Sheena's POV
Grade 11 and Grade 12 passed by. Colet graduated as a valedictorian of our batch, Maloi as the salutatorian, and Mikha made it to the list too. Samantalang ako, I managed to pass all my subjects too. Mataas ako sa Science subjects ko, 'yong ibang subjects naman, huwag nalang nating pag-usapan. I'm so proud of my friends for their achievements, they never made me feel like I'm different to them. They always tell me that I am street smart.
Literal na street smart dahil ako laging sinasama nila kapag may errands sila kasi ako raw ang gala sa aming apat.
About the girls, ate Aiah went abroad and we witnessed how Mikha tried hiding her sadness with her corny jokes and awkward smiles. Alam naming kahit na parati niyang inaaway at tinataboy si ate Aiah, naging parte na rin ito ng buhay niya. Sad girl pa rin si Colet because Jhoanna hasn't reached out to any of us yet. Stacey and Gwen is on their 12th grade, graduating na rin kaya naman full suppport ako sa bebe ko sa thesis nila.
Mikha, Colet, Maloi, and I will be entering College soon kaya busy din kami reviewing for our entrance exams. Mikha in La Salle, Colet in Ateneo, Maloi in UST, and me in CEU. Minsan, hindi pa rin nagsisink in sa akin, dati puro lang kami laro peor ngayon, we're about to enter College life - one step closer to our dream careers.
But I was saved from my own thoughts when I remembered the date today.
May 9. Today is my birthday!
I hurriedly went down stairs dahil alam kong may nakahanda na agad na gifts for me. Am I excited because of the gifts? No, I have a better idea for my birthday.
But when I reached the dining, my parents are eating while talking to my unwanted guests - my best friends. Talagang kumpleto pa sila tapos nakita ko pang may dalawang styro at ZILOPIN si Maloi. Pustahan, magbabalot 'to!
"Oh my god! You guys look famished!" I commented.
"Good morning to you too, our dear best friend. Wala eh, College is stressing. No time to eat." Colet smirked at me tapos sumubo pa ng pagkalaki laking bacon.
"Uh, wala pa tayo sa College." I replied sarcastically.
"Ah, wala pa ba? Basta masarap magluto si Tita!" she answered and laugh awkwardly.
"Pero nagstart naman na tayo magstudy for the entrance exam eh! Studying burns calories, we gotta refuel, right?" Mikha added in.
"Dude, you literally spent the entire afternoon playing video games na nasa Bloom's tayo." I rolled my eyes on her.
"Shhh! Don't blow my cover."
Mom interrupted us with her announcement, carrying a giant pot. "Who's ready for some of my famous lasagna?"
"ME!" My friends said in unison while raising their hands.
I groaned internally. Having my friends over is always a gamble. They have the appetites of bottomless pits disguised as human teenagers.
Mom laughed. "Alright, dig in" And just like that, my friends erupt into a cacophony of happy noises as they heap lasagna onto their plates. I watched them with a look of mock horror on my face.
"Looks like you brought an army, buddy." dad commented.
"Nako! Don't mind her, tito. Nagseselos lang 'yan. Don't worry, Sheena, we'll leave some for you... maybe." Maloi laughed.
I love my friends, really I do. But sometimes, their bottomless stomachs make me question that love.
"Anyway, I have a plan for my birthday kahit na hindi niyo pa ako binabati." I announced.
I was waiting for their reaction pero busy silang kumakain lahat. My parents didn't even look at me. What the hell?
I faked a cough to get their attention, and it works. "So, remember when my loving parents assigned a punishment for me at Colet's hospital? I plan to at least give my old clothes to some of the patients there since hindi ko naman na nagagamit."
"Are you sure? Eh parang may sepanx ka sa mga gamit mo, ayaw mong pinapamigay especially the branded ones." Dad asked.
I shook my head. "Dad, I realized that giving them away won't hurt my ass. Plus, it's my own way of saying thank you because I met my girlfriend there." I answered happily.
My parents looked at each other proudly. They turned to me and smiled. "If that what makes you happy, anak."
I smiled too knowing that I'll be able to see Miggy again and his crush. But my smile disappeared when mom spoke. "Pero matagal pa birthday mo, you have plenty of time to prepare your old clothes."
