Almost About Us

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

"Happy birthday, Oli Bear!" we all shouted in unison as Oliver stepped into our area. His astonished expression brought laughter to our faces.

"Gago," rinig naming bulong niya kahit medyo malakas ang music. Nakatutop pa ang mga kamay niya sa bibig niya. "Wow, you guys really got me!" he said, now grinning from ear to ear.

Seemed like he really didn't expect us to throw a party for him, considering how busy we all were lately. But we managed to pull it off, though akala niya sila lang ni Sebastien ang mag-iinom dahil ito lang naman ang nag-aya sa kaniya.

"We couldn't let your birthday pass without a celebration," Leigh replied, giving him a friendly pat on the back. "Ikaw ang pinakamatanda sa'min kaya naman dapat lang nating i-celebrate 'to!" she added with a laugh, causing Olive's expression to shift from surprise to amusement.

"Ay, thank you, ah? Nag-abala ka pa talagang sabihin 'yan," sarkastiko namang tugon niya kay Leigh.

We all laughed at their playful banter. Sa'ming magkakaibigan, silang dalawa ni Leigh ang mahilig mag-asaran, hindi naman sila napipikon pero kami ang napipikon minsan sa ingay nilang dalawa.

Pagkaupo ni Oliver sa tabi ni Baste ay nagsimula na rin naming ibigay ang mga regalo namin sa kaniya. Admittedly, we might have picked a somewhat improper setting to give him his gift, as we're currently at a nightclub. Isa kasi ang inuman sa napagkakasunduan naming lahat kaya naman dito na lang namin siya sinurprise.

"Cheers!" we all echoed, raising our glasses high.

"To Oli, the oldest and wisest among us!" Bryleigh teased, winking at Oli.

Olive rolled his eyes, but his grin was wide. "I'll take that as a compliment," he retorted, clinking his glass against Leigh's.

"And to many more years of friendship!" Serene added, and we all agreed, clinking our glasses once more.

Following our toast, the real party kicked into high gear. The music's volume at the club increased, and people started to hit the dance floor, showing off their moves and grooving to the beat.

"Come on, Oli! Birthday mo ngayon, oh! You have to dance!" Leigh urged, playfully pulling him towards the dance floor.

"Zaya, drink up!"

Nilingon ko si Serene nang tawagin niya ako. I hoisted my glass of liquor and grinned at her before downing it. Sunod no'n ang muling sigawan nila. 

Sunod-sunod na silang pumuntang dance floor while I stayed in my seat with my drink and just watched their every move. I was about to drink from my glass again when I felt my phone vibrate.

Nakita ko ang pangalan ng katrabaho ko sa screen kaya agad akong tumayo para lumabas at sagutin ang tawag.

"Hello, Audrey?"

[Zaya!]

Her voice was filled with surprise, making my brows furrow in concern. "You okay?" I asked.

[Am I okay? Seriously, you're asking me that? Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa'kin na umalis ka na sa company?] she responded, a mix of shock and hurt in her tone.

"Kalmahan mo naman. Hindi pa naman ako umaalis, 'no." I clarified.

[But you're planning to!] she fired back.