Stars and Monsoon Skies (Sky Series 2)

22nd Verse

Even though the concert has officially ended an hour ago, the band was still busy entertaining some fans backstage. They were signing albums, posters and even shirts.

Nasa loob ako ng dressing room ng Lux na kanina lang ay punong puno ng mga tao pero ngayon ay iilan na lang ang nandito. I was sitting on the massage chair dahil napagod ang mga paa ko kakatayo ng ilang oras sa tabi ng stage habang pinapanood mag-practice at magperform ang Lux. Halos buong araw akong nakatayo at ang sakit na ng mga binti ko. Mabuti na lang may ganito rito si Archer.

Papikit na ang mga mata ko ng biglang nagsipasukan sa loob ng kwarto sila Lexi, Reece, Gia, Gabby at Max. They spotted me across the room.

"Jules!" Tawag ni Gabby habang palapit sa 'kin. "I haven't seen you since the concert started! OMG, happy birthday, girl!" She ran to me and hugged me. "We have a gift for you!" She said and gave me a paper bag."

"Sali ako!" Sabi naman ni Gia at yumakap din sa 'min. "Happy birthday, Mama Bear!"

Sumali rin sa yakap si Lexi. "HBD." She said jokingly.

"Ang effort, ha! Baka naman malugi ka sa HBD mo." Natatawang sabi ko.

Lexi laughed with me and greeted me again. "Happy birthday, Boo!"

"Thank you girls, I love you so much!"

Reece joined the group hug, enveloping the four of us. I didn't know how it happened but apparently Lexi and him were back together again. Sanay na rin kami. "Happy birthday." He said.

I glanced at Max who was standing right beside us looking firm and powerful. Hindi ko alam kung bakit but he always had that aura around him. Ngumiti siya sa 'kin habang sinasakal ako sa yakap ng apat kong kaibigan. "Happy birthday, Jules."

"Open your gift!" Sabi ni Gab at nakapulupot pa rin ang mga braso sa leeg ko.

The bag was heavy kaya dahan dahan kong pinatong 'yon sa hita ko. Lexi, Reece and Gia let go of me para mabuksan ko ng maayos ang regalo.

"Come on, come on, come on." Gia said excitedly.

I glanced at them and they were all smiling excitedly. Kinakabahan tulog ako baka kung anong alam nito.

Knowing the three of them, I knew whatever was inside this box was no good. Nung huling birthday ko ang niregalo nila ay isang box na punong puno ng condon at sex toys!

Jusko ano na lang kaya ang laman ng box na 'to ngayon?

Pagkasira ko ng balot ng box ay nagulat ako. My fingers stopped from its assault and I looked at them with wide eyes.

No way!

"Go on!" Lexi urged, smiling brightly.

Tinaggal ko ng maayos ang balot at nang makita ng buo ang box ay halos maiyak ako.

It was a new macbook.

Alam nila na laging tinotopak ang laptop ko at nagiipon ako para makabili ng bago but I didn't expect that they will buy this for my birthday. I opened the box and saw a brand new silver laptop.

"Grabe kayo. I can't accept this." Sabi ko. This thing was so expensive!

"Tumigil ka nga! Naghati hati kami diyan kaya hindi mo pwedeng hindi tanggapin 'yan! Magtatampo kami sa 'yo bahala ka." Sabi ni Gab.