Between the Ice of Hearts (Cold Hearts Series #1)

Chapter 9

"Mauuna na kami," si Lola. Kasama niya sila Tito William, Tita Cecille at Lolo.

"Ha?" naguguluhang tanong ko. Tapos na rin ang party at ang iba ay nandito pa. I'm still wearing my long gown and I'll have to change my clothes for the after-party.

"Hay nako, mag enjoy ka kasama ng mga kaibigan mo. Magpapahinga na kami."

"Have fun, Addie. Live your life to the fullest," ngumiti si Tita Cecille. "I know you're responsible so you already know your limitations."

Ngumiti ako. "Salamat ho."

I left the ballroom as I went straight to my hotel room to redo my hair. I changed my gown to my metallic silver tube mini bodycon dress. Nakabun na ang buhok ko at tanging purse lang ang dala ko, containing my phone inside.

The ballroom was a bomb when I went there. The flashing lights, loud music welcomed me as I greeted my hyped guests. Agad kong nilapitan ang mga pinsan ko.

"Yow, come on, I'll introduce you to my friends! 'Wag puro inom lang," sabi ko sabay hatak kila Bentley at Cassidy. I'm surprised that Cassidy's here. She's 17. Well, I wouldn't be surprised. It's probably because of the culture she was used to. Kahit ako ay nagsimulang uminom 15 pa lang ako. I quickly spotted Leon and my friends and I dragged Bentley and Cassidy there.

"Guys, these are my cousins, Bentley and Cassidy!" pakilala ko.

My cousins got along pretty quickly with my friends. Ang sinabi ko pa sa kanila ay hindi naman nangangagat 'yang mga 'yan kaya masaya kausap ang mga 'yan. I'm surprised that Iya is still here with us kahit na hindi siya umiinom. She's actually having fun with my friends too and she didn't feel that she's left out.

Pinuntahan ko yung iba ko pang mga bisita at kinausap din sila. The next table that I went to is Irina's. She greeted me with a smile, along with her friends.

"Happy birthday ulit, Addie!" bati ni Steven.

"Salamat," nakangiting sabi ko.

"Shot ka muna samin!" si Xian, sabay bigay ng shot glass na may tequila. May vape pa siyang nakabukas. I sprinkled some salt on my hand and licked it as I drink the liquor, following by some lemon squeeze.

He even let me use his vape, which I gladly accepted. After inhaling, I exhaled the smoke afterwards and left them to greet the other guests. Lumingon pa ako baka makita ako ni Leon. Nagagalit pa naman 'yon pag nakikita kaming naninigarilyo.

As the night deepens, the wilder it gets. Kabi-kabila ang mga nakikita kong na ma-make out. Carrying a glass filled with Cosmopolitan, nilakad ko ang buong hall na punong-puno ng tao. Luckily, I was able to find my friends earlier, but this time, I couldn't find them. Sa lahat ng kaibigan ko ay si Iya ang inaalala ko dahil hindi pa naman sanay 'yon dito. Partida, 18 years old na rin 'yon at mas matanda sakin ng ilang buwan, but she's not as feral and wild as me. Well, hindi ko rin siya masisisi.

I stopped at the bar to get myself another glass of Cosmopolitan.

"I know you're here..." ani lalaki saka ako napatingin sa kanya. I don't know him so probably he's one of the plus ones of my guests at the party. "One Jager Bomb please."

Hindi ko pinansin ang lalaki at uminom na lang ako doon.

"You want Jager Bomb? Let's compete? Who drinks more..."

Napalingon ako sa kanya at umorder na siya ng Jager Bomb. It's already in front of us. I suddenly became competitive so I picked up a glass and drink the shot. Binilisan ko lalo ang inom hanggang sa inilapag nung lalaki ang huling baso habang ako ay tuloy-tuloy ang inom.