The school year is about to end in a month and Toni’s birthday is approaching; I wonder what gift I would give her. During our Science class, I asked a favor to one of my classmates…
“Damien! Wait, can I ask a favor?” I asked
“Sure Erin, just make sure that it’s not academically related. You know, I’m too bad at it.” He said
“No, definitely it’s not that. If you could ask Toni what gift does she wants for her birthday? You know, I want to surprise her and I don’t want to ask it myself because it will be no longer a surprise anymore. Could you do that for me?” I begged
“Hmm. You really love your friend huh. Yes sure, that’ll be easy.” He said giving me an assurance
“She is my best friend actually. Thank You Damien! You’re the best!” I said hugging him “Make sure that this conversation is just between you and me, okay?”
“Yes, definitely. By the way, I have to go, I’d ask her not before this day ends. I promise that. Bye Erin!” He said while waving his hand
It gave me a feeling of confidence. I wanted to give my best friend one of the best birthdays of her life and also I want to give her one of the best days of her life.
The next day, Damien approached me and that he has good news because he already knows what Toni likes on her birthday.
“She wants to be with her Mom and Dad the whole day. She wants to celebrate her birthday with them.” He said
“That’s all she wants?” I asked
“Yes. She doesn’t want any material gifts, to celebrate her birthday with her Mom and Dad would be the best perfect birthday gift that she could ever have. I was scared to ask her that time, she even asks me why I asked her like that.” He said
“Okay, thank you so much Damien! I hope you didn’t speak about anything? Didn’t you?”
“No! Come ‘on you have to trust me sometimes, Erin. Good luck on your birthday surprise for her! That won’t be too hard for you. I think.” he said
“No it’s not. It’ll be hard Damien. I only met her parents twice. And I’m thinking of ways how could I get to talk to them. I wanted to settle everything before her birthday comes.” I thought
I started to work on my secret special birthday surprise for her. Sometimes, I wasn’t able to accompany her with our daily breakfast routines in the burger stand and sometimes I have to miss one day in school just to find time to look and talk to her parents. Luckily while I was in Toni’s house, I asked one of Toni’s Yaya, Aling Lorna if she knows the office number of her parents, first she refused to let me know it but then I pleaded…
“Please? Please? Please? It’s for Toni’s birthday. Aling Lorna, I want to surprise her by letting her parents know that she wants to be with them. I hope you understand that this will make Toni happy on her birthday.” I said
“Okay then, I’ll give it you.” Aling Lorna said then in several minutes she gave me a piece of paper. “There you go.”
“This is a surprise. Thank You so much Aling Lorna.” Then I hugged her so tight, just as the moment Toni goes downstairs and said…
“What’s happening here?” she asks wondering
“Oh, nothing. I just wanted to hug Aling Lorna.” I said, and then I hugged her again
“Really?” She said unconvinced with what I said
“Oh come on, what’s wrong with that? I love those people who love you.”
“You’re sick. Let’s go.” She said on her way to the main door “Yaya, were going now.” She added
“Okay, take care baby. Don’t forget to---” Aling Lorna said
“Yes Yaya, I will.” She replied
“Don’t forget to what?” I asked her thinking
“Oh, nothing. Forget that.” she said
I waved at Aling Lorna good bye and secretly blow her several kisses to thank her. “Bye Aling Lorna! I love you!“ I said as we go out of the house
Toni looked at me like a mad dog. “You’re totally crazy. What’s wrong? Is there something you’re not telling me?” she asked
“Ha? What are you talking about? I’m not hiding anything from you. You know best friends never lie to each other, right?” I said extending my arms on her shoulder just to make sure she’s doing fine.
This is bad. I’m lying to my best friend. I promised myself that this would be the first and last time that I’ll be lying. I have a reason so, I hope she’ll understand.
The next day, I called Toni’s parents; we didn’t talk that much so he settled an appointment with me. (I mean, her parents are real big time business tycoons that make it hard for me to talk to them)
On the day of the appointment, I have to miss my school again. I told Toni that I wasn’t feeling okay and I hate lying to her. I broke my promises.
“You okay? You want me to come over to your house now?” She said a little bit worried about me
“No, no. I’m fine. You could come over after school. Just tell them I can’t make it today.” I replied coughing a few times
“Okay. Get well soon.” She said
“Hello, Good Morning Erin!” Mr. De Guzman said as I walk inside his office.
