Chaos Series 1: Angel

28

"Happy birthday Ellie!" I greeted her once again. It's been around... 8th times I greeted her today. Starting from the morning, when I first saw her. I immediately greeted her a good morning and happy birthday. Then again, and again, and again until now. Every time I would see her.

She smiled and look at me, "Angel... thank you. Pero kanina ka pa bumabati, di ka nagsasawa?" She asked and I chuckled before shaking my head.

"Will never, hinding-hindi ako magsasawa na batiin ka. Because you're 25 na! Yey!" I cheerfully said making her giggle.

"I know, and I'm so excited, after this, I'll start looking for condo unit." She said and my expression dropped.

"You're really gonna move out?" I asked and she smiled at me before nodding.

"I want to live alone, cook for me, wash the laundry for me, have a place that I can call mine." She said and I slowly nod. I felt her hand on my shoulder.

"Bibisitahin pa rin naman kita dito." She said and I pouted.

"No." I said and her brows furrowed.

"What do you mean no? Ayaw mo na bisitahin kita dito?" She asked and I shake my head.

"No, I mean, bibili na rin ako ng condo unit ko. Kaya nga hindi muna ako bumili kahit nag 25 na ako dahil ayaw kong iwan ka dito. Pero ngayon na 25 ka na rin at iiwan mo 'ko dito, bibili nalang din ako." I said and she burst out laughing.

"Okay okay, I understand now. Maybe we can buy condo units na magkatabi lang." She said and I nod. Our little talk were cut off when Sylver and Mateo came up.

"Happy birthday Ellie, here's our gift, I asked my fiancé to pick it for you." Sylver said as he handed Ellie a silver birthday bag.

"Thanks Syl," Ellie said as she reach for the bag.

"Here's mine, and Ace's." Mateo said and hand her one red and one gold bag.

I look at Ellie as she didn't reach for it immediately and just stare at the two bags.

"He... he couldn't make it?" She ask as she finally reach for the bags.

Mateo shakes his head, "Busy daw, I don't know kung busy saan. He just said he's busy and told me to hand that to you." Mateo said and Ellie nods.

"Tell him thank you." Ellie said and Mateo nod.

For few seconds we fall on an awkward silence, "Ahm... kumain na ba kayo? Kumain na muna kayo, looks like you guys just came." I said, trying to break the awkwardness.

The two shakes their heads, "Hindi pa nga eh, sige Ellie, Angel, kain muna kami." Kuya Syl said before excusing the both of them. I look at Ellie who's looking blankly at the red bag where I see can Ace's name on a card.

"Ellie... is everything alright?" I worriedly asked. I slowly put my hand on her shoulder that made her flinch and confused me.

"Yes, yes I'm fine Angel. Dadalhin ko lang 'to sa kwarto ko." She said and I slowly nod. She excused herself and I was left alone there. Or so I thought thought am alone.

"Hey, the cookies you baked are nice." I flinch a bit when I heard Ezekiel's voice behind me. I immediately turn around and playfully slap his chest.

"Nakakagulat ka! I almost had a heart attack!" I said and he chuckled.

"Grabe ka naman sa heart attack. I even used a soft voice." He said and I rolled my eyes.

"Fine, pero kumain kana?" I asked and he chuckled before nodding.

"I had na, ikaw ba? Mukhang gutom ka ulit e." He joked and I rolled my eyes.

"I ate na! I'm just welcoming every  guests and friends." I said and he chuckled once again.

"What about boyfriend? May bonus ba kapag boyfriend?" He flirtiriously  ask, my lips parted a bit before thinking of an answer.

He lean closer, teasing me, "Ahm... I can bake cookies just for you." I said and he burst out laughing.

"Okay okay, that's nice, I really like your cookies." He said and O shyly smiled.

"Thanks," I said and look around the house. There's no much guests invited in Ellie's birthday, it's just her closest friends and some college friends. And also the Gutierrez, kuya Raphy, and Ezekiel. It's sad the Ace didn't make it. But maybe he's just really busy.

But on my birthday he also didn't made it. It was a pool party, and I ask mom and dad if we can have privacy and don't have anyone looking after us. And they agreed, so I just invited Ezekiel, the Gutierrez, kuya Raphy and he brought his girl, or just friend, close friend? He honestly didn't know how to introduce her himself.  It was just simple but we had fun. I don't really have friends to invite. And since Ellie is close friends with kuya Syl and Iyo, that's why I also invited them instead that we are just few people in that big resort. I wish I have more friends to invite.

"Hey, you okay? Nanahimik ka bigla." Ezekiel said and my head snap at his direction.