Seriously? They didn't even remember? Hello! Your Sheena just turned 18!?
"I-I'll just go to my room. I remember I need to review pa pala." I told them and immediately excused myself. Hindi ko nga halos nabawasan 'yong food ko because I was so disappointed.
Akala ko ba baby nila ako? Bakit hindi nila matandaan?
I tried calling Gwen but she didn't answer. I messaged her countless times telling her how hurt and disappointed I was with my best friends and family pero ni isa, wala siyang reply. Worst, pinatayan niya pa ako ng tawag.
Worst birthday of my life, I guess?
Afternoon came, parang hangin lang ulit ako dito sa bahay na dinadaanan nila so I spend most of my time to my room, watching series on Netflix para mawala ang imbyernang nararamdaman ko.
It was 7pm when my kuya went home and went straight to my room. Suot niya pa ang nursing uniform nila sa Hospital at halatang pagod siya.
"Hey, there! Bakit parang nalugi ka diyan?" he teased.
"Wala! Wala ka bang natatandaan?" I asked, giving him a hint that today is my birthday.
Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya na parang may inaalala. Please, kuya, remember my birthday! His face started to lighten up, that's when I knew he didn't forget.
"Ah! Tomorrow's my day off. We deserve to celebrate. Let's go to the rooftop, inom tayo." he said and pulled me. Kaya kahit na pikon na pikon ako, nagpadala nalang ako sa kanya.
The moment I saw the decorations, the music, the smiles on my friends' faces, my breath hitched. It was perfect. My eyes widen in disbelief as I took in the scene. A wave of warmth washes over me.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHEENA!" They all said in unison. My parents with their friends, my best friends, my brother, and of course, the love of my life.
I started tearing up. Nakakainis! Bakit ba naman kasi pinasama muna nila ang loob ko bago nila ako batiin? "Oh my god, guys! You shouldn't have! This is amazing! Nakakainis kayo!" I told them.
My best friends including Stacey rush forward, engulfing me in a hug. Halos maipit na ako sa higpit ng yakap nila sa akin. "Happy 18th birthday, Sheena! We couldn't let you become an adult without a proper celebration." Colet said.
Gwen, holding a candle with my parents behind her approached me. "Now come on, birthday girl! Time to make a wish and blow out the candles!"
She's holding a beautifully decorated cake, with eighteen lit candles. I closed my eyes, takes a deep breath, and makes a silent wish. Then, with a single exhale, I blew out the candles. They cheered for me.
Gwen hugged me. "Happy birthday, love. I love you so much." she said and gave me a forehead kiss.
When she stepped backward, naramdaman kong lumamig ang leeg ko so I had to hold it. I looked down to see what's in it, and saw a necklace. She simply wear it to me when she was hugging me.
It was a gold necklace with a heart pendant. It's beautiful!
"Bebe, you don't have to give me fancy gift. I already have you, ikaw ang pinakamahal na regalong natanggap ko." I told her.
"18 ka na pero 'yang mga banat mo, pang high school pa rin." she joked. "But promise me one thing." she added.
"What it is?" I asked curiously.
"If you look closer to the necklace, it has a locket pendant. Promise me you'll only open it when you feel sad or miss mo na ako." she smiled at me, with a hint of sadness on her eyes that I couldn't understand.
"Huh? Lagi naman tayong nagkikita eh. Pwede ko na bang makita? I'm really excited." I reasoned out.
"Just promise, Shee." she said seriously.
"Sure, love. I promise." sagot ko kahit pa medyo naguguluhan ako.
Kukulitin ko pa sana siya but Maloi spoke. "Alright, who's ready for cake? I may or may not have snuck in some extra ice cream!"
Everyone laughs as they gather around the table. The music picks up, and the party officially begins. We spend the next few hours laughing, sharing stories, and dancing like nobody's watching.
The party starts to wind down. The music is lower, the laughter softer. I sit surrounded by my best friends, a slice of cake in my hand. It wasn't the most extravagant party, but it was perfect. Spending my 18th birthday with the people who know me best, who make me laugh until my stomach hurts, who love me unconditionally – that's all that mattered.
"To Sheena! Happy birthday, you crazy, amazing, wonderful person!" Stacey announced, raising her glass of juice.
