Miggy's POV
I'm currently talking to Jhay while I'm in the office. I meant to send him here for the surprise we prepared for Gabie's birthday.
"Auntie beauty cooked the dishes, then the cake you ordered I'll pass by later when I get back here. He knew I couldn't go to school with him now, because he knew I was helping my aunt go to the market and cook at home. What he didn't know after I went with aunt beauty to the market earlier, I left first to get here, "he explained. As I laid on the table the payment for the cake I was ordering for Gabie.
"Couldn't he have heard what we were doing?" I will ask.
"It's not that, because if he had known, he wouldn't have told you last night because you weren't together last night because he called you."
"Okay. I will take the flowers and I will pick him up. "
"Wow! You really are! "Does that mean you're going to miss work so you can pick him up? "he wondered.
"Yeah, there's no problem, I'll just finish the ones at my table now and then I can leave, there are no meetings scheduled today, then tomorrow is scheduled for the presentation for the new project. I have set aside my day today because I know it's his birthday, "
"I will pass it all on to you, sir! Great effort if effort! " I was shaken by what he said.
"It's necessary, because it's not just his birthday today, it will be a double celebration because I'm sure he can pass his thesis defense," I explained.
"Oh my gosh! Grabe! " You're not a boyfriend in that situation yet, are you? What if you answer that? Maybe all my friends will walk on the red carpet, "he said happily.
"The best thing is that you leave so that you can get the cake and so that you can fix the balloons because you won't be able to put it in yet. And for me to finish what I have to do so that I can leave, but Meynard can't be with you because I'll leave the rest I have to do with him, "
"Sus! It's okay for me to be dry. Oh my! Oh, boo!I'll see you later, text me when you're on your way, "he ordered as he stood up and picked up the money I had put down earlier.
"That includes your Uber, so you won't have a hard time with the cake you're carrying home because I know you'll have something else to bring."
"Thank you! yet sweet and generous!I really hope so! " All at once, he laughed out loud. So I just laughed, but only weakly.
We had been planning for Gabie's birthday for a few days, but we deliberately didn't let her know for a surprise. I was planning to cater but Jhay told me that Gabie's mom didn't plan to prepare anymore so she would cook. In order not to be called umeepal, I just followed what Jhay told me. So I just said I'll take care of the cake and then what else needs to be done. But only Jhay knows all my plans, so he didn't tell Gabie's mom first. He said that I would be there later when Gabie and I arrived from picking him up from school.
As I was set to do, I finished the ones sitting on the table. Well, there were only three of them. I also left it to Meynard what he should do while I'm away. He agreed that I should only do half-day now because next week is my anniversary with Shane, and he will do the other half-day.
At lunch time, when I left the office, I didn't eat with Meynard anymore; I just went through the drive-through so that I could eat there while waiting for him outside the school. Then I went through the flowers I ordered this morning. My gift to her that I bought online last week is also ready. This is a white gold necklace with a pendant that is a symbol of psychology since she is a psychology student, and her birthstone is aquamarine. I can't think of anything else unique to make a pendant. So the pendant became two because the truth is, I don't know which one he would like out of those two. I don't like the initials of the name because it was very common back then.
My car was parked near the gate of the school where the bouquet had landed on the passenger seat so that he could see it as soon as he opened the door. I'm eating my lunch because I can't wait for him because I've been hungry before, but I also bought something for him for lunch because I know he'll be hungry after he comes out. I also played music so that somehow someone would make noise inside my car. I can't call him because I know he can't be disturbed. So I have nothing else to do but wait here with him.
Minutes later, my wait for her paid off because I saw Gabie walking towards the gate. I immediately opened the car to get out so he could see me.
"Gabie!" I shouted at the same time I waved at him. I immediately saw his big smile, but I was surprised when he suddenly ran towards me.
"I pass! Thank you! " He was happy to hear from me at the same time. He hugged me tightly, even though I was surprised at first, but I hugged him later.
"Congratulations!" I greeted her while we still hugged. I felt him cry because I felt hot liquid in my chest as we hugged.
We were still in that state for a few more minutes before he let me go.
I explained as I guided him to the opposite car door and then opened it for him. I didn't intend to greet him first because I planned to do so after I gave him my gift.
"Wow!" when he saw the flowers I had laid on the passenger seat earlier.
"Thank you!"
"You like it?" He just nodded in response to my question, then he picked up the bouquet and sat down. Then he placed the flowers on his thigh. I took his bag and he brought a folder, so I could put them in the back seat of the car.
I let him eat while I was driving because I had planned to drive to MOA, park the car, and then give him the gift I had prepared.
"Where are we going?" he asked in astonishment.
"MOA because it's still early, it's good because it's windy there," I reasoned to him.
"Okay," he replied as he finished eating his fries.
When we got to the parking lot of the MOA, I first got out of the car to find the nearest trash can to throw our food, then I went back to the car because I said I would tell her something first.
