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i got to see them after 8 long years. eight years of wondering where they are and how they're doing. of course i would have preferred to see only my closest buddies in college namely meann, she, freng, mj and maui (who came home from canada) but seeing all the others present for my birthday is not such a bad thing.

it wasn't at all like i feared for. almost all are there when i arrived at mcdonald's-quezon avenue at 2030H. i was hugged most of the time and got a few pat on the back. of course i'm still sarcastic as ever and a few of them became a victim of my quick tongue and naughty remarks.

we then proceeded to napolli's pizzeria in timog avenue and had dinner. then we went to a videoke place (also in timog) to await for my birthday. needless to say, i got an impromptu birthday celebration from them. nobody asked uncomfortable questions that i've been dreading but standing issues have been settled and i finally realized that i don't have to fear being rejected by any of them. although, i didn't blurt the words "guys, i'm gay" nobody seemed to mind that i had shorter hair than i used to wear in college. sometime during the night, i excused myself to go to the restroom along with she, freng and meann. i told them that i dreaded going to this reunion because i fear that i'd be ask some uncomfortable questions. they just shrugged it off and said that it's not that big a deal.

they still regard me as one of the boys but it's not something that i get uncomfortable anymore. later in the night i learned from she that meann was at first upset when she saw my pics at FS sporting the shortest haircut that they ever saw me wore. i could understand meann's reason for being upset. we share the same faith and she's one of the closest to me among our peers in college. but i got the tightest hug from her and mau before the night is over.

perhaps the most meanighful words i got is from sheryl: "mahal ka namin kahit ano ka pa. magkakaibigan pa rin tayo."

and a christmas party next month is in the offing. i just hope that everyone will have a spare time come december. now i'll look forward to every get-together and reunions because i know i can be myself and be comfortable with it.