Bleeding Heart still Pounds

My birthday celebration

"Blow the candle na and then make a wish."

I blow the candle distance myself from Aldwin when my Mom spoke. My friends were teasing me using their eyes. And oh, Aldwin's friends were also here. Infact, nakikisali na rin sila sa panunukso sa'min ni Aldwin. I walked towards Jake to make a wish and to blow out the candles on the cake.

"Yehey!" everyone clapped their hands after I blow out the candles.

My Mom lead the way to the dining area wherein the foods were dined. My friends followed her because they are craving for my Mom's dish.

I was left here with Aldwin. It felt a little awkward for the both of us.

"Anong winish mo?" he took a glance at me. The two of us were still standing near our door.

"Sana makapaglaro ka sa PBA." I glanced back at him.

The corner of his mouth turned up, forming a small smile.

"Bakit ang selfless mo, huh?" he looked amazed.

"I just want to watch you play on PBA." I said while imagining what will happen in the future. "I know that one day, you will be one of the rising basketball star players." I was really trusting him. I know that he can do it! I know that in the near future, he will be successful. I can clearly see it!

"Masyado namang malaki ang tiwala mo sa'kin babe." a playful smirk shown in his face.

"Lovebirds, kumain na raw kayo ro'n sabi ni Tita." Joyce Ann suddenly appeared while I am conversating with Aldwin.

I rolled my eyes, praying that she will get off my face so that I can have a peaceful conversation with Aldwin. I did not take my eyes off her. I was really hoping that she will get what my eyes wanted to say but this girl didn't really have a sense of humour after all.

"Ano? Titingin pa. Ikaw na nga itong pinapakain e." Joyce Ann rolled back her eyes. She was holding a shanghai while taking a bite of it.

Joyce Ann started to walk away but she stopped when she noticed that Aldwin and I aren't following her.

"Ano? Wala talaga kayong balak kumain? Sige, kayo bahala. Basta huwag nyo akong sisisihin kapag naubusan kayo ng shanghai." she pointed her shanghai to Aldwin and I.

"Tinitirahan dapat ng pagkain ang birthday girl. Hindi dapat inuubusan." Aldwin placed her left hands onto my shoulder. He pulled me closer to him, the reason why my heart wants to jumped out from my chest.

"Motherjuice!" she cursed softly. "Sa harap ko pa talaga kayo naglalampungan. Kainis naman oh! Nawalan na ako ng ganang kumain. Pwe!" she fake herself from spitting the shanghai.

Aldwin and I make an eye contact. He was laughing a little, probably because of Joyce Ann's bitter reaction.

"Who you kayong dalawa sa'kin kapag nagkaboyfriend ako. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, 'yung magiging future boyfriend ko.. naku.. mas gwapo pa 'yan sa Aldwin mo." Joyce Ann was talking to me.

"Naku Joyce, malabo 'yang sinasabi mo." I proudly said. Ang tinutukoy ko rito ay nung sinabi ni Joyce na mas gwapo pa raw kay Aldwin ang magiging future boyfriend nya.

Joyce Ann brows furrowed in confusion. She was really clueless at the moment huh?

"Sa lahat ng tao sa mundo, si Aldwin lang talaga ang gwapo sa paningin ko." I stared at Aldwin's eyes for I to know what he was feeling right now. I patiently wait for his reaction.

"Aww.." Aldwin said in a most touching tone. He wipe the corner of his eyes as if na-touch sya sa sinabi ko kanina.

Joyce Ann looked so disgusted from what I said earlier. Nakokornihan siguro sya or something like that.

"Ashley, here." Joyce Ann gave me a paper bag. It was stapled so I can't easily see what's inside. "That's my gift. Salamat sa pag-invite sa'kin."

Hindi ko nga alam na may party na ganito. "Aalis ka na?" I looked at my wrist watch. "Too early pa."

