ARINTHIAN LEAGUE
HINDI pa rin ako makapaniwala. It's been two months since we won the league but the events prior to it were still impossible for me to comprehend.
We stayed at the hospital for almost a week. Ang pinakamatagal na nag-stay ro'n ay si Felicity. Tatlong araw siyang tulog at isang linggo siyang na-confine. Kung tutuusin, siya dapat ang naunang lumabas. But she used all of her energy to heal Shin that he needs more time to recover. Si Gio at Kingston ang unang lumabas dahil wala naman silang masyadong nakuhang pinsala.
Itinuturing kaming mga bayani ngayon dito sa Central District. We were like some celebrities because every single person knows us. Kami lang naman ang nag-uwi ng unang panalo ng distrito namin. And not just that. We were also the first team with complete members to get out of the league alive. Some news articles named us as "The Legendary Six".
Today, we are celebrating my nineteenth birthday. It's a big celebration because we have lots to celebrate. Una, ang birthday ko. Pangalawa, ang pagkapanalo namin sa liga. At pangatlo, ang graduation namin kahapon.
Isinuot ko ang kulay puting peep toe shoes na may mga crystals sa harap. I looked at myself through the mirror and smiled. This year is my last teenage year. I'm happy I finished another year of my life. The road wasn't smooth but here I am, still alive and kicking. But I somehow feel sad because I'm aging. I am still not prepared to leave my teenage life. I'm still not ready for adulting.
"Onyx, kailangan mo nang lumabas!" Agad akong napatingin sa pinto nang kumatok doon si Mafi. I took a deep breath one last time before getting out of my room. I was greeted by Mafi's smiling face. She gave me a huge and warm hug.
"Purple looks good on you," bati ko. Nakasuot kasi siya ng purple na above the knee dress. Her brown hair already grew longer and it is now below her shoulders. She looks fantastic.
"Happy birthday my forever best friend and food buddy!" She greeted cheerfully. Napangiti ako nang malapad nang iabot niya sa akin ang regalo niya. Nakalagay iyon sa kulay puting envelope.
"Ano 'to?" Tanong ko habang binubuksan ang sobre. Nakangiti siya nang malawak sa akin habang pinapanood ako.
"Buksan mo para malaman mo," she answered excitedly. There is a hand-written letter from inside and five cheques. Wait, they are not cheques!
"Food vouchers! Bloody hell, you know me too well, Mafi!" I exclaimed with too much happiness. I jumped at her and gave her a bear hug. Kilalang-kilala na talaga niya ako. Alam niyang hindi ko kailangan ang mga materyal na bagay at mas gugustuhin ko pang pagkain na lang ang iregalo nila sa akin.
"Of course I know you too well. We were best friends since were zygotes," she replied with a matter-of-fact tone.
"Uy salamat dito ha. Mamaya ko na babasahin 'yong sulat para hindi awkward." We both don't like cheesy things so it's better if I would spare her with the cringe. I went back inside my room to put the envelope on my study table. Then, I came out again only to hear people coming inside our house.
"Mukhang mag-uumpisa na ang party," Mafi muttered when I finally joined her in front of my room.
"Oo nga eh. Pero hindi ko pa rin naririnig si Kingston. Wala pa ba siya?" Kinakabahan kong tanong. Siya dapat ang escort ko. He would guide me get down from our grand staircase. But he's still nowhere near our house.
