O L I V I A   V A L E Z

"Happy birthday!" 

They all greeted me in chorus as I blew the candle after singing the happy birthday song for me. The sound of crashing waves didn't overwhelm the energy and cheerfulness of the people who came to my birthday party. They all clapped after I made my wish. I looked at the three-layer cake that was adorned with pastel colors and seashells. I roamed my eyes around as I took in the beautiful scenery in front of me. 

Under the dark shining sky, which seems to celebrate with me, and the full luminous moon that serves as a giant disco ball for my party. We are currently on a beach in our rest house for my birthday party. I decided to hold it outside near the coast to give us the night beach party but in an elegant way. Ms. Elibera's team put on massive long tables, and each has a roof full of plants. The beach bulb trails connected the long tables at the top, making a circle design. There is also an entourage full of fire torches and tropical flowers. The whole place looked like a hidden paradise from a faraway island.

Dad put his hands on my back as we looked at the camera for a picture. Oliver Valez—my dad, looked exceptionally dashing today. He was wearing a silky sky blue button-down shirt with palm tree prints. It was partnered with white slacks and expensive Balenciaga sneakers. He looked fresh and younger than his actual age. Kanina ko pa nga rin napapansin na nakahahakot siya ng atensyon ng mga schoolmates ko. Take note, my schoolmate's age was ranging from sixteen to eighteen. 

My dad and I were now okay. Pagkauwi namin ni Atlas mula sa Tagaytay kung saan kumain kami at nagpunta sa kalapit na pasyalan. Dad went home with a tired and apologetic face. He said he tried going home early, but there was an emergency in our business. He thought he could solve the problem quickly, but it was bigger than he thought it is. Hindi na niya sinabi sa akin kung ano ang naging problem. My dad was always like that when it comes to problems. Hindi niya sinasabi sa akin unless tapos na ito at nasulusyonan na niya. 

Kaya hindi ko na rin siya kinulit about sa gusto kong kuning curso sa college. I knew from the start that it was non-negotiable. Ayokong mag-away ulit kami lalo nang stress siya at maraming iniisip. I told him I was sorry for pushing it. He was also sorry for shouting at me and not being able to attend my recitals. Kaya eto hiniling niyang tumugtog ako sa kaarawan ko para mapanood niya ng live ang aking pagtugtog. Hindi kasi siya nakuntento sa recording na ibinigay ko. Parehas sila ni Liberty na hindi nakuntento sa video lang. 

After weeks and weeks of preparation, looking at my birthday party right now, I can say that all the effort and time I invested in it was worth it. I can see all of the people who were invited were having a good time. The food was now served at their perspective tables. And man, I can smell the lavishing fragrance of the delicious food from the stage. It was enough to make a full person get hungry again. And what would make the delicious food more enjoyable? Of course, it would be a piece of great music. 

Dad gave me my love and its fiddlestick. He kissed my forehead and whispered, "Happy birthday, Darling. Fill this place with your rich and melodic music."

I instantly smiled at what he said. I looked at the crowd again before putting love under my chin. They were looking at me while eating how I love this attention. It was so different from that empty music hall where the silence and hollowness were killing me. But now, all those eyes that were focused on me like I was the tree of life in the hidden paradise. 

I started playing, moving as one with the melody and rhythm. I've faded with the music like I was in another world. I kept my eyes closed as I feel the vibration of the string to my whole being. It was sending my soul and body to another paradise. It was sending me sensation so ethereal. They all clapped after my performance. I bowed my head and wave at them. I mouthed my thank you and went down the mini stage. 

I decided to went to each table and greeted everyone. My two-piece lilac halter top flowy gown swayed as I made my way to them. My two inches silver and rainbowed colored Amina Maududi X AWGE LSD Gladi heel sank a little to the sand, but it wasn't that hard walking in heels on the sand. There were stone paths so ladies in heels can still walk comfortably. The wind rustled my messy bun-styled hair. 

I went first to my cousins' table. They were chatting animatedly as I walked towards them. Their eyes instantly lift when they saw me. They all clapped and cheer on me. My cheeks burned a little because of their cheerfulness. Elle and Elly stood up and hugged me tightly when I reached them. Sumunod namang bumati at humalik sa pisngi ko si Greg, Pete, at Closs—sila ang tatlo kong pinsang lalaki na talagang maloloko. Habang nakatayo lang nang tahimik sa gilid si Froy at may munting ngiti sa labi. Ako na nag lumapit sa kaniya at niyakap siya. Talagang may pagkamahiyain ang isang 'to.

"Akala mo others." pangbibiro ko kay Froy habang nakayakap sa kaniya.

