I wasn't really expecting for a real party, when I come home. But when Mom saw my pals, practicing their performance for the night, she and my girlfriends decided to prepare the evening meal. More likely party snacks.

Sweet spaghetti and fruit salad is on the menu, with barbecue and toasty club-house sandwich. And for the drinks - coke and water.

      Actually, the first guests who arrived early were my close and bestfriends : Roseann, Flora, Grace, Divine, and Elissa. They were here since lunch time. Got too excited to see me, after staying for months in Legazpi.

       Kuya Andy have arrived, just as the party started, after twenty minutes of finishing the last preparations. Okay.

Now, he's as chubby as Kuya Darren.

       Napatingin ako sa dalawa, na ngayo'y nangungumusta sa isa't-isa. They knew each other, since I was in third year - which I never expect, before I met him.

       I grinned. "Soo Kuya Andy. . ." lumapit ako sa dalawang chubwapo, while clearing my throat. "Ehem. . .hem. . .kelan yung schedule niyo para sa Triathlon, kasama si Kuya Darren?"

        Kuya Darren snickered while my own Kuya snapped. "Aaah. . .ganun? Nagsasalita na ngayon si Patpatin."

       Heh. Talaga si kuya.
Patpatin pa rin ba ang tawag sa isang tulad ko, kung fit and healthy ang aking physique?

"Hahaha. Waleeey pa rin si Kuya Andy!~" I teased.

Rolling his eyeballs, he 'tsk'ed. "Get lost, blister."

"Kuya, talaga. . .ngayon, hindi mo na ako makukutya na 'patpatin'. Stress-eating pa more. . .except kay Big Bro." sabay assure ko sa aking senior.

     Kuya Andy just shook his head in disbelief. "Wala talaga. Kahit kailan, hindi mo titigilan ang pagbu-bully mo sa akin."

"Pity yourself, bro. Kung sino naman kasi ang pasimuno sa pamimintas sa iba - ay mismo ang dapat gayahin na gumawa ng tama. Ang kuya o ate. . .dapat, hindi bad-influ."

"Oo nga!" biglang sumingit ang aking makulit na kapatid, si Angelo. "Para 'di makahawa ng sakit."

       May sasabihin na sana ako, nang napatahimik ako sa kanyang sinabi, at tiningnan ko siya, habang naka-poker face.

Ah. . .sakit kamo?

"Yes, po? Ano po yun, Angelo?"

       Napakamot na lang siya sa ulo, nang natawa kaming tatlo sa kanyang kakornihan.

      "Hmph. Babawi na lang ako sa susunod." He said, walking out of the scene. Shaking my head, I muttered, "KUNG may susunod pa." Turning back to Kuya Andy, I asked about Ate Ruby's condition. "Okay lang siya." ang sabi niya sa akin. Sighing in relief, he also said that if he only knew, he wouldn't worry so much about her. "Well, you never knew. It's alright." I commented.

       The three of us went to the living room, and sat with the others, as we watch the performers of tonight's party. We love the songs. They even consider one or two old songs, which they made a perfect mash-up for it.

      Louen and Brandon finished their performance, with their last song, Count on Me by Bruno Mars, recieving their claps from their audiences (including the proud me) and layed their guitars beside them

      "This is awesome! We should do this more often." says the tireless Louen, who takes a sip of his warm water, after singing eight songs, with his partner. "No way, I'm gonna let you party in my house with no special occasion." I grinned.

     "Then, I'll just crash-in without you around and set up a party with my band. Even there's no reason to celebrate." he replied, slyly.

      "Talk to Daddy, who's been hearing all of this." I stated, pointing my dad, who's looking at him in disbelief.

       "A-ha! May balak kang magpaparty ng walang paalam, ha?" he said, in a suspicious, yet in a funny manner, animating his both hands, that goes slowly to his hips.

       As the people around him began to laugh, Louen smiled sheepishly and said, "Sige na, tito! Magdadala naman ako ng chics - para happy ang party.Kung gusto niyo po. . .dalawa sayo, dalawa sa akin." while waggling his eyebrows, just to convince him with his deal.

       I took a pillow, from the couch and throwed it at his face. "Tumigil-tigil ka diyan, Louen!"
And the whole living room was full with roaring laughter.

       "Joke lang! Ikaw naman. 'Di ko naman 'yan gagawin kay Tito -", biro ni Louen sa akin. " - - baka ako ang pagalitan ni Tita."

"Correct." was my Mom's only response, with a satisfying nod.

      Napatingin si Dad, na may ngiti sa mukha. "Pwede rin. . . Sabihin mo lang kung dala mo na sila, at papayagan kong ikaw na mag-party - kahit kailan mo gusto." Sabay taas ng kanyang mga kilay at tumatawa na pang John Regala. Sinabi niya rin ang isa sa mga sikat na linya ng kanyang idolo, bilang isang kontrabida sa isang pelikula.

