Always Have Been, Always Will Be | ✓

38

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Chapter 38

Mean It

"Toxic Filipino mindset—yung may birthday pa ang naglilibre," Kaia bitterly uttered that caused everyone to laugh.

"Huwag ka nang mag-reklamo, ang importante ay nagsasaya tayo ngayon!" Thaianara's laugh roared among the four corners of the restaurant we were in.

"Sinasabi mo lang 'yan dahil lumalamon ka ngayon!"

It was eight in the evening when we rented a room so we could have it all to ourselves, as well as catch up with each other more efficiently. It was the only time we all were available, and fortunately enough, it was Saturday the next day. That meant that we could have the whole night to ourselves.

Mayroon ding karaoke machine na alam kong sosolohin naman ni Thaianara, at mga pagkaing ibinili lahat sa amin ni Kaia dahil birthday niya ngayon.

"Kaia, smile," tawag ko sa kaniya at tinutukan siya ng camera.

Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata. Nakuha ako ng atensyon niya galing sa sigawan nila ni Thaianara. Agad siyang umupo nang matuwid at inayos ang party hat na kaniyang suot 'tsaka nag-pose ng peace sign.

"Uy, groupie tayo!" Thaianara excitedly beckoned everyone to compress for a group picture.

"Sige, basta ikaw ang mag-p-pic sa 'min," nakangising asar ni Grazen sa kaniya.

Pinakyuhan ni Thaianara si Grazen. "Ikaw kaya, dahil ikaw yung pinakamatangkad!"

Natatawang tumango naman si Grazen. Inilahad ko sa kaniya ang camera ko at patalikod niya itong itinutok sa aming pito na nagdidikitan.

"One...two...three...." Grazen counted and snapped a burst of photos.

Swyney applauded with a wide grin. "Okay guys, next, happy nineteenth birthday, Kaia! Repeat after me!"

"Repeat after me!" Hiyaw ni Grazen na walang kasabay.

"Tangina neto. Lumabas ka nga!" Singhal sa kaniya nung may birthday.

Nagsitawanan kaming lahat sa kanilang dalawa bago kalaunan ay ginawa rin ang suhestiyon ni Swyney. Grazen clicked record and counted to three.

"Happy nineteenth birthday, Kaia!" We all cheered in unison.

It has been a while since I've seen their faces, and meeting up with them actually made me feel some sort of relief I never even knew I was yearning.

Siguro masyado akong nasanay na palagi ko silang nakikita noong high school, at ngayo'y hindi na gaano, napapaalala akong tumatanda na nga kami, at hindi na kami ang dating high school teenagers na mahilig maglaro-laro lang. We actually had serious responsibilities and obligations, especially that we were now new adults. We could barely catch up even just through internet because of our busy schedules, and when we had free times, we would utilize those for school works.

Meeting them just before college was definitely one of the biggest turning point of my life. They came in clutch. They might not know it, but they saved me many times. Hindi man naging maganda ang kabuuan na paglalakbay ko tungo sa kung nasaan ako ngayon, pero kahit papaano ay isa sila sa mga magagandang bagay na nangyari sa akin. I'll have to thank Thaianara for that one.