Nagtawanan naman nang malakas ang iba kong mga pinsan nang marinig ang sinabi ko. Nang humiwalay na ako ng yakap ay siniko ako anng kaunti ni Greg.

"He's slightly disappointed and sad." malokong sabi niya at may pa-acting pang nalulungkot talaga habanag tinitignan si Froy.

Naghiyawan naman sa sinabi niya ang iba pa naming pinsan at mas inasar si Froy. Ako namna ya nagtatakang tumingin sa kanila. Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi ni Greg. Froy was disappointed and sad to my party? What's wrong?

"Why? May hindi ka ba nagustuhan? Was it the food? The decoration? Did you find the program boring?" nag-aalala kong tanong.

Agad namang umiling si Froy at sumimangot sa iba naming pinsan. Tumikhim naman si Closs at inakbayan ako sabay ngisi kay Froy.

"Paano 'yung inaasahan niyang pupunta sa birthday mo wala." 

Muling nagtawanan ang mga pinsan ko bukod kay Froy na nakakunot na ang noo at hindi maipinta ang mukha. Ano na naman kayang kalokohan ang inaasar nila kay Froy? Siya talaga ang favorite ng mga pinsan kong asarin. Kung baga 'pag may asaran ay siya lagi ang topic at ginagawang pulutan. Lagi kasing tahimik at seryoso parang si Dad kaya sa pang-aasar na lang nila kinukulit si Froy.

"And who is the person you are looking forward to besides me, the birthday girl, Froy?" taas kilay kong tanong.

Namula naman ang pingi nito at nag-iwas ng tingin. Mas lalo tuloy naghiyawan ang mga pinsan ko. Nakikita ko sa gilid ng aking mata na napalilingon na sa amin ang ibang bisita. Ang mga tita at tito ko naman sa katabing mesa ay napaiiling na lang sa amin. 

Si Elle naman ngayon ang umakbay sa akin sa kabilang gilid, at bumulong na may lakas na maririnig naming lahat. "'Yung kaibigan mong mukhang barbie."

I tilted my head, and my forehead creased. Kaibigan kong mukhang barbie? Well, if 'yung mga kakilala ko ang tinutukoy nila marami doong magaganda. 

"Who among them? I have a lot of beautiful friends and acquaintances."

"I said the girl who looked like a barbie! The one with blonde and blue eyes!" masiglang sabi ni Elle.

"Stop it, guys." iritadong saway sa amin ni Froy.

Tila ba may umilaw na bumbilya sa ulo ko nang mapagtanto kung sino ang tinutukoy ni Elle. Ngumisi ako kasabay ng mga pinsan ko habang pinapanood ang pagkapula ng leeg ni Froy paakyat sa kaniyang pisngi.

"A, you liked the statue in New York, Froy?"

"What?" maang-maangang sabi niya. Akala niya yata ay bebenta ito sa aming mga pinsan niya.

"Yeah, he likes that statue holding a torch." pangagatong namang ni Pete sa pang-aasar ko.

"Aw, too bad Liberty went to New York already. Don't worry, and I'll tell her you said hi."

Sabay-sabay ulit kaming nagtawanan habang patuloy na inaasar si Froy. Todo na ang pagkapupula ng mukha niya at ang pagkasisimangot. Ang sarap niyang picture-an at ipadala kay Liberty at sabihing may gusto si Froy sa kaniya, pero I won't do that. If Froy liked Liberty he better do his own thing. It's not my feelings to tell it to Liberty. Pumupunta kasi madalas si Liberty sa mga birthday parties ko kaya nagkakilala na sila ng mga pinsan ko. Wait, ngayon ko lang na realized na sa tagal naming magkaibigan, ay hindi ko pa naipakikilala si Dad at Liberty. 

Sunod ko namang pinuntahan ay ang table ng mga Valez, kung saan nakaupo ang mga aunties at uncles ko. Wala sila grandma at grandpa, but it's not I was new to it. Lagi namang ganito. LAgi naman silang hindi nadalo sa mga birthday ko. Nakikita ko lang sila tuwing pasko o sa reunion ng mga Valez. Pagkatapos sa mga Valez ay naglibot naman ako sa table ng mga schoolmate ko.

"Happy birthday, Oly!" masayang bati sa akin ni Prim.

Agad ko siyang sinimangutan at pabirong inirapan. Akala niya ba ay makalilimutan ko ang hindi niya pagpunta nang walang pasabi? 

"Mabuti at nakapunta ka?"

"I'm so sorry for not attending your recitals. I was grounded and planning to jailbreak, but I was caught! Damn, pinadala ba naman ako sa kumbento! One week ako doon kasama ng mga madre naglilinis, nagrorsaryo, at kung ano-ano pa. Jusko, mabuti at hindi ako umusok do'n." niyakap pa ni Prim ang sarili at nanginig ang bahagya na akala mo ay kinikilabutan.

