***

"Happy birthday, mi princesa," malambing na pagbati ni David habang pilit hinaharangan ang dalawang kandila na kasisindi pa lamang niya gamit ang dalawang kamay. Medyo malakas ang hampas ng hangin at mahigpit ang pagkahahawak ko sa aking cardigan habang umaawit siya ng pagbati.

We spent our Christmas Eve watching movies, and then he took me to a fancy restaurant for dinner. At pagbalik namin sa hotel, dinala niya ako sa top floor kung saan may infinity pool. May ibang tao roon ngunit mas naipon sila malapit sa videoke-han. Nasa mas pribado naman kaming bahagi ni David kaya medyo mahina na sa aming pandinig ang musika at mga tawanan.

It was faint but enough for me to hear. It was just after midnight, and the clouds hid the stars, but many lights from surrounding buildings twinkled because of their holiday ornaments.

"Thank you. Feliz Navidad, David."

He gave me a sweet smile when I blew out the candles. "Feliz Navidad, mi princesa."

Turning twenty-one felt surreal. Never in my life did I imagine celebrating it in a foreign country with David. Parang hanggang sa isang panaginip lang 'yon puwedeng mangyari. Pero heto at nagkatotoo na.

Inabot sa akin ni David ang tinidor. Dahil maliit lang naman ang cake, hindi na namin paghahatiin pa. Doon na namin kakainin.

Nakatanggap ako ng pagbati mula kay Papá, yaya, at mula kay Eugenio. Pero maging ang pamilya ni David at nagpadala rin ng mensahe sa 'kin—which was surprising. Perhaps it was because of the engagement plans.

He then handed me a small paper bag containing my birthday present. He had been too generous with his presents for me. This year, he bought me a gold-chained necklace with my name in cursive.

I handed him his Christmas present—a new wallet to replace the one he had been using already. I just realized that he was still using the one I gifted him. It was already worn out, but he refused to change it since it was a present I handed him long ago.

He could have changed it anytime. Hindi naman sila magigipot kung papalitan niya ang kaniyang wallet, ngunit tumanggi pa rin siya.

Hindi ko tuloy alam kung ganoon ba ako kaignorante na hindi ko napansin na may gusto pala siya sa akin mula pa noon.

After finishing the cake, bumalik na kami sa hotel namin upamg magpahinga. Yesterday was a long day, and we just wanted to rest. Our time in the Philippines was almost over.

Matapos magpalit sa pantulog kong pajama, nahiga na ako sa kama. My thoughts wandered from north to east, then to the west and south, then back to north again.

David was already snoozing on the other bed beside mine. I expected as much. Ang aga niya bumangon para ayusin ang sorpresa para sa akin. Bukod pa rito, nag-video call din siya sa pamilya niya sa Espanya. I knew they were concerned about him being elsewhere and wanted to speak to me, but he told them we would all talk appropriately in due course.

Ayaw niya akong pilitin lalo na dahil hindi pa rin buo ang loob ko sa mga nangyayari. I honestly am grateful to how he respected my space and valued my emotions and thoughts. To be honest, he seemed like he was a step ahead of me.

I rolled to my side and remembered na hindi ko pa pala nababati si Rome. I still couldn't believe we share the same birth date.

I decided to record my voice as a birthday greeting. "Hi Rome! Merry Christmas! And... Happy birthday" —bigla akong natawa— "to us! We're one year older and I hope we'll be a year wiser. Nasabi ko na 'yong isang message ko sa email pero sana matupad natin lahat ng dreams natin. And maybe one day . . . " mapait akong napangiti. "Maybe we'll get to meet each other one day and have a nice cup of coffee? Anyway, Let's both have a great day!"

Napaisip ako kung papayag ba siya o isasantabi niya ang ideya ng pagkikita namin. And I attached my audio recording to my email.

***

To: Rome <[email protected]>
Subject: Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!

Happy birthday, Rome! I hope matupad mo ang mga pangarap mo. And I hope you have an amazing day today! <3

***

Nilapag ko ang smartphone ko sa kama. Baka tulog na siya o nagse-celebrate pa. I wasn't expecting him to reapond bit was ultimately surprised when my phone started vibrating. Agad ko iyong kinuha at napabalikwas ng bangon.

My screen flashed Rome's response, and I rushed to open it—as I was excited about unboxing my present.

***

From: Rome
Subject: Project CommuniKATE 1

Haha! I have to say that this is the most genuine greeting I've got from someone I don't even know personally. Thank you though.

I wish I could send you a voice message as well, but I just want to say, Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to you! I hope whatever you aspire to get on this special day would come true.

Enjoy your day and have the best time of your life. . . And do you think this would also be the perfect time for us to meet?

Rome :)

***

Napalunok ako. We were both thinking of the same thing. We wanted to meet each other already. And I agreed with him—it was the perfect time to meet in person.

***

To: Rome <[email protected]>
Subject: Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!

Umm... I guess we could finally meet na. We have been talking for a long time already. :)

***

We had been chatting for months yet never knew our faces. We knew our surroundings based on the photos we shared, but never our faces.

***

From: Rome
Subject: Project CommuniKATE 1

Really? Where and when?

Rome :)

***

To: Rome <[email protected]>
Subject: Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!

I'm free on December 27. Okay ba sa 'yo ang 4pm? May event kasi akong pupuntahan sa gabi and bawal akng ma-late.

***

From: Rome
Subject: Project CommuniKATE 1

I think so! I'm not expecting this, but sure, I would clear my schedule for you. Where do you think we should meet?

Rome :)

***

Excitement was evident in our responses.

Halos mapatalon ako nang madinig ko ang pagtagilid ni David sa couch.

Kapag sinabi ko 'to sa kaniya, nasisigurado ko na hindi siya matutuwa. He had barely agreed letting me chat with a stranger. Ngayon pa ba na alam ko na ang plano na ma-engage kami?

But we're not married yet. We're not in that kind of relationship. Not yet.

Muli kong binalik ang aking tingin sa email ni Rome at nagtipa sa screen upang bigyan siya ng kasagutan.

***

To: Rome <[email protected]>
Subject: Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!

Should we meet doon sa dating puwesto ng project CommuniKATE sa uni?

***

From: Rome
Subject: Project CommuniKATE 1

Fine by me, I'll be there! I'm excited to see you, Juliette.

Rome :)

***

To: Rome <[email protected]>
Subject: Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!

Cool. I'll be honest na kinakabahan ako, but I'll see you in 2 days. :)

***

From: Rome
Subject: Project CommuniKATE 1

Same, see you!

Rome :)

***

"Why are you still up?" Nabigla ako nang marinig ang boses ni David.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakatayo na siya sa aking harapan. Kailan pa siya nagising at bumangon? I didn't even hear him stood up!

Looking at him, he seemed like a toddler who had just awakened from his nap. He was actually cute with his messy hair. But aside from my childish thoughts, there was a more serious matter.

I cleared my throat and sat properly, placing my phone on my bed with the screen facing my blanket. "David, we need to talk."

I saw how his forehead scrunched as he tilted his head. Huminga siya nang malalim at saka umupo sa aking tabi. He opened his left hand and placed it on top of his hand. Marahan kong pinatong ang aking kamay sa ibabaw ng kaniya.

He folded his hand, and his thumb started giving me light massages.

"I'm listening . . . "

***

Thank you for reading! Please show your support by leaving feedback and votes!

Do also read 《 Sole Mate: Rome 》by Imcrazyyouknow for Rome's POV!

JO ELLE

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