After Bryan Mendoza addressed his speech, he then went straight to Ryza and Lara's direction.
"Hi Bryan Happy birthday! You're in legal age now, here's my gift for you. It's not as expensive as what other people give to you but I hope you'll like it." Sabay abot ni Ryza ng bag na dala niya kay Bryan.
"Thank you Mate." Nginitian naman siya ni Bryan bilang reply dito.
"Happy birthday Bryan, yes you're in a legal age now. Here's a present for you." Inabot rin ni Lara ang dalang bag niya kay Bryan.
Nagsenyas si Bryan sa isa sa mga katulong nila at agad naman itong lumapit. Binigay ni Bryan ang mga presents na galing sa kanila Lara at Ryza upang ipalagay sa room niya.
"Thank you Lara. I'm happy that you both come to my birthday. I knew it, you can't decline my invitation hehe thanks for coming guys."
"You're always welcome, Bryan." Lara and Ryza said in unison.
"Ah by the way Lara, can I borrow Ryza? I just want to talk to her for a while. Mate, would you mind if I borrow your time?"
Lara smiled excitedly at Ryza. She's being too cute you know.
"Sure, no problem. Stay here Lara okay, enjoy. I'll just talk to him." She said to Lara.
Hinawakan ni Bryan ang kanang kamay niya at dahan dahang umalis sa kinalalagyan ni Lara.
Hindi alam ni Ryza kung saan siya dadalhin no Bryan, hindi niya alam kung ano ang susunod na mangyayari. For her, she trust him at walang masamang mangyayari.
"Sure Ryz, see you around. Don't forget to come back, okay?" Lara assured na magiging okay at safe ang friend niya. Then she's alone there in the midst of so many people.
"Sure, don't worry Lara, I'll come back."
Bryan is now taking Ryza to their garden. After they arrived, they saw a table with two plates and two glasses of wine. Before Bryan talks to Ryza, he first gives her a flower, he's now starting a conversation. It's confession time!!!
"Wow Bryan what's this? It's not even my birthday tho', it's your birthday." Nakakahiya naman na siya ang may birthday tapos nagbibigay siya ng regalo sa akin.
"You surprised? I just want to share my blessing to you, it's not bad right?"
Ano ba Ryza! Ang awkward hehe.
"No it's not. Thanks for this preparation, why do you want to talk to me?" Basag ko sa eksena.
It feels so awkward, just me and him in their garden. There's a small table, two chairs, plates with forks and a stake on it. The first thing that came into my mind is that it's a date. Ito kasi ang nakikita ko sa mga palabas eh. Why me? Date? I ask myself again and again at nagdududa na ako kung ano ang mga susunod niyang sasabihin.
"Lets sit first Mate, come here. What do you want? I'll call the waiter." Gusto ko ng tubig. Basong punong puno ng tubig. Gusto kong uminom at matauhan.
"What do you want? You're good at choosing dishes so I suggest that you'll be the one to choose what dishes we're going to eat." I wanted to be cool, so hindi ako nagpa halata na na kinakabahan ako.
"You're now being silly, Mate." Then he smiled. "Waiter." Tapos nakita kong nag silabasan silang tatlo at yumuko. Grabe, ganito pala talaga mga mayayaman.
Bryan ordered four different dishes and yeah as Ryza said, Bryan is a good picker when it comes to foods. After they eat the toast a glass of wine and then now it's time for the confession.
"Mate, how's food?" Basag ni Bryan sa katahimikan na mabubuo sa aming dalawa.
"It's good, thanks Bry." I replied.
"By the way Mate, have you ever had a boyfriend?" Muntik na ako napalunok doon ah.
I looked at his face, smiling and letting him not to know that I'm shaking.
"No, why?" Then I took a sip of my wine.
"How about a crush?" Bakit ganyan ang mga tanongan niya. Hm, I smell something different.
"Of Course I don't have, why?" Then I asnwered and look back at him. I think he's nervous.
"Am I being a good friend on you?"
I am shaking, I am shaking. Ano kaya ang mga susunod na pasabog ni Bryan.
"Oo naman sobra. Since the day we met, grateful ako na dumating ka sa buhay ko at hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari sa akin sa mga araw na 'yon without your help and without your presence." Then I continue eating. I saw Bryan's face being nervous.
"Mate, what if I tell you that I have a crush on you." I spill the food inside my mouth. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman o sasabihin.
"Hmm? I'm your crush? Are you joking Bryan? Sa dinami dami ng mga babaeng nagkakagusto sayo bakit ako pa?" At pinunasan ang basa kong bibig.
Nakita ko siyang nakatingin sa akin na para bang nagsasabing hindi siya nagbibiro.
"No, I'm not joking. I'm being serious." He insisted.
"Why me? There's a lot of girls out there who're prettier, richer and smarter than me. Give me an exact reason, why me? Why would I believe in you?" Nakita kong tumitingin sa amin ang mga tao sa paligid na nag siserve.
