CHAPTER 1

"You looked so pretty anak" my mom said while looking at me with her
smile. I can see from her eyes na sobrang saya niya para sakin. This is my
first time throwing a party after all, hindi kasi pwede dati e. For some reasons.

"it's already 5:50PM anak, get ready we're going downstairs" she added
and kissed my forehead.

We rent a hotel for this event, not the whole hotel ha yung venue lang.
Pinaghandaan talaga 'to ni mommy, I was kinda shocked that she can afford
this kind of venue despite of knowing na she's a solo parent.

Yes you heard it right, my mom is a solo parent. Binubuhay niya akong mag
isa by operating her 3 restaurants that has hundred of branches around the
asia.

We lived in a Village, it's a high profile Village. May kalakihan rin ang bahay
namin, consisting of 2 salas and 5 rooms upstairs.

Modern house ang bahay namin it consist of tone of white, black, and brown
shades.

I once thought na baka pwede na sa bahay na lang mag party para less ang
gastos but my mom disagreed on that Idea, mas maganda raw na mag rent
ng venue. Mothers knows best so pumayag na lang ako.

Despite of having this kind of life, diko iniisip na mayaman kami because if we
are? hindi na kailangang maging busy ni mom sa work and she's just laying in
the bed of money.

My mom's always busy but she still managed to give time for me, to take care
of me.
Especially noong kapanahunang may sakit ako, I'm glad that I was able to
recover but I should still take care of myself dahil sabi ng doctor ko ay maari
itong bumalik.

I sighed as I look at the mirror, I'm still here at the preparation room of the
hotel. My make-up is done and I'm just sitting infront of the table desk.

Wearing a daring red ballon dress, filled with red crystals and shimmering
glitters effects. Im also wearing a gold necklace na galing kay lola, this was
given to me last year. Its shaped is a waxing crescent moon. My hair is
brushed up and also shining.

I look at my watch to check the time. It's already 5:58PM.

"I should go downstairs" I said to myself.

The event will start at exactly 6:00PM. Lumabas na ako ng preparation room.
Habang naglalakad sa hallway ay naririnig kona ang MC, introducing my
profile. I smiled as I walk infront of the door.

"Please welcome, our birthday celebrant looking so elegant in red gown!

Allester Dereen Cromello" kasabay ng pagtawag ng pangalan ko ay ang
pagbukas ng pinto sa harapan ko.

Bumungad sakin ang palakpakan at sigawan, and there's my grandpa to walk

me down in the center of the stairs.

My heart is filled with joy and happiness as my grandpa walk me down the
center. I saw my schoolmates clapping and screaming elegantly.

And there's my mom, nakangiti na parang naluluha luha pa.

Nang naihatid na ako ni lolo sa harapan ay ibinigay sakin ng mc ang

mikropono para magsalita sa harapan.

Everyone became quite when I hold the mic.

"u-uhm" I started nervously.

"BEST FRIEND KO YAN!" and there's Jilian to boost my confidence! I love

her, siya lang ang kaibigan ko since kid. She stays at my side, pero kahit
gaano na kami matagal na magkaibigan ay di ko magawang masabi sa kanya
kung ano ang kinakaharap kong piligro.

"Hi everyone, Im Allester Dereen Cromello. I would like to say thank you
for coming! And lending me some of your time. Highly appreciated!
Enjoy the night, the party's going to start!" I said shyly yet I tried my best
to sound energetic.

So the party started as it is. Teens were dancing at the center wildly, some
are passing infront of me and greeting me.

"Hi Ac" said someone

"Oh? Hi?" I curiously said. He laughed a little when he saw my reaction.

"Im Clark" he offered me a hand shake. I was shocked kaya hindi kaagad
ako nakapagresponse.

"Clark Ezekiel Dela Cruz" my eyes widened when I heard his name, if I'm
not mistaken ito yung guy na laging kinukuwento sakin ni Jilian na crush na
crush niya.

"Ow, Allester Dereen. Ac na lang for short" I awkwardly said.

We had a random talk and from that talk I can tell that I don't like him. Not to
judge but I have this feeling that he's not nice at all, that he's just pretending to
look light.

It was an hour since the party started and I'm just sitting here infront watching
the people go wild and dance.

"Hey!" that's my bestfriend Jilian. She sat beside me.

