Chapter 3 BIRTHDAY

Caelan Rainer Vassamonte POV

I slowly opened my eyes when I felt someone staring at me. And I wasn't wrong, because when I opened my eyes a scream greeted me.

"Mama! Papa! Kuya is awake. Come in now,"

I laughed because of my sister's scream. He was jumping while holding a balloon in her right hand and adjusting the party hat that almost fell off her head. I just shook my head while staring into her shining eyes.

I heard footsteps entering my small room. I'm sure it's Mom and Dad. And I wasn't wrong when I saw them enter my small room, Mom was carrying the small cake and while Dad was holding the three ballons.

I just shook my head at what they were doing. I'm like a child.

Mom walked towards my direction with a big smile on her lips. I couldn't help but look at my very beautiful mother.

"Happy birthday, son..." Mom said with tears while she's staring at my eyes.

I smiled sweetly when I saw that her tears suddenly fell. Mom is actually very emotional. Even the smallest thing makes him cry. So is my younger sister, Caelana.

"Mom! Don't cry anymore. Why is it your birthday today?" I laughed and said to her while wiping her cheek.

She shook her head and laughed. I heard someone whispering behind Mama so my attention went there.

I saw my most handsome father staring at me. He slowly walked towards my direction and stood next to Mom.

"Happy birthday, son. You're really now a man." Papa laughed as he ruffled my hair.

"Dad cry too, just like Mom." I joked to him which made Mom cry even more. Mom snorted while Dad wiped her wet cheeks.

"Happy birthday to my most handsome Big Brother in the land of Earth!" Caelana shouted, grabbing the attention of the three of us.

We laughed at the same time because of my sister mischievousness. She quickly went to my bed with a big smile on her red lips.

"Happy 21st Birthday Brother! I wish you to be happy on this day and I hope you have a girlfriend so that I can have a sister." She made a long talk that made Mama and Papa laugh out loud.

Caelana is so adorable. She's our treasure. So we do everything to make her happy and strong.

"Oh the both of you, get ready. You're going to school. Caelana, take a shower. Your Big Brother will accompany you to school."

Caelana hurriedly left my bed and went out of the room to take a shower because we still had to go school. Today is Friday so we probably still have class.

I'm in my third year college with the course of Engineering. While Caelana is only in grade four. My life is simple and I can say that I have a happy and complete family.

My life has been quiet for the past year and I wish it was this year would be the same.

"Caelan son," Mama called while I was fixing my bed.

"Mom?"

"You and Caelana should go home early later, huh? Your Dad and I will prepare dinner later. We've also told the neighbors to come here. Of course, I should prepare for your most important day." Mom said

I just held my breath. There is no need to prepare too much. It's enough for me that the four of us are complete on my birthday. I didn't ask for anything other than that we're always complete during my birthday.

"Mom, there's no need to prepare foods. You know that I'm happy when we're complete on my birthday, right? Also, you should save the money for Caelana's treatment. My sister needs that more than me."

My heart sank as I stared at my mother crying.

"I don't know if I deserve to have a child like you. Since childhood, you have not made our heads hurt and you prioritize the people who are important to you more than yourself. But, child, also remember that you have to spare for yourself."

I smiled and nodded to Mom. The party is not important to me but I know I can't stop Mom for preparing for my birthday. No matter how hard I try not to prepare because it's just a waste of money in the end it's still her decision to follow.

If you ask me, I would prefer to just add the money that will be spent on the feast for Caelana's treatment. She needs that more than me.

My sister has a heart disease and she needs an operation as soon as possible. So we prevent her from being lonely and we always give her a cozy environment. I love my family so I don't want to lose one of them.

***

"Bye! bye! Mom, Dad! We're leaving, brother, we might be late." Cealana said quietly while kissing our parents on the cheek.

My sister is a jolly person. She always thinks positive in life. Even though she is sick, she don't want to show that she is weak because he knows that we will only worry. she always thinks that she will be healed. She always prays to God to extend her life so that she can be with us for a long time. I promise we will get her treated. Just another two more years and I will finally graduate.

"Come on, Brother! Let's go." Cealana said excitedly while holding my left hand.

I nodded to Mom and Dad first as goodbye. I adjusted my backpack over my shoulder and Caelana and I started to walk out.

"Brother, shall we pick up Sister Leina?"

I nodded in response to my sister as we walked down the road to Leina's house, my best friend since we were in kinder.

***

Actually, Leina and I have a mutual understanding. last year, I realized that I had other feelings for my friend that was more than that. At first, I ignored my feelings but later I also admitted to myself that I like him.

But I promised myself that I will only court her when I am of legal age, when I make my debut. And today, this is it. I'm twenty one! I smiled at the thought of being able to flirt with Leina.

Leina is the type of woman that all men dream of. smart, kind, helpful, beautiful, and like me, he also prioritizes the people who are important to him more than himself, which made me fall for him even more.

I want to marry someone like him one day. thinking that she will be my wife and the mother of my children, I am thrilled.

She is the son of the Captain and a teacher here in our area and our parents are also friends.

I stopped walking when I felt like someone was following me again. I gritted my teeth in annoyance. I'm not stupid enough not to know that someone is watching my every move. I don't know who and why I'm being followed.

I was eighteen years old when I saw a fancy car outside our house but it was parked far away. at first, I didn't really pay attention but later I was surprised because even though I was in school, I still saw it.

That's when I started to get nervous because what was running through my mind: what if it hurts my family? It's been a long time since Papa's family didn't let us know, so it's impossible that they were spying on us. It's been a long time since Papa ended his relationship with his family.

My father is from the rich family of the Vassamonte, but they scared and rejected my Papa because Papa preferred Mama who just came from a poor family.

But Papa loves Mama more so he chose her. even though his family has rejected him, it's okay for him as long as he can be with Mama. I admire my father because he loves Mama so much. I look up to him and I promised myself that I will treat my future husband the same way.