1 BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER

26th day of January, the day I came out from my mother's sweet womb. It has been twenty years from that day since the world heard my first ever cry. And I didn't expect I will be crying again on the day of my birthday, not because I was very sad but that day was a renaissance— of hope, love and joy—to me and to everyone around who loved me and rooted for me that one day, I'll come back to them.

I didn't know what exactly happened to me, I just woke up one day at the hospital and witnessed how joyous their faces were that seemed they've been waiting for the very moment I will open my eyes. Balloons and flowers were aplenty, the room was filed with vibrant colours and good vibes on every corner. Happy 23rd Birthday Fleur, the doodle reads, hanged across the wall. Celebrating birthday at the hospital was not on my bucket list that year, not even in my wildest dreams, but I was just glad that I was totally fine and had discharged on the next couple days.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't able to go home on your birthday." Mike hugged me. "I just came from a business trip and went straight ahead to your place."

"It's alright, I understand that you have hefty responsibilities now. Just that for twenty two years, it was the first time you missed my birthday." I muttered.

"I know this is a bit late, but I hope it will make you happy." He said while handing me an envelope.

"What is this?" I replied with all the curiosity and excitement I could ever put in my words.

"See it for yourself." He chuckled, giving me more reason to be excited to open the envelope.

"Woahhh!!! Is this for real? Oh my gosh! I can't believe this!" I shouted in teary eyes the moment I saw my name printed on the paper.

"Of course. Are you happy?" He asked, doubting the expression on my face.

"So much! Best birthday gift ever! Thank you for this!" I threw myself at him again. "I am so excited!" I blurted out.

"Well, there's no reason for you not to be. Guess who's coming with us?"

"Are you saying…No way? Really? Are they coming with us?"

"I know you'll be happier if your best friends will come with us."

"You know me very well. I just thought of telling them later to book a flight."

"I already did. I already emailed it to them. I bet they have read it by now."

My handy suddenly rang, a tone from the messenger and popped up the name of Izzy. "I'm going to take this upstairs." I quickly hurried upstairs. "And oh, thank you so much big brother!" I paused and went on, feeling excited to talk about the vacation.

"Now you are abandoning me?!" He chuckled. "But you're much welcome!" He added.

2nd day of May 2017, Republic of the Philippines.

A voice over of a male crew was on the speaker, "Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to Panglao International Airport. Local time is 1:00 PM (GMT+8) and the temperature is 34 degree Celsius." For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the captain turns off the Fasten Seat Belt sign. This will indicate that we have parked at the gate and that is safe to for you to move about. Please check around your seat for any personal belongings you may have brought on board with you and please use caution when opening the overhead bins, as heavy particles may have shifted around during the flight. If you require deplaning assistance, please remain in your seat until all other passengers have deplaned. One of our crew members will then be pleased to assist you."

Then a translation of local language was played too. A few minutes, a voice over of a female crew was on the speaker, "On behalf of XYZ Airlines and the entire crew, I would like to thank you for choosing to fly with us and looking forward to see you on board again in the near future. Daghang Salamat! (Thank you!)"

We have been waiting for three months for this trip, and we were supposed to feel enthusiastic but all our excitement upon setting our feet on the place were gone with the wind due to the connecting flights we had, jet lag was really terrible.

MALIPAYONG PAG-ABOT SA BOHOL (Welcome to Bohol), a big signage reads, that appeared right in front of us.