kaninang pwesto n'ya ay kumunot na lang ang aking noo nang hindi ko na s'ya muling nakita. Where did he go?

"Are you looking for your fiancé gorgeous de Lara?" His menacing yet sweet voice crept in behind me.

"I thought you're gone. Care to give me a toast General Andervano?" I asked as I present my glass upfront him. He grinned at me and took his glass as he let it collide on mine.

Nang sulyapan ko ang kabuuan niya ay ganoon na lamang ang paghanga ko. Ngayon ko lang s'ya nakitang nakasuot ng tuxedo, na lalong nagpa-gwapo sa kan'ya. His emerald eyes were glimmering in so much beauty as it smiled together with his lips.

"A day where a woman who vowed for survival and warfare was born, isn't this day magnificent baby? Happy 30th birthday," he greeted me with a sweet smile on his face.

"Thank you General" I formally answered knowing that we are surrounded with people who have publicity matters.

Saglit pa kaming nag-usap ng may ilang sentimetro na distansya, bago kami makapagdesisyon na umupo na lang sa nakatalaga naming upuan. He sat beside me with still a grin on his face.

"I want to make you feel if how special this day is for you baby. I know everything about you, even about your past. You should free yourself from it baby and enjoy this day. It's a day for you," he whispered. I just shrug at him.

No matter how I try to free myself from my tragic past, I just can't do it, mostly when I don't want to. Ayaw kong pakawalan ang nakaraan sa buhay ko na s'yang bumuo sa pagkatao ko ngayon. Ayaw kong pakawalan ang sarili ko mula sa isang bagay na hindi ko pa nabibigyan ng hustisya.

"Thank you for the significant advice General, and yes I'm trying to enjoy this day with the help of the good news earlier and with your presence," I whispered back at him as I smile.

Ilang minuto ang itinagal naming magkasama at naka-upo habang pinapanood ang mga taong kasalukuyang dinadama ang kasiyahan ng pagdiriwang. We talked about random stuffs, when he abruptly bid goodbye.

"I want to stay baby, but I have something to do. I'm afraid that I need to bid goodbye for you now. I love you so much baby, happy birthday to you. My apology for leaving your celebration unfinished," he apologetically uttered as he looked at me with his wording eyes.

"No problem General, it's a pleasure having you here," I formally said while I'm trying to hide the disappointment on my voice. He told me to enjoy this day, but how can I? If he'll leave too soon? Mas importante pa nga ba ang gagawin n'ya kaysa sa kaarawan ko?

"Baby... Are you mad?" Umiling ako sa tanong n'ya.

"Just go General it must be something so important," pilit ang ngiting wika ko sa kan'ya. Alam kong hindi s'ya kumbinsido sa sinabi ko, pero sa huli ay bumuntong-hininga na lang s'ya.

"I promise I'll make it up to you baby." He kissed the back of my palm before he turned his back at me, leaving me with his reassuring smile. Sandali kong tinitigan ang likod niya bago ko ibinaling sa ibang direksyon ang atensyon ko.

Nang matapos ang selebrasyon ay umuwi muna ako sa bahay upang palitan ang suot kong damit. Pansamantala akong tumigil sa pagpapalit ng damit ko nang tumunog ang cellphone ko.

"Happiest birthday to my beloved bestfriend!" Masiglang salubong sa 'kin ni M.

"Thank you M."

"Oh my god Eury you're already 30! When will be your wedding? Wait, tell me, what did Styyx got for you?" She excitedly inquired. I heave a deep sigh in her question.

Hindi naman ako umaasang makatanggap ng regalo mula kay Styyx, dahil sa katunayan ay wala naman akong pakialam sa regalo. Ang maramdaman ko lang ang presensya n'ya at ang makasama s'ya sa kaarawan ko ay sapat na. Hindi na ako humihiling pa ng kahit ano mang materyal na bagay.

"Nothing," tipid kong wika.

"What? Nothing? As in? No gifts?" She unbelievably inquired with her usual exaggerated reaction.

"You know I don't care about that M, " I bluntly answered, trying to sound sincere in my words, when the truth is I'm really dissapointed on Styyx.

"But he's your fiancé he should at least get something for you," bigo n'yang wika. Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako.

"I'll just finish dressing up M. Thank you for greeting me," paalam ko na lang sa kan'ya.

"Alright ipapadala ko na lang ang regalo ko sa 'yo."

"Thank you M," tanging sagot ko. Ayaw kong tumatanggap ng regalo ngunit alam kong kapag si M na ang nagbigay ay wala na akong kakayahan pang tumanggi.

