First Glance

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

"Yeah, that's the point! Damn, finally!" Poli yelled.

I laughed.

Ilang oras pa lang ako nandito pero sobrang komportable na ako sa kanila. They are so easy to get along with. Never kanilang i-o-out of place. I love their friendship they seems really close. Lima silang lalaki at ang kaniyang dalawang kaibigan ay kasama ang asawa nila na kaibigan don daw ni Niko.

Si Poli naman ay kanina pa nagrereklamo na kanina pa siya pinag-tritripan ni Niko dahil ayaw nito maniwala sa sinasabi niya. Kaya sa akin siya nagsabi, mukhang totoo naman, talagang malaki lang ang bato ni Niko at kanina pa iniinis si Poli.

"I hope you are my friend instead of Niko. He's kinda annoying, lol."

Niko hit him, I laughed.

Si Poli daw ang pinaka-close ni Niko sa lahat. Childhood friends ata sila. Tumingin ako kay Lucy na tumatawang nakikipag-usap kina Divine at Rie. It’s so fun to see that they get along together.

Anyways, Rie is pregnant so she isn't drinking alcohol but she is so hot padin! Wala atang pangit sa kanilang magkakaibigan. Grabe!

"Are you still enjoying?" Niko whispered.

"Super." I unconsciously put my hand on his lap. "They are so kind."

"I'm glad."

"Me too." I whispered. Minutes have passed and Niko and I are just staring at them and laughing with their jokes. They’re funny. Nakaka-nose bleed nga lang kasi minsan mari-realize mo talaga na ang layo ng humor mo sa kanila kasi 'yung humor nila pang-mayaman.

"Ano nga pala meron at may pa-party kayo?" Lucy asked.

I nodded. Iyon nga pala ang itatanong ko dapat kay Niko kanina.

"They didn't know, Niko?" Divine asked.

Kunot-noo ang ibinigay ko kay Niko na napatingin naman sa akin.

Ano meron?

"I just forgot to say..." he excused.

Mukhang alam na nila ang nangyari sa sinagot ni Niko habang ako ay wala parin kaalam-alam. Tinuloy nila ang usapan habang si Lucy ay nakalimutan na’rin.

"Want to have a walk?" Niko whispered.

I nodded. We excuse ourselves. Lucy wiggled her brows. Siraulo talaga.

A cold wind brushes my face while looking above. Stars never fail to amaze me, really. Tahimik kaming naglalakad. Wala naman ng masyadong dumadaan dahil anong oras narin. I can felt Niko's stares at me pero ayoko siyang pangunahan. Gusto ko… siya mismo ang magsabi. 

"Jazriel…"

"Hmm?..."

"It's my birthday today."

Gulat akong napatingin sa kaniya.

"Huh?" I exclaimed. "Bakit hindi mo sinabi? W-wala akong regalo, tapos-"

"It's fine." He chuckled. "I considered the painting as a gift. It's pretty."

"Kahit na…" I looked down. "Happy birthday…"

"Thank you." He patted my head. "It's alright, don't be guilty about it."

Napa-facepalm na lang ako. Bakit ba ang considerate niyang tao? Ako kasi nagtatampo ako kay Lucy kapag hindi niya natandaan 'yung birthday ko like best friend na ata kami simula sanggol tapos hindi mo alam birthday ko?

I heard him chortle.

"Promise, Jamie. Stop thinking about it, you're cute when you're serious."