"So, what do you say?" As I sat in the driver's seat, he asked me
"First, I want to congratulate you for your success with your thesis. That's another milestone in your life to celebrate. You are about to graduate, so I am happy because you will soon achieve one of your dreams, "I hung up what I said first. He just stared at me while there was a big smile on his lips but he didn't speak.
"Second is, I wanna greet you a Happy Happy Birthday!" I was cut off from my speech because he was surprised by what I said, because I knew he didn't know that I knew his birthday today.
"How did you know?" he glared at me.
"Secret. Let me finish first, "I said then he nodded.
"I know that you are certified happy today because of the outcome of your hardships paid off! Another achievement that you have made for yourself! I'm so proud of you! And as a result, I have something for you," I took the paper bag containing the box I had given her and handed it to her.
"Open it. Open you like it, "I said excitedly. He was still hesitant to accept it, but I brought the paper bag closer to him, so he accepted it.
I just watched him open the paper bag and then snatched its contents. Then he looked at me as if he was asking what it contained.
"Come on, open up," I encouraged her.
Then he slowly opened the box. Her eyes widened in shock when the box was finally opened and she saw its contents.
"Luh! It is expensive! I don't think I can accept this! " He said shyly. But I didn't answer him. I took the necklace then…
"This is yours. I bought this for you as a birthday gift. Turn around, I'll put it this way, "he didn't say a word, but he didn't move.
"Hey! All right, don't think about me. Unless you didn't like it? "
"It's not like that, it's just really surprising. It's just my first time experiencing someone giving me something expensive. "
"Okay, from now on you'll get used to it because I'll shower your gifts."
"No, that's not what I want. You're so serious about I'll shower you gifts. What can they say to me that that's all I'm after you so I let you woo me?" he said sullenly.
"No, definitely not! Don't you ever think that? Okay? That's not how I met you for a few months talking and we were together, "I explained to her. He didn't say a word, obviously hesitant and I feel like he's really ashamed of my gift to him.
"Now, please let me put this thing on you, so turn around please," I softened.
Fortunately, he followed what I told him. He turned his back on me so I could put the necklace on him. It was easier for me to put on the necklace because her hair was tied so I didn't have to part it. When I finished posting…
He held the pendant once and frowned.
"Why two pendants?" he wondered.
"Oh, yeah, because I don't know which one you would like. It's your birthstone and the other one is the symbol of your degree program, psychology. "
"You don't have to have two. No matter what the pendant is, I'll still like it," she said.
"Just think of that one because you passed your thesis and then the other one because it's your birthday," I blurted out.
"I don't know about you, you're really like that, aren't you!" we both laughed.
"But anyway, thank you very much for this. I had enough of the flowers given, but I didn't expect to have a necklace yet. "
"That's because you're special to me."
"I'll tell you something."
"Go ahead."
"Do you remember the night we mistakenly took your other woman for Gab?" s'yempre tandang-tanda ko 'yon kasi grave ang naging takot ko na baka niya ako paniwalaan at baka' yon pa ang dahilan na maudlot ang panlilagaw ko sa kan'ya.
"Yeah,"
"Do you remember what Jhay said then?" I immediately frowned because it was as much as Jhay said that night.
"You don't remember?"
Which one? I'm sorry I didn't focus on what he said in the intensity of my fear that you might not believe what I'm going to explain to you. Maybe that's the reason you're basting me.
"Ah… o-okay," he replied to what I said.
"So, what is it all about?"
I saw him suddenly turn pale, so I was alarmed by his face.
"Are you okay?" I reached for his hands, then I noticed the coldness of his hands.
"Are you not feeling well?" I was worried.
He just shook his head.
"Why? What hurts you? What do you feel?" I kept asking her questions because I was suddenly scared.
"N-No, no. I mean, I'm fine, I'm not in pain. "
"Why are you pale? Then the coldness of your hands. "
"K-Kasi… a-ano ah, "he couldn't continue what he was saying as if he was having a hard time speaking.
"What?" at the same time I squeeze his hands.
He took a deep breath, then he could no longer look at me.
"Hey! What is it? "
"K-Kasi, don't you have anything to ask me?" Then he changed the subject.
"Huh?" I'm confused.
"Oh, wait, wrong. I said, don't you want to ask me anything? "
"About what?"
"About us," he taught me and himself.
I wondered for a moment what he meant when I asked him. He grabbed his hands while holding me, then I saw him restless because he was playing with his hands. Then he bit a finger he was looking forward to.
"Ah, sorry I can't decipher what you mean. Can you please tell me instead? " I asked because I couldn't think of anything to ask him. I want to call Meynard to ask to make sure.
"Yeah, what, why don't I just call that mokong so I don't make a mistake?" I suddenly thought.
"Hold on, let me use the comfort room please. I'll be quick, okay? I'll be right back, "I didn't wait for his answer. I hurried out of the car and then quickly walked to the comfort room. Exactly, we were parked nearby in the comfort room in the parking lot, at the end of the food stalls.
I was in a hurry to call Meynard when I entered the comfort room, but I also went out and remained standing in front of the door because there were a few people there who were currently using the comfort room.
Me: Hello.
Meynard: Oh brother? Why were you called? Is there a problem? "
Me: No, but can I just ask you something?
