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"Are you excited, Luna?" My mother asked as we both waited for the clock to drop its last tick at exactly twelve midnight. It will be my birthday in just a few more minutes from now; I'm turning sixteen.
I look at my mother and nodded my head happily. I mean, who wouldn't be excited for their birthday, right?
Every year, this has almost been our ritual already. We'll always wait 'til twelve midnight so she could greet me first. Well, para namang may iba pang babati sa'kin e' wala naman kaming mga kakilala o kahit mga kapitbahay man lang. Our place is kind of secluded. Hindi rin ako pinapalabas ng bahay kaya wala ring mga kaibigan. Does it makes me sad? Not really. I have parents and my dog with me, I'm already contented. 
"Look at the moon, mama. Ang ganda, 'di ba?" Namamanghang bulalas ko habang nakasilip sa kabilugan ng buwan na ngayon ay tanaw mula rito sa bintana ng kwarto ko. 
Marahang tinangay ng hangin ang buhok ko kaya naman inayos iyon ni mama saka ngumiti sa akin.
“Alam mo ba na no'ng ipinanganak kita ay kabilugan din ng buwan no'n? Kaya nga pinangalanan kitang Luna Hyrreti dahil kasing ganda mo ang buwan. You're as beautiful and as mesmerizing as the moon, Luna.”
Her voice was soothing, almost like a wind gently brushing on my skin. I couldn't help but admire her. Her eyes, which were now illuminated by the moonlight and gleaming like a blue ocean, were so beautiful. It was like a reflection of mine, a pair of blue sapphire orbs.
"You're beautiful too, mama," I replied and hug her.
We both giggled but were just halted by the faint sound of the small clock placed on the side table of my bed. 
Tumunog iyon, indikasyon na alas dose na nang hating gabi. Ibig sabihin ay kaarawan ko na. Humilaway siya sa pag ka-kayakap sa akin at may kung anong dinukot mula sa maliit na bulsa ng suot niyang blusa.
“Happy birthday, anak ko. Ito ag regalo ni mama. Binili ko pa yan sa bayan para sa 'yo," bulong niya.
Sa bayan? 
Just hearing that word makes me more excited and hopeful. I always wanted to go there. Ang sabi ni mama ay masaya raw doon pero masyadong magulo para sa akin. I wish to go there and meet some people too. Sadly, I can't. 
Napatingin ako sa kamay niya nang e' abot niya sa akin ang maliit na kulay itim na maliit na kahon.
Yes, I grew up isolated from the world around me, but with her and my father beside me, I have nothing to complain. They were more than enough for me to be happy. More than enough.
"Open it. I'm sure you will like it," saad niya na mabilis ko namang sinunod. 
It was a necklace with a silver moon pendant. Mangha ko iyong tinitigan. 
"Ang ganda, mama" I exclaimed, amazed. My eyes lit up in happiness. 
"Mabuti naman at nagustuhan mo. Tara at hintayin na natin ang ama mo sa baba. Sigurado akong nag mamadali ring umuwi 'yon ngayon para batiin ka sa kaarawan mo." 
Tumango ako saka ko itinago sa loob ng bulsa ng jacket ko ang kwintas na ibinigay niya. 
We both went out of my room talking about some stuff for tomorrow to further celebrate my birthday.
Papa's late again, as usual. It's because of his work. Sabi ni mama na hindi madali ang trabaho ni papa kaya naman ginagabi ito sa pag-uwi. Well, I've already gotten used to it so it's no big deal. I just hope it won't affect his health.
We were walking down the stairs when our front door banged open. I gasped in shock but my surprised face swiftly turned into confusion when I saw my father, hurriedly shutting the door before nervously leaning into it.