"At kapag napasakamay ko na ang mga dalaga. . .hehehehe - 'Halika dito, bebe! Sisimsimin ko ang iyong bango.' Muhahahahahaha. . ."

        Grabe. Kinilabut ako doon. Pati rin ang mga girls, na napasabi ng 'eww'. Pero, natawa rin kami, kahit konti. Dahil doon, kinukurot na siya ni Mommy dear, na parang naiinis sa kanyang mga sinabi.

Face-palming, I couldn't help, but whisper to myself,"Haii, naku. Daddy. . ."

         Joker din kasi si Dad, bukod lang sa pagiging strikto. Kaso lang - hindi lahat ng kanyang nasasambit na biro, ay kaaya-ayang pakinggan.

"Wooh! Alright!!"

Ang hiyaw ng mga kasama naming lalaki, pati rin sina Kuya Andy, Kuya Frank at Kuya Darren.

         Nung tiningnan ko si Kuya Darren, na nakatayo sa likod ng aking inuupuan, medyo na-weird-out din siya sa joke ni Dad. Our eyes met, when he noticed me gazing at him, and whispered, "Grabe din mag-biro ang Dad mo, Jane." "Yup." I said, with a nod. "His comic attitude runs in our blood. Except for the 'green' thought - which he applied, just now." I added, with the hint of disgust and a bit of embarrassment.

         He just pat my shoulder and we went on listening to different jokes from our father and from our friends. Nakasama rin dito ang 'epic' na kwento ni Kuya Andy, tungkol sa kanyang panliligaw kay Ate Ruby at sa kanyang pag-luto ng katnga.

         While everyone are exchanging laughters and funny topics of all sorts, my lil' bro stood up from his seat (which Kuya Andy took it), and swiftly went behind the two, sitting guitarists, crouching to the side of our TV set. I peeked and he was getting some CDs that I've never seen in our CD shelves.

          Then, he plugged on our Smart TV, and the DVD player, and lays the disk ontop of the device.

          Standing behind his Kuya Louen, he waits for the right moment, for everyone to bore from laughing and their story-telling marathon.

"Hey, guys! Wanna watch an action movie? May comedy rin."

All of us agreed. He puts it in, takes the remote and plays the movie, before he shoos Kuya Andy sitting from his place. The movie lasts for an hour, so the others were satisfied, before they go home with full stomachs.

          Before 8 pm, my friends helped us fix the place, taking care of the left-overs, some little mess on the floor and dining table, and the cleaning of dishes.

          "Thanks for everything, guys! I'm happy for this wonderful,welcome party. . .which I didn't expect to have." I said, being a little bashful for all they've done for me. Walking beside my mother and father, I smiled at them and hugged them both, "At salamat din, Mommy. . .Daddy. . .for helping them out and bringing them here." "You're welcome, anak." Dad returned a heart-warming smile and hugged me, too.

         "Mabuti na pinasaya namin ang araw mo ngayon, anak." Mom added, likewise. Sumama na rin ang dalawa kong kapatid na lalaki at nag-group hug kami.

"Awww~ Ang sweet." the girls cooed from the background.

        The three boys headed to their own vehicle (which is Louen's car), and left first, while my girl pals stayed for a few minutes, waiting for their fathers to pick them up.

        As for Kuya Darren, he stayed longer, than I thought. Now, he's conversing with Kuya Frank, who had tons of questions, just to know him.

        They were outside, leaning on the porch, next to the garage. I wish to know the stuff that Kuya Frank is asking him, but I've decided that I should to stay with the girls and talk our own biz - with my girl cousin, Hailey.

       "Anyways, Hailey - you were a bit quiet earlier. Is everything alright?" I said, sitting next to her and Rosean, in the couch.

      "Yup. I'm just waiting for the right moment, for us to talk in peace - without the men, trying to butt in." she said, frankly.

          It made us all girls giggle, and we started to talk about the usual girly things. And yes. . .I miss this so much.

         Bonding with your family, friends, frassmates and relatives, especially those who are close to you. It feels nice, comfortable and fun.

"By the way, Jane - how's your little, love life? Eh?"

Hailey. . .

         Because of her exclusive question, they were all ears, just waiting excitedly, for anything that comes from me.

Sadly. . .

"I. . don't. . have one. As of now."
I admitted, that gave way to utter their gasps and groans.

       "You don't say. Really?" Hailey stared, her expression states that she doesn't believe it.

      "Kahit crush, bestie - wala?" Rosean added. "Or baka meron, pero may pinagpipilian?" Flora followed.

Seryoso, girls. Wala talaga. As in. There is no certain guy in my mind, that interests me. For now.

     "Let's just say, that there are some things that I wish to keep my focus on. Example - studies and school performances." As if I was a total, responsible girl, thinking about her bright future, since seventh grade.

"Weh?! 'Di kaya?!"

Yeah. Thought so.