"Huh? Wala naman, I'm fine. I'll just check the foods okay? Baka may need ng refill." I said and he nods. I walk towards the buffet and check if anything need refill. The rice does, the pasta does, so I ask the caterers to refill them. I walk towards the living room and saw mom and dad talking to probably their business partners while Ellie is beside them. I laugh a bit as I saw how shy Ellie is. She's probably forced to talk and say hi to them.

While watching mom and dad talk to their friends. Something suddenly came up to my mind. I immediately look around, trying to find Ezekiel. And when I spot him talking to kuya Syl and Iyo, I walk towards him. When I arrived beside them, kuya Iyo is the one who noticed me first.

"Angel, babawiin mo na ba ang boyfriend mo?" Kuya Iyo asked and I shyly smiled.

"Pahiram lang po saglit." I shyly said and I hear kuya Syl laugh.

"Sayong-sayo na siya Angel, nakaka-inis minsan ang pagmumukha ni Ezekiel." Kuya Syl said and Ezekiel burst out laughing before getting closer to me. I reach for his wrist and drag him away from his friends.

"Yes Ms. Navarro? Need something?" He jokingly said and I scoffed a little before shaking my head. I stopped dragging him and stand, meters away from where mom and dad is.

"Lets... lets tell mom and dad about our relationship." I said and I saw his lips formed a small 'o'.

"Wait, what? Paki-ulit nga, medyo nabingi ako eh." He said and I pouted.

"I said, lets tell mom and dad about our relationship." I said and his eyes widened.

"Sure! That would be great!" He excitedly said and I smiled. I once again held his wrist but before I could even take a step his phone rings.

"Wait, I'll just take this quick." He said and I nod before letting go of his wrist.

"Hello? Yes, I'm at a birthday party. Why? What? Anong nangyari kay dad!? f**k, yes yes! I'll be there!"

I hear him exclaimed, I pursed my lips and played with my fingers. He needs to leave.

He look at me with worried eyes, "Angel... I'm sorry, isinugod si dad sa ospital, I need to check on him, okay lang ba?" He asked and my eyes widened before immediately nodding.

"Of course! It's totally fine!" I said and he nods.

"Thank you, tell Ellie nabusog ako and happy birthday again, I'm sorry talaga Angel." He said and I just nod as I watch him rush out of the living room. I sigh and just started walking around.

When the day ends I throw myself on my bed and take a deep breath. It was not much a tiring day but part of me is tired. I'm the one who make sure that everything is well served and the food is in good conditions.

I glance at my study table where a plate of food is at. Mom and dad left for a flight to Europe and they will stay there for weeks. Ellie said she already asked mom and dad about us getting a condo unit while they're gone and they agreed already. But I still don't know when I'll search for one.

Days passed and Ellie told me she have found a perfect unit for her. But sadly there's no available units near that anymore so it means I have to look for other places. But due to hectic work nd schedule at the company, I can't start searching for a condo.

Ellie have already moved some of her things and I already felt empty in the mansion. Seeing boxes around the place and her room almost empty makes me sad and makes me want to move out as well.

"You look tired, are you sure you want to check on this one ngayon? Pwede naman sa ibang araw nalang." Ezekiel said as he I entered his car. Tonight, after work, I want to check the unit he recommended to me. It's not near from his but just few minutes away.

"This is Iyo's condo building, his family owns this but it is under his supervision." He said when we arrived at the parking lot. He talked to the receptionist and a lady guided us to the floor and room.

And at first glance, I just know its perfect. I've seen Ellie's unit and it's beautiful but it's too dark for me. But this one, even it's night, it feels bright and light atmosphere already. The lady excused herself first to give me time to look around.

"So? Maganda siya diba? Bagay sayo, I just think bagay sayo ang mga light colors and light atmosphere." Ezekiel said and I nod.

"I'll get this one, the price is nice too, my savings is just enough." I said and I hear him hum.

"Angel about nga pala dun sa birthday birthday Ellie, I'm sorry." He said and I faced him.

I gave him a genuine smile, "Its fine, your dad's health is more important." I said, he walk towards me which I thought would be just nothing.

But I'm surprised when he suddenly wrap his arms around my waist.

"Pwede naman natin sabihin sa ibang oras diba?" He softly ask while looking directly to my eyes. I softly chuckled and nod.

"Yes, some other time." I said, he saw his gaze move down before looking back to my eyes.

"Can I?" He asked and my lips parted a bit when I get what he means.

I gulp and slowly nod. He lean closer and closer and I had the urge to close my eyes before I felt his soft, plump lips touch mine. I knew at first it would be a normal kiss or peck.

He deepens the kiss but it's not a very intimate one. My heartbeat started racing fast when the kiss went longer than I expected.

When he pull away I opened my eyes, there I saw him smiling.

"I love you Angel." He softly said before planting another kiss on my lips bit a quick one.

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