"Happy birthday, bro!" someone greeted me with a bro hug as their group entered.
"Huy... thank you for coming!" masayang bati ko naman saka sila binigyan ng malaking ngiti.
Today's my birthday, at nandito kami ngayon sa bar nila Tob sa BGC. Hindi pa dumadating ang mga kaibigan ko. I came early to meet and greet my other friends from different circles. My basketball teammates were already here with Coach Russel and Yassy. It felt like a double celebration since we had just won our third game of the season.
The bar was buzzing with energy, filled with a mix of familiar faces and new acquaintances. Some influencers I had befriended online also came, turning it into a mini-reunion. The place was stylishly decorated with dim lights casting a warm glow, and the music was pumping, setting the perfect party mood. The tables were lined with a variety of drinks and snacks, and a few people were already mingling and laughing.
On the other side, the bartenders were busy mixing colorful cocktails. Hindi ko alam na magiging ganito karami pala ang pupunta. Hindi pa nga ito ang lahat dahil may mga paparating pa lang. Hinayaan ko rin kasi yung friends ko na mag-invite ng gusto nila. The atmosphere was lively and full of anticipation as more guests started to arrive, ready to join the celebration.
Medyo nakakarami na rin ako ng inom dahil kada table na hinihintuan ko ay napapa-shot ako. Hindi pa naman ako masyadong tinatamaan, pero pinigilan ko na ang sarili ko dahil masyado pang maaga.
Around 9 PM nang magsidatingan ang mga kaibigan ko.
"Wow... the crowd seems great," tila excited na turan ni Amira nang salubungin ko sila sa entrance. She was wearing this fitted black dress that hugged her body perfectly. "Happy birthday, tangina ka! Matanda ka na!"
"Eh ano na lang 'to?" sigaw ko pabalik dahil medyo malakas ang music, saka itinuro si Marco na katabi nila. "Tatay?"
Nagtawanan sila, pero sumagot si Elysia. "Oo... tatay ng mga magiging anak ko!" aniya na ikinalukot ng mga mukha namin.
"Sige!" Inirapan siya ni Amira. "Mabuntis ka sana bago gumraduate," dagdag pa niya kaya mabilis siyang hinampas ni Elysia sa braso.
"Girl, no! Safe kami, duh."
"Magaling humugot 'to, boy..." dagdag pa ni Marco kaya muli kaming binalot ng tawanan. Pagkatapos ay bumaling siya sa akin para bumati. "Happy birthday, boss. Hinahabol mo na edad ko ah?"
Humakbang ako para bungguin ang dibdib niya gamit ang dibdib ko. "Salamat, pre. Pero mas lamang ka pa rin."
Nagsilapitan na rin ang mga girls para batiin ako at saka bumeso. Nang si Gino na ang babati, nandoon na naman ang mala-asong ngiti niya na alam kong may binabalak na naman na katarantaduhan.
"Ano na naman?" angil ko nang mag-chest bump kami. "Birthday ko ngayon dude... paawat ka naman."
Tinawanan niya ako. "Kaya nga eh. Happy birthday! Mamaya na lang regalo ko," makabuluhang sabi niya na nagpakunot ng noo ko.
"Sinasabi ko sa'yo!" banta ko.
"Magugustuhan mo 'yon, I swear..."
"I doubt," naiiling na sagot ko nang lumapit na rin si Tob.
"How's the party so far?" nakangiting bungad niya.
"Sobrang goods ng mga staff... thank you, bro," I said, grateful for all the effort he put into this. "Thank you rin pala kina tito't tita, pasabi."
"Hmm... they sent their regards. Sabi nila kahit next year din daw."
Mas lumaki ang ngiti ko. "Yown! Lakas ko talaga sa'yo."
BINABASA MO ANG
Rhapsody in Bloom (BL)
RomanceAfter being homeschooled his entire life, Riley will be stepping into the bustling world of university life for the first time. He's determined to break free from the familiar and finally experience the life he has missed.
