Chapter 1
1751 Words
Chrissa Shen
“Happy birthday!”
“Happy birthday, Shen!”
“Happy birthday, Chrissa Shen Mishova!” sunod-sunod na bati sa akin ng mga kaibigan ko. Isa-isa nilang itinaas ang kanilang mga champagne.
I smiled and raised mine as well. We clinked our glasses together and drank in unison.
Today is my 24th birthday, and the celebration is being held at the hotel owned by my grandfather. There are many guests, most of whom are my grandfather’s business partners.
Moments later, the emcee spoke and called me up to give a speech. I immediately stood and made my way to the stage. As I spoke into the microphone, I casually looked around, but no matter where my eyes wandered, I couldn’t find the person I was searching for.
I couldn’t help but feel sad. It seemed like he wouldn’t come to my birthday again—just like last year when he was away on a business trip. But I hope he shows up today because I’ve finally made up my mind. I’m going to confess my feelings to him on this very day.
Matapos kong magbigay ng aking birthday speech, bumalik na ako sa aking upuan.
“Hey, why are you frowning?” my friend Halle asked, raising an eyebrow as I took my seat.
“It's your birthday today, pero bakit ganyan ang mukha mo? Para kang nasa lamay!” maarteng sabi naman ni Jessy at sumimsim pa ng kaunting champagne sa kanyang glass.
“Don't mind me, girls. Wala lang talaga ako sa mood today.” I smiled at them.
I'm not in the mood right now because the person I'm waiting for isn't here yet.
A few minutes later, the sound of a violin filled the banquet room. Some of the guests stood up and invited their partners to dance, and a few of my friends did the same.
“Shen, want to dance with me?” aya agad sa akin ni Patrick, isa sa mga male friends ko.
“I'm sorry, but I'm not in the mood to dance. Ask Avie instead, Pat,” I declined.
I heard him sigh, but he had no choice but to ask Avie instead.
I reached for my glass and took another sip of champagne.
“Chrissa, look! He’s so hot! Omg, do you know him?” Bea suddenly tapped my arm.
Bahagya nang kumunot ang noo ko at sinundan ng tingin ang kanyang sinasabi. Gano'n na lang ang pagliwanag ng mukha ko at pagsilay ng ngiti sa labi ko nang makita ang lalaking kausap ni Lolo kasama ng ilang business man.
He's here!
Ang lungkot ko ay biglang napalitan ng sigla, para akong nabuhayan bigla. Finally, dumating din siya! Thank God!
“Just wait here, Bea. Lalapitan ko lang si Kuya Spencer!” paalam ko agad sa kaibigan ko bago ito iniwang mag-isa sa table.
“Hoy, ipakilala mo naman ako sa kanya, besty!” pahabol pa nito pero hindi ko na nilingon pa.
Malapad akong napangiti at bahagya pang kinagat ang ibaba kong labi para pigilan ang kilig sa katawan ko.
Damn. He's so handsome with his black expensive tuxedo. Napaka-cool niyang tingnan kahit nakatalikod!
Pagkalapit ko ay mahina akong tumikhim, dahilan para mapalingon sina Lolo at ng kanyang mga kausap.
“Oh, hi, birthday girl. Is something wrong?” my grandfather asked.
“Wala naman, Lo. Gusto ko lang sanang hiramin 'tong secretary mo saglit.” Kumapit ako sa braso ng lalaking nakatayo sa tabi ni Lolo at tumingala rito. “Puwede ba tayong sumayaw, Kuya Spencer? I've been waiting for you. I thought you weren’t coming, but I’m glad you did.” I smiled sweetly at him.
“I'm sorry for being late. I had something important to take care of, so I arrived late,” pormal niyang sagot nang wala man lang kangiti-ngiti.
Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang bahagyang mapasimangot. Ugh, this guy is always so formal!
“So, will you dance with me?” I asked again, still smiling.
But instead of answering me, Kuya Spencer turned to my grandfather.
“Chairman, may I have your permission to dance with your granddaughter?”
Napanguso na lang ako. Seriously? Isasayaw lang ako pero kailangan niya pa talagang humingi ng permiso kay Lolo? Hays naman lalaking 'to, nasobrahan naman yata sa pagka-gentleman!
Napatawa naman si Lolo. “Of course, Hijo. Ikaw pa ba, alam mo namang malaki tiwala ko sa 'yo.”
Napangiti ako sa pagpayag ni Lolo, inaasahan ko na talaga. Of course, Kuya Spencer is his favorite secretary. He even trusts him more than some of our relatives who also work at his company.
“Thank you, Chairman.” Kuya Spencer wrapped his arm around my waist and led me closer to the people who were dancing.
I call him Kuya not because he’s my grandfather’s favorite secretary or because he’s older than me, but simply as a way to be closer to him and build a connection between us. But no matter how hard I try to get his attention, he always remains formal with me—just like my grandfather. To him, I’m nothing more than his boss’s granddaughter, and honestly, it’s frustrating.