"May pupuntahan pa ako. Bye na birthday girl. Mag-enjoy ka ngayon." bumeso sya sa'kin bago sya naglakad paalis.

Aldwin and I went to the dining area. There was so many dish that my Mom cooked. May sphagetti, palabok, carbonara, rice, afritada, adobo, kaldereta at chicken curry. There was also desserts like coffee jelly, letche flan, gelatin, buko salad, ice cream and maja blanca. There was also three goldilocks cake. I don't know kung sino ang nag-sponsor pero thankful pa rin ako.

"Kain ka na birthday girl." Angel glanced at me while slicing the cake.

I gave her a small nod before proceeding to the dining table. I gave a plate, spoon and fork to Aldwin. Sya na bahala kumuha ng foods nya.

I'm kind'a hungry so pinuno ko 'yung plate ko. I wasn't easily conscious when it comes of my weight. Hindi rin naman ako tumataba kahit kumain ako ng madami.

Ate Maxine excused herself for a moment dahil susunduin pa nya mga friener friends will dropped at our house. Syempre, makikikain sila. Lakas kasing mang-imbita ni Ate, hindi naman nya birthday! My Mom and Dad was busy entertaining visitors. Nandito ang mga kumpare at kumare nila.

At the balcony of our house, my Tito were drinking a liquor. Paminsan-minsan ay tumatagay si Papa dahil sa pinipilit sya nila Tito. The environment was a little noisy because of videoke. My Dad rent it just for my birthday.

"Tara sa living room." I invited Aldwin. He slowly nod while stalking me from behind. The chairs on the dining table was occupied by my friends so there's no any vacant chairs.

Aldwin's friends also went on the living room. I can tell that they want to sit down but since there is no any vacant chairs, they sat on the sofa in the living room.

They are all busy with their things. Eron was stoling a glance from Yeye. Tyron and Eleni were glaring with each other as if they were mortal enemies. Andre was typing something on his phone. Ren was teasing Justin about his 'flirt thing' with Angel. Justin just pretend that he did not hear anything but annoyance was visible in his face. Aldwin was busy staring at me while I am chewing my food. I started to get conscious so I looked away. I can't even focused on my food because of the fact that he was seating beside me. His presence was really distracting me.

Thank God, my friends also went on the living room. Aldwin's gaze fixed to them. I can now focused on my food without feeling any awkwardness.

I went on the sink to bring my empty plate. I sighed heavily as I saw the plates in a form of mountain. I pity myself. Ako ang maghuhugas ng mga plato mamaya. How I wish Mom give the task to my Ate since it was my birthday.

"Guys, tara magvideoke!!!!" aya ni Angel.

Aldwin was about to stand up but I pulled the hem of his maroon t-shirt. Everyone was out for a videoke aside from me and him. Aldwin looked at me with those confusing eyes. He was asking why did I stopped him from standing up.

"Tara sa kwarto." I lean closer to him just to whisper those words.

His brows furrowed, not liking the idea of what I said. Wait, did the words I said earlier was wrong? Perhaps, he misinterpret it. Oh no! Was he thinking of that thing? God! He misundertood my words.

"Uh, I mean... gusto lang kitang bigyan ng tour sa room ko." I panicked.

"Kailan ka pa naging tour guide?" he laugh, trying to ease off the atmosphere between us. Should I be happy about it? Pinipilosopo na naman nya ako! But at least he avoid to talk about that thing! Thank God, he did not tease me or something.

"If you don't mind, gusto mo bang pumunta sa kwarto ko?" I asked again when he don't talk.

"Nandito mga magulang mo. Baka isipin nila na may ginagawa tayong kung anoman." he looked so scared thinking that my parents would caught us doing illegal. As if we will do that! As if!

"Hindi 'yan. Ako bahala sa'yo." I hold his hand while pulling him upstairs.

He was against of the idea so he walked so slow, looking so frightened.