Agad namang nawala ang tampo ko sa kwento niya. I can't imagine Prima Donovan the trouble maker inside a convent with nuns. She was so out of place there! Tignan mo pa nga lang ang bagong kulay na naman niyang buhok na bright red, at alam mo na agad na hindi siya mag-fi-fit in doon. Natawa ako at niyakap siya.

"Okay, forgiven. So how was your holy experience there?"

"Damn, I don't even want to remember. They say convent was supposed to make you feel at peace and sacred, but shit, it's far from that! It was so creepy in there. It was so silent, and there were whispers of hushed voice." itinaas niya ang kaniyang braso at kitang-kita ko kung paano nagtayuan ang balahibo niya. "Just remembering it made me fucking horrified."

Napailing na lang ako. Malamang tahimik doon dahil convent iyon, and I'm a hundred percent sure na ang sinasabi niyang bumubulong, ay ang mga nagdadasal na madre. Our conversation was interuppted when the DJ suddenly change the music into a sweet mellow music. Some of my guess especially my auties and uncles went to the center and danced. My schoolmates who are with their dates or partners also dance. 

"Good evening, Mr. Valez." magalang na bati ni Prim kay dad.

Hindi ko napansing nakalapit na pala siya sa akin. My dad only nodded at Prim. His gaze didn't even last a minute on Prima's beautiful face. Napakasungit talaga! Ganitong-ganito rin si Froy sa mga babae, e. He held out his hands to me, and I gladly took it. We went to the couples who were dancing and blended in. My dad put my hands on his shoulder and held the other one. We swayed slowly with the music.

"I'm really sorry, Darling, for all the things I did."

I smiled at him, "No worries, Dad. I'm also at fault. I knew that no one would manage the business when you got older other than me. And yet I—" 

Dad interrupted me and said, "No, Oly. I shouldn't have shouted at you even if I'm tired or whatnot. And Darling, you can take architecture if you want—"

Sa sobrang tuwa ko ay hindi ko na pinatapos si Dad at niyakap siya nang mahigpit. Ang ibang taong kalapit ay napatingin sa akin but I don't care. This is my party and I can hug my dad in public if I want. 

"Thank you! Thank you so much. I love you, Dad!" Hinalik-halikan ko si dad sa pisngi dahil sa tuwa. Natawa pa nga ako nang makitang bumakat ang labi kong may pinkish nude lipstick sa pisngi niya. 

"Aw, that's so sweet! Where's mine?" 

Napatigil ako sa paghalik sa pisngi ni dad nang may biglang nagsalita sa aking gilid. Napabitaw ako sa pagyakap at hinarap ang nagsalita. Atlas mate was smirking at us while his hands were inside his black pants. He was wearing a white button-up with minimal wave prints. He was also wearing a silver snake chain making his blue eyes popped. He kind of looked refreshing with his beachy look. Gone with his black leather jacket and usual ripped jeans. He looked like a hot entrepreneur who owned a yacht. 

"Fuck off, Atlas. Do you want to kiss my fist instead?" 

Nagtaas ng kamay si Atlas na akala mo ay isang kriminal na nahuli ng pulis habang tumatawa, "I'm kidding! Jeez, you really can't take a fucking joke, Oliver."

"Well, it's not funny, dumbass."

"Whatever," Atlas whispered before facing me and holding out his hands to me. "Can I have this dance with the most beautiful girl tonight?" he even bowed a little as he said those words.

I giggled as I can't help feeling all giddy as he asked me for a dance. My heart swooned when I took his hand, and he slightly lifted his head and gave me his devilish smirk. He looked like a naughty devil ready to turn my world upside down. A devil who will ride and die with me like even if the world were against us, he would turn all the odds in our side. 

Atlas pulled me a little closer and put my hands on his shoulders. He rested his big warm hands on my waist as we started swaying and being one with the mellow music. The sound of crashing waves to the big rocks and sand added more serenity to the place. The wind was cold but only enough to make the surrounding tranquility balanced.  

"Happy birthday, Little Girl."

"I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm already seventeen, Mr. Mate."

He lifted my hands and spun me. When I faced him again, he has this smile that would make my knees weak.

"Seventeen is still young." 

"Yes, especially for someone who is already thirty years old." I teased him.

"I'll forgive you with that. It's your birthday anyway." Atlas shrugged as he said it.

I chuckled and gave him a teasing look, "Yes, I'm the birthday girl, so where is my gift? You can't come here empty-handed."

"Come on, what do you think of me?" he said arrogantly.

