Chapter One: Part Four

A few minutes later, Red finally arrived. “Sorry guys, I just came from another party. Ode, ako pala naka-bunot sa’yo.” He said as he handed a coffee table book of The Beattles to her.

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After the party, Leni and Red walked outside the campus. He held her hand as they walked silently. At this moment, she could not ask for more. Being with her special someone on her birthday was surreal. Though they’ve been dating for two years, this was her first time to celebrate her birthday with him. Because, Red went out of the country with his family the year before that.
They sat on the benches in the field and started the conversation.
“How’s your birthday?”
“Perfect. I could not ask for more,Nandito ka na kasi.”
“I’m glad to hear that. But there’s something that I really wanted to tell you.”
Leni was getting excited to hear the next thing that he’s going to say.
“What is it?”
“It’s been two great years with you. However, since both of us we’re going to graduate and pursue our different endeavors, I think that we need some space. It’s difficult for me to say this. Magpahinga muna tayo ”
“Are you breaking up with me?”
Red shook his head and didn’t answer her question.
“Ok, I’ll make this easy for you. Lalayo na lang ako. When classes resume,I’ll pretend that nothing happened.”
“Leni, kung tayo naman, tayo talaga eh”

Both of them remained silent. He glanced at his watch while she stared at the sky.

From that moment, she realized that she lost her ‘fairy tale’. Hearing those words was like getting hit by a fourteen-wheeler truck.

She removed her necklace and gave it back to him. Leni walked away without saying a word.

Then, she called Adam and Faith to meet her at one of those benches near the football field.

“What’s wrong?” Faith asked.
“He broke up with me.”
“Ang ganda naman ng timing niya, sa birthday mo pa.” Adam added as he handed his handkerchief to her.
Leni couldn’t say a word because she’s still shocked with what happened. On their way home, they passed along a convenience store. The three of them went inside. They were surprised to see Red with flirting with another girl while entering the store.
When Faith saw this, she got furious and approached him. “Kapal naman nang mukha mo. Ang bilis mo naman siyang palitan. Sana pinalagpas mo man lang sana yung birthday ni Leni.” Then, Adam pulled her, “Tama na, wag kayong mag-scandalo dito.Ang dami nang naka-tingin sa atin. Red felt embarrassed and turned speechless.

“Adam’s right, Let’s leave them alone.” Leni said as she tried to hide the tears started to fall down her face.

Then, three of them went outside.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Faith asked.
“No thanks, Ok lang ako” She told them as she stepped out of the car.

She went straight to her room and cried. She played the CD that Adam gave her. Then she looked at the case and said, “Mabuti ka pa Billy, hindi mo ako iniiwan.