"Ikaw bahala tapos ako kawawa? Hay." he exhale a large amount of air, getting frustrated now. I laugh as loud as I could. I was so excited to bring him inside my room.

The moment we arrived at my room, I closed the door and locked it. Aldwin was hugging his knees, looking so nervous and frightened now.

"Huwag mo akong rerape-in. Bata pa ako." he begged like an idiot.

I rolled my eyes because of annoyance. What makes him think that I will do such thing? And a guy should do that right? Not the other way around! Stupid nya talaga!

"Umayos ka nga. Para kang tanga." I throw my pillow to him. He stopped from hugging his knees. He stood up and look around my room. Well, technically, Ate and I shared one room but since it was my birthday, then I will call it as my own room.

My room is a medium-sized. The wall was painted color light green. Ate Maxine and I agree to paint our room with that color. Light green was very relaxing and pleasing in our eyes. It makes us feel that we are in the forest. That color symbolizes the nature. Before, I used to posters of korean boy bands on the wall but when I grew up, I realized that it makes our room messy so I took it all off.

There are not many furnitures on my room. Only a bookshelf, swivel chair, study table, double deck bed, drawers and my closet. The floor is covered by large white fluffy carpet. My parents bought it online.

The bookshelves were filled with some w*****d books and novels. I really love reading books so I saved money just to buy w*****d books. As much as possible, I want to buy the books of some of my favorite authors.

Aldwin can't take his eyes off of the picture frames placed on the bookshelves. He hold the frame just to stare at my baby pictures.

It was a picture taken twelve years ago. I was still a baby when that picture captured. My father was holding me in his two arms. I seem so genuinely interested in the camera. I look so totally happy and so does my father, that's why this picture was very valuable and memorable.

"Alam mo, wala palang pinagkaiba 'yung noon sa ngayon." he hide a smirk but it was still shown in his face. Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin nya sa picture at sa akin.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" I asked, wearing a frown.

"Noon, baby ka ni Tito pero ngayon baby na kita." sya ang kinilig sa sarili nyang banat.

"Hindi mo pa ako baby. Hindi pa kita sinasagot." I answered while eating the chocolates that Joyce Ann bought for me as a gift. Iyon pala ang laman ng paper bag na binigay nya sa'kin.

"Panira ka ng moment. 'Lam mo 'yon?" he rolled his eyes.

I laugh when I see his reaction. He was more sassy than a real girl. Mas mukha pa syang mataray kaysa sa'kin kapag umiirap sya.

He placed back the picture frame from where he got it earlier.

He continue to looked on what's inside of my room. He stopped from looking around when he saw a different stuffed toys on my bed.

"Sinong nagbigay ng mga ito sa'yo?" he pointed on each of the stuffed toy.

"Uh, bili ni Mama 'yang Panda stuff toy. 'Yung mini blue elephant naman ay napanalunan ko sa claw machine. Iyang stitch ay nakuha ko sa monita namin. Bigay naman ni Thrixie 'yang Pickachu stuffed toy tapos 'yung iba ay hindi ko na matandaan. Sobrang tagal na din kasi." I hold my head, remembering who else gave me stuffed toys before.

"Sino namang nagbigay sa'yo nito?" Aldwin pointed at the BT21 tata stuffed toy. I looked away, refusing to answer his question.

He asked again. His eyes were searching for an answer.

"Si Jake." I bit my lower lip, afraid that he might get jealous. The fact that there was a heart on the stuffed toy was making me nervous. What if he thinks that Jake and I has a special relationship before?

"Kailan ka nya binigyan ng stuffed toy?" there he is, putting me on hotseat.

"Last year. Same month and same day." I answered. I don't have the courage to lie. Minus one ako sa langit kapag nagsinungaling ako kaya mas mabuting magsabi ng totoo.

"So binigyan ka nya ng regalo noong birthday mo?" he laugh sarcastically.

"Oo. Gano'n naman talaga ginagawa ng magkaibigan." I defend myself.

