Lose to Win (Trazo Real Series #2)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I stared at the gifts that my friends gave me. I am 18 now and as much as we all want to go to the bar together, we know we still can't because I am the eldest in the group. These three – Shawn, Jane, and Nicole are still minors. Nicole also doesn't like the idea of going to places like bars.

"KJ naman, Nicole. Paano kapag lahat tayo 18 na? Hindi ka talaga sasama?", Jane said and we continued eating.

I wanted to treat them in a fancy restaurant because after all, today is my 18th birthday. They insisted that eating in a samgyupsal restaurant is so much better.

"Hindi ako komportable sa ganoong mga lugar, Jane. I'd rather read a book at home than go to a crowded place like that", hayag ni Nicole kaya natawa naman si Shawn.

"Bakla, wala naman kasing bar na peaceful. Ganoon talaga. Hayaan mo na at masasanay ka rin. Sumama ka kapag pwede na tayong apat para ma-experience mo rin", kulit sa kanya ni Shawn.

"I don't drink alcohol", nguso niya.

Sa aming apat, siya na lang ang hindi nakakatikim ng kahit anong alcoholic drink. Siya lang din ang hindi interesado sa mga bagay na interesado kaming tatlo. I just find it amazing that despite our differences, we remained friends.

"Then don't drink, alcohol. Just party with us. You'll be fine", saad ni Jane.

We all ate together and to my surprise, they bought a birthday cake for me. Ang lalakas pa kumanta nina Shawn at Jane kaya pinagtitinginan kaming apat. Si Nicole naman kumakanta lang din at natatawa sa dalawang kaibigan naming hyper.

"Kaloka itong si Troy hindi sumasagot sa tawag ko!", saad ni Shawn.

Nakakasama naming apat si Troy pero hindi siya masyadong malapit kina Jane at Nicole. Si Shawn kasi ang pinakamagaan kausap sa lahat kaya madali siyang nakalapit ni Troy. At ako syempre, ako ang closest friend 'nun sa grupo namin.

"Baka naman nasa wedding pa ng Tito niya", Jane said.

"May picture ba kayo ni Troy? 'Yun na lang!", sabi ni Nicole.

I hurriedly looked for my phone and searched one of Troy's ugliest selfies. Iyon ang ginamit ko at hinarap ang phone ko na may mukha niya para kunyari ay kumpleto kaming apat sa picture.

They bought me gifts. Jane bought me a pair of new high heels, Shawn bought me a make-up set, and Nicole bought me a book.

"I know you don't like reading but it's a good book, I swear!", saad niya pa dahil siya ang naiiba ng regalo sa dalawa.

"Thank you! I'll read this and send you my thoughts after", I said and hugged her.

"Happy Birthday, Clara", she said and then Jane and Shawn joined us for the group hug.

I got home and the house was quiet.

"Where's Mom?", I asked Ate Len.

I asked Ate Len.

"May inayos po sa factory, Ma'am", sagot niya sa akin kaya tumango ako.

Kinuha ni Ate Len ang mga dala kong regalo galing sa mga kaibigan at sumunod sa akin paakyat sa kwarto.

Pagpasok ko sa kwarto ko ay bumungad ang kwarto kong may kung anu-anong disenyo. There's a HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY, PICHI balloons taped on my wall. There are balloons on the floor and balloons afloat too. My pictures since I was a baby up to my latest pictures were hung on the ceiling and a table with a cute cake on top was on the center.

"Happy Birthday!", Kuya greeted.

I smiled at him and I was speechless for a moment. He prepared this, huh?