This is how it started (Elementary Series #01)

Chapter 18

"Look at what I have for your birthday?" Atarah asked while we were doing a video call. Mom bought a phone for me, because Atarah is always calling at her phone, so they decided to bought one for me.

"What? My birthday is four days from now" sabi ko habang nagtutupi ng damit, Mom told me to at least do chores for my personal things.

"I knew that. But look at this" she said so I looked at the screen, she's holding a paper and she show it to the camera, so I can see it clearly.

"Omg! Is that a plane ticket? Don't tell me you're coming home for my birthday." I said excitedly. She just laughed at me.

"Then I won't tell you." she said while laughing and putting the ticket in her bag.

"Totoo 'yan? E malapit na ang birthday ko, kailan ang uwi mo? Di ka na makaka-alis dito ng hindi ako kasama"

Tumawa ulit siya, habang inaayos ang bangs niya. Atarah has full bangs which looks good on her. She's wearing a long sleeve sweater and currently in her room. A lot of things change in her. Literally, a lot.

"Yes. It's real. Dad finally allowed us to finally come home in Philippines. I miss you so much" nagda-dramang sabi niya kaya ako naman ang natawa.

"I'm so excited. I will introduce you to Zea, you will surely like her. Mas maingay nga lang siya kaysa sa akin, pero maganda siyang maging friend. Tapos sila Noa and Syl. You guys will surely get along"

"I hope so. You know me, I'm not friendly as you. But I really hope that I get closer to Zea once we meet"

After that call, I excitedly called Zea to go in our house for my announcement. Good thing I have a phone already. I also used this to chat with my friends in facebook, Sev created an account for that so I can chat him as well.

"Anong chismis mo?" Zea asked when she barged in at my room.

"Atarah is going home"

Just that sentence and she already ran towards me and lay down in the bed, the same way I do. She's been hearing a lot about Atarah, because of me.

"I'm so excited to finally meet her, di mo ako sinasali sa mga video call niyo kasi gusto mo na surprise. Grabe nakaka-excite naman. Kapag natakot siya sakin dahil sa kwento mo, yari ka sakin" pagbabanta pa niya sakin na tinawanan ko na lang.

"Atarah, as I've told you is my first best friend, before I met Sev. She's a good friend"

Patuloy lang kami sa pag-uusap tungkol sa ibat-ibang bagay noong tumawag na si tita sa kanya at kailangan na niyang umuwi sa kanila. Bumaba na kami at hinatid ko siya hanggang gate. Si mommy naman ang nagluto ng dinner ngayon kasi 'yon ang request ni Charles, kaya nag-request din ako ng favorite ulam ko.

Kinabukasan ay nagising ako dahil sa katok sa pinto ko, yung tatlo yata ang bisita ko ngayon.

Hindi na ako nagsuklay ng buhok at naghilamos at tooth brush na lang. Sila lang din naman ang makakaharap ko, madalas nila akong makita na hindi naka-ayos.

"Ba-" naputol ang sinasabi ko dahil sa taong nasa harap ko. "Atarah!! Oh my gosh!!" I said happily and hugged her so tight.

"I miss you too, Liya" she said softly and hugged me as well.

"You're real, right?" I asked and then I felt her nod. "I don't know what to say. You didn't even tell me na today ka pala uuwi" sabi ko sa kanya at lumayo na sa kanya.

"Well, surprise!" she said and smiled while checking me from head to feet. "Good morning" she added and laughed at my face. I pouted and checked her as well.