"Magkaibigan o magka-ibigan?" he raised a brow. My eyes were so wide as it can be. Seriously? What makes him think that Jake and I were lovers before?

"Hey, enough with this. Binigyan lang ako ni Jake ng BT21 tata stuffed toy kasi mahilig ako sa BTS merchandise. Walang ibig sabihin 'yon. Birthday gift lang 'yon." I was so scared that we might end up fighting today. Birthday na birthday ko pa naman ngayon kaya ayokong magkaroon kami ng small understandings.

"So mahilig ka sa stuffed toys?" he asked calmly. He tone down his voice as if he don't want to fight with me today.

"Mm." I answered carefully. I even nod my head slowly.

He walked out from my room without saying anything. I was left here alone, wondering what did I said or did wrong? Was he mad? Why did he act that way? He was so rude. He can't treat me like that. Today was my birthday but he left me here alone in my room. Pahamak na stuffed toys kasi!!!

I was about to went out of my room but I stepped backwards when I saw a giant pink teddy bear. I was really startled that my heart can jumped out of my chest. I just felt secured when I saw a familiar person behind the giant light brown teddy bear.

"Di hamak na mas malaki ang teddy bear na ito kaysa sa ibinigay ng Jake mo." he sounded so competetive. It was like he was competing from Jake when it comes in giving me a gift. Teddy bear in particular.

But wait, did he just said 'Jake ko'? When will he stop getting jealous from Jake?

My whole attention was divert in the light brown teddy bear. I hugged the teddy bear so tightly. I even lie on my bed while cuddling with the giant teddy bear. I almost forgot that Aldwin was here inside my room.

"You want to cuddle with that giant teddy bear?" he asked, getting jealous. This guy! Kahit teddy bear ay pinagseselosan!

"Oo, wala naman akong choice." I answered, still hugging the giant teddy bear.

"Paano kung bigyan kita ng choice?" he went closer to me. He sat on my bed while staring at my eyes.

I remain silent, waiting for him to talk again.

"How about you cuddle with me?" he looked so dead serious. Wtf!

"Tingin mo good idea 'yon?" I looked away.

He seems disappointed about the fact that we can't cuddle.

"Hindi tayo makakapag-cuddle ngayon pero kapag naging asawa na kita, magtatabi na tayo sa kama." he playfully wink at me. My face heated as I looked away at him. Geez!

We went out of my room before my parents find it out. It was not as if we were doing anything wrong or malicious. I just don't want other people misinterpret what were doing inside my room.

I told Aldwin to went downstairs. Pinauna ko na sya sa pagbaba bago ako. Thank God, our friends were busy playing a game. They were laughing out loud that Ate Maxine's friends look at them.

All of our friends were seating on the floor in the living room. Nagsawa na yata sila sa kaka-kanta kaya't tumigil na sila.

"Anong nilalaro nyo?" I asked innocently while seating beside Aldwin. He was also laughing like he knew what they were playing.

"Battle of the brainless." Irish answered while containing her own laugh.

"Mali. The correct answer is cellphone." Ren answered, sya siguro 'yung nagpapahula.

"Ok next na. Ako naman magpapahula." Ren raised his hand.

Everyone nod to him. We were all silent while waiting for his question.

"Ano ang pambansang puno ng Pilipinas? Nagsisimula sa letter N." Ren energetically asked.

"Niyog!!" Justin confidently answered.

"Mali! Matigas ito! Matigas!" Ren repeated.

I think of the possible answer until an idea hit my mind.

"Niyug!!" I raised my hand.

"Mali ka naman birthday girl e! Ok, dadagdagan ko ang clue!! Hindi ito namumunga!!!" Ren was being stressed.

"Ako! Ako! Alam ko!!!" Jake stand up, still raising his hand.

"Ok!!! Go Jake!!!" Ren cheered.

