Chapter 14 Birthday

"We're supposed to dance in the middle, come on." I quickly turned around and my eyes widened because of what Patricio had said.
I looked around, most were already standing and heading to the central part of the venue. "What? Hell no!" I was weak and then he burst out laughing.
"You idiot, this is it. It's just a joke. We're going to take a picture of course. You're obviously not listening, are you?" he whispered at the far end. I breathed a sigh of relief as it hit.
After we took a picture we decided to go back again to a hotel where we were staying. It was just close to the place where we were doing the seminar so we could just walk back. It's already afternoon and because the surroundings are crowded, it's also shady somehow. I stared at a lofty, prefabricated court that was already covered with thick clouds.
"We've been here for a week and you haven't even listened to the seminars! I'm going to report you to the Chairman," he whispered because there were a few teachers with us.
"I'm listening. I just don't understand," I correct here.
We have been staying here in Bicol for two weeks because of a month of various seminars we had to do. I am especially a sport teacher. Archery is not a sport actually. I don t know why until now I still had no appetite at all. If I could just postpone this seminar, I did. I knew the point would come that I would lose my appetite so I brought my five recorders to record the conversation. This is a big deal especially since I m not listening. A big rudeness.
Patricio couldn t help but marvel at the hotel we were staying at. We've even been here for two weeks. It is very simple and most of the tourists stay here. The service of our accommodations is good so no one will miss it especially since I love trees. Fresh air provided. In one bedroom there were two beds, enough for Patricio and me. Fortunately, it was a different door so I was still alone in the room. Go back to bed to rest.
Hoping to be able to think again of a new idea about what I m going to write. The difficulty of this. The type you love to write but you don't know what word to type. It s hard to really start something you love to do. I thought I had fallen asleep without even eating dinner. I woke up because of the repeated sound of something. I felt its vibration right on my cheek. Drowsily I picked up the cell phone that had hit my head.
30+ messages
10+ voicemails
10+ missed calls
I could almost get up from my bed and stare at my cell phone again. I don t know why so many came to me. Maybe, it's just related to my school stuff. I put down my cell phone and looked at the wall clock. It's five o'clock in the morning. Commonly the seminar starts at eight in the morning and ends in the afternoon, depending.
"Annika! Get up!"
A series of door slams dominated my bedroom. I quickly opened it and it popped up on mejust looks like a new bath.
"My Annika, she's 26 now," he said tearfully then hugged me tightly.
I couldn t help but cringe at what he was saying. I 'm only 25.
"Excuse me? I'm only twenty-five," I said then pushed him away from me and passed.
I went straight to the mini fridge to get some water to drink. I tend to drink water waking up to wake up immediately.
"You're dreaming again! You're twenty-six! Happy birthday! Happy single to you! Happy single to you..." I suddenly stopped in what I'm doing.
Birthday? Is it my birthday right now? How come?
"What day is it?" to my surprise he was now facing me.
He left in front of me and then someone took what, when it came back it was carrying a gift, it was beautifully wrapped and its design was just simple.
"Happy birthday, Ms. Author." I was even devastated when I looked at the gift he was handing me. It was big and I didn t know if I should open it.
I am not accustomed to the gifts I receive especially the material thing. It just breaks down and I don't take advantage of others.
"Pat, you know—"
"I'm pretty sure you can use it. I shouldn't give you a present because I don't have anything."
"It's still my fault now?" I raise an eyebrow here.
"This is it. Of course it's just a joke. Take it, you can use that promise! Even if you die," he blinked and then laughed.
I could do nothing but take it, but I have no intention of you opening it today. I went into the room first to change my clothes because we were going to have something to do. The occasional flashing of my cell phone also grabbed my attention. To stop that I read them briefly.
Mara:
Good morning! Happy happy birthday Annika! Enjoy your day my beautiful friend. I'll just visit you when I have time hehe. See you soon! Miss you!
Lloyd:
Omg! Happy birthday my dearest friend! When I return to the Philippines, I will kiss you so much! Muah! Happy birthday!
Fred:
Happy birthday crush! Remember always. You're 26, maybe it's time for the two of us to plan! I'm thrilled. I'll just send you a gift at the mansion. Enjoy!
Veron:
Hey! What time will you greet me? Am I going to adjust again? I will greet you later when you greet me.
Zafia:
Can't wait to see your husband. Anyways, sending wine and kiss to you. Happy birthday!
Martin:
Happy birthday! I have nothing to say, I am at work now. Just remember again. You reduce your rudeness, so you don't have anything. Remember ah! Let's have a drink when you arrive. Enjoy your day!
Aunt Nieva:
Hey sweetie, happy happy 26 years of being beautiful! We miss you here. Don't be rude okay? Just enjoy your day for now and forever of course! I Love you!
