The heavy oak doors swung open, and I completely froze.
My eyes went wide, and my breath caught in my throat.
Entering the hall in a sharp, coordinated line was the whole squad-
of course, Section E.
But seeing them wasn't even the shocking part, since they'd already wished me a happy birthday earlier that morning.
No, what made me stop breathing was what they were wheeling in.
I tilted my head in all directions, staring hard.
They were pushing a massive, long box resting on a hotel luggage trolley, completely covered in shiny, expensive gift wrap.
Ohhhhhh!
It was wrapped like a present!
Which meant...
Yessssssss!
It's my birthday gift!
Aww, my sweet little ulupongs.
I love them all so much.
I was practically bouncing on my heels, ready to jump right off the stage with pure excitement, completely forgetting about the engagement cake sitting right in front of me.
AAAAAAAAA!
Percy and Honey were right beside me, looking just as curious.
But then... wait a minute.
My enthusiasm screech-halted.
I slowly tilted my head toward the couple.
What if... what if it's actually for them?
Noooo... it can't be!
I thought, my heart sinking so fast I almost felt like dropping myself flat on the floor in absolute despair.
But... what if it is?
I quickly brought a hand up and smacked my own forehead.
Don't be sad, Jay... just... hope.
Yes, hope, Jay, because I literally read an Insta post yesterday that said:
"A hopeful heart is a magnet for constant magic."
Wow, I was feeling so profoundly proud of myself.
But please, universe, I really, really hope that box is for me.
The squad finally marched all the way inside.
"Jayyyy!"
CN yelled, flashing a massive, goofy grin.
Is it for me?
I whispered to myself, clutching my hands together.
I think so!
I muttered in absolute excitement, trying my hardest to play it cool and not show it too much.
What if it's not?
I couldn't handle that kind of public heartbreak.
"Jay, your gift!"
Felix shouted, pointing a finger directly at the massive, wrapped box on the trolley.
"Really?!"
I squealed, jumping in excitement.
I turned on my heel and sprinted toward them, completely tripping over my own feet and nearly face-planting onto the polished floor.
"Jay, calm down, don't get tripped!"
Drew laughed at me, steadying my arm.
"Yes, Jay, your dress will get hurt..."
Calix added smoothly.
"Wtf..." I blinked.
"Yes, it's so expensive! Oh, my poor baby dress,"
CN chimed in, pretending to cry and making a dramatic, pitiful face at my outfit.
"Aaaaaa! Shut upp..." I yelled, lunging at him.
"Ah, what!"
I suddenly froze, looking around me, and realized... they had all gone completely quiet.
Wow, when did they become so obedient?
I was just asking myself that exact question when-
"Haha! Jay, that was so funny!"
Suddenly, they all burst out laughing, doubling over and high-fiving each other.
"Shut UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!" I roared.
"Shut UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!"
CN instantly mocked me in a high-pitched voice.
Wtf.
I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck in the back of my head.
Of course-what a stupid mistake.
I actually momentarily thought these ulupongs had learned how to respect me.
I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, glaring at all of them.
"Come on, open your gift!"
CN grinned, poking the side of the box.
"No, I won't," I snapped, refusing to budge.
"Why?"
I narrowed my eyes at them, practically burning holes through their skulls.
As if they didn't already know.
"Ohhhhh!"
They all chorused in sudden, mocking realization, grinning like a bunch of idiots.
I rolled my eyes for the hundredth time today.
Absolute idiots.
"It's okay if you don't want to..."
David said, putting on a ridiculously fake, heartbroken face and pretending to wipe away a tear.
Wtf-
Okay, I really didn't want to
curse on my birthday, but these guys were seriously testing the absolute limits of my patience.
Instantly, everyone burst out laughing all over again, doubled over like they had just heard the funniest joke in the world.
"Okay, Jay, we're sorry.
But seriously, open your gift now,"
David said softly, flashing a warm smile that actually made me soften up.
I know he's a total ulupulong too, but at least he actually has a bit of a functioning brain compared to the rest of these clowns.
"Fine, okay!"
I huffed, stepping right up to the massive trolley.
I grabbed a fistful of the glossy paper and started tearing the shiny wrapper away.
As I ripped it back, I noticed a bunch of the wedding guests staring over at us, watching the spectacle with wide eyes.
I glanced up and caught Kuya Angelo staring at the box like he genuinely expected a ticking time bomb to explode out of it.
I rolled my eyes at his paranoia.
Please. you are just jealous because my present is cooler than whatever boring corporate gift you probably got Percy and Honey.
I shook my head, turned back to the trolley, and went back to ripping away the rest of the wrapping paper.
I gripped the shiny paper and ripped it down the middle, pulling it away as fast as I could.
And then... I stopped.
What?
It wasn't a mountain of stuffed toys, or clothes, or anything normal.
It was a massive, heavy-looking wooden box.
I reached out and pressed my fingertips against the rough wood.
Oh... it feels surprisingly heavy.
"Jay! Let us help you!"
Calix practically bounced on his heels, his eyes wide with an intense, over-eager excitement.
To be completely honest, he looked way more excited to open this than I was.
A weird, sudden chill ran down my spine.
I didn't know what it was, but I had a very strange, suffocating feeling about this gift.
It felt like someon....
No. Leave it.
Stop overthinking it, Jay, before you end up crying right here in front of all these guests.
"Fine, whatever, help me," I muttered.
Instantly, all the ulupongs exchanged a swift, knowing look with one another.
Eh? What's with that look?
Why did I suddenly have this overwhelming feeling that something deeply suspicious was about to happen?
The boys stepped up together, their hands gripping the heavy wooden front panel, and slowly slid the door away.
And as it opened...
A hot tear slipped down my cheek instantly.
My chest clenched, a sharp, suffocating ache flooding my heart with a dozen heavy, conflicting feelings all at once.
I completely froze.
I couldn't breathe, I couldn't blink, I couldn't even step back.
It felt like the crushing weight of five long years came crashing down all at once to shatter whatever calm I had left.
The pain...
Because standing right there in front of me-disguised inside a giant, gift-wrapped box-
was him.
________________
Hwy buddies how are u?
I know chapter is short but to carry on writing....this is what I can.
I really thought of writing a bit more but....if I had tried then I might have ended up doing more n more procrastination, so I better just did it.
Also I'm only able to write maximum 1 paragraph a day, I hope you guys will be patient with this
Ok buddies
Bye bye
Love u 😘😘