I just looked at him while raising a brow. Atlas smirked at me and stopped dancing. He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the side where our resthouse was. My heart thumped hard as I walked behind him while holding his hand. I can't feel the chilly wind anymore. His hand was enough to warm me up. Even though he was pulling me, his pace was slow enough to make me walk comfortably on the sand.

Wait, why are we heading to the resthouse? Namula ang pisngi ko nang pumasok sa utak ko ang maduduming bagay. Tama nga siguro si Atlas. I shouldn't have read erotic books. It made my mind so impure. Pero bakit ba kasi kami pupunta roon? E, walang tao doon dahil lahat sila ay nandoon sa party. Pati ang mga kasambahay ay nandoon. Hindi kaya? OMG, hindi naman siguro ito katulad ng iniisip ko 'di ba?

Mas lalong kumalabog ang puso ko nang igiya niya ako pagkapasok namin sa resthouse sa ikalawang palapag. Nasa ikalawang palapag ang mga bed room, kaya mas lalong nagkagulo ang utak ko sa mga makasalanang bagay na tumatakbo rito. My god, talaga bang gano'n ang regalo niya sa akin? D-Dahil seventeen na ako? Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang pamulahan ng mukha. 

I gulped when he opened his room door and guided me inside. It was dark, making me nervous and excited at the same time. Ano bang dapat kong gawin? Maghuhubad na ba ako o ano? Hindi ba mag-ki-kiss muna? 

Napatalon ako sa gulat nang may biglang tumahol sa loob ng kwarto, kaya naputol ang pag-iisip ko ng kung ano-ano. My eyes adjusted when Atlas opened the light, and I was so ashamed when I saw a pink cage with a cute baby corgi inside. I was so fucking sure that my face was so red from my dirty thoughts and shame. I instantly covered half of my face from embarrassment. 

Lumapit si Atlas sa kulungan at kinuha ang corgi. Binuhat niya ito at may ngiti sa labing humarap sa akin. The dog titled its furry little head and stuck out its tongue. It looked at me innocently and his fluffy tiny ears folded on the other side while the other one remained standing. My gosh, he was so cute! I could literally live my life by just staring at it.

I reached for it with my shaking hands. I gasped when my hand made contact with the corgi's soft fluffy fur. How can such a lovely being live here on earth? I can undoubtedly say that dogs are a gift from heaven. There's no way they aren't angels. My heart warmed up as I stared and hugged the god. It even licked my face and barked. Its tail also kept wagging happily.

"He seems to like you a lot. He can't even stop wagging his tail."

"He's perfect," I said breathily.

"I assumed that you loved my gift."

"Yes! O, my god. How can I not love this angel?"

"I know, right. Well, I gave him to you so you won't be lonely anymore."

I looked at Atlas confusedly, "I am not lonely." I denied it even if I always felt alone.

"I'm not blind, Little Girl. I can see the sadness in your eyes from time to time." Atlas breathed deeply. That's why he caught my attention. "I'll be going back to Australia next week. The dog will keep you company when I'm gone."

Halos mabitawan ko ang aso nang marinig ko ang sinabi niya. What? He will go home next week? Has it been three months already? My heart cracked, and my knees weakened. I could feel a hollowness in my stomach. I was starting to feel numb. I don't even know the expression I was showing on my face. I can't feel the dog in my arms. It felt like I was standing in complete darkness. So silent that it was taking my soul away. 

"Y-Your what?" I said weakly. 

I was even afraid to blink. What if I blink or close my eyes, even just for a second, Atlas would disappear in front of me? 

"I'm going home—"

I didn't let him finish. I didn't want to hear him say he was going far away from me. I didn't want to think that I wouldn't be able to see his heavenly eyes. I didn't want to think that I wouldn't be able to smell the scent of cigarettes on our balcony. I didn't want to think that I wouldn't be able to hear the sound of his love's engine. I didn't want to think of anything.

I let go of the dog and grabbed his collar. I closed my eyes and pressed my lips into his. I froze and savored every detail, every sensation etching itself to my soul, imprinting itself to my lips from his. His lips were nearly silky and pillowy against my own. Under my nose, I could feel the gentle tickling of his breath. I could taste and feel our united breath, as well as the thump of our collective heartbeat. No, it wasn't collective at all. My heart was beating wildly like a beast that got out of its cage. 

"Aw, does my boyfriend's lips taste good?"

I was so shocked when Atlas harshly pushed me with his surprised eyes. 

"Beauty..." he said as he looked at the woman, shocked like he was caught up cheating.

But wait, did the woman just said Atlas was her boyfriend?

H-He has a girlfriend?

~TBC~

Did you guys saw it coming?

Please bear with the errors. This is a rough draft.

Feel free to share your thoughts, and keep safe, everyone.

Love lots! :>>