Best Regards, Feli

Chapter 5

One of Feli's co-teachers invited her to his birthday celebration. All the Grade 8 English teachers were invited and all seemed to be going. Since she hadn't opened any tutorial classes yet, she decided to accept the invite.

Right after the dismissal bell rang, the teachers went to one of the popular spots for evening hang-outs—the city pier. Most teenagers, employees, or family and friends who wanted to have a good time usually choose the city coast. There was a playground that the kids surely enjoyed and zumba events that the aunties and grannies loved. The coast also had a relaxing breeze because of the sea and the city lights reflected in the water looked romantic for a person who had someone to cuddle with.

There were several food stalls lined by the baywalk and they were perfect for people with tight budgets because the stalls offer cheap street food. Her favorite was kwek-kwek, which was made of flour and quail eggs.

But that evening, the birthday celebrant would treat his guests so they went to the other side of the coast where restaurants, bars, and cafes were. Honestly, if the food wasn't free, Feli would've chosen not to join the celebration and just open her evening classes.

"Did he reserve this KTV bar?" she asked one of her co-teachers.

"Yeah. I guess he really wanted to enjoy his 50th birthday. I'm actually surprised that you're here. I thought you had a part-time job," her co-teacher, Michael, replied.

"I wouldn't be here if I had opened classes yesterday. Good thing I didn't or else I'll miss the free food."

They entered the medium-sized room. The violet glow hurt her eyes a little and when her vision adjusted, she saw the large TV in front. There was a table in the middle of the room and there were chairs around.

The birthday celebrant was talking to the waiter. There won't be alcohol on the menu tonight since all of them were still in their teacher uniforms. Coke (not cocaine, but Coca-cola) would have to do for tonight.

"I ordered pizza, spaghetti, fries, and chocolate mousse. What else would you guys like to have?" the celebrant asked his invitees.

"Oh, that's okay sir. Let's just order again if the food is not enough," someone suggested.

Then, the party started.

"Everyone will sing okay?" one of the teachers said as she grabbed the songbook.

Oh no. She went there to eat and to wish the celebrant a happy birthday. She was not Josie who had an angelic voice. Feli couldn't sing for shit.

Michael sat beside her. "Say, Feli. Remember that girl that I was talking about?"

"Yeah, what about her?"

"I've decided to follow your advice and ask her out," Michael said. Thankfully, their conversation was kept private because of the blasting karaoke in the background.

"I'm so happy you gathered your courage. What changed?"

"I thought about what you said. I don't want to have any what if's in the end so I'll make my move. Tomorrow," Michael nodded to himself.

Feli was glad that her co-teacher would finally do something about his feelings. Still, it was puzzling why her co-workers and other friends asked her about love. She of all people! She never even had a love life before so all her advice came from her wild imagination. She thought all of her advice was bullshit but her friends thought otherwise. In fact, one of the janitors–whom she was not even close to–had a girlfriend after following her recommendations.

At last the food arrived and everybody got their own share. The karaoke mic was being passed around and she hoped that nobody would notice that she didn't enter a song. But somebody did.