"Don't compare yourself to then Mate, for me you're the most pretty girl I've ever seen except my mom. Please believe in me Mate, I have a crush on you for and it's been five months, I can't just keep it and make it a secret. Please believe me." I saw tears in his eyes. I know he's sincere pero kaya ko na ba?
I inhale deeply at hindi muna ako nagsalita. I waited for him to speak pero wala siyang imik.
"Bryan, for me it's okay na crush mo ako, I'm accepting your feelings, but how about your parents? The people around us? What would they say? I'm afraid Bryan, I hope you can understand me."
"You're accepting my feelings? Am I hearing it right, Mate?" Wait what? Nasabi ko ba yon? Omg Ryza.
"Y-yes, you're right pero sana maintindihan mo ako." Ayokong ireject ang isang Bryan Mendoza at ayokong saktan ang damdamin niya.
"Mate, I'll deal with my parents. I know maintindihan nila ang nararamdaman ko, natin para sa isa't isa." My heart starts beating so fast. Crush ko rin ba siya, ay hindi pwede ito.
"Love, I'm not yet ready for this relationship and I don't have experience in relationships." I don't know how to respond to sa kanya. Nagiging awkward na kami sa isa't isa. Ganto ba talaga yon?
"Yes, maybe this friendship will guide us and become our way to a relationship? Do you trust me Mate?"
"I trust you of course. Can you handle our relationship? Because for me I don't know, just please guide me Bryan." Then again I inhale deeply. Parang mauubos ko na ang hangin sa harden nila Bryan.
"Can I start courting you, Mate?" Nagulat naman ako sa narinig ko. Bakit ganito siya padalos dalos niya bang sinasabi ang mga katagang iyon o sinasadya niya talaga.
"You're too fast, Bry. Pwede ba na bigyan mo muna ako ng kaunting pagkakataon, oras, at para makapag pahinga at makapag isip isip ako sa mga susunod kong hakbang, kung pwede ba?"
"Why? It's not bad right? Can I start?" Nakikinig ba talaga siya sa akin? Bakit ang hirap ng taong ito ihandle pagdating sa pagmamahal.
"Hmm I'll let you court me but just give me time to think Bry, you're not rushing me right?" Then I stop eating at nagpakuha ako ng tubig sa waiter na nakatayo sa aking tagiliran banda.
"Yes sure, of course not. I'm not rushing anything." Mabuti naman kung ganon.
Both of us didn't keep talking, so I waited for my water while arranging my plate. Nakakahiya naman na ako na ang tinitreat ako pa ang nag papaka señorita.
"So this is your plan, to confess your feelings on your birthday huh? You're too cute to be rejected." Basag ko sa katahimikan.
Hindi ko na narinig ang boses ni Bryan and I saw him standing from his chair at may kinuha sa isang lalaking naka barong. Hindi ko alam kong ano yon. Maya maya naman ay nakita kong bumabalik na si Bryan at may hawak hawak siyang isang maliit na box. Again, I feel my body is trembling and my hands are shaking. Magpapakasal na ba kami? Mag popropose na ba si Bryan sa akin? Sana huwag muna, sana huwag muna.
I didn't look at him, pero siya pinipilit niya akong tingnan siya. Para siyang isang sneakers na hindi ko maiwasan. Kainin at kainin ko pa rin at babalikan ko pa rin kahit hindi na malamig.
Suddenly, I heard his cracking voice.
"Here Mate. I have a present for you." Lilingon ba ako o hindi? What to do? Oh God help me.
"A present, for what?" Nakatalikod pa rin ako, ayokong humarap at baka makita ko siyang nakaluhod.
"For accepting my feelings and for allowing me to court you. No words can describe how happy I am tonight Mate, thank you."
Dahan dahan akong humarap at thank God hindi siya nakaluhod. Napaka advance ko naman sa proposal na iniimagine ko.
"A necklace? Wow it's too much Bryan." Nakakahiya eh, dapat hindi niya ako binigyan ng regalo.
"Small things Mate. I will prove to you that you made the right decision. I will understand you, guide you and be with you until the sun sets. I'll prove to you how happy Am I that you give me this chance to express my feelings. I like you Mate, I like you very much." Magsasalita pa sana ako nang bigla niya akong sinalubong ng napakahigpit niyang yakap.
He's crying I think, aw napakaswerte ko naman sa taong ito. He always with me kahit nong mga oras at panahon na sobrang nahihirapan ako sa tinatawag na "buhay."
"What's that face? You're making my heart beat so fast Bryan. You know what, I don't expect that you'll confess to me and I didn't expect that you like me. Thank you very much, I'm happy too that you're now being real to yourself. You don't keep your secret and you always share it with me, thanks Bryan." Hinigpitan ko pa ang yakap ko at pinaramdam ko sa kanya na may feelings din ako for him ayoko lang sabihin.
