Written by the Moon

26~ BIRTHDAY

I dropped my pen without even realizing it. My eyes felt like burning but still fixated themselves on the scene below me. I couldn’t move nor speak. My body hesitated to run away and get away from this place. It was a long kiss they enjoyed. The cheers roared invading my ears but my body had ways to stop everything. My senses just immediately shut themselves down.

I couldn’t hear anything. And all I could see was the moment they shared their kiss. The first kiss of the night. I looked up and saw how the moon shined so bright tonight, rejoicing with the union of two hearts. I smiled unconsciously.

A laugh escaped my mouth. How stupid of me to feel this way. I will never have the right place to feel this freaking feeling. My eyes dropped at Forest. He looked happy.

He looked as if he didn’t just act so confused a while ago. He seemed to be a different person. A person I have never seen before. Maybe because he looks happier in this scene. I nodded to myself. It must be that way then.

I finally decided to go down. My first step in this mission is a success and I must be happy. I need to be happy about this. Christiana first saw me coming out of the building. The noise has died down but her energy seemed like an eternity.

She immediately embraced me with her brightest smile. She seemed proud. I smiled.

“I can’t believe this! I already got a hint who will be his mate but it’s finally happening and I’m just so happy! You did a great job, Nav!”

Sham, Michelle, Jedi, and Mark saw us and went to us with their expressions evident of bliss.

“I knew it!”

“I know something was up the moment Forest left immediately that day.”

“I’m so surprised! They’re just a perfect match.” Sham couldn’t hide her excitement until now.

I nodded with my smile on tight. I looked at Christiana. She had this motherlike look to me as she held my shoulders. She nodded as she started to look even more emotional. She surveyed my eyes and smiled.

“You look tired?”

I don’t want to deny it.

“Yeah,” I nodded.

“That’s fine. It’s your first step, it can be draining. It even made Sham faint on her first.” They all laughed at what Christiana mentioned.

Did Sham faint? I glanced in her direction and she just smiled shyly while looking at us away. I nodded. This must be why I am tired. I am also aware of this. This has been taught to us in Paredes. The first writing to the sacred paper can drain an angel. I am well aware of that. So, I will accept this as the reason why I am feeling down now.

The party has ended and I am happy that we’re going back already to the mansion. I rushed to the parking lot to finally have a comfortable seat. I held on tight to my long white gown as I made my way to the parking lot. My stomach felt like the world has been its burden that it just needs some rest.

As soon as I was close to Christiana’s car, my walking slowed. My heart pounded as I saw him just resting his back at the cars’ door with his hands in his pocket. I noticed his eyes were fixated on the sky. I followed the direction of his eyes. It landed on the moon.

When I looked at him again, he was already eyeing me intently with his wary eyes. I swallowed slowly. My breathing ragged again.

I looked away as I went closer to the passengers’ seat and looked for the keys in my purse. I went in the opposite direction where Forest was. it’s now a mystery why he’s here.

With my trembling hands, trying to get the keys as fast as I can, I dropped my eyes. I sighed in so much frustration. But sighed in relief when the keys went out first on my purse as it fell. Before I could pick it up myself, large hands got it first. I pursed my lips as he volunteered to open the car.

I don’t need to look at him. I can smell his scent that I have already mastered. I just realized now that I actually memorized his scent. I wanted to shake my head in stupidity but I stopped myself before I could do it.

He opened the door for me and I quickly got in. I wanted to sigh in relief as I got into the car but remembering that Forest is just inches away from me, there was no reason to be in relief at all.

I pulled the door to close but he gripped it so hard that it was hard for me to completely close the door. I looked at him with a raise on my brow.

“About tonight—”

I cut him off. I just want peace now.

“I’m sure you’re not confused anymore, Forest. Maybe this night has given you the clarifications.” He didn’t expect me to say anything. It looks like he never expected me to say those words.

Leaving him surprised, I got the chance to close the door. And just in time, they also arrived. I sighed finally, in relief.

Tonight has been a roller coaster ride. I don’t know how to exactly feel with everything that happened. I want to be happy with everything that has happened but it felt like a betrayal to my heart. A slumped my body on my bed as soon as I arrived. I looked at the balcony where I usually see the moon but it’s not there.

While my eyes searched and waited for the moon, I fell into a deep sleep. And even asleep, I can still feel the heavyweight of my body and soul. Why do I feel this hint of betrayal within my body? It felt like I lied to myself when I actually didn’t. I did the right thing to do but why does my soul protest? Why does it go against my decisions?

Why do I feel like there is some unfinished business when there isn’t? I let my body be invaded to deep sleep. Where I can be in a temporary peace. Where I can’t think of anything but just darkness. To just wake up with more energy to be sipped out of my body every day.

I woke up in a loud mansion. My eyes squinted as I made my way to the living room. The moment I entered the living room, explosions went from left to right. the room was filled with deafening screams and cheers for me. I don’t even know why they are like this. When I said my energy will be sipped every time I wake up, this is a perfect example.

“Happy Birthday!”

My eyes widened at what they said. Who’s birthday? The heck?

“What the—” they wouldn’t even let me finish my sentence.

“Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!”

Great, they’re singing. But I quickly understood why they cut me off when I realized there are guests. Forest and Zafeya are here cheering for me. my body froze as I glanced in their direction. My eyes dropped to their intertwined palms. I swallowed hard and immediately looked away.

I went to the flow as they want me to. I smiled tightly as they kept on cheering me. Christiana went to me with a cake and candles. Another new experience for me. I don’t ever remember having my birthday.

“We were supposed to celebrate your success last night but Sham invited Forest and he brought Zaf. So, we had a change of plans. Happy birthday,” she whispered at me as she gave me the cake to blow the candles.

I nodded curtly and blew the candles. I bit the insides of my mouth as I gathered the courage to look at both Forest and Zafeya. My eyes witness how he was a gentleman to her. Zafeya giggled as Forest whispered something to her.

I wished I looked away. No, I wish I didn’t even take a look. His eyes caught mine. My eyes widened a fraction.

He smiled. So warm. Just… not the same way how he was supposed to smile at me.

“Happy Birthday.”

He mouthed.

To be continued…