"You fine? Ngiti naman diyan! Party mo 'to oh" she said while holding me
at my waist. My friend look so elegent in her long navy blue dress. Masasabi
mo kaagad na galing siya sa mayamang pamilya, kalog nga lang.

"Yep, im fine. I just feel so overwhelmed. For 16 years of my existence

this is my first time throwing a party" I replied with a smile.

Hindi ko talaga inaasahang mag-oorganize si mom ng party. She's strict when

it comes to my health condition.

"Oo nga jusko, mayaman naman kayo? Bakit ngayon mo na lang

naisipan ha? Tipid na tipid ghorl?"

"First of all di kami mayaman" I said while laughing.

"Pahumble weeEe" she teased.

"I can't tell you the reason why I can't throw a party before, I'm sorry" I
said joylessly.

"Its okey, I understand. Im your buddy!" she said while tapping my

shoulders. This is one of the traits of Jilian that I like, hindi ka niya pipilitin
kung di mo kayang iopen up ang mga bagay bagay. She's so understanding!

"Smile! You're pretty! Kanina kapa tinitingnan ng mga guys over

there" she cheered.

"Psh not interested!" I replied and frowned.

"Kamusta vlogging? Grabe ha the last time I check you have fifty
thousand subscribers, vloggerist kana awie may friend na akong
vloggerist. Libre naman diyan" she teased. Kala mo naman wala siyang
pera, papalibre pa.

"Sige ba, next week" I smiled.

"Kanina pala, your crush talk to me" she immediately form an O on her
mouth and her eyes twinkled.

"O M G, O M G! seriously? Omygod what did he said? Uhm did he asked

you about me? Omg I knew it he likes me too!" ay assumera ang gaga.

"Nope bitch! He just greeted me" I said. She looks disappointed, ayan wag
kasi umasa tsk tsk.

"wait did you notice CJ?" she asked. I immediately formed a questioning
look.

"C'mmon! CJ! Cleo Jay! Cleo Jay Vregario!" ah the hot guy in school.

His mother is bestfriends with my mother. Minsan na kaming nagsalo sa isang

lamesa noong bumisita sila sa bahay. I think I was grade 9 that time, we dont
talk that much kasi di naman kami close. He seems nice naman, tahimik na
tao. I remember our talk before, its either 'yeah' or nod lang ang ibabalik niya
sakin.

"what about him?" I replied.

"He attended tonight!" she said with an energy.

"and so?" pagtataray ko .

"Kanina pa siya nakatitig sayo, look at your left" I do as she said at nakita
ko ngang nakatitig sakin si Cj, agad niyang iniwas ang tingin niya at ganoon
rin ako.

His hair is brushed up, he's wearing all black outfit with his gold necklace and
watch. He looks so manly.

"ano na naman kung nakatitig siya sakin?" mataray na sabi ko kay Jilian,
minsan ma issue rin 'tong gagang to e.
"Argh gurl? Can't you noticed? He's been like that since last year?
Noong mga grade 9 pa tayo? Till now he likes staring at you. Dont you
get the idea? Gurl baka gusto ka niya! He's the hottest guy in our school
ghad" habang sinasabi ni Jilian ang mga salitang yan ay di ko namalayang
nakatingin na pala ako kay Cj. I immediately glanced away when he also
looked at me.

"h-ha? Eh jusko nakakaloka ka ha, hindi naman siguro. Tiyaka I heard na

he's not interested in girls no. Nakita mo naman siguro na TOP niya
yung batch natin. Running for Valedictorian siya" medyo naiilang na sabi
ko.

"sabagay, pero pagnagkataong gusto ka niya? What will you do?" she
suddenly asked.

"Me? What will I do?" I repeat then she nod "uhm, wala. Hindi naman ako
interesado sa mga boys no, unlike you! Di na mabilang ang mga naging
boyfriends mo!" I try to reverse the cards.

"dzuh I only had 26 relationships no! Di pa ganon karami, hmp. Tiyaka

when I met Clark alam kong siya na, kung dadating sa point na ako ang
kailangang manligaw sa kanya. Gagawin ko ghorl"

"yak!"

"psh, tara na nga. It's your night! Let's enjoy it!" agad niya akong hinatak
sa dancefloor para mag sayaw. Hindi ako sanay sa maraming tao dahil nga
hindi naman ako nag papaparty before.

"Tabe tabe tabeee! Dadaan birthday ghorl tabee!" kalog na kalog na sabi
ng kaibigan ko.