Plan is a success. Yes that's true no word can explain how happy he is that Ryza gives him positive feedback. Let's guess that Bryan can't sleep tonight, of course only Ryza will be in his head, heart and mind. As well as Ryza, she's being cute now especially because she knows that Bryan has a crush on her and is planning to court her. They both are very happy right now, only they feel happiness. After the confession Bryan's phone is ringing. It's his dad who's calling, wanting him to go back inside because his uncle came.
"Dad?"
"Baby, where are you? Your uncle Jake is here. Come back here, we're in the guest room." I heard his Dad's voice.
"Sure dad, I'll be there in a minute." Bryan cleared his throat.
"Who's calling, your Dad?" I asked him, ayokong maging pabigat at birthday niya tonight at ayokong magkaroon ng missed si Bryan.
"Yes Mate, I need to go back. Let's go? I'll take you to Lara." Tapos na naman kaming kumain, so let's go na.
"Sure, sure." I grab my shoulder bag and I can feel Bryan's hand on mine. Naka holding hands kami?
The two leave the garden and go back inside Bryan's house. Bryan goes to the guest room where his uncle and Dad are and Ryza goes back to Lara.
"Girl, why take you so long? What did you two talk about? I wanna know." Nakita kong medjo nakainom na nga si Lara and guess what? She's been eating and drinking here alone with a lot of guys. Kaya hinila ko siya papalabas.
"I'll tell you when we go home later. Now let's just enjoy the party. Look, let's taste this cupcake Lara." Kailangan ko pa ring mag take an action kase naman itong babaeng ito naglalasing mag-isa.
"Oh sure, it looks delicious. Here I have this drink too, this wine is tasty." Kinuha ko naman ang isang basong may laman ng red wine at binigay sa isang waiter.
"Yeahh I know, the cost is also tasty, Lara. Ya know if you're rich, everything around you is all expensive." The sound js getting louder and louder at hindi na kami nagkakaintindihan.
"True girl, Bryan is so gifted to have this kind of family. He's also an only child, imagine that." Ano daw? Hindi ko narinig.
"What did you say?" I yelled at her.
"Nevermind." She replied.
Bryan is entering the guest room.
"Hi Dad, hi uncle. It's been a while since I saw you. How are you?" Then he kissed his uncle's cheek.
"Bryan, happy birthday dear. You're taller and handsome now than the last time I saw you. You're growing so fast, you're eighteen years old now. Patrico's only child is now a mature, handsome eighteen year old guy."
"Is that a complaint uncle? You're flattering me. Thanks uncle, you know what I miss you. How about aunt? Where is she?"
Jake Mendoza is Bryan's uncle who is on her mom's side. He is the older brother of Shella Mendoza, the mother of Bryan. He is a friendly person just like Bryan. He's also generous but not a strict person unlike his sister Shella. They're only two siblings Jake and Shella. Their parents are business men and women. That's one of the reasons why the Mendoza family is famous. Shella is a model and Jake is a pilot. Bryan has been close to his uncle since he was a child, so we can't blame him if he's closer to his uncle than to his dad.
"Oh aunt is busy, her schedule is loaded so she can't attend your birthday. But don't be sad because we have a present for you, here open it." Sabay abot ng dala niya.
"Thank uncle, I know you can't forget me!" Mataas na boses ni Bryan. He's a ten year old kid now.
"Of course I can't, why would I forget you? Unless you're doing something illegal." Then they both laughed.
"Wow, lots of books. Are these for me? All of these?"
"Yes dear, only for you."
"Thank you uncle, can you please stay here for a couple of days? I want to make bonds with you, mom and dad."
"Sure dear, I'll just need your aunt's permission. Later, I'll call her. Are you happy?"
"Yes uncle I'm very happy, y'all are always supporting me and giving me what I need and want and I'm very thankful for that."
Yeah, a rich person is a rich person and of course Bryan is the only son of Patrico's family. He can buy whatever he wants. Even if it's not his need or want his mom and dad always bought it for him. They always want what's best for their son and all parents are like that. They're doing their best to provide for their children's needs and wants and choosing what's the best for them. After Bryan talks to her uncle,he then goes back to Ryza and Lara's position and wants to ensure that they are okay.
"Hi Mate, how are you here?" Bumalik siya sa posisyon nila Lara and Ryza.
"We're good Bry don't worry, right Lara?" Kahit lasing na good pa rin.
"Yes we are. Uhm by the way, we're planning to go home Bryan." Lara uttered.
"Oh it's early Lara, but if you insist, why not can I talk to Ryza for a second?"
"Sure."
"Mate, I want to introduce you to my parents before you leave."
"No, I'm not yet ready Bryan, next time and if we're definitely in a relationship. That's the right time to introduce me to your parents.Is that okay?"
"Ohh you're the boss. Sure Mate, let's go I'll take you to the tito Nick."
"No it's okay, our taxi is here no need for tito Nick Bryan."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes we are, thank you for inviting us again Bryan. Happy birthday again." Both Lara and Ryza said in unison.
"Likewise. Thanks for coming guys, you too take care okay? Call me when you get home."
"Sure, no problem. Good night Bryan."