Kabanata 15

Birthday Present

Nagising akong mabigat ang dibdib pero sinubukan ko paring maging positibo sa araw nato kahit ito ang araw na isa sa pinaka-ayaw ko. I looked at the picture frame in which my mom and dad looked so happy while holding both of my hands. I smiled. A sad one. I miss them so much that it pained me to think that I can’t hug them anymore.

“Happy birthday, Hera.” bati ng aking lola pagbukas ko ng pinto. She’s holding a small baked cake with a candle for me to blow.

“Lola..” sabi ko sa mahinang boses pilit pinipigilan ang pagtulo ng aking luha.

“Make a wish and blow a candle now.” nakangiti niyang sabi. “I know you don’t like to be reminded of your birthday but it’s your eighteenth birthday, Hera. You’re of legal age now. At sigurado akong ito rin ang gusto ng mga magulang mo, Hera. Let’s celebrate it even in our simple way.”

I wiped the tears that fell from my eyes and took the cake she surely baked. I then make a wish that surely won’t ever happen in this lifetime, not unl