Nagsosorry na lang ako sa mga nababangga niya, napakagandang babae

apaka kalog.
Nang nasa gitna na kami at umindak na kami ni Jilian, kalog na kalog ang
gaga. Ayaw mag paawat, daig pa nakawala sa kulungan.

"Ano ba! Ganahan mo naman sayaw mo! You look like an outsider! Party
mo to! Just to remind you!" reklamo niya sakin.

Sumayaw lang kami ng sumayaw. Nagtutulukan ang mga students kaya

medyo umiiwas ako, baka masapul ako, ma out of balance pa ako.

At nangyare nga ang kinakatakutan ko. I was accidentally pushed! Patumba

na ako ng maramdaman kong may sumalo sakin. It was Cj.

"Omg AC im sorry!" the girl look frustrated, kitang kita mo sa mata niya na
kinakabahan siya at di niya talaga sinasadya ang mga nangyare.

"It's okey" I replied with a smile to give her assurance. Dahan dahan kong
ibinalik ang balanse ng katawan ko at tumayo na ng deretso.

"Are you alright" CJ asked.

"y-yeah" shit bakit pumiyok ako? Nakakahiya!

"are you sure?" he asked again

"yep, I'm fine!" I energetically replied. Ghad, buti naman di na ako pumiyok.

"Uhm, Cj" he offered me a handshake as he introduced his name. I slowly

accept his handshake.

"yeah, I know you. We met before right? Do you remember it? At our
house?" I said unknowingly. I just realized na nagmukha akong interesado sa
kanya dahil sa mga tanong ko.

"y-yeah" he replied
"Okey teens! Go back to your tables and sits, we're going to proceed
with the highlights of this celebration" the MC.

Agad na akong bumalik sa harapan, at hindi man lang ako nakapagpaalam ng

maayos kay Cj.

Diko alam kung 16th birthday pa talaga to or debut? Masiyadong bongga e.

We proceeded with the highlights of the events which are 16 candles or

wishes.

"ang chachaka ng mga naunang wish ha, ang plastik!" my bestfriend

joked, nagtawanan naman ang mga tao.

"charot. So ito na ang wish ko, may pagkaplastik rin to bare with me Ac
HAHAHAHA chour" kahit ako ay napatawa narin sa pinagsasabi nitong
kaibigan ko jusq.

"de eto na talaga" she started.

"first of all siyempre I wish you have good health! Always!" that hit me,
sana nga I have good health.

"uhm, you know that I'm always here by yourside, handang

makipagbakbakan para sayo" kinindatan pa ako ng gaga tsk harot.

"I wish you all the best, alam mo naman yon. More years for us to come,
stay strong sa ating dalawa. I love you! Happy sweet 16! Sana
magkaboyfriend kana, life is short! Go'n flirt!" pahabol niya pa.
Nagtawanan na pati mga relatives ko. Wala talagang preno bunganga nitong
kaibigan ko e.

"yon na yon?" I mouthed on her.

"oo wag kang maarte pinaghandaan ko yon ng 1 week no!" she shouted.
"psh, i love you more" then she gave me a flying kiss.

Last message is from my mom. I dont like this, ayokong maiyak. Naglabas pa
si mom ng papel dahil sobrang haba ng speech niya. Halatang prepared na
prepared.

Bumuntong hininga muna si mom bago siya magsimula.

"First of all, happy 16th birthday my sweetie!" she greeted full of

sweetness

"You know that I love you so much, kaya kong isugal lahat ng meron ako
for you" doon palang I knew that this message will be dramatic, I mean
dramatic in a good way.

"I want to say sorry, alam mo naman. Lumaki kang walang dad. Me your
grandparents tried our best to fullfill that emptiness inside of you. Pero I
guess it wasn't enough" she almost cried while saying those words. No
mom! Its more than enough! Hindi ko kailangan ng dad, having you, lola and
lolo are more than enough!

"I can see the sadness and envious in your eyes everytime na we're
going out and you see a whole family" she cried.

Diko talaga maiwasan di mapatingin sa mga pamilyang buo, before I always

wish na sana mabuo rin kami but I know that will never happen. I'm getting
used of things na walang dad. Hindi naman siguro kawalan 'yon lalo na pag
nakikita mo kung gaano naghihirap ang mga tao sa paligid just to fulfill the
emptiness that you're feeling.

"I love you mom" I mouthed. She gave me a flying kiss.

