PBoyz’ Christmas Surprise
Three weeks ago, after all the crying, and mending friendships in our retreat, Mark promised me to wait for something in the third week of December. The guys are planning a little treat for me. But I don’t know what it is and who among them. Hmm.. It may be Mark himself, who happened to be the person I can drag along to any place I want to, the one who belongs to the No-Girlfriend-Since-Birth, the First-Time-Suitor, the Merman, or my Walking Diary. Or it may be Noli, the Sentimental Guy, whom I can always confide to when it comes to guy stuff. Or it may be Kuya Greggo, the Weird Kuya, the Always-Misunderstood. Or it may be Jim, the Ex-Turned-BestBuddy, and the Playboy-in-Denial who’s always keeping a shotgun beneath his tongue for me, claiming he knows all the wiles of men.
Of course, Pangz was just too busy with his girlfriend now that we wouldn’t mind not having him along in our walks and get togethers. And Allen does have a world of his own, and too preoccupied with his list of girlfriends. And Eufy who always gets missed out because he has things to do on his own, or maybe hanging out with Bonjing. But in any other way, these guys are just important in my world.
Our usual Tuesday and Thursday afternoons were spent on walks in the downtown. With a pot of boiling rice, and a couple of canned goods stewed in garlic and onion waiting for us in Kuya’s room. That would be enough lunch for five to six hungry mouths. And sadly, i can’t go along with them these last weeks because I was too busy with my stuff.
But last Tuesday, I decided to go with them for a change. It’s really weird though that these guys
decided to have a feast, instead of the usual sardines and egg combo - simply for the reason that I was there for lunch. It’s the thought that matters guys! hehehe..
My week started not in a nice way. I felt like I’m to throw a tantrum any moment. These guys were almost freaking out to find the Super Kulit and Always Smiling Cathy turning so gloomy. Noli started bombing me with questions, Greggo started patting my back as if he’s consoling me from something. Jim called me to sit by his side, and started massaging my back at the same time bombing me with questions again of why I’m acting so unusual. He almost yelled at me for being so secretive. And Jimson pulled me back to my feet asking me what’s wrong when he found me sulking in the corner. Mark started cracking jokes attempting to at least make me show a smile. On our way home, they told me that finding me gloomy or depressed makes them feel uncomfortable and worried. But I do appreciate their futile attempts to lighten up my mood. Hehehe.. And by the next day, I’m back to my old jolly self again.
And last night, when we were about to go home, Mark handed me a Hello Kitty bag. Well, so much for that SURPRISE. That’s when i started to think they’re up to something. And here comes Mark, calling the rest of the gang, circling me, with their arms on each other’s back, as if I’m the coach giving directions to a pack of five big guys getting ready for a football game. Then they were laughing and giggling, each of the guys shouting a big SURPRISE. Everyone’s saying their piece of thank you’s and promises of friendships to me. I feel like a third grader being promised of BFF (Best Friends Forever) hehehe.
Still having me in the center of their circle, they rushed for a big big GROUP HUG. And I started screaming for air - not because I’m suffocated with their big big bodies and arms, but with the laughter that’s creeping to my throat. I never thought that these bunch of big guys with super high ego would mean to give me this immaterial surprise. With all the drama of promised loyalty as Best Buddies, we started walking home.
So much for a Christmas Surprise, so simple yet so true. And I think I wouldn’t find the same set of guys who gives much value to me. Whatever I am to them: The Mascot in the Basketball Team, the Wallflower, the PBoys’ Muse, Manang, the Salimpusa, or the Princess and the Seven Knights. I really wouldn’t care. Thanks for the gift of friendship - how can a Hello Kitty bag hold something so big as that? Hehehe