Meynard: What's that?
Me: Because Gabie asked me if I wanted to ask her anything. Did Shane ask you that before?
Okay, oh! Hurray!Kuya congrats!
Me: Timing? What congrats? What did that mean then?
Meynard:You're really slow, brother. What a waste of points!
Me: Can you be honest with me? What is it? It's easy because he's waiting for me in the car. I just said goodbye to cr!
I even heard the mokong laugh out loud.
Meynard: That means he'll answer you when you ask him if you want him to be your girlfriend! That's what it meant then.
I couldn't answer what I heard from him. I was stunned because I was a fool because I didn't think that's what he meant. You keep laughing at me.
Meynard:Come on! Kuya? Hey! All right, maybe something else will happen to us. I'm driving now, hey! Shane and I are sick of being funny to you. Good luck to you! Bye!
Timang really didn't even wait for me to speak as long as the call was cut off. So I hurriedly walked back to the car. I caught him typing on his cellphone. I opened the door and then sat in the driver's seat.
"I'm sorry for that," I apologized.
He replied, then lowered the cellphone to his lap with the flowers still in his arms.
Ah, I just replied to those who greeted me. Only now can I hold the phone again, "he explained.
"It's okay, I understand." Then I clear my throat.
Gabie, ah, about what you're telling me. I'm sorry if I didn't ask you right away, because honestly, I was nervous. That was my stupidity. I slipped in so that he wouldn't be offended that I didn't really get it. Then it was very embarrassing.
"It's okay, I was also nervous when I said that, so we just quit," he laughed.
I took a deep breath first and then I encouraged myself to somehow recover from the stupidity I did before.
"Gabie, are you ready to be my girlfriend?" I didn't see that much shock on his face. Does that mean he really expected me to ask him this now?
He didn't say a word but just nodded.
Gabi, can you please say it? I just want to make sure I got it correctly. I'm sure.
"Yes, I am ready to be your girlfriend, Miggy," he said softly. So I couldn't stop myself from hugging him, the pleasure of feeling when he hugged me back too.
"I won't make any promises, just let me show how much you mean to me every day, okay?" I said when the two of us got together.
"Thank you. Uhm, Tara? Are you ready? Shall I introduce you to mama? " She nursed me. But instead of starting the car, I hugged him again to my delight and he hugged me tightly. We laughed after our second hug and then I started the car and drove.
Because the rush hour took us to make our trip difficult, the darkness took us and we were still on our way to them. So it was past seven o'clock when we came to them. When I parked the car in front of their house, we could clearly see the light of their house with a few guests already inside.
"Hey! Just chill! Mama doesn't eat people, then I know she will like you. "
"It's still scary, because I didn't even know your mother before we became. I didn't even tell him to date you, so I'm afraid he'll get angry. "
"It's not that, I know you've tried a few times so you just can't really reach here at home, so that's okay. Don't worry, I'm not a teenager anymore. Hello, I'm graduating! I'm sure mama will be even happier with you and will be even happier when she finds out that I passed my thesis defense earlier. So come on! That will make us wonder how long we have, "I obeyed what he said, so we opened the car door at the same time and got off at the same time.
I first took his belongings in the back of the car and then I followed to strengthen him, because he was a little ahead.
"Ma! "Here we are! "he shouted as he approached the door.
Suddenly, I heard him sing a birthday song, so I just stood behind him. Her mom and Jhay were seen holding the big cake together. Even though I haven't met her mother personally, I know it's her because they look alike and they're probably the same height. If there's any depression, maybe it's just a little bit. Her mother inherited her beautiful complexion, her hair, pretty brown, and the plump lips.
"Wait, his face looks familiar to me. Where can I see him? "
I thought hard because I knew I had seen him but…
"Isn't he the one I bumped into in my car the night I was driving? She's Gabie's mom? "
It was as if I was being drenched in icy water because of the discovery. "How can I tell Gabie that I am to blame for why her mother was hospitalized that day?
Make a wish and blow your candles!" Jhay calls him.
He immediately entered after closing his eyes and blowing out the candles on his cake. Everyone applauded him after he lit the candles and greeted him at the same time.
"Hep! Just a moment! Talk to me first because I have something important to say, "he began so everyone fell silent, smiling and staring at him waiting for him to say something. I remained standing in the doorway because I was embarrassed to huddle inside. I would just wait for Gabie to call me.
"First of all…"
It is no longer clear to me all the things Gabie said in her birthday speech because I was swallowed up by more intense nervousness and fear because I knew Gabie would be angry with me when she found out the truth. I don't know if I'm just going to leave suddenly or I'm going to let him introduce me to mama? I'm confused by my findings. I don't know what to do. What to say?
"Wait a minute, I'm not done yet. But thank you. Mom, I want to introduce you to my boyfriend, Miguel, but Miggy can too. "I was surprised when Gabie suddenly approached me and pulled me closer to her mom.
I saw that we were both surprised at her mom and sighed as well.
"I'm sorry if…" I couldn't finish what I was about to say when he spoke.