“Hoyhoyhoy!! Muppet my main man!” Derrick said as he gave me a bro hug. “Happy birthday pare.” sabi niya.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
“Pare! Happy Birthday!” Kris greeted me, too.
“Thanks, bro!”
“Elmo the muppet!” Gino yelled from the top of the staircase.
“Ginoboy!!” I yelled.
Bumaba na ito at saka siya tumakbo at pumasan sa likod ko. He ruffled my hair as he tried choking me. Gawain namin yan since we were in college. “Happy birthday, Muppet!!” bati niya.
“Hahahaha. Thanks, Gino!” I replied. “By the way, si Lauren.” I said and pointed at the girl beside me.
“Hi! I’m Lauren!” she excitedly said and shook Gino’s hand.
“H-hi.” he greeted awkwardly. Gino looked at me and I just shrugged my shoulders.
“Dude, dude. Si manager?” I asked after awhile.
“Nasa taas pa sila.” Derrick replied.
“Hi, muppet!!” Sef and Jmee yelled from upstairs at sabay na sinalubong ako at niyakap. “Happy
Birthday!”
“Thanks you guys!” I said as I hugged them back.
“Muppet!! Happy happy birthday!” Diva greeted me and kissed my cheek.
“Thank you, Divs.” I said and gave her hug. I looked at the top of the stairs and was surprised to see who Maqui is walking with. They were busy chatting nang mapatingin yung kasama niya sa akin.
“Muppeeeeeet!!” the beautiful lady said at nagmadali pa itong bumaba and hugged me. I reciprocated the hug while thinking how lucky I am to hug an amazing looking girl. “Happy Birthday, muppet.” she greeted me. Tinitigan ko lang siya kaya pinitik niya ang ilong ko.
“Ouch!” I cried as I touched my now red nose.
“Muntanga. Tulala lang?” she said. But I just stared. “Hoy!” Dagdag niya and clapped her hands in front of my face.
“Huh?” I said, shaking my head.
“Hahahaha. Happy birthday, Muppet. Jules, di ka nakilala ng bestfriend mo. Tablahin mo na oh!” Maqui said sabay beso sa akin. Wait what? Jules? Si Julie to? Si manager?!
“Manager?” I said still looking at the girl in front of me. “Seryoso?” sabi ko habang tinititigan siya mula ulo hanggang paa. She looked different! She was wearing a pair of fitted pants, a white blazer the same as mine over a black tank top which enhances her uhh… Okay Elmo stop it.
“Oh bakit? Bawal?” She asked while pinching my nose. I shook my head and looked at her again.
“Wow! Manager ikaw ba talaga yan?” I asked and even twirled her, trying to sound as if I was just joking around. Piningot niya ang tenga ko sabay sabunot sa akin. “Yup. You are her.” I said. “Sakit ha?” I added as I rub my head.
“Andami kasing alam eh.” she said.
“Haha. I was just kidding!” I said and I gave her a hug. “Pikon ka talaga forever ano po?” I asked her as I kissed her forehead.
“Ehem.” We heard someone clearing her throat. Napatingin kami sa kung sino yun and saw that it was Lauren.
“Uhm. May water sa kitchen. Inom ka muna.” I told her.
“Muppet, sino yan? New pet mo?” Julie whispered. I laughed at her as I shook my head.
“Manager, this is Lauren. Lo, si Julie bestfriend and one and only ko.” I said as I put an arm over Julie’s shoulder. Julie elbowed me then smiled at Lauren.
