Xyla’s POV

After that tiring dance, nagpahinga ako sandali sa kwarto bago isuot yung huli kong gown bago bumalik sa party. May konti pang dance number at iilang katanggal-tanggal inip ang dumaan.

“Ate, why don’t you perform a song?” Tiningnan ko si Xytee.

“What do you want me to sing?” She looked at Papa who was talking at some of his cousins and other guests.

“Surprise Papa… give him a little thank you, besides, he’s the master of this surprises.” Tiningnan ko si Papa at ngumiti ako. I stood up and walk towards Butler Saff. I instruct him everything and he nods. Lumapit naman ako kay Papa.

“Uhh… excuse me. Can I borrow my Papa for awhile?” Ngumiti naman yung ilang bisita at tumango. I lead Papa far from them.

“What is it honey?”

“Pa… what’s next? Di ba dapat wine raising na?”

“Oh, I forgot. Yes… Tell Xylo to get up on stage you two together with the family.” Tumango ako’t pinuntahan sina Mama.

“Ma, its wine raising. We should be on stage.” Tumayo naman ang buong pamilya at pumunta kami sa stage and Papa soon arrive holding a glass of whine.

“May I call the attention of everyone?” I saw that the waiters giving the guests some glasses of wine and so we do.

“Uhh… I would like to thank you all for coming and for closing the program, I want to raise a toast for the two debutantes. Laurence and Laurene, you two were grown up now. I wish all the best for you two. As for everyone, cheers!” We raised the glasses and say ‘cheers!’ Soon we clink our glasses and drink it up. Everyone then clapped their hands. I get the mic at Papa’s hand.

“Uhh… before anything else, I want to sing a song for everyone together with my Papa, Mr. Zhake Grayson.” Halatang nagulat naman si Papa at lumapit sakin saka ako binulungan.

“What we’ll sing?”

“You knew it Pa.”

Umalis na sa stage sina Mama at yung iba pa at naiwan kami ni Papa. Soon Butler Saff arrived and give me Mocca, a seat and placed the standable mic infront of me while Papa’s sitting beside me and holding a microphone. I smiled and looked at everyone.

“I hope you’ll love the song.” I looked at Papa and smiled. He smiled a little. I then start strumming Mocca and start singing first.

[Playing : Butterfly Fly Away – Miley Cyrus]

“Sing with me Pa…” Sinabayan ako ni Papa’t nakangiti lang akong nakatingin sa kanya. Masaya ako. Sobrang saya. It feels like I’m whole and contented.

“Butterfly fly away, butterfly fly away

Got your wings now, you can’t stay

Take those dreams and make them all come true” I then saw some butterflies flying around and I smiled.

“Butterfly butterfly butterfly butterfly fly away…” Mas marami pang paro-parong nagliparan at nagpalakpakan ang lahat. I turn at Papa and he smiled. I hug him.

“I love you Pa.”

“I love you too.” I look at Xytee and smiled. This is my best birthday ever.

Bel’s POV

I smiled as I wipe my tears away.

“Bel, ba’t umiiyak ka?” I look at Allaine who’s sitting beside me. Tinignan narin ako ng iba.

“I was just touched by the song and too happy for Xyl… Ngayon ko lang nakitang sobra-sobrang saya niya.” I said drying my tears. Pinat lang ni Sehun ang likod ko at ngumiti lang din ako.

“Everyone, I want you all to come out and let’s watch some fireworks display for the finale of the program.” Announce nung EmCee kaya nagtayuan lahat. I saw Xyl smiling while walking together with her family. Napakasaya na niya ngayon. I think Tito’s real reason for bringing her to Auntie’s house is for her to experience true happiness and to learn more about the outside world.

Lumabas na kaming lahat at nagsimula ng sindihan yung fireworks.

“Wow…” We all muttered. I felt someone encircled his or her arms on my shoulders and when I look to see if who it was, I saw Xyl smiling beside me while looking at the sky. I smiled and put my arms in her shoulders too and together, we watched the fireworks display.

“One thing I wish when I was a kid is to watch fireworks with my best friend.” She said. I look at her but she’s still looking up.

“And that wish was fulfilled. I’m standing now and watching fireworks with my best friend.” She then look at me and smiled. I smiled too.

“Thanks for being my best friend Bel.”

“No, thanks for having me be your best friend.” We both giggled and hug each other.

“Pasali naman kami sa yakapan niyo!” We look back and I saw Allaine, Mey, Karren and Treshia. Nagkatinginan lang kami ni Xyl.

“Come here you four. You’re my friends now so join the hug.” Napangiti naman sila. I never thought Xyl would find these girls. Andaming mga mapagsamantalang tao sa paligid pero nakahanap siya ng 4 out of 100.

“Happy Birthday Xandria!” They yelled and we six hugged.

“Having friends like you all is like having another member of the family.”

Treshia’s POV

Grabe. Ang saya at ang bongga lang ng party na ‘to. I’m happy na nakilala namin si Xandria. Although she was Laurene, were not up to her money or fame. Hindi naman kasi si Laurene ang kinaibigan namin. It was Xandria.

“Nakakapagod.” Natapos na yung party at nagsilayasan na lahat. Pasalampak akong humiga sa couch. Iniwan ko silang lahat dun sa labas dahil inaantok na ako. Ayoko na yatang magbihis. Tinatamad na ako’t tamad naring umakyat.

“Uy. Bat diyan ka natutulog?” Tanong ng kung sino.

“Hmm…” Tinatamad nga akong gumalaw at magsalita. Bahala siya diyan. Niyakap ko lang yung throw pillow. Sasagarin ko na ‘to dahil minsan lang ‘to.

Naramdaman ko nalang na may humawak sakin at umangat ako. Kung sino man ‘to, salamat sa pagbubuhat.

“Tss. Antukin.” Ramdam ko yung bawat hakbang niya’t paglatag niya sakin sa kama. Kinapa ko kaagad ang unan at niyakap. Ang lambot. Gusto ko na tuloy tumira dito.

“Hoy. Magpalit ka muna bago matulog.” Di ako sumagot. I heard someone hissed at may nag-alis ng sapatos ko’t may tumakip saking kumot. I smiled.

“Ngumingiti ka pala? Sana ganyan ka nalang katahimik.” Aba, nacucurious na ako kung sino ‘to. So gusto niya tulog nalang ako lagi para tahimik, ganon? Nagmulat ako ng mga mata’t may nakita akong nakaupo sa paanan ko. Kinusot ko yung mga mata ko dahil medyo Malabo na dahil antok na antok na ako’t pagtingin ko kung sino…

“Pvnyet^! Anong ginagawa mo dito sa kwarto namin?!” Tumayo siya’t namulsa.

“Magpasalamat ka nalang na binitbit pa kita dito kahit ang bigat mo.” Aba’t!

“Bat ako magpapasalamat e hindi ko naman sinabing bitbitin mo ako dito di ba?!”

“Tss. Ewan ko sayo. Matulog ka nalang. Ang ingay mo.”

“Watever! Chupii!” Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin nang ngitian niya ako.

“Alam mo---”

“Hindi ko alam! Alis na!”

“Maganda ka sana e, maingay at masungit ka lang.” Huli niyang sabi bago tuluyang umalis. Napahawak ako sa pisngi kong nag-iinit. Maganda daw ako? Napangiti ako. Sinampal ko bigla ang sarili ko.

“E maganda ka naman talaga Treshia e! Kahit di sabihin ng alien na yun, maganda ka!” Pero iba yung dating nung sa kanya nanggaling yon. E~ Bat ganito? Anong meron sa malaking matang Do Kyungsoo na yon?