"Growing up without a father is hard anak, I know nahihirapan ka but I

want to tell you that I'm here. I can be your everything, your mom, your
dad, your boyfriend o kahit ano payan!" she added, I cried.
"lumaki kang napakaganda, manang mana sakin" she change the cards to
protect our privacy about my dad

"I wish you all the best of this world can give, dont hesitate telling me of
things that are bothering you. Im always here to guide you! Love you
when you feel unlove, appreciate you when you feel unappreciated, stay
with you when you feel left behind. You're my greatest treasure anak, no
thing on earth can replace you. I wish you stay forever by myside! I love
you sweetie!" after my mom's speech nagpalakpakan lahat ng tao sa loob ng
venue. Some are crying, isa na ako don. How I wish na sana nga I can stay
by yourside forever mom. I can't promise but I'll try my very best.

"that was a heart melting message from a loving mother!" pati mc naiyak
narin.

Highlights of the event continuous such as 16 gifts or treasures, 16 songs, 16

bills and the last highlight is 16 roses.

Diko kilala yung mga unang nagsayaw sakin, di naman kasi ako yung pumuli
ng list of guys. Wala naman kasi akong kilalang mga lalake, so I let my mom
decide. Di naman pipili ng kung sino sino si mom.

The first 13 guys who danced me are all nice. They greeted me and talk to me
randomly.

"Hi" Clark greeted me, he put his hand on my waist and I put mine on his
shoulders.

"Hi" I replied, Im now holding 14 flowers on my right hand. Nahihirapan akong

hawakan lahat huhu.

"Happy Birthday" pangalawang bati niya na yan ah.

"Thanks" nahihiyang sabi ko. I was kinda surprised na isa siya sa mga
lalaking pinili ni mom para isayaw ako. I didn't know that my mother know him
and his family.
"I guess you were surprised na isa ako sa magsasayaw sayo" sabi niya
na parang mahihiya pa. I really am!!

"Nababasa mo ba utak ko?" biglang sabi ko. Shit, I think I sounded rude. I
can't help myself, I really dont like him.

"Kinda? It was written on your face e" he laughed.

We do talk and sometimes laugh. Pag tumitingin ako sa gilid ay nakikita ko si

Jilian na tinatarayan ako

"akin yan wag mo agawin!" she mouthed. As if I'm interested in guys duh.
Natatawa na lang ako dahil she looks broken, wala naman akong balak
harutin tong crush niya, as if naman marunong akong humarot.

I was curious kung sino ang pinili ni mom for my second to the last dance.
Sure na ako na ang huli kong makakasayaw ay si lolo.

The lights become more dim and they change the music for the nth time. I
was standing at the center waiting for my 15th dance when I saw CJ walking
towards me slowly.

His face is serious holding the rose on his right hand while his left hand is in
his pocket.

There's something that I'm feeling. Hindi ko maintindihan kung ano.

Nang nasa harapan ko na siya ay hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin. He's
just staring at me and that makes my whole body tremble.

He handed me the flower at wala sa wisyo ko itong kinuha. Nakatulala lang

ako sa kanya. His eyes were black, he has thick lashes and eyebrows. His
lips is perfect as heart and his nose is pointed and sharp. He's also poreless,
tao ba 'to?

"u-uhm hi" nauutal niyang sabi.

"h-hi?" shit I sounded like a shit.

"Happy Birthday" he gave me small smile.

"Thank you" hinawakan niya na ang bewang ko kagaya ng paghawak ko sa

mga balikat niya.

I can feel his muscle while holding his shoulders, shet? Mahigpit ba yung
hawak ko?

We dance by the rhythm of the music.

Di ko alam kung ako lang nakakaramdam ng awkwardness? Shit pero parang

uminit dito sa loob ng venue. I feel uncomfortable infront of him! I dont know
why.

He just stared at me the whole time that we're dancing, ni hindi ko siya
matingnan ng deretso. Naiilang ako sa kadahilang diko alam, buti na lang at
natapos na.

Ang last dance ko ay si lolo, pagkatapos naming magsayaw ay kumain na at

nag party ulit. After all those ceremonies, I gave my outro message.

Pagkatapos ng celebration ay dumeretso kami ni mom at ni Jilian sa

preparation room. Siyempre kailangan ko munang magbihis, tiyaka ang sakit
narin ng paa ko dahil sa heels.

Agad kong tinanggal ang heels ko pagkaupo ko sa sofa. That was a

successful party!

