Simply The Best

5

THE PARTY was already in full blast when they arrived at the club. Kaagad na binati ng ilang kakilala si Ember. Ikinagulat niya na marami siyang kakilala na naroon.

"You are one of the cool kids," ang sabi sa kanya ni Yael.

Natawa si Ember. "Everyone is cool."

Si Yael naman ang natawa. "Okay. Sabi mo, eh."

Nagtungo sila sa bar at humingi ng maiinom sa bartender. Mukhang na-excite sina Yael at Shay. They ordered alcoholic drinks.

"Kung hindi kayo sanay sa alcoholic beverages, I suggest we take things slow, okay? Drink lots of water also. And please, don't accept drinks from someone you don't know," sabi ni Ember sa mga kaibigan.

Amused na napatingin sa kanya sina Shay at Yael. Natawa si Ember. "I know how I sounded pero seryoso ako. Maigi nang nag-iingat. Okay?"

"Opo, Mommy," tugon ni Shay sa nanunudyong tinig.

"Iyan talaga ang iinumin mo?" tanong ni Yael habang nakatingin sa hawak niya. She asked for a can of 7-Up.

"I don't really drink. And I think there has to be someone who's sober sa ating tatlo. I'll make sure to take you home mamaya."

"Hindi ka lang super nice, you are also so caring and responsible."

"Yes, she is," ani Shay. "Pero enough na about Ember. Let's party!"

Natawa si Ember. "Shay is right. Let's have the most fun tonight."

They drunk and and mingled. They also danced. Makailang beses na bumalik sa bar sina Shay at Yael. Ember made her soda last. May pagkakataon na nahiwalay siya kina Shay at Yael. They were having fun in the dance floor and Ember talked to some friends she knew.

The amount of people she knew in that party was truly surprising. Teagan found her.

"Hey!" masaya nitong bati sa kanya bago siya niyakap nang mahigpit. "You came!" Hinagkan nito ang kanyang pisngi.

Ginantihan niya ang yakap ng kaibigan. "I came," aniya na bahagyang natatawa. "Thank you sa invite."

"Maliit na bagay." Binistahan nito ang kabuuan niya. "Lovely dress. You look gorgeous."

"You too, babe. You're a knockout. How are things?"

"Great. I miss you. Sana ay nasa iisang college department tayong dalawa."

"I miss you, too. Maybe we can do lunch one of these days?"

"Yeah, we should totally do that. Text mo 'ko, okay? Alam mo naman ako makakalimutin minsan. Let's not stop being friends dahil lang magkaiba ang department natin."

Muli silang nagyakap. "Of course we'd always be friends. Things are good in the squad?"

"Yeah. Hindi lahat ng girls nice pero no one's giving me problems naman. Ikaw ba talaga ayaw mo nang sumama?"

Umiling si Ember. She was a cheerleader in high school. "Ibang level na ang collegiate cheerleading. I only did it for fun then and I was not really good."

Inakbayan siya ni Teagan at naglakad-lakad sila. "You are good."

"Thank you for being a good friend." Bahagyang na-distract si Ember nang mamataan niya si Ivo. Kasama nito ang ilang kaibigan. He was smiling and seemed to be in a really good mood. For a long while, she just looked at him.

Ivo was really gorgeous. He might be the cliched Mister Popular but he was really one perfect specimen of a man. Hindi naman talaga niya masisi ang mga babaeng mahibang sa binata. Parang hindi pagsasawaang pagmasdan ang mukha nito. He was wealthy. He drove a nice car. He was friends with wealthy people. He had grace and elegance. He was also smart.