Darren’s POV
I woke up when my alarm clock was ringing. It was already eight in the morning. I remembered, I have to pick mom and my sisters at the airport at nine, so I hurriedly jumped out of bed and grabbed my towel. I was not expecting they would be coming here. Well, my family never missed my birthday ever since. Except for dad, because he has been a busy person all his life.
After fifteen minutes of hot shower, I went out from the bathroom and got dressed in my polo shirt and blue jeans. Suddenly, I got a call from messenger. I know it’s coming from my group mates because I set a different notification for them.
“Bubs, happy birthday!!!” everyone exclaimed in chorus.
“Thank you!”
All of them except Jeyah had joined the group call. I’m a little bit upset that she wasn’t joining us. I had in mind, maybe she is still sleeping this time.
“Bubs, you looked so fresh!”, Angela spoke.
“Uhm, I’ll be going to the airport to pick mom and my sisters.”, I responded casually.
“Oh I see. How about your dad, bro?”, Eduard asked.
“He is not coming. You know he is always busy at work. But it’s okay, I am used to it anyway”, I said.
“I’ll go ahead. See you later, bubs!”
After talking with my group mates in messenger, I rushed my way out of my room. I just brewed a cup of coffee, then hurriedly left because it’s 8:30 already and I don’t want to be late in going to the airport.
Gladly, there was no traffic yet, so I reached NAIA, before nine. I sat on the long rectangular chair while waiting for my family to arrive. I took my cellphone from my pocket to check if I have new messages. The fact is, I was hoping to receive a chat from Jeyah, yet, there was none. I was thinking, maybe she forgot my birthday. Anyway, she doesn’t have feelings for me and I think she is enjoying now in Korea with her brother and mom.
I crossed my arms while gazing on the tiles. Thinking about the possibility, that she can’t attend my birthday party later, makes me sad. But I have nothing to do, if I’m not important to her. I was in the midst of deep thought when someone called my name. I raised my head up, and I saw my two sisters waving their hands from afar.
“Chum!!!”, Dolly, ran hurriedly with a grinning face. Following her were mom and Daphne. Dolly is the closest to me, because she is the youngest. She is kinda childish but sweet and fun to be with. While Daphne, is more on a serious type, but she is also sweet in her own simple way.
My two sisters called me ‘chum’, as their endearment to me. They don’t want to call me, ‘kuya’, or big bro because it’s common. Anyway, I don’t have any problem with it, even if they just call me by my name, that will be alright. What matters most is that, they love and respect me as their big brother.
“Happy birthday, chum!!!”, my sisters exclaimed together.
“Happy birthday, son”, mom greeted as well as she hugged and kissed my cheek.
“Thank you”, I responded.
“You look even more handsome today, son! Do you have someone who makes you inspired?”, mom asked, obviously trying to tease me.
My two sisters giggled like they wanted to tease me as well.
“Hmm.. Chum, who is she?”, Dolly, asked eagerly, while blinking her eyes.
“I don’t have someone. You know me, right?”
Dolly just nodded and put her hand around my waist as we were heading out of the airport. Following us, were the porters, who were carrying mom’s and my sisters’ luggage.
As soon as their bags were already inside the car’s trunk and after giving the porters’ service fee, we got inside the car and settled in. Sitting beside me was Dolly, and in the backseat were mom and Daphne. When everyone is ready, I started the engine and left the place.
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When I was alone inside my room, I can’t help but think about Jeyah. I wanted to ask my group mates about her but I was a little hesitant because I don’t want them to think that I have feelings for her. Although, I was not able to fully convince them. I grabbed my phone and called Angela. I wanted to ask her about the party venue because she was the one who contacted the event coordinator.
“Hello bubs, is everything set for the party later?”, I asked.
“Yes bubs, nothing to worry about.”
“Thank you bubs”
“Uhm, by the way, did Jeyah call you bubs? Will she catch up the party later?”, I asked when I could no longer hold it back.
“Well, Clarisse told me, she was not sure because they still have a family tour to some beauty spots in Seoul”, Angela said in a sad tone of voice.
“Bubs? Are you okay?”, she asked when I was not talking anymore.
“Uhm, yes. I’m fine bubs”, I sounded naturally as if I wasn’t affected by what she told me. But deep inside, I was hoping and silently praying that Jeyah would catch the party tonight.
“You may take some rest, bubs, it’s still two in the afternoon. Don’t think too much about Jeyah. Just be happy because today is your birthday. Besides, your family is here, and we are also here, bubs”, Angela spoke, trying to give me some comforting words. Afterwards, we ended up the call and put back my cellphone on the bedside table.
I laid down in bed and closed my eyes to take a nap. But no matter how much I wanted to sleep, the thoughts of Jeyah keep bothering in my mind.
Suddenly, my phone rang. I hurriedly reached for it, thinking it might be coming from her, but it was coming from Bridgette. I put back my cellphone on the bedside table and ignored Bridgette’s call. I don’t like to talk to her, it would just ruin my mood. But I know, she will be coming later, even if I did not invite her. I don’t care anyway, because what matters most to me is Jeyah’s presence. Yet, it remains a question, whether she will be coming here or not.