"Here's to many more adventures together!" Colet added in.
I raised my glass too, "To friendship, laughter, turning eighteen, and for the unconditional love..." I looked at Gwen beside me who looked at me too. "...Cheers!"
As I took a sip, I know this is a night I'll never forget. The warmth of friendship and love fills my heart, a feeling that promises many more happy birthdays to come.
The celebration continued, the oldies had to say goodbye because they still have works tomorrow kaya kami nalang ang andito. My friends are now dancing while drinking alcohol this time. Kunwari lang silang bait-baitan around my parents earlier pero kanina pa nila ako sinisiko para kumuha ng iinumin nila. Hindi na ako magtataka kung may malasing mamaya. I just hope that this time, hindi na sa hospital ang diretso namin.
I am busy observing them when I remembered College again. Sometimes, it makes me feel excited but I can't help but to feel anxious. I'm scared. What if I fail? What if my friends will graduate on time tapos ako, madelay? What if they all become successful and I'm not?
Gwen sat beside me and I somehow felt relief. Looking back, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by everything we have to juggle in life. But sometimes, all it takes is a moment with Gwen, a laugh with friends, to remember this isn't a race.
"Hey, birthday girl! Lost in thought?" my girlfriend asked.
I smiled at her. "Just thinking about how lucky I am."
"Me too, love." Gwen replied and gave me a quick kiss. "But I know something's still bothering you. Tell me about it."
I scratched the back of my head as I focus my sight towards my best friends having a great time. "College is approaching, bebe. I feel like I won't make it." I told her honestly.
She hummed, signaling me to continue. "Hindi naman ako kasing talino ni Colet at Maloi o kasing sipag ni Mikha mag-aral eh. Hindi naman nila pinaparamdam sa akin 'yon pero pakiramdam ko ang liit liit ko pagdating sa academic achievements nila. Paano kung ako lang 'yong hirap soon? Paano kung matagalan ako? What if I disappoint you?"
"Are you overthinking, love?" she asked gently.
"I am." I nodded.
She sighed and side hugged me. "Life isn't a competition to see who gets to the finish line first. It's a journey, full of twists and turns, ups and downs. And the beauty of it is, we get to experience it with the people we love. You will never disappoint me, I can see naman how you try and exert effort to the things you wanted to learn. We may not have everything figured out yet, our paths might not be perfectly straight, but that's okay. We're learning, growing, and experiencing life together. And that's all that matters."
"Okay, who the fuck cares if you fail or something bad happen unexpectedly? It will not make you less of a person. Ikaw pa rin 'yan. Ang Sheena na baby ng lahat. Ang Sheena na mahal na mahal namin. We'll get through this, okay? I will always be proud of you." she added.
"Oh, inom lang walang dramahan sa gilid! Ako nga, iniwan pero hindi naman nagdadrama ngayon." Colet approached us at inabutan ng two bottle of beers.
"Same! Best friends talaga tayo." Mikha butted in at inakbayan pa si Colet.
"Best friend mo rin ako, Mikhs!" I told her.
"Sige na nga, since birthday mo naman, best friend na rin kita. Tingnan niyo si Maloi oh, ginagaya na si Chowlong." she said, referring to Maloi's chubby dog. Paano ba naman kasi, 'yong pulutan na kinuha nila kanina, ginagawa ng ulam ni Maloi.
"Oo nga, buntis ba si Chowlong? Ang taba kasi." Gwen commented, but she said it a little too loud.
Maloi immediately looked up to face us with her slightly angry expression. "Lalaki po si Chowlong! Hindi po siya buntis!" she said and continued eating with Stacey sleeping peacefully beside her. Lasing na rin siguro.
Natawa nalang kami at napa-iling dahil pagdating sa pets niya, sobrang defensive niya. The pressure seems to ease, replaced by the comforting knowledge that I am not alone in this journey. I am with them. Buti nalang buhay ay di karera.
I love my best friends so much.
*********************
So, to anyone feeling lost in the whirlwind of college life, here's a little reminder: take a breath. Slow down. Enjoy the ride. You'll get there, wherever "there" may be, in your own time, with the support of the people you love. After all, the best part of the journey is who you share it with.