Today, I was the joke.

     These past couple of days, I would call as a successful endeavor surprising all my loved ones. This of course has given me hope to surprise my mother for her special day; her birthday.

     There were only a few people that were aware of my appearance, but that was because I trusted them and needed them to help me with surprising my other friends as well. My surprises were endless, popping up unexpectedly, gathering a lunch with the help of an accomplice, texting people and talking about their schedules so I could pop in, and so on. Then the ultimate surprise of all, dinner.

     Just so you know, readers, I had bought my plane ticket back to Alaska in September. It is now November. The fact I haven't spilled this to everyone I care about means a whole lot to me. My restraint is very hard and always need somebody to talk to. Luckily, I had my little brother. He's been helping me plan this entire thing. I had him put in the reservations and I had him text me when our mother and stepdad got to the table.

     So here I was, slowly walking to the table. Not knowing what to say. Not knowing how surprised she'd be. Would she be jumping for joy? Would she crumble to tears? What was going to happen? This was all going on through my mind. And then it happened.

Asian: May I join you for dinner? (as I crouched behind her chair)

     She screamed a big smile and embraced me. My stepdad looked shocked. Indication. As I came around the table and sat down, my mother then said:

Big Mama: You know, I knew that you were in town.

     I was in shock...WHAT?!

Asian: WHAT?! How?!

Big Mama: Your Nanay told me. She emailed me earlier and said (in her filipino accent)

                            Anthony is going to surprise you. Is he there yet?

     I. had. died. WHYYYYYYYYYYYY?! Why would she ruin this day for me?

Bonquiqui: You told Nanay?! Why would you do that?!

Asian: I don't know, because I thought I could trust her.

Big Mama: Well you can't. Not with any secret.

     My mother was right. For some reason, though, by impulse, I decided to tell my grandmother when she was here visiting my uncle for his birthday. I thought it'd be nice and make her feel included. I quickly learned my lesson. Never again.

     So what have I learned from this experience? You can't always trust the ones you love. Sometimes, a secret has to be a secret. Here's to my next surprise and the adventures awaiting ahead of me.





Sincerely
An Asian