I’ve had a crush on him for almost six years, but it seems like he has no idea. He’s completely oblivious—probably because his mind is always occupied with work. It’s no surprise that he’s my grandfather’s favorite. Actually, he’s not just a favorite—Lolo treats him like real family.
“Kuya Spencer . . .” pagtawag ko nang kasalukuyan niya na akong isinasayaw.
“Hmm?” Tumingin naman siya sa akin na parang nagising sa malalim na iniisip. “Ano ’yon?”
I cleared my throat softly. “Uhm… k-kasi, Kuya, there's something important I want to tell you.”
“Sure. And what is it?”
Bahagya na akong napakagat sa aking labi. Aamin na ba ako? Ngayon na talaga? s**t. Kinakabahan ako!
“Mas lalo kang gumuwapo ngayon, Kuya!” bigla na lang ’yon ang lumabas sa bibig ko.
Hindi ko naman inaasahan ang kanyang marahan na pagtawa dahil sa sinabi ko.
Damn. Even just a simple laugh from him was enough to leave me speechless. His charm was on another level—his presence affected me in a way no one else did.
“I'll take that as a compliment. Thank you.” He smiled at me—just a small smile, but enough to make my heart race.
Ewan ko ba kung bakit ang lakas ng epekto niya sa akin. Sometimes, I feel like he put a spell on me, making me stay in love with him after all these years.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” He reached into the pocket of his tuxedo, and when he pulled something out, he suddenly stopped dancing—which made me stop as well.
He gently wrapped both arms around my neck, and a moment later, I felt something cool against my skin. When I touched my neck, I realized it was a necklace.
“It's my gift. Happy birthday!” He gave me a warm smile after putting the necklace on. But this time, his smile was different—genuine and full.
Sa sobrang tuwa ko ay mabilis akong tumingkayad at hinalikan siya agad sa pisngi nang walang pagdadalawang isip.
“Thank you, Kuya!” I smiled at him after giving him a kiss. “Ang ganda! Sobrang nagustuhan ko 'to!” Napahaplos pa ako sa necklace. Mukhang mamahalin. Simple lang Ang design pero ang ganda.
“I'm glad you liked it.” Muli na niya akong isinayaw habang naroon pa rin ang munting ngiti sa kanyang labi.
Honestly, this was the first time I had seen him smile like this. Palagi kasing tipid ang ngiti niya at bihira pa talaga. Ngumingiti lang yata siya kapag nagdi-dinner kaming tatlo sa bahay at nabibiro si Lolo ng mga korneng jokes.
“Kuya Spencer, do you have a girlfriend now?” I asked. I needed to know.
I hope wala siyang girlfriend, dahil talagang magwawala ako kung meron man. Akin lang dapat ang lalaking ’to.
Saglit siyang natigilan sa tanong ko at sandaling napatitig sa akin bago mahinang umiling.
“No. I don't have one.”
Tila tumalon ang puso ko sa tuwa. Ang suwerte ko!
“Kuya, may sasabihin sana akong importante sa 'yo.”
This is it. There's no turning back now!
“That I'm handsome?” He chuckled softly. “Is that what you wanted to say again?” His smile remained, making him look even more attractive.
I nodded playfully. “Yes, you're handsome. And I like you, Kuya!”
Finally, I said it.
For a moment, his smile disappeared—but then it quickly returned.
“Of course, you like me. I'm your Kuya.”
Oh my god! No way!
“That's not what I mean…” I swallowed hard, meeting his attractive brown eyes. “I like you—not as a Kuya, but as a man.” I took a deep breath. “I like you, S-Spencer . . .”
He froze, and slowly, the smile on his lips disappeared. I could feel the tension in his body after my confession. He averted his gaze, avoiding my eyes.
I nervously bit my bottom lip. “The truth is… I've liked you for a long time. I fell in love with you at first sight.”
Sandaling katahimikan ang namayani sa pagitan namin dalawa.
He didn't answer me, ni hindi na niya ako tiningnan pa pero patuloy naman siya sa pagsayaw sa akin.
Embarrassment washed over me. Was I just rejected? Just like that?
Ramdam ko ang paghapdi ng mga mata ko. s**t! Naiiyak yata ako! Hindi 'to maaari!
To hide my tears, I quickly rested my head against his broad chest.
“You okay?” he asked me. Parang nagkaroon bigla ng lambing ang kanyang boses.
I closed my eyes for a moment. No! I can’t cry in front of him. That would be humiliating, especially with so many people around.
Taking a deep breath, I blinked rapidly, forcing back the tears threatening to fall.
I can do this. I have to!
Kaya ko 'to. Kayang-kaya ko!
Tinapangan ko na ang sarili ko. Nag-angat na ako ng tingin sa kanya at sinalubong ang kanyang mga mata na ngayon ay nakatitig na pala sa akin.
“K-Kuya Spencer, ikaw ba wala kang naramdaman sa akin kahit konti? Wala ka bang pagtingin sa akin bilang isang babae?”
- Writer
