(Jack)
The next few days were a whirlwind, as we set out to enhance our camp. We focused on making the roof weather-tight, replacing the old one with a tarp and securing rows of palm leaves between planks of wood.
We also built a storage area at the back of the hut for our food and suitcases. Aaron suggested adding a door to the open side of the hut to protect us from future storms. Rick agreed and began marking up wood to cut with the saw, which was rapidly growing blunter with each use.
Once we finished, the open side of the hut, framed by large doors on either side, became the centrepiece of our camp. We dismantled the rocks and wire racks that made up the fire and moved it a few metres, so it was closer to the front of the hut. This way, even if we were in bed, we could still be part of the conversation around the fire. We had filled in the muddy pathways we'd created by our footfall with soft white sand, ferried up from the beach and kept it clear of twigs and fallen leaves, a task I took to doing every morning. While Rick collected firewood, Aaron boiled water to drink and clean our clothes. Not that we often wore much more than shorts and maybe a vest or t-shirt at best.
Aaron had been relaxing on the bed while Rick was busy trying to fix the radios by the fire pit. The usual jungle sounds were broken by the occasional crackle of static. I had been floating around trying to keep myself busy before Joining Aaron on the bed and watching Rick work.
He was hunched over a log, a look of intense concentration on his face. He had a screwdriver in one hand and a pair of pliers in the other. Wires and small components were scattered around him like a chaotic puzzle.
"What are you doing now?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
"Trying to fix the frequency modulator," Rick replied without looking up. "It's not picking up any signals."
I watched as he carefully adjusted a tiny screw, his fingers deftly arranging the delicate parts. "What's a frequency modulator?" I asked.
"It's a component that helps the radio tune into different frequencies," he explained. "Without it, we can't pick up any broadcasts."
I nodded, acting like I understood. "So, if you fix that, we'll be able to hear other people?"
Aaron laughed from the bed, shaking his head. "Jack, leave the guy alone. He's trying to concentrate."
I sheepishly apologised, "Sorry, Rick."
Rick laughed it off, glancing at me with a smile. "It's okay, Jack. I don't mind."
Aaron shifted on the bed, looking towards the waves. "Hey, Jack, lets go down to the water, nature is calling."
Aaron and I paddled in the waves for a few minutes, enjoying the cool water and the peaceful sound of the surf, "You need to lure Rick out of camp later", I reminded him, "So I can set up for his Birthday."
"Set up? There a jungle party supply shop I don't know about?"
I smirked, "You'll have to wait and see won't you."
As we approached, we saw Rick looking triumphant by the fire pit. He glanced up and grinned at us. "Guess what? I've got the two radios to connect!"
Aaron's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Really? That's amazing!" he exclaimed, easing himself down onto a nearby log.
"How far will it reach?" I asked, genuinely interested.
Rick thought for a moment, turning one of the radios over in his hands. "Probably a mile or two," he guessed. "It won't help us contact others, but at least we can communicate with each other if we need to split up."
I nodded, impressed. "That's still pretty useful. Your so clever, Rick."
Rick shrugged, a modest smile on his face. "Thanks. Just trying to make the best of our situation."
Aaron threw an arm around his shoulder, ""Honestly Rick, it's amazing man."
"Rick, lets go check the nets," suggested Aaron snatching up a knife and winking at me, "I want you to teach me how to kill the fish quickly." Rick nodded, climbed to his feet and followed him down to the ocean.
I waited until they were both out of camp, before I threw open a case and pulled out lines of makeshift bunting I had been secretly working on. Over the last few days, every time Rick had left the camp, I had been tearing up women's clothing and long-sleeved tops, knotting them onto a rope.
I began hanging the bunting between the branches above our communal area, a smile of satisfaction spreading across my face. It looked festive and colourful. Next, I arranged several small piles of rocks and stones with holes in the middle around the camp, placing small amounts of dried leaves and sticks in each. I carefully lit them from the flames of the central fire, watching as they caught and began to burn.
I had just finished lighting the last pile when I heard Aaron and Rick approaching. My heart raced with excitement.
"What's all this?" Rick asked, a smile spreading across his face as he took in the decorations.
Practically bouncing on the balls of my feet, I squealed, "Happy birthday!" and ran at Rick to hug him.
Aaron joined the hug, laughing. "Why would I want to learn to gut fish when we have you? Happy birthday, big man."
Rick looked genuinely surprised and touched. "How did you know?" he asked, his voice a little choked up.
I looked up at him with a grin. "You told me the other day. I wasn't going to forget that. You're 30, right?"
"Yeah. I am. Thanks, boys. This means a lot." He pulled us both closer, his embrace warm and heartfelt.
Aaron broke the hug, walking towards the hut with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I think we all deserve a bit of this," he said, holding out the alcohol. "Special occasions and all that."
The three of us settled around the fire and passed the bottle back and forth. We'd each only had a few mouthfuls, but it was enough to feel warm and relaxed. The glow of the small fires around the camp added to the festive atmosphere.
A short while later, I leaned in close to Rick, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I've got a confession, birthday boy." Rick glanced up, eyebrow cocked. "I didn't exactly wrap your present."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "After all this? You've done more than enough, mate."
"Oh, I guess you don't want this then." And in one swift movement, I rolled backwards and lifted my arse into the air while also pulling on my shorts so that my hole was fully exposed.
"Wow, that's quite the party favour." he laughed.