BIG SHOT #1: RICKY

Big Shot #1: Ricky ❣ Chapter Eight ❣

Birthday

It’s been three days since the last time I saw him.

Contrary to what I predicted, Ricky didn’t bother to call or even send me a single message. In fact, he actually went MIA.

And now here I’am, standing at their front porch.

And what exactly am I doing here?

It’s Ricky’s freaking birthday.

At kung nagtataka kayo kung bakit wala man lang akong dalang regalo?

Syempre, maang maangan ang lola mo.

I took a deep breath and plastered a force smile across my face bago ko binuksan yung front door.

I didn’t bother knocking or ringing the bell. Dahan dahan akong pumasok at nakita ko sila Papa at Tito Lee na masayang nag-uusap sa may sala.

Sabay na napatingin sila Papa at Tito Lee sa kinakatayuan ko habang natatawa naman na tumakbo ako papalapit sa kanila.

“Tito.” Tumili pa ako bago ko to niyakap.

“Ang paborito kong inaanak.” Nakangiti nitong ginulo yung buhok ko.

“Mas nauna pa si Tito kesa kay Papa?” Pabiro akong tinignan ng masama ni Papa. “Where’s my hug, doll face?”

“Jealous, Pa?” Lumapit ako sa kinakatayuan nito at mahigpit na yumakap dito.

How I miss my dad!

I looked up and grinned at him. “Don’t worry, Pa. You’re still my second best.”

My dad grinned back at me. “Should I take back your car?”

I pouted my lips and flashed him the best puppy dog eyes I could muster. “I’m just kidding, Pa. Besides, how can you do that awful thing to your beautiful daughter?” Kunwari akong nagpa-beautiful eyes dito.

Sabay kaming natawa pagkatapos habang si Tito Lee naman, nakangiti lang na nakikinig sa pagbibiruan namin ni Papa.

Pagkatapos guluhin ni Papa yung buhok ko, nilingon ko si Tito Lee. “Where’s Tita Meg, Tito?”

“She’s in the kitchen, sweetheart. With your mom, Tin and Ricky.”

Tin is here?

And she’s with Ricky!

Dagdag na tuya ng utak ko.

That explains the MIA part.

I feigned a smile and decided to change the subject. “What’s with this impromptu dinner?”

Gulat na tinignan ako nila Papa at Tito pero bago pa sila makapagsalita, may nagsalita na sa likuran namin.

“You didn’t even bother to greet your dearie mom?”

I smiled broadly and glanced over my shoulder. “Kakadating ko lang mom.” Inalis ko yung pagkakayakap ko kay Papa at lumapit sa kinakatayuan nito.

Hinalikan ko yung pisngi ni Mama bago ako yumakap sa bewang nito. “Na miss kita mami dearest.”

Ngumuso si Mama. “Ikaw talagang bata ka. Alam na alam mo talaga kung paano maglambing.”

I gave her a cheeky grin. May sasabihin pa sana ako dito ng may bigla nalang humila sakin mula sa pagkakayakap ko kay Mama. “Ang maganda kong inaanak.”

“Tita Meg.” Ginantihan ko yung ginawa nitong pagyakap.

“Tita, I can’t breathe.” Nakangiti na angal ko dito nang medyo humigpit at tumagal yung pagkakayakap nito sakin.

“I miss you, sweetheart. Ang tagal na nating hindi nagkita. Ang laki laki mo na at mas lalo ka pang gumanda.”

“Kakakita lang natin last summer Tita.” Nakangiti na paalala ko dito. “What’s with this impromptu dinner again?”

Tita Meg and my mom both gasp na para bang yung tinanong ko eh about sa sex life nila.

“You don’t remember?” Sabay na tanong nila Mama at Tita.

“Ano yung nakalimutan ni Rain?” Sabat ni Tin. Katabi nito si Ricky na naglalakad papalapit samin.

Nakangiti kong tinanguan yung dalawa kahit na may parang aspile na kumudlit sa puso ko.

Seeing them together is too much.

“You don’t really remember, hija?” Tanong ulit sakin ni Tita.

“Remember what?” I asked with as much innocence as I can muster.

“Ricky’s birthday.” Paalala ni Mama.

“Oh.” Kunwari na guilty akong napatingin kay Ricky. “I forgot. Medyo naging busy kasi ako these past few days. Sorry Ricky, I didn’t bring anything.”

Yung blangkong tingin ni Ricky kanina, napalitan ng inis?

Sugapa lang sa gift? How old is he? Three?

“Oh it’s ok, hija. Your Tito gave him a new car.” Sabat ni Tita Meg.

“Really?” Kunwari na excited ulit akong tumingin sa kinakatayuan ni Ricky. “You need to give me a ride sometimes.”

Mas lalo namang kumunot yung noo nito.

Or maybe not. Mapait kong sabi sa sarili ko.

Napailing nalang ako.

Binalik ko yung tingin ko kay Tita Meg at nagpakawala ako ng pilit na tawa. “Blessing in disguise na din na nakalimutan ko yung birthday ni Ricky Tita. If I’m not mistaken, Ricky always gets cranky pag nagbibigay ako ng gift.”

“Oh right! I remember na every time na sasapit yung birthday ni Ricky, lagi kang may dalang limang regalo.” Nakangiti na sagot ni Tita Meg.

“You’re right, hon.” Nakangiti na binalingan ako ni Tito Lee. “Bakit nga ba laging lima?” Tanong nito.

I looked around at lahat sila nakatingin sakin.

I can feel myself blushing.

I let out an awkward laugh. “I’m just being generous.” I replied in a dismissive manner.

Those five gifts.

It means I love you so much. One gift for every word. Corny right? Ganoon ako kapatay na patay kay Ricky.

“Dahil ako lang ang walang gift.” Pagbabago ko ng topic habang naglalakad ako papalapit kay Ricky. Nang tumapat na ako sa kinakatayuan nito. Tumingkayad ako at masuyo kong hinalikan yung magkabila nitong pisngi. “Happy birthday Rick.”

Ricky’s face softened and for the first time, I saw him smile.

Namumula at nagmamadali naman na iniwas ko yung mga mata ko dito.

Lumingon ako sa kinakatayuan nila Mama para hindi makita ni Ricky yung pamumula ng mukha ko.

Damn those lips and smile!

Nahimasmasan lang ako nang makita ko yung nanunudyo na tingin ni Tita. Hindi din nakaligtas sa mga mata ko yung palihim na ngiti nila Papa at Tito Lee.

Naguguluhan naman na napatanga ako sakanila.

Nilipat ko yung tingin ko kay Tin. May nakapaskil na pilit na ngiti sa mga labi nito.

Wala ba silang alam na naging si Tin at Ricky?

At hindi ba nagsabi si Ricky sa kanila na may boyfriend na ako?

I raised my eyebrow and stared at Tin’s angelic face.

Is Tin still in love with Ricky?

Or is she still in love with my best friend?

Should I make a drastic move to find out?

After a minute or two, a brilliant idea crossed my mind.

I can’t help but smirk a little.

I’m not the same Rain anymore.

I have to draw the line somewhere.

And they better think twice before they crossed it again.

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