First August
Ela
"Ano ba yan, Theo, malayo pa ba yung hotel natin?"
"Sis, dami mong reklamo what if mag-mark challenge ka na lang?"
"Anong mark challenge anteh? Sapakin kaya kita ayoko ng nepotism challenge."
"Tahimik challenge 'yon gaga, matulog ka na nga lang para 'di ka na maging Ela lutang."
Theo said as he continued driving. I just rolled my eyes. Me and my friends — Theo, Kayden, Pau, Toni, and Layla — decided that as fresh graduates, we wanted to pamper ourselves and take a quick vacation before we face the realities of a new adventure we were about to take. That's when Theo suggested that we could share some of our invested money and go to the beach. It has always been our dream, so we all agreed immediately.
"Kung ganito lang din pala kalayo sana nag-rent na lang ako ng private plane. Super hassle, sakit na din ng leeg ko. Putangina." Toni said.
"Putulin ko kaya leeg mo, wala ka na ngang ambag sa gas dami mo pa na dada para kang si momi Toni." Layla then answered with the intent to mock him.
"Ay shet kapangalan pa." Pau added as she burst into laughter making Toni stare at him grumpily.
After a few more minutes of driving, a lot more complaining on my part, and a few bickering on Layla and Toni's seats, we arrived at our destination and realized that after all, the long wait was worth it.
"Hala ka bading, tara na! Gusto ko ng lumangoy langoy dyan, malay mo dito ko na pala makikita yung one great love na hinahanap ko." Pau said as she is visibly shaking in her seat caused by excitement.
We all looked at her direction and silently laughed, but of course Toni being Toni, he answered. "Magtigil ka sis, yung one great love mo, wala na. Naanod na, tuyot ka na daw forever. Nalipasan ka na ng oras."
As Pau started opening her mouth, Kayden immediately stopped them as he knew how long their bickering sessions lasted. A few more moments later, we arrived at our hotel room.
"Hey guys, may nakita akong club dun sa kabilang side ng hotel natin. Alam niyo na ha?" Kayden said as he wiggled his eyebrows mischievously. Of course, the three agreed immediately. I immediately facepalmed internally. Of course, my friends would want to go to the bar. I just want to enjoy this vacation without poisoning myself and my kidneys. I think they noticed my silence and they all started to look at me as if they were expecting something. That's when I realized that they wanted me to join them at the club later.
"No. No! Kayo na lang, wag niyo ko idamay sa mga kalokohan ninyo. Walang mag-aalaga sa inyo pag sabog na naman kayong bumalik dito." I immediately refused.
"Ela naman, nandito nga tayo to enjoy. Para ka namang kulang sa aruga, ses." Toni said.
"Anteh, di ka naman namin nanay para kang si mama kung mag-sermon HAHAHA menopausal ka na ba." Pau then added.
"Kaya nga, tsaka kailangan ka namin dun, sabi mo nga walang mag-aalaga sa amin diba?" Theo said while nodding his head and looking at our friends as a sign that he really agrees.
I am determined to stand my ground. I want to object to their persuasions but I know I can't resist my friends, a few more convincing on their part and I found myself agreeing to their "unwise" decision. After a million thank yous and hugs, the three gentlemen left as they'll share the room next to ours. I thank whoever gave Pau and Layla the idea to suggest that we should sleep for a while as we have a long night ahead of us.
- fast forward to night time -
The club was flashy and noisy. Nothing unique but nevertheless, still causes my ears to ring and my eyes to water as I am really sensitive to these environments. My friends and I were here for almost an hour and all Of them are bordering on becoming drunk already.
"Ela, vebs, kuha lang akong drinks dun ulit ha?" Pau said, it was evident in her voice that she was really close to being hammered. After a while, I noticed that all of my friends were nowhere near me. I stood up and immediately panicked as I went to find them.
"Nasaan na ba yung mga yun?"
I mumbled and all of a sudden, I was being pushed out the door as commotions of wild and drunk beach tourists jumped to the beat of the song played by the DJ.
"Ano ba naman yan, ayoko na nga dito, natulak pa ko palabas. Hays."
I am now overthinking all the possibilities of where my friends are. I rambled and whispered to myself, this is the only way to soothe me. I walked towards the benches near the beach as I realized that I'll never find my friends at this rate as the bar was jam-packed with people already. Fortunately, I had the decency to bring my coconut juice with me as the sea breeze accompanied me to watch the beach and its endless sky. A few beats later, I felt someone sitting beside me. I started panicking. I was about to stand up when I heard them talking.
"I don't know what's with the beaches and its wind, but it always gives me the feeling of melancholy if I look at it long enough." I snapped my head to look at her.
"I am sorry, but who the hell are you?" I asked as I looked at her. I couldn't see her face as it was dark. I heard her laugh a little as she sat properly.
"I'm sorry, this is so rude of me, I am Eris." She said as she extended her hand. "Nakita kasi kitang nakaupo mag-isa, I just thought you looked a little sad so I am here to accompany you."
As she held my hand, a light shined through our way and there I saw the most beautiful set of chocolate eyes that I've seen in my whole life. She looked ethereal and angelic. I was dumbfounded for a moment. I felt my brain going in circles.
"I'm sorry? Ako? Malungkot? No..." I said while scoffing as I stared into the sea. It's a little unconvincing even for myself. So as I heard her scoff, I knew she didn't believe me.
"I'm sorry miss, di man kita kilala pero di ako naniniwala sayo. You know, been there, done that type of thing. Anyways, ano pa lang pangalan mo?"
As I was about to tell her my name, my phone began to ring. I looked at her apologetically.
"I'm sorry I need to take this call."
I stood up quickly. My friends are looking for me and now they think I'm lost. A few moments later, I found them slumping on the corner of our kitchen bar. I laughed as I shook my head. I left them there as I don't have the energy to carry them individually. I slept that night thinking about a particular set of eyes and a few minutes of interaction with a stranger I thought I'd never see again for the rest of my days.
