BORROWED TIME

60

I looked at my watch and I am pretty sure that in a few more minutes, my friends will be arriving in our house.

"Pst! Hoy!"

Napalingon naman ako sa sumutsot sa akin.

It was Jho.

"Yes?" I asked her tsaka ako lumapit sa kanya.

"Are you ready to see them?"

By 'them', she meant my friends. Today, I am turning twenty-six and I am feeling numb.

This is just like any other birthday celebrations that I had from the past, aside from that this is gonna be my first birthday celebration after the horrible accident I had.

"I honestly don't know what to feel. I am excited and happy, but I feel jitters and nervousness all over my body. Just...mixed emotions."

"Wag kang mag-alala, I'm sure you'll be happy when you finally see them." she tried to tiptoe and messed my hair as she always does.

I just smiled at her and just let her mess my hair. I don't know, but it soothes me kasi. So I just like it everytime she does that to me.

*ding dong*

We heard the doorbell rang and that indicates that someone has arrived.

"Mukhang sila na yan. Open the door for them." she commanded so I did.

I slowly opened the main door while my heart is beating so fast. This will be the first time I'm going to see them after the incident.

I just hope this birthday party will go well.

"Happy Birthday!--" they all said in chorus but then was immediately cut off by their facial reactions when they saw me.

"Wow...." it was Ann who finally spoke in behalf of the group.

I saw all of them becoming teary-eyed when they all saw me.

"Why? What's wrong?" I worrily asked.

All of them looked at me from head to toe and then vise versa.

"Is there anything wrong in me?" I asked confusingly kasi hindi ko talaga nagi-gets at kailangan pa nila akong titigan ng buo imbis na pumasok na lang.

"Bei... Y-you're really alive..." it was Maki.

"And y-you're finally w-walking..." then it was Cel.

I looked at myself. And smiled at them. "Well, I'm still using a cane, but I can walk by my own already tho-- W-woahh. Relax lang, ano ba kayo?" I laughingly asked when Jana hugged me and then the others followed.

"A-akala namin, you will not allow yourself t-to live again. But now? We are just so happy and proud that you are walking, Bea..." she said in between her sobs.

Then I heard the others' sobs while agreeing to what Jana has said.

Though I cried a little, I still couldn't stop myself from laughing because these bitches are starting to be over dramatic again. After more than a year.

"P-pwede bang tama na tong group hug and group drama na to? Nagugutom na ako eh." naiiyak na sabi ni Maki and that just broke our dramatic scene.

"Eh sino ba naman kasing nag-umpisa nito? Hindi ba't kayo rin lang?" I said as I wipe the little tears in my eyes then pulled myself away from their hugs.

"Come on, let's go. Hinihintay na kayo ng mga pagkain! Mamaya na tayo magdrama okay?"

I pulled all of them inside the house while Nanay Tere, ate Alma and kuya Loel brought their luggages inside our house.