        "Sige na nga! Wala kung wala. But be sure that whenever you had good news in your own pretty love life, tell us." Hailey reminds me. The girls agreed and nod together. Right. . .

        "Okay. I will. . ." I promised to them, though I sounded like I really had no choice. Girls are just the type of people, whom you could rely your secrets to - which only few of them could prove it 'til the end.

        Pero, hindi ko sinasabi na hindi na sila mapagkakatiwalaan. Kailangan ko lang talaga maging maingat.

        Maya-maya, dumating na rin sina Tito Fred (ama ni Rosean), Tito Chico (ama ni Elissa) at Tito Elvis (ama ni Flora), dala ang kanilang mga sasakyan. Sinamahan na namin nina Hailey ang aking mga kaibigan sa labas, at pinuntahan ang tatlong magulang para magmano.

      "God bless, Jane. Nakauwi ka rin ng ligtas." sabi ni Tito Elvis, na nagpamano sa akin at kay Hailey. "Maraming salamat po." I smiled.

        Tapos, lumapit ako sa dalawa, na sina Divine at Grace, at tinanong ko kung susundoin sila ng kanilang mga magulang.

       "Makikisakay kami kina Ate Elissa, Ate Jane." sagot ng aking cute at youngest na kaibigan - si Divine. "O sige. . mag-ingat kayong lahat." I said.

       They rode into their cars and a few moments after, they left.
"Well, time for me to go."

        I turn around and saw Kuya Darren, wearing his helmet and getting his keys to his motorbike. Angelo and Kuya Andy were there, standing beside their cousin, watching him leave.

"Ingat po, Kuya." sabi ni Angelo sa kanya. "Salamat." he replied.

        Riding onto his black Yamaha motorcycle, he started the engine and drove it out of the driveway. Passing by me, he looks back and said, "Thanks for the party, Jane." I nod. "Ingat sa pag-maneho, Kuya. No drag-race style while driving home."

        He chuckled, with his eyes smiling, too. (Kaya minsan, para siyang chinito, tulad ni Kuya Andy, tuwing ngumingiti siya.)

        Afterwards, he drove to the main road and left in speed. With a tap from the shoulder, Kuya Frank asked, "Boyfriend mo, pinsan?"

        I leered. "Didn't I explain lately, that he's my senior?" I repeated. Luckily, Hailey, Kuya Andy and Angelo went inside, so the ones who left were me and him. Snickering, he messed up my bangs. "I'm just kidding. No need to be defensive."

Fine, fine.

        Few moments later, after Kuya and I entered the house, Kuya Andy invites him to play a video game, at the living room, with Angelo. "So, do we still need a bet, for this?"

"Of course."

        Kuya Andy hands over some chocolate bars, to the two lads. Then, he tells the rules of the game. Which my sad lil' bro dislikes.

        "We got three game controllers, plus six bars of Snickers. Each player owns two of these babies. Whoever loses in the first battle, he'll give his Snickers to both champions - 'cuz we're three. Then, proceed to the second and the same thing happens. But the loser on the second round will have only one Snicker left - with the other two , given to the ultimate winner."

        Looking at each other, only Angelo doesn't want to approve. But he had no choice, since it's two against one. "You're cool with this, Angelo?" he looks at him in his brown eyes.

        Nodding, they started. While this brutal-game-of-risking-bars-of-Snickers ensued, Hailey and I decided to go upstairs. Mom and Dad are outside the backyard, talking about something, so we have our own ways, for now. "Good night, cousin. Have a good sleep." Hailey told me, before we went inside of our own rooms. Kuya Frank and her are staying in the guest room, which is beside mine. And as long as I remembered, they'll be only staying her for a couple of weeks, before they go back to New York. "Yeah. Ikaw rin po."

        Closing the door behind me, I sited for my blue bed, and my beloved pillows, with my fave, anime hubbies' faces on it, positioned at the left side of my room. Grinning my widest grin, I said to myself, "Shouya-kun. . .Haru-chan. . .Taiga-san. . .I'm back."

         Boy, did I miss my bed so much. I was ready to plunge in and grab them and squish them in my arms, when all of a sudden. . .

"Huh?" I made a halt and turned to my right. Is that. . .

"Teka lang." I walked closer to my desk, as I spotted my blue journal ontop of it.

         Taking it in my hands, I wondered, "Paano 'to nakalabas - eh, nakalagay ito sa loob ng drawer?"

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Sensya na guys, kung mostly english yung ginagamit kong words. Naninibago pa kasi ako sa TagLish. Tsaka isasama ko rin ang Irigeneo na ginagamit na lenguahe sa aming lungsod.

I'm also thinking if I should continue using three languages, at the same time.

And also. . .thanks sa mga reads, everyone (although, konti palang siya - yet I'm glad that you read my book). Kahit nasa 3rd chapter palang ang nababasa niyo (na may cliff-hanger pang nalalaman- pero nakapag-update na rin), salamat na rin po sa suporta. :)

      -  - See Next Chapter -  -