SAPPHIRE woke up early that morning and prepared a lunchbox for her and Hapi. She made it extra special since it was her boyfriend’s birthday. Ah, just the thought of calling Hapi her boyfriend already made her heart flutter.
She was humming the Happy Birthday song repeatedly as she prepared the lunchboxes.
“Ah, I almost forgot… the cake!”
She sauntered to the fridge at took the cake to the countertop. Sapphire peeked inside to make sure that everything was all right.
“Okay… all is set.” She brushed her palms together.
She was cleaning her mess when her mother appeared in the kitchen.
“I thought your class starts in the afternoon today,” her mother said as she stopped in front of her.
“I woke up early because I had to prepare a special lunch for a special someone.” She beamed.
“Wait, what do you mean by special someone?” Her mother’s eyes widened. “Are you dating someone, Sapphire?”
She crouched in front of her mother so they could see each other at eye level.
“Would you be mad at me if I say yes?” Sapphire cupped her mother’s hands.
“As long as he is a good man and your relationship wouldn’t be a hindrance to your studies, I’m fine with that.” Her mother cupped her cheek. “I’d like to meet him.”
She smiled. “Thanks, `Ma. Don’t worry, you’ll meet him soon.”
She stood up and sauntered to the sink to wash the dishes.
“Sapphire…”
“Hmm?” She gave her mother a side-way glance. “What is it?”
“A-about last night… What did Papa tell you?”
She suddenly halted from washing the dishes. Her mind traveled back to their conversation last night…
The dinner was over, but Don Ignacio asked Sapphire and her mother to stay a little longer.
“Sapphire, I’d like to have a word with you.”
Her grandpa rose from his seat and beckoned her to follow him. They went to the garden.
Don Ignacio stood in the middle of the garden with his hands clasped behind him as he stared at the night sky.
“There were no stars tonight,” he said nonchalantly.
Sapphire was surprised that her grandpa was using that kind of tone to her now. It was as if… something has changed.
She cleared her throat and responded casually, “It seems that it’s going to rain…”
Don Ignacio turned to face her.
“I have eyes and ears, Sapphire. Whether you tell me or not, I would know what’s happening. Why did you lie to me about that drowning incident?”
She lowered her head. “I… I’m sorry—”
“You should’ve told me instead of hurting Amethyst.” Her grandpa sighed. “Look at me in, Sapphire.”
She did what she was told.
“I lied to you because I had to protect Hapi. I know he’s innocent. Amethyst just used his name to lure me to the pool so that she could—”
“Amethyst may seem wicked sometimes, but I assure you she’s not capable to do that. I had it investigated. Alexander found out that Amethyst lost her phone during the incident and she retrieved it at the lost and found it after. We’re still investigating who’s behind it.”
“W-what?”
“It looks like someone set her up.”
“Oh, God…” Sapphire felt bad for Amethyst now. “I’m sorry… I know you’re disappointed in me now. I acted out of anger. I just prove you and the rest that I am not worthy of—”
“`You think so?” Don Ignacio cut her off.
“I… I think so. I won’t protest if you strip me off of everything you’ve given me,” she said somberly.
But his reaction was not the one she was expecting. Don Ignacio laughed.
“Listen to me, Sapphire.” He tapped her shoulder. “You’ve proven yourself to me the moment you showed me who you are. I just had to wait a little longer to tell you because I wanted to challenge you. And you’ve succeeded. Problems came to you one by one and you chose to solve them in your own way instead of running to me.”
“Sapphire, are you with me?”
Her mother’s voice pulled her out of reverie.
“Y-yeah.”
“What did Papa tell you?”
“Ah, he told me that I succeeded proving myself.” She had to omit that they talked about what really happened at the party.
Sapphire finished washing the dishes and prepared herself for school.
SAPPHIRE asked for help from Hapi’s friends to prepare for his birthday, and they all declined to help her, saying that they were busy with these and that. But she did not buy their reasons. Her instinct was telling her that there was something much deeper reason behind that. Despite the lack of help from them, she pushed through.
She prepared the food and the cake on a picnic mat at Hapi’s favorite hangout place. Then, she phoned him.
“Yes?” he asked.
“I know it’s your vacant period right now. Come and meet me here,” she told him excitedly.
“Meet you where?”
“To the place where you first kissed me.” Butterflies flew inside her belly.
“I’m coming.”
Sapphire prepared the cake as she waited for him to arrive.
Soon she held footsteps approaching. She held the cake with two hands and started singing the Happy Birthday song for Hapi. But Sapphire had to stop mid-way when she noticed that Hapi was not looking happy. His aura was giving her a sad vibe.
She slowly put the cake back to its back and crawled towards Hapi, who was already sitting on the other side of the picnic mat.
“What’s the matter, Hapi?”
He pulled her nape and pressed his forehead against her. There was this sad emotion in his eyes that she hasn’t seen before.
“It’s your birthday today. I prepared these to make you happy on your special day.”
“Kiss me,” he drawled. “That’s the best birthday gift you could give me…”
She punched his chest lightly. “Silly.”
Her plan was to give him a quick kiss on the lips, but Hapi wanted more. He palmed the back of her head and deepened the kiss.
They were both panting when it ended.
Hapi laid on his back and pulled her to join him. Her head landed on top of his chest. Now she could hear his heartbeat and breathing.
“Did you know why I’m sad?” She looked at his face. “It’s because I never celebrate my birthday.”
“Why? Birthdays are supposed to be celebrated.”
“I am an illegitimate son, Sapphire. My existence should be kept as a secret forever or else my father’s life will be ruined. All my life, I beg for my father’s time and affection… That’s the reason why I don’t celebrate my birthday. It only reminds me how lonely this life is…”
Now she understood why his friends declined to help her.
“I’m sorry… I should have—”
“No, don’t be sorry…” Hapi caressed her cheek. “My birthdays would be different now that I have you beside me…”
Sapphire caught his hand and pressed it gently.
“You will be happy, Hapi…” She winced. “That sounds redundant, isn’t it?”
They both laughed at that.
“I want to be happy…”