"Niyug na baog!!!!!" Everyone's laugh after hearing what Jake said. Si Ren naman ay nasapo na lamang ang noo dahil ang bobobo namin.

"Wrong pa rin! Ang punong ito ay makikita lamang sa mga virgin forest." Jake also laugh though he looked so stressed.

"AHA!! Alam ko na! Tama na talaga 'to! Virgin coconut oil?!!!!" Justin tried to guessed.

"Mali pa rin. Puno nga e!!! Puno!!!!" nai-stressed na ani Ren.

"Virgin coconut tree?!" hula ni Tyron.

"Ekis pa rin. Puno ito na pwede kang magpalamig!!!!!"

"Ice buko?!" Angel hyperly asked.

"Ekis!!!! Ang bobobo nyo!!! Narra lang ang sagot!!! Tss!!!" Ren was so disappointed.

Everyone was so jubilant. They don't want this day to end but of course, everything has limitations. My Mom gave them some dish and desserts that they can bring to their homes. My friends greet me a happy birthday. They also had a gifts for me. I thought wala e. I also received a gift from Aldwin's friends. I received so many paper bags. I did not know already what's inside. Mamaya ko na lang ichecheck 'yung mga gifts sa room ko.

"Ashley, wala akong regalo ngayon pero promise bibigay ko sa'yo 'yung gift ko bukas. Sa ngayon, pwede bang kiss na lang muna 'yung regalo ko sa'yo?" Justin was about to gave me a peck of kiss on my cheeks but Aldwin blocked my face with his fist.

"Halikan mo kamao ko, gusto mo?" Aldwin seriously asked that's why Justin take a step backwards as if he was really frightened.

"Sa Monday ko ibibigay 'yung gift ko Ashley. Hbd ulit." Justin gave me a hug instead of a kiss. Hindi naman na sya pinagbawalan ni Aldwin. Nakaka-ane naman kasi 'to e! Akala mo nama'y syota ko na sya!!

My friends already left together with Aldwin's friends. Sabay-sabay na raw silang lahat pauwi. I was left here with Jake and Aldwin. It was a bit awkward and there's a little bit tension.

Jake greet me a happy birthday and he personally gave me a designer paper bag. Gucci iyon kaya't nakaka-excite buksan. Mukhang mamahalin. Bumeso sa'kin si Jake tapos ay hinagkan nya ako. I'm used to it naman na but everything changed when I'm with Aldwin. I feel like he was getting jealous so I'm afraid to link with Jake.

"Akin na kamay mo." Aldwin held out his hand for me. I stared at it for a couple of seconds. I got so confused for his sudden action?

"Bakit hinihingi mo ang kamay ko? May sarili ka namang kamay." my brows furrowed in confusion.

"Akin na basta." he runs out of patient so I gave my hand to him eventhough I am totally confused.

He suddenly pulled me closer to him by simply holding my hand. I stiffened when he gave me a warm embrace. I am so scared that my parents would saw us but I don't care anymore. All I could think was he and I.

My lips parted as I watch him slid the ring to my ring finger. It looks so cheap though but hell, for me, it was the most beautiful ring that I ever seen. It was colored silver and I think, the price was something like 20? Or something like 30.

He looked so shy after he slid the ring to my ring finger.

"Can you keep that cheap ring for me?" he was so shy that he avoid to make an eye contact to me.

"Hindi ito cheap." I contradict him! Totoo naman! For me, it was the most valuable among all of my stuffs.

"Cheap 'yan. Halatang-halata kaya." he looked so down. He looked away again. I'm starting to get pissed right now! Bakit nya pa binigay itong singsing kung ipipilit nya na cheap ito? Ang labo naman nya!

"Okay na ako sa singsing na 'to kaysa nama----"

I automatically shut my mouth when he put his index finger to my lips.

"Kapag nagpropose ako sa'yo, promise, 'yung pinaka-mahal na singsing na ang bibilhin ko." he sincerely said, now making an eye contact to me.

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