Stolen Glances

Chapter 3

[Navy's POV]

Pagkadating namin sa hospital I saw my dad naka upo sa bed niya, how are you feeling dad??? Okay kalang ba? Anong said ng doctor?? Mom, is he okay??? " Natarantang tanong ko.

Navy, your dad's okay! Nahimatay lang dahil sa subrang excited to prepare for his princess's 18th birthday." Mom said

I'm okay sweetheart, super excited lang si daddy HAHAHAHAHAHA" and they both laughed! So what are we waiting for tara na let's celebrate Isla's birthday!!"Aniya ni daddy

Papunta kami sa restaurant na favorite naming kainan, we already talked about my 18th birthday I just want a simple celebration, simple lang yung kakain lang kami na magkakasama sa favorite restaurant namin kasama si Auri, nag agree naman sila mom and dad. Happy na ako don hehe! Sa car ako nila daddy sumakay at si Auri naman nakasunod lang sa amin.

Sweetheart, sweetheart gumising kana nandito na tayo!" Hindi ko namalayan nakatulog na pala ako sa byahe dahil siguro sa pagod at maaga akong gumising kanina. Bumaba na akong sa car, dad where are we?? Diba sa restaurant tayo pupunta bakit nasa hotel tayo??" Nagtatakang tanong ko

Sweetheart, gusto namin na mag photoshoot ka naman sa 18th birthday mo after this photoshoot pupunta na tayo sa restaurant to celebrate your birthday hehe." Aniya ni mon while smiling

Mom, I already told you I don't want this, so gastos lang to mommy huhu!" Sagot ko

Anak, isang beses lang yung 18th birthday mo pumayag kana" pangumbinsi ni Auri

****

[Rebacca's POV (Navy's Mother)]

I watched my daughter from afar as she happily talked about her simple birthday plan.

"Mom, sa favorite restaurant lang tayo, okay? Then maybe quick photoshoot sa hotel," Navy said casually, completely unaware of what we had been planning for months.

I smiled softly. "Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you want." But only she knew.

For weeks, halos hindi kami mapakali ng daddy niya kakaplano. From the venue, the guests, the food, hanggang sa debut gown niya everything was prepared in secret. I coordinated with the hotel staff, the event organizers, pati na rin ang makeup artists and hairstylists. Lahat ng tao involved were instructed to keep it a surprise.

"Ma'am, ready na po lahat sa ballroom," one of the coordinators whispered to me earlier.

I nodded, my heart beating fast. "Make sure everything is perfect. This is her special day."

She's our only daughter... and this moment? Hindi na mauulit.

When we arrived at the hotel, Navy looked around, slightly curious.

"Mom... ang fancy naman dito for a photoshoot," she said, raising an eyebrow.

I chuckled. "You deserve something nice, anak."

And she didn't suspect anything nama.

We led her to a private suite where the makeup artists and hairstylists were already waiting.

"Ma'am, ready na po kami," one of them smiled.

Navy looked confused. "Wait...bakit parang ang dami naman nila?"

"Photoshoot, remember?" I said calmly, holding back my smile.

She sighed. "Okay... pero bakit parang ang big deal?"

As they started doing her makeup and hair, I quietly stepped back and watched.

Every brush stroke, every curl of her hair it felt surreal. My little girl, turning into a lady right before my eyes.

"Mom...ang bongga naman nito," she laughed lightly.

"Because you are special," I replied softly.

Then came the moment, the debut gown was brought out-elegant, breathtaking, exactly what I imagined for her.

Navy froze. "Mom....ano 'to?"

"Try it," I said gently.

She hesitated, but eventually, she wore it.

And when she stepped out....I couldn't stop the tears forming in my eyes.

She looked stunning. No, she looked like a dream.

"My baby..." I whispered.

"Mom...what's going on?" she asked, now clearly confused.

I walked toward her, fixing a strand of her hair.

"You'll see," I smiled.

We guided her toward the grand ballroom doors.

She was still clueless, still thinking this was all for a "photoshoot."

"Mom...bakit naka-close yung doors?"

"Just trust me," I said, squeezing her hand.

The music started playing softly from inside.

Her brows furrowed. "Mom....wait-"

Then the doors slowly opened and everything changed.

Lights, decorations, elegant tables and people, family, friends, all dressed beautifully.

Surprise!!!"

She frozed. Literal na parang hindi siya makagalaw.

Her eyes widened, scanning the entire room.

"W-what...?"

Tears instantly filled her eyes.

"This is... for me?" she whispered.

I stepped beside her, smiling through my own tears.

"Happy 18th birthday, Navy."

"Happy happy our princess" her dad said

She covered her mouth, overwhelmed. "Mom... Dad... you did all of this?"

"Yes, sweetheart," I said softly. "Because you deserve everything."

She turned to me and hugged me tightly.

"Thank you... thank you so much," she cried.

I hugged her back, holding her like I used to when she was little.

But this time...she wasn't a child anymore. She was a woman.

And as I watched her step forward into the ballroom her grand entrance, her moment, I realized something deep in my heart.

This is the beginning of her own story, and no matter where life takes her...she will always be my little girl.

****

[Auri's POV]

The world stop as the music softened, all eyes turned toward the grand staircase. At the very top, Navy appeared, bathed in the gentle glow of the chandeliers.

Her rich blue gown shimmered like the night sky, its layers flowing gracefully behind her. She paused for a moment, taking a quiet breath, before beginning her descent.

Hindi ko maialis ang tingin ko sa kanya, nakakatunaw ang ganda niya nya na para bang nasa palasyo kami siya ang Reyna at ako naman ang hari, at hinihintay ko ang aking Reyna na makababa hagdan.

Each step was slow and poised, the skirt of her gown cascading like waves along the stairs. The subtle sparkle of crystals caught the light with every movement, drawing attention to her elegant silhouette.

One hand lightly held the railing, while the other gathered a portion of her gown, revealing just enough to show her careful steps. She's so beautiful, my beautiful Navy Celeste!

She lifted her gaze, offering a soft, confident glance to the crowd below. There was a calm strength in her eyes, a quiet acknowledgment of the moment she had long awaited. Whispers filled the room as she continued downward, her presence both graceful and captivating.

By the time she reached the final step, kinuha ko ang kamay niya at hinalikan ito, the room seemed to hold its breath. With a gentle smile and a final, composed glance, she stepped onto the ballroom floor-no longer just a girl, but someone stepping boldly into a new chapter of her life.

The program began, nagsalita na ang MC at si Navy naman ay subrang saya, everyone gave a messages for her especially tito Nestor and tita Rebacca.

After many hours kumain na ang mga bisita, I walked toward at her while smiling and she also smiled at me. Happy 18th birthday, my beautiful Navy Celeste!" and I gave my gift for her.

So you really knew about this Kealen Aurelius, huh!?? Kasabwat ka rin nila mom and dad!" and she laughed

Syempre, alam ko to at matagal na namin tong pinaghagdaan nina tito and like what tito Nestor said she want to celebrate her princess 18th birthday. And we also want to surprise you at diba na surprise ka talaga, wala kang kaalam alam tungkol dito photoshoot ngani!!!! HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA

Photoshoot face mo" Navy said at pinitik ako sa noo"

ARAYYYYY!!" and we both laughed

Thank you, Auri!" And she immediately hugged me

****