A Promise and Us

Chapter 5: Brother's Birthday

Jacob's Pov

Busy kaming lahat ngayon. Me and my parents are arranging a birthday surprise for Dave, my 11-year-old brother now turning 12. Wala syang pasok ngayon so this should be perfect. We don't often do this. Just when we feel to. I gave Kate a call last night and told her to come. She'll probably be here any minute now. Nagluluto ako ng paboritong pasta ni Dave when my phone rang. "Princess? Bakit?" she could definitely hear clattering of pots. "Babe nagluluto ka ba? Anyway, I called to tell you na malalate ako. Masama ang pakiramdam ni mama kailangan nya ng kasama." "Ganun ba? Sige pero kung kailangan ka talaga nya wag ka nang tumuloy." "Ay hinde babe tutuloy ako. Iniintay ko lang si papa." "Pasabi nalang kay tita get well soon." We hung up and I continued my cooking.

7:45 am na and anytime now magigising na si Dave. He's completely unaware of what's happening outside his room. Just a few more arrangements by mom and...

"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!" I, mom and dad, and some of Dave's friends shouted in unison. At ang bagong gising na si Dave ay hindi pa marealize ang nangyayari. He's still groggy but is trying to absorb what's happening. A few moments of being puzzled and he came to his senses. "Para sa birthday ko? Thank you!" tumakbo sya sa mga magulang namin at niyakap sila. "Teka, pano ang kuya? Naghanda din ako no." I sounded like I'm jealous. "Si kuya naman nagselos pa eh. Di bagay sayo!" at niyakap niya rin ako. "Haha. Happy birthday bro."

Dave entertained his friends. While mom, dad, and I are being one in hiding our gift for him. It's a bike. Matagal na nyang gusto ng bike pero hindi sya ibili noon dahil may pagkaclumsy din ang kapatid ko. But now, we thought na baka ito lang talaga ang gusto nya. We plan to give this to him at the end of the day.

Habang itinatago ng parents ko ang bike sa likod ng mga kahon, I heard our  doorbell. "Jacob pakitinginan kung sino yun." utos saken ng ina ko. I went to the gate and when I opened it. "Hi babe!" "Kate, you're not late." She gave me a peck on the cheek before entering. "Asan si Dave babe?" "Andun sa sala kasama ang mga kaibigan nya." Dumiretso si Kate sa sala and immediately saw Dave. I stood by the door to watch them.

"Happy birthday Dave! Binata na ah." "Ate Kate!" Dave hugged my princess. Napakaclingy na bata. "Hoy Dave! Napapatagal ah bitaw na." pangaasar ko. "Kuya naman eh." "Hay hayaan mo yang kuya mo. O here's my gift." Kate handed him a brown paper bag. Dave opened it like it's the first time he had one. "Ang ganda ate Kate! Thank you!" and another hug. Isang art set ang gift ni Kate. Mahilig si Dave sa arts kaya nagandahan sya. "Welcome. Sabi na magugustuhan mo eh."

Niyaya ko na si Kate na kumain. Actually sabay kami dahil nahihiya daw sya na kumain magisa. "Ay nga pala babe." she reached something from her bag. "I got this for you. Sorry di ko na nabalot. Anniv gift ko." "Princess naman nagabala ka pa. Whatever this is thank you." I was about to kiss her when.. "Ay buksan mo muna babe. I wanna see if you like it." I took out what's inside the cloth bag and it's a gray polo. "Princess I love it. Thank you." "Buti naman nagustuhan mo babe." "Kate, kahit pa papel lang ang ibigay mo saken magugustuhan ko parin." She just hugged me.

Nagkulitan lang kami ni Kate pagkatapos kumain. Hours passed and we didn't even notice na nakaalis na yung mga bisita ni Dave. "Jacob!" Out of nowhere dad called me. "Sandali lang Kate ha tawag ako eh." "Okay lang babe." I attended to mom and dad and turns out it's time for our surprise.

We all gathered at the living room except for dad. He's the one who will bring in our gift. "Anak, how's this day for you?" mom approached Dave. "Great mom. Thank you po sa inyong lahat." Katabi namin ni Kate si Dave. Our role is to brainwash him so he's clueless of what's happening behind him. Kate started a convo with Dave at nun medyo distracted na sya, I gave dad a signal na pwede na syang pumasok. Nakatalikod si Dave sa pinto so he won't see dad. Dad slowly  and silently went in with the bike. Then, "Hay ang bigat. Dave anak, patulong nga." Nilingon ni Dave si dad at literal na nanlaki ang mga mata nya. "Wow dad!" he ran towards dad and the bike. "Para sayo anak. Happy birthday."

The rest was hugging and more talking. I'm so blessed with a happy family...