"Did you have fun?" my mom asked. I gave her a smile as I nodded.

Tiningnan ko ang kaibigan ko na parang tangang nakangiti lang sa tabi ko.

"Hoi!" sigaw ko sa kanya para matauhan siya.

"Omg sis, did you know what happened earlier?" di pa nga ako
nagtatanong dumadada na.

"Probably not, I wasn't you e hehe" I sarcastically replied.

"Minsan talaga bitchesa karin e no?" Rebat niya naman

"So what happened?" nagtanong na ako, baka sabihin ng gaga wala akong
interes e.

"Clark just ask for my nunber! Sis alam kona to! Ito na! Nararamdaman
kona! Gad, ready na ba ako? I think I am omg wait! I think I'm not! Dapat
ba akong magpakipot? Gosh dont know what to do!" hyper ha.

"Easy ghorl, tinanong ka lang. Dimo nga alam kung itetext ka

e" pambabara ko. She frowned in anger as I destroy her momentum.

"just kidding hahaha, for sure itetext ka non. Tiyaka don't ask me if
you're ready or not. You're always when it comes to things like this!
Bitch!" pagpapamukha ko sa kanya.

Mom called the make up artist to remove my make-up and also to change my
outfit.

Im now wearing Gucci's poppies print silk sleeveless dress in floral red. Di na
ako nagheels siyempre, ang sakit na kaya ng paa ko. So I just wear a vans
sneaker.

Pasado alasdyis narin kami ng gabi nakauwi, sobrang nakakapagod pero

sobrang saya. It was a great experience. Pinasabay ko na samin si Jilian
since we lived in the same Village lang naman at tiyaka baka pag nag taxi pa
'to, eh saan pa gumala.

"Thank you manong!" I said as our driver drove us safely home. I have this
attitude ever since na nagpapasalamat sa mga driver pag nahahatid ng
maayos sa destinasyon. Even sa taxi, sinabihan nga ako ni Jilian na ang
weird ko raw. It's their obligation raw to drive us safely, binabayaran naman
sila so why say thank you daw?

My mom raised me with good attitude. She didn't spoiled me, di rin naman
kasi ako maluho. I cen appreciate even the smallest thing. Pero hindi naman
ako mabait, bitchesa rin ako. Depende sa makakasalamuha ko.

Pagkababa ko ng sasakyan ay tinanong ko 'kagad si mom about sa Film and

Photography ng debut ko. Yon talaga ang gusto ko dahil i-upload ko yon sa
youtube channel ko. Not to brag but to show them how happy I am that I
finally get to throw a party.

"Mom, about sa Film and Photography po ng debut ko? Kailan ko kaya

natin makukuha yung soft copy"

"The company said, by tomorrow they'll send us the soft copy" woah,
kadalasan it took days ah. Probably mom hired the best film and photography
company.

Pagkapasok ko sa bahay ay agad na akong umakyat ng kwarto ko. Gusto ko

na matulog! Nakakapagod.

As I entered my room, bumungad sakin ang bagong palit kong bed sheets.

"Ang bango!" every 2 days nagpapalit ng bedsheets and pillow sheets sila
manang.

My room is simple as I am, ayoko ng masiyadong maraming gamit.

When you entered my room, bubungad sayo ang full sized bed. Sa right side
nito ang study table ko at ang bookshelves ko. Sa left side naman ng kama ko
ay may 2 doors, the bathroom and my walk-in closet.

My room is painted with white and blue shades. Kung iisipin parang di siya
kwarto ng babae kung wala lang tong mga girly stuffs on my table and this
teddies.
Pagkaamoy na pagkaamoy ko ng bedsheet ay agad akong tumalon sa kama.
Feeling the fluffiness of my bed and mattress. Covering myself of thick cotton
blanket.

I'm enjoying the good ambiance of my room when someone knocked.

"Ininom mo ba ang medicines mo?" My mom asked as she entered my

room bringing a glass of milk.

"Yes mom" I replied. Today's Saturday, obviously linggo bukas. Buti na lang
walang pasok, magpapahinga lang ako buong araw.

Ininom ko na ang gatas para makatulog na ako. "Goodnight sweetie, happy

birthday. I love you so much" my mom said.

"I love you too mom" I replied with a sweet smile. Mom turned off the lamp
before going out.

I closed my eyes as my body wants to rest. "thank you lord for another day
of living" after whispering those words ay natulog na kaagad ako.

-