Flames and Vengeance (South Series # 1) COMPLETED- To be published

Chapter 47

The Holiday season made me miss home so much, my parents wanted me to go home, but I told them that I have prior commitments until the 24th of December. I made myself busy, no gaps nor idle moments, I worked like I had to feed 10 families, money was not the issue, I just can't stay still, kasi 'pag mag-isa na ako, siya pa rin ang iniisip ko.

"So, what's our plan on Christmas eve?" Kylie asked, she was busy checking her schedules for next year.

"There's a party in our firm," I stated. "I have like three invites, ano gusto niyo?"

"Okay lang ba?" Tanong ni Cliff, like Kylie he's fixing schedules, habang tumatagal kasi kami sa mga firm na pinagtatrabahuhan namin ay lalong dumadami ang trabaho. And we were taking qualifying exams in between off schedules. 

"Okay naman," sagot ko. "My co-workers are really nice. May Pinoy nga akong senior, eh."

That Christmas eve, we went to that party in Times square, they held that party in a hotel. 

"Wala bang ambagan dito?" Natatawang sabi ni Kylie.

I laughed with her. "Sira, ano ito potluck?"

Other associates recognized Kylie, well she's always on the cover of magazines and even on billboards, the bitch knows her job so well, at kaya niya pang isabay sa law career niya, at may two days pa kaming pasok sa masters.

"Wait, pakilala ko 'yong sinasabi ko," sabi ko sa dalawa. Iniwan ko sila sa table sa medyo gilid.

"Hey," I tapped his shoulder. "Wanna meet my friends?"

He smiled genuinely and drank all his whiskey. "Sure, where are they?"

Halos hila-hila ko siya papunta sa dalawa. Few months of knowing him, palagay na ako. He helped me with most things in the firm. I don't feel out of place too, since he was always around me during conferences or meetings.

"So, this is Jandrei Atlas Quijano," sabi ko. Pero bakas sa mukha ni Cliff ang gulat, Kylie was giving me a different stare. "Senior ko siya dito. Drei, si Cliff 'tsaka si Kylie, friends ko."

Kylie accepted Drei's hand. "Nice meeting you, Atty. Quijano."

Drei chuckled. "Too formal. You guys are her friends, so that makes us acquainted?"

Kylie nodded. Drei then offered his hand to Cliff. "Long time no see, Theron."

Kylie and I looked at each other, the air made me feel a lump in my throat. Their stares were challenging, hindi kami makagalaw.

"Oh, come on. We should be friends, parang wala tayong pinagsamahan," sabi ni Jandrei. I looked at Cliff, weighing if he needed my help at that moment.

"Friends, then?" Cliff said. Jandrei nodded like he won something.

"For Trina, right?" He said to Cliff.

"Guys, you now stop the staring competition? I want to drink, can we?" Kylie broke the tension.

On New year's eve, the four of us celebrated that in another hotel close to our Manhattan apartment.

Months flew faster than I expected it to be. Unti-unti nasasanay ko ang sarili kong ituloy ang mga pangarap ko ng hindi na nag sasama ng iba sa plano ko.

But, there were days, my soul and my heart wanted to be home again. There were nights I dreamt of home, two familiar places, then I woke up crying. Being around Jandrei was like therapy, just like Cliff, they speak words that I can't bring to myself to process.