Kakatapos pa lang ng tawag ni M nang muli na namang tumunog ang cellphone ko hudyat na may tumatawag na naman.

"Hello Mang Erwin? Kumusta na po kayo?" Salubong ko sa kan'ya.

"Aba'y ayos na ako hija sa katunayan ay na-discharge na nga ako kahapon. Teka, ikaw itong kay kaarawan ikaw pa itong nangungumusta. Maligayang kaarawan sa iyo hija!" Masiglang wika n'ya. Napangiti na lang ako.

"Maraming salamat po Mang Erwin. Pasensya na po hindi ako makakauwi ngayon sa Cebu."

"Aba'y ayos lang iyon hija, ano kaba naman. Kuwentuhan mo naman ako tungkol sa araw mo hija. Nalipay ba ka?" Tanong n'ya sa 'kin dahilan para mapabuntong-hininga na lamang ako. I would be happy if he stayed any longer.

"Opo," maikling wika ko.

"Mainam hija. Oh s'ya ibababa ko na at baka maabala pa kita. Masiyahan ka sana sa araw mo hija," matamis n'yang wika.

"Maraming salamat po Mang Erwin, huwag po kayong masyadong magpapagod," bilin ko sa kan'ya.

"Oo hija, sige na ibababa ko na," bumuntong-hininga na lang ako saka umupo sa kama ko.

Nang matapos akong magbihis ay napagdedesisyunan kong magtungo na lamang sa labas ng terasa ng kwarto ko. Since I don't have work for today, I allowed myself to have some rest by reading some books and drinking some tea.

I tried to ignore my disappointment on Styyx, when my mind began to wander if, what made him busy that he even left me at Malacañang with the celebration unfinished? Is he doing something that I don't know? And what would it be about?

Gumapang ang maraming tanong sa isip ko. Hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin kaming lead kung saan nagtatago si Mr. Perez mula noong huli namin silang sinalakay. Hindi malabong may ginagawa na naman s'yang hakbang upang mahuli si Mr. Perez.

Kilala ko s'ya at alam ko kung ano ang kaya niyang gawin maging ang paraan ng pag-iisip n'ya. Naroon iyong nag-iisip pa man lang ako ng plano ay kumikilos na s'ya. Styyx is unpredictable, he moves without any clue, and he's very good at moving in silence.

Hinayaan ko na lang na lumipas ang buong maghapon na nagbabasa lamang ako ng libro, hindi rin ako nakatanggap ng tawag o mensahe mula kay Styyx, bagay na ikinabahala ko.

I glanced at my wristwatch only to see that it's already six in the evening. Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako saka tumayo at bumalik na sa kwarto ko. But I was astounded when someone suddenly hug me. Nang dahil sa gulat ko ay nagawa ko s'yang ibagsak sa kama.

"What the hell Ry!?" M yelled.

"What the hell too?" Tinawanan n'ya lang ako bilang sagot.

"Kung makabagsak ka sa 'kin parang hindi tayo magkaibigan," reklamo n'ya.

"Ikaw ba naman kasi ang gulatin," umiiling kong wika sa kan'ya. I feigned a deadpan stare towards her. But she just grinned at me with a peace sign.

"What are you doing here M?"

"Surprise!" Malakas n'yang sigaw na para bang magagawa pa nga nito akong supresahin.

"I'm really surprised M," sarkastiko kong sagot sa kan'ya.

"Oh my God it's 6! Time to go Eury!" Bigla n'yang nagmamadali na wika dahilan para kumunot na lamang ang noo ko. Bigla s'yang nagtatakbo papalabas ng kwarto ko at pagbalik n'ya ay may dala na s'yang paper bag.

"Sige na Eury! Go dress up," nagmamadaling wika n'ya sabay tulak sa 'kin kasama ng paper bag na hawak n'ya.

"M what is happening with you?" Nagugulahang wika ko sa kan'ya. Bigla na lamang s'yang darating at susulpot sa kwarto ko tapos pagbibihisin ako? Seriously?

"Look , that dress is my gift for you okay? Now go to the bathroom and wear it please," she uttered with her pleading voice.

"M I do---" as usual she cutted my words off.

"Please Eury," she again uttered with her pleading voice. Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako. Hindi ako mananalo sa kan'ya pagdating sa mga bagay na ito, dahil kahit maka-ilang ulit man akong tumanggi ay hindi pa rin n'ya ako titigilan at pipilitin at pipilitin n'ya pa rin ako.

"Fine," padabog akong pumasok sa loob ng banyo. Nang tingnan ko kung ano ang laman ng paper bag ay napangiwi na lamang ako. I don't have that much knowledge about the types of dresses since I'm not into it. But I still know some because of M. When I pulled out the dress from the paper bag, its bloody color greeted my eyes. It's a Carolina Burgundy dress. And M expected me to wear this?

