Reah Bunsoy Online

DAY 9. I knew my friends were planning a baby shower for me but I didn’t expect I’d be that surprised. My best friend Ces from the US promised she’ll give me a party but I had no idea when. Of course, I couldn’t bug her about it so I just kept quiet. What I was looking forward to was the Quinny stroller she promised me she’ll buy for Noah. Haha.

A week before today(Sunday), I told my husband Josh that I felt my friends were planning a baby shower. He asked “Sino?”. I answered “I don’t know. Never mind. Basta. I can feel it”. He was such a good actor for he didn’t smile or gave me a hint.

The first hint I got was from my brother Enoch. I really had no idea but when he asked me what was our plan for the youth fellowship and when I told him that Pau would be teaching, he asked me “Pano yung shower mo?”. “Huh?” was all I replied but that already gave me an idea.

Mommy was telling me Cecille was planning something. I knew about that but I just didn’t know when. And then I remembered when Ate Kate mentioned something about Cece excited for the shower.

Saturday Night
Ate Mean, my other best friend’s sister, suddenly buzzed me at YM and asked if I could accompany Antonette to The Legend Villas. Now, that was it! They’re planning something. But then again, I was “deadma” and just said okay.

I was also chatting with my sister when she wrote something like “bigyan mo ng hint…baka mapaanak”. I was laughing but I didn’t probe. I thought maybe she typed in the wrong window and was chatting with Ate Mean too. I went invisible and then visible after a few seconds and then I told her sorry. I wanted her to think I didn’t get the message. Hehehe.

I too remembered Mommy telling me the other day to get well because I was sick and so I’d have the energy for something. Ha!

Before we went to sleep, I told Josh that I knew something’s going to happen. Knowing him, he was deadma. No reaction. Hmmp!

Sunday morning
I told Josh again that something’s going to happen but I didn’t want him to say something to my friends. I plucked my eyebrows the night before and planned my outfit. (Haha! Kala nyo ah…) No hint from my friends when I got to church except when I saw my sis-in-law talking to my mom. And oh, I heard my brother talking to his girlfriend Rachel over the phone, telling her he’d pick her up somewhere.

The “panira” of them all was Antonette. (Sorry Besty :p ) Why? I know her to be a good actress but I know her too well that her asking me to go to the hotel especially when we don’t have car that Sunday was very suspicious. It was all weird. I was even telling her that there’s a baby shower but she just shrugged. And goodness, she was suggesting we take the trike since the hotel was near our church. I told her “Ano ka ba? Baby shower ko tapos pasasakayin mo ng tricycle? Buntis ako!”. Hahaha!

On our way out, her mom Tita Jessie asked me where we were going. I answered “…to my baby shower”. She said nothing. Hehe.

And so we arrived at the hotel. The receptionist was even an accomplice. They made it appear that my best friend was just asking for wedding and bridal suite packages since she’s getting married next year. I knew about her plans already but I just went with her. The guy showed us two units first before the final suite where some of my family and girlfriends were waiting. I was already expecting to see Cecille there, my family, my in-laws, the Acayens, and Grace. I already knew what to say to them. I’d act as if I was really surprised.

I entered the door acting surprised but after a few seconds, I was really surprised because my sister, who is now Bangkok-based was there!!! Honestly, I couldn’t see much the faces of the other guests and focused my attention on my sister. It was like there was a spotlight on her. So I cried!

“Bakit ka nandito?” It was really a surprise! I knew about the “surprise” baby shower but not knowing my sister would be there. I knew how expensive it is to fly here for a quick visit so I really had no idea. Now, you could say that it was a real surprise.

As with all baby showers, gifts were given. Jokingly, I told Ces “So wala ng stroller?Hehe” Besty Cecille told me that was her real surprise, my sister. They prayed for me and when I opened my eyes after, another surprise greeted me. The stroller I wanted! My sister bought it last June and brought it to Manila. It was so sweet of her to buy her first nephew the stroller her mommy wanted. That was the second surprise.

Family, friends, food, fun, and fellowship. A heartfelt prayer and gifts too! My mommy even made these bead bottles as giveaways.   I felt so loved. I never imagined anyone could throw me a surprise. Seriously, weeks before that, I was ranting and telling Joshua that I felt my friends here in the Philippines wouldn’t think of giving me a surprise. I told him I knew Ces was giving me one but that’s different and that’s Cecille. Little did I know that something was already brewing then.

The night ended early. I was so happy. Ecstatic. I could feel Noah kicking a lot of times. My friends got to feel him kick too.  He was kicking so hard when his Daddy and Ninong Enoch were trying out the stroller. I guess the baby can feel mommy’s excitement!

Surprised! That was all I could say. Thank you to my best friend for planning everything. I knew she was giving me a baby shower but I had no idea it would be such a blast. I don’t think I could ever repay her when it’s her wedding or when she has a baby because she will be in the US. Thank you to my sister for flying in and for Kuya and Nav for allowing her to come. And yes, for the stroller too.

Thank you to my family and friends who were there. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you from my bulging belly. Thank you from Daddy Joshie.

And most of all, thank you God for the gift of life and love.

I’ll post pictures soon!