I woke up to my brothers dragging me down to the floor.
"What's the prob?!"
"You! You shouldn't be sleeping beside him!"
"It's his birthday! I had nightmares last night and I needed a hug." White lies, white lies.
"We know. That's why we came up to give him this cake."
They handed James the cake which I think they bought from the pastry shop across the street. "Very sweet of you guys. Thanks."
My brothers hugged him so tight like what they always do with me. Can they not grow up?
"Let's go down. Mom cooked breakfast."
They surprised him with another cake with sparkling candles and balloons with his face on it. "This is cute! Thank you so much po! It's been awhile since I last had balloons on my birthday."
"Anything for the family. Happy birthday James." And my brothers led the group hug. I never thought Dad would be this welcoming.
Wala ako maalalang lalaking nag attempt na manligaw sa akin na hindi nasusungitan ni daddy. James really is something because he already have Dad's trust.
After eating breakfast, Mom and Dad went to work. James and I sent my brothers to school.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay? Baka antukin kayo in class."
"Jet lag no more. Have to go. Bye achi & kuya!"
Ako ang nagddrive dahil hindi pa narrelease yung international drivers' license ni James. "What does Achi mean?"
"It means older sister in Chinese. Diba, I have told you already, Mom is half Chinese kaya we use some words and go by some of the traditions."
"That's cool. You're part Filipina-Chinese-Spanish. No wonder you are gorgeous."
"Muchas Gracias."
After shopping around on some bazaars, we went to my beloved school, Luceat University. It's bringing back all the feels: happiness, sadness, anger, triumphs and heartbreak.
"Welcome to Luceat University."
"Is this a school? It doesn't even look like one."
I toured him around and he loved it. The university has a very long and stunning history, James loves history. Medyo napagod ako kakaikot and kakasalita na din, pero he really looked so interested kaya I kept going.
The university is very fond of seeing famous people around, and I'm glad with that. No one have approached us during the tour except for a member of the central student government asking if they could feature us in an online post.
After offering a little prayer in the chapel we went to the pavilion. Nakaset up na ito para sa reunion sa friday. "This holds the special events of the institution. I graduated in this place."
"Is this you? You have lost weight." He asked, pointing at the championship picture of the sportsfest I hosted. "If this school was in London, it would be very expensive.
"You bet."
"Miss Capistrano?" I stiffened upon hearing a familiar voice. I then turned to confirm who owns the voice.
"Ms. Salvador." She's still here. Hindi ko inexpect na magtatagal siya dito. "Good afternoon po. Bawal ba kami dito? We just dropped by, I was touring my boyfriend James around." Pinakilala ko na rin si James sa kaniya.
"Boyfriend?" Takang takang pagtatanong niya and she offered her hand to James for a shake. "You were just right in time. Kakatapos lang ng meeting namin to finalise for the reunion. Can you be our host?"
"Ha? Bakit ako? Kasama naman higher year diba? Sa batch na lang nila."
"I'm the head committee, I want the host to be you." Ay wow. Bago yan ah. "Please?"
"Sure. Sige. Just email me the script or the program."
"Sure. You can bring James on Friday." She smiled pati din si James. He would be very happy.
Siguro nakailang steps na din palayo si Miss nang may naalala akong itanong. "Wait. Will I have a partner?" I trailed after her.
"Ah. Oo. Si Jay."
