The 100th Guy (English - Unedited)

[CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE] Twice the happiness...

Chapter Twenty-One

Twice the happiness, thrice the suffering

 “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, happy birthday… Happy birthday to you!”

            We laughed in harmony when we all finished the song. It was the morning of the first of June and we prepared everything for my Mom’s birthday. We were all gathered at out house for a small celebration. After many years, it was only now again that she would celebrate her birthday with us.

            “Make a wish, hon.” My Dad said which made us swirl our intestines out.

            “Hon?” we shouted in unison. We all had different reactions hearing my Dad called Mom that way. It was just so unusual and I swore it sounded strange hearing it the first time.

            “Tito, it was only now that I heard you called Tita Meg that way. Geez…” Jane said as if she was shivering in cold.

            “Before, you only call her Meg and now… what?” I teased, not mentioning the word hon  which was quite weird even though they were husband and wife.

            “Hey!” Dad grumbled. “We just got home that’s why you haven’t heard it. And besides, I usually call Meg that way. If it’s only the two of us.” He almost whispered his last sentence and we all protested, feeling shivers. “Right, Hon?” he even teased.

            “You stop it, lovers,” Avril interrupted. “You’re in front of children. Come on Mom, just make a wish.” I felt moving people at my side, maybe Avril pushed my Mom to the cake beside me.

            “Okay,” she breathed deeply. “My only wish to Lord is for these children to be happy, and also, my husband and I. And for Midori to get well very soon.” After that, I heard her blow the candles and everyone clapped.

            “Mom, you should have wished something for yourself and not for me, or us. It’s your birthday, not ours,” I told her as I brushed my head. 

            “But that’s a wish for me!” Mom protested. “Because your happiness is my happiness. These children also, Jane and Dwaine. Youa re all my children so come here!” 

            I just felt people crowded around me and embraced each other. I raised my arms too to join that group hug. We were giggling inside the bunch of hugs that we made when the door creaked open.

            “Am I that late?”

            We all separated from the hug when we heard Maisen’s voice. I smiled as soon as I realized how shaky his voice was. He might be busy but did he best to come. “Sorry, I’m late and I can’t promise to stay for long, but I tried my best to come.” 

            I felt hands were put on each of my shoulders, probably Maisen’s. “Mom, Maisen is really busy. It’s not easy to be an international artist. It’s very nice he still came,” I told my Mom.

            There was silence after what I said until Dwaine spoke. But his words were unclear in my ears so I asked him to repeat what he said.

            “Midori, Maisen is not here,” he said for the second time.

            “What?” I asked confused. “Isn’t he the one who came?”