Zeren:
My twin! Happy birthday! Sending hugs and kiss for you. I know that you have a hectic schedule but please, don't forget to rest. Avoid drinking coffee, plus you have an insomnia. I will be happy if you come back here in Manila as soon as possible. I love you!
I almost smile at their messages, I don t know if I will laugh especially at the men who left a message to me. I lowered my gaze even more and saw a message na exactly twelve o'clock was sent to me.
Mr. Zenos:
You are still my baby, even you are now twenty six years old. I wish you are here to celebrate your special day. I wish your parents are here to see, how their triplets' beautiful and successful. I'm always here to support what you always wanted. Hoping that you give me a grandchildren ... I will wait for this. No pressure. I wish you find the man that you deserve and he prayed. Don't be so rugged to the other man, treat them nicely the way you treated me. Go on your own way, okay? I don't know what I'm going to do if something happens to you, so look after yourself. Wishing you a day that is as special as you are. Happy twenty six years of being my baby. I'm so proud of you. I love you.
Speechless.
How could I read my uncle's message for so long? I was like reading a novel but the truth is that was only 139 words.
I put down the cell phone and then took a deep breath. If only I could go home right away, but I can't. Somehow the sadness I feel because of them has diminished.
Month of November is dark month for me. Cold and miserable, gray, rainy, windy, lost good, and suicidal. But because of them, I'm here. Smiling.
I felt even more orphaned so I decided to get ready and go with Patricio. I don t know if I was just that lucky today because three days without a seminar going on. I have three days to rest. Earlier I kept asking Pat where he would take me, only now have I been to this region because I'm not going out. So I put my full trust in Patricio. We didn't go far, I just remembered that Patricio's family lived here then so he knew the ins and outs here. Pat used to live in barangay Jovellar in Albay, he was a Bicolano. So when it comes to food we get along. Bicolanos are fond of honey and spicy. I was no longer surprised.
"This is the Jovellar Underground River. Here where I will drown you," he said laughing as we stopped at a boulder.
We are surrounded by steep rocks and it is very dangerous if you are not careful especially if you slip. We can only see green as well as water. Others waved at us as we sat on the bamboo paddle. I understood very little of them because I once heard Pat speak their language.
"Annika! Smile! It's like we're always fighting. You should have a picture for your birthday! If you don't smile, I'll really push you," he said loudly, causing his voice to echo.
"Okay fine! Just one shot okay? I might slip here!" I shouted back as he prompted.
I wasn t prepared for the camera flashing so I did nothing but smile and follow what he was saying. I didn't even see the picture of me on the camera he was carrying hanging around his neck. I just wonder sometimes to him if he forms. He really looks manly. Especially when talking to other people, he only flirts with people close to him.
"Excuse me, can you take a picture of us? It's my girlfriend's birthday," Patricio simply said looking at me.
"Oh sure!" lively promise of the tourist -looking woman.
Pat pulled my hand away and almost faintedme to what he said earlier. "Don't be silly," he whispered causing me to pinch it to the side and heard the accent of the scream of the woman holding the camera focused on us.
"Smile okay?" It counted and took four shots before he stopped taking pictures. It even greeted me which I immediately thanked as well.
It was six o'clock in the evening when we decided to go back to the hotel where we were staying. We are also full because of the Bicol express that he cooked himself. When we went inside, there were still a lot of people coming and going.
"Just wait, Madame is calling."
"Sure." I just followed Patricio's gaze until he came out of the building again.
I was about to walk to the lobby area to rest my foot, but it shook even more than I saw in front of me. His shoulders were going down and up, staring at me. It was pale and his swallowing was noticeable because of its adams apple. He stared at me as he approached while I remained where I was. What is he doing here?
"Zeke," I pronounced his name as he approached.
He turned around before finally looking at me again.
"Happy 26th birthday Annika," he greeted me with a smile and then handed me a simple paperbag.
"I'm sorry, that's all I can do—"
"No, it's okay. Thank you," I smiled gratefully as he nodded as he took a deep breath. "You alright?" I added here because he was looking at the paperbag I was holding more often.
There s something he wants to tell me but he doesn t and just goes on swallowing it.
"C-Can I take that paper again—"
"Papa Zeke! Are you here too? You said so! You're the one I saw earlier with a girl! Are you just near here? Your site?" Patricio groaned quickly so I didn't understand Zeke.
Zeke even glanced at me before smiling and nodding. With a woman? Maybe that's what I heard him talking on the phone.
"Ah, yes. All right, I'll go first. Be careful. Happy birthday again Annika," he said smiling but before she turned around I noticed him looking at my hand again.
I could clearly see how he would tweak his own head out of the hotel and its deep exhalation of air.
Suspicious.