A Sweet Sixteen Surprise
Later that afternoon, after finishing up at the library, Adrian, Toni, and Erik said goodbye to Ms. Indri. The sun was setting, and they walked down the deserted school corridor to head out of the building. Toni and Erik noticed Adrian's new shoes.
"Nice shoes, bro, haha," Erik said.
"Yeah, they new?" Toni asked.
"Yeah, they are, thanks. Come on, let's go, the others are probably waiting," Adrian replied.
"Uh oh," Toni and Erik stopped dead. They looked at each other, then backed up a bit and whispered.
"Does that mean he already knew?" Erik asked.
"Maybe. He probably just pretended not to. He did the same thing inside, dragging things out on purpose," Toni replied.
"Whatever, Elsa probably spilled the beans, haha," Erik shot back.
"Hehe, probably. But at least we tried," Toni said.
They walked to catch up with Adrian as he exited the school building. Once they reached the apartment, Adrian turned to look at Toni and Erik behind him.
"Can I go in now?" Adrian asked.
"Dude, it's your place, why are you asking us? Just go in," Erik said.
"Hehehe, yeah, go on in," Toni replied.
Adrian opened the door. Plop... plop... "Surprise! Happy Birthday!" Yuni, Monic, and Sinta shouted, showering Adrian with confetti.
"Wow... what's all this?" Adrian asked, feigning surprise.
"No need to pretend, you already knew, didn't you?" Toni said.
"Hahaha, yeah, we could totally tell, bro. You were already smiling to yourself in the library," Erik added.
"So he was just pretending to be surprised?" Yuni asked.
"Awww... that failed," Monic sighed.
"Did you spill it, Sa?" Sinta asked Elsa.
"No way! I told you, he definitely knew already," Elsa retorted.
"How could he?" Yuni wondered.
"We planned it perfectly, though!" Monic added.
"I am surprised, though. Come on in," Adrian invited.
"Seriously?" Sinta asked.
"Yeah, really, I'm surprised," Adrian insisted.
"Hehehe, it worked!" Yuni, Monic, and Sinta cheered, high-fiving.
"Alright, cool. Let's go in," Adrian said.
"Toni, you gotta learn to appreciate people's efforts. He pretended for our sake, you know? It means he values us, even if he already knew," Erik told Toni.
"Why me? You too, man! Don't act all wise, slowpoke," Toni shot back.
"You two, just come in already," Adrian urged.
"Yeah, fine," Toni and Erik replied.
Finally, they all went inside. They ate together and chatted comfortably. After dinner, they brought out a cake with a candle shaped like the number 16 and sang "Happy Birthday." Even though he knew about the surprise, Adrian's heart was still touched. Before, only his family had celebrated his birthdays, and his hopes had been crushed when his family passed away. With enthusiasm, he blew out the candle. Smack! Elsa, sitting next to him, kissed his cheek.
"Happy Birthday, my husband, hehe," Elsa said.
"Yeah, thanks, my wife," Adrian replied.
"Oooooh!" everyone cheered.
"Thank you, everyone," Adrian said.
The atmosphere suddenly grew quiet. Yuni, Monic, Sinta, Toni, and Erik stared at Adrian, stunned. Elsa, sitting beside him, leaned in slightly, looking at Adrian's face because she saw her friends' expressions. Adrian's tears were streaming down his face without him realizing it, even though he was smiling.
"Uh... what's with this, oh...sorry," Adrian mumbled, wiping his eyes.
"Relax, bro, it's fine," Toni replied.
Erik immediately stood up and moved to sit next to Adrian. He put his arm around Adrian and patted his shoulder. Elsa, next to him, rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arm around him. Her own tears flowed too, though she was smiling. She could feel what Adrian was feeling, because she felt the same way. Yuni, Monic, and Sinta immediately moved closer to Elsa, their eyes welling up.
Toni grabbed a knife and cut the cake, then distributed slices to everyone. After that, Adrian and Elsa finally decided to tell their friends about themselves because their friends were a little confused.
"Oh, sorry, bro, I didn't know," Toni said.
"Yeah, I thought you still had family. So sorry, man," Erik added.
"Relax, it's fine. I never told you guys anyway, did I?" Adrian replied.
"You're the same too, huh, Sa? You've been alone since 9th grade, huh? So sorry, Sa, I didn't know," Yuni said, hugging Elsa.
"Same here, Sa. I just found out now. In middle school, I thought you were just like us. Really sorry, Sa," Monic added.
"You two are alike after all. In that case, I can understand why you live together. Sorry I just found all this out, seriously," Sinta added.
"Hehe, relax, I never told you guys either, did I?" Elsa replied.
"But I truly admire you two. You're so independent and strong. Personally, I don't think I'd be as strong as you, because even now, I still rely on my parents," Erik admitted.
"Me too, bro. I think the others, including me, are just like you," Toni said.
"Yeah, totally. I had no idea what I'd do, and I never even thought about what if my parents weren't around, if I could handle it or not," Yuni added.
"Same here, but you two have been through something none of us have ever experienced. Seriously, I'm truly amazed by you both," Monic said.
"From now on, if you two have any problems, please tell us. We're all friends here; there's no harm in telling your friends, right?" Sinta added.
"Yeah, relax, and thank you all for being willing to listen to my and Elsa's story. But to be honest, she's stronger than me," Adrian said, putting his arm around Elsa.
"What are you talking about? Don't say things like that!" Elsa protested.
"Obviously! It's Elsa, after all!" Yuni said, understanding Adrian's meaning.
"Oh, you're right! Elsa really is amazing," Monic added, next to catch on.
"Hehe, totally, my friend is truly incredible! Who else but Elsa, right? Hahaha," Sinta added, also understanding.
"Do you get it, Ton?" Erik asked.
"Nah, what do they mean?" Toni asked.
Yuni immediately pulled the two of them closer and whispered an explanation. Then both of them suddenly smiled.
"Haha, yeah, you're right. No wonder I used to like her. If she were just ordinary, I wouldn't have liked her. Sorry, Sa, I've already given up, hahaha," Erik said.
"So that's it! Confirmed, Elsa's the best," Toni added, giving two thumbs up.
"What are you guys talking about?" Elsa asked, embarrassed.
"You're stronger, aren't you?" Adrian asked, looking at Elsa beside him, his eyes occasionally glancing at Elsa's legs.
Elsa understood what Adrian meant. She immediately turned and playfully hit Adrian, crying. Adrian hugged her, and Elsa hugged him tightly too.
"Waaaaah, you guys are all so annoying!" Elsa cried, laughing.
"Hahaha, she's crying!" everyone cheered.
"There, there, sweetheart," Adrian teased, hugging Elsa and stroking her head.
"You're the most annoying, waaaah!" Elsa cried, hugging Adrian tightly.
Even though the surprise failed, that night ultimately became an unforgettable one for Adrian and Elsa, and also for their friends who were with them.
"Dad, Mom, Lia, Grandpa Jimmy, and Grandma Irene, I'm 16 now. I'm definitely going to live, and I'll be happy with Elsa by my side. Please pray for us and bless us from up there. See you again someday. I love you all," Adrian hugged the crying Elsa tightly, smiling.