Chaotic Arrangement

Chapter 17

“Happy Birthday, Skylar!!” Masayang bungad sakin nila Lavinna sa loob ng room. I smiled genuinely, thanking each of them.

I was finally at a legal age. 18 years of existence. 18 years of living. Still couldn't believe na eighteen years old na 'ko ngayong araw. I still feel like a child, a simple teenage girl. Pero mas malawak na ang mundo ko ngayon. Mas mahirap kumpara noon.

Simpleng celebration lang ang gusto ko. I didn't want a debut na gaganapin pa sa isang venue ng hotel. Ang gusto ko'y sa bahay lang mag-celebrate, tutal naman malaki rin ang espasyo doon sa bahay. I just wanted to celebrate with the people I love and admire the most.

“This is a gift from all of us, we appreciate your hardwork and effort sa team. Especially,  dahil you're part of the MC family now” Iniabot sa'kin ni Lucinda ang isang yellow na box. I curiously glanced at them bago ituon ang pansin sa kahon.

It wasn't that big. Sakto lang ang laki nito. I wonder what's inside this?

Dahil sa pagkakuryoso ay tinanggal ko iyong ribbon na nakapulupot dito. I opened the box and I immediately widened my eyes seeing what's inside.

“Is this for real?” Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko bago sila tignan. They all smirked and nodded at the same time.

Kinuha ko iyong nasa loob. I was holding it very gently and carefully, like it was the most fragile thing in the world. I was simply admiring it. This is so beautiful.

It was a camera. Canon EOS R6. Damn. I've always wanted to have one of these.

“You said you're camera broke when you were taking photos last school fest, so we decided to give you a new one” Nakangising sabi ni Kazumi sa'kin. Kei was giving me thumbs up while smiling.

Nasira 'yung dala 'kong camera noong school fest, three months ago. May nakabangga kasi sa'kin kaya nabitawan ko bigla. It was like the end of the world for me, seeing it all shattered and broken. Muntik na akong mangiyak dahil lang doon.

“Thank you so much guys! You didn't have to waste too much money on this..”

“Okay lang, pera naman ni Cindy ginamit namin para bilhin 'yan” Napalingon ako kay Reece, isang hampas ang nakuha niya mula rito.

“Rich kid naman si Cindy kaya no problem” Natatawang sabi ni Kazumi. Lucinda just crossed her arms while glaring at both of them.

Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang ngumiti. Lucinda was that kind of friend na hindi ganoon ka-showy in terms of feelings. It may look like she doesn't care, but she does. She just shows it in a different way.

“Uy! Let's take a picture sa new camera ni Skylar!” Aya ni Kei habang inaayos iyong tripod sa gitna. Hinila ako ni Lavinna at niyakap ang kamay sa braso ko.

Nagtutulakan pa sila Reece at Kazumi kung sino ang tatabi kay Lucinda. We all laughed habang pinagmamasdan ang mapula at iritadong mukha niya.

“Okay! Don't move too much! I already set the timer!” Nagmamadaling bumalik si Kei sa tabi namin. There was a light blinking at the camera. I smiled widely, looking at it. And waiting for it to click and take the photo.

“Published na ba 'yung school paper for this month?” Lucinda was walking back to her side of the room. Sila Lavinna at Kei ay tinitignan iyong mga litratong kinuha namin kanina.

“Not yet, next week pa deadline natin. May papadagdag ka ba, boss?” Tanong ni Reece habang binubura ang mga nakasulat sa white board.

“Yeah. We can add our picture sa last page for credits” Bahagya kaming napatango. The school paper in MHU is like a newspaper, we cover and write about the events or important details na nangyari noong month na 'yun. To let the students and members of the facilities stay updated.