"Try it on Eury, " rinig kong wika n'ya sa labas ng banyo. Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako saka isinuot ang damit nang wala na akong mapagpilian.

After putting it on, I glanced at myself in the mirror. This is my third time to wear such kind of feminine dress. The dress were exposing my bare arms and chest. I don't like this.

Nang lumabas ako ay sinalubong n'ya ako nang namamanghang tingin. "You're so gorgeous Eury, " namamanghang wika n'ya.

"What are you doing M?" Naguguluhang tanong ko sa kan'ya nang bigla na lang n'ya akong hinila upang ma-upo sa kama. Sinimulan n'yang pakialaman ang buhok ko.

"We are going to..." Sandali s'yang tumigil upang isipin kung ano ang susunod niyang sasabihin.

"To what?"

"To my... Gift! " she snapped in and then chuckled.

"I thought it's already this?" Umiling lamang s'ya sa sinabi ko.

"There you go pretty woman. You don't need a make-up na Eury, you're so gorgeous already, " she complimented after scanning my bear face.

Kumuha s'ya ng salamin upang makita ko ang sarili kong 'itsura. And there it was. A woman with braided hair, and a red dress that's exposing her chest. I don't like the dress, but I can't voice it out and tell M that I don't like it. I don't want to dissapoint her, mostly when I'm seeing her like this now. Her eyes are glimmering in so much admiration and exhilaration.

"Here, wear this, " she uttered and handed me a red stiletto.

"Seriously? Where are we going M?"

"We will be there Eury no more questions okay? Look you're ready let's go?" She uttered with her eyes beaming in happiness. She arched her left arm.

I don't want to remove those happiness in her eyes so I just nodded. If she's planning to surprise me, then I have no right to refuse from her and take away those beaming happiness in her eyes.

"I'm not going to kidnap your President. Ibabalik ko rin s'ya, " mapagbirong wika n'ya sa kanila Emmanuel at Erick nang umakto itong susunod sa 'min. Sinenyasan ko na lang sila na huwag nang sumama.

Mnemosyne dragged me towards her car with the song Green Eyes playing over the car's radio.

Honey, you are rock

Upon which I stand

And I come here to talk

I hope you understand~

"Let me guess, it's your favorite song now right?" She inquired with a menacing smile on her lips. I just simply nodded at her. She began to bring the car's life once again and maneuver it.

The Green eyes

Yeah, the spotlight shine upon you

And how could anybody deny you?~

I came here with a load

And it feels so much lighter now I've met you

And honey you should know

That I could never go on without you~

I close my eyes for a while, feeling the message of the song. Naging tahimik ang byahe namin patungong kung saan, habang nanatili akong tahimik at nakapikit ang mga mata. Dinadama ang bawat liriko ng kanta na tila s'ya ang ipinapahiwatig. His green eyes, which mirrors his soul. It's just damn beautiful and captivating.

"Wake up Eury we're here," wika ni M kahit hindi naman ako tulog.

I veered my eyes on the surrounding and my brows creased when I saw luxurious restaurant upfront us.

"Here? You know I don't like luxurious things M," I uttered. She just squinted her eyes at me and walked towards my side to open the door.

"Let's go Ms. President," she uttered with a grin while arching her left elbow, signalling me to snake my hand around it.

"Seriously M?" I muttered in disbelief.

"I know you're not that comfortable with stilettoes right?" Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako sa tanong n'ya. I don't know what's going on or if where she will take me, but for the sake of her happiness, I just don't have the energy to refuse from her.


"Minella restaurant"


Pagbasa ko sa pangalan ng restaurant. It's one of the famous restaurants in the Philippines. Nang makapasok kami sa loob ng restaurant ay nagtaka na lang ako nang wala man lang katao-tao ang loob. There are no customers and crews. It's just a desserted restaurant.

"Are you sure about this M?" Naninigurong tanong ko sa kan'ya ngunit nginitian niya lang ako bilang sagot. She took me into the VIP section. And when I opened the door, my heart suddenly beat so fast. My eyes widened when I saw who's inside. I don't believe in slow motion like what I saw on movies. But right now I think I will.

When my eyes landed on the pair of a beautiful emerald eyes, everything feels like it's blurry. All I can see is the man standing meters away from me with his blue tuxedo and emerald eyes that shines predominantly than any other lights that this restaurant have.

When he smiled at me, that's when the slow and romantic music starts to envelope the four corners of the hall. And my heart melt the moment my man move his mouth and sang the song so sublime.

|End of chapter 41|
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