Pursuing My Nemesis

Prologue

Prologue

"WHAT!? Break na kayo ni Channing!?"

"Shh!"

"Don't shush me! What the hell, Nemmie? Are you for real?"

I gaped at Freeda when she got closer at my face, yelling at me. Annoyed, I covered her small face with my palm and pushed her away. Amoy wine pa ang gaga.

"Shut up, Freeda." I rolled my eyes at her.

"Oh, no, girl! No one's shutting up tonight!"

She put her glass of wine on the table and yanked me toward her. I hissed and tried to shoo her away. But she wrapped her arm around my neck so tightly that I could not even breathe.

"Free, you're drunk!"

What the heck? She's not even drinking beer! Kanina pa siya wine nang wine. Akala ko ay ayaw niya lang magpalit ng drinks. I didn't know red wine had this kind of effect on her.

And she was obviously enjoying her current state.

Goodness, Freeda.

"I may be drunk, but I can still understand what you're saying, Nemmie." She pulled me harder. "What is it again? You broke up with that fucking hot boyfriend of yours?"

Tinapik ko ang bibig niya dahil sa lakas ng kanyang boses. Nasa loob kami ng bar ngayon, and surprisingly, maraming tao kahit hindi pa Biyernes. Malakas ang tugtog galing sa DJ na nagpapatugtog para sa mga tao sa dancefloor. Nasa harapan kami ng bar counter at medyo malayo iyon sa DJ booth. Kaya kanina ko pa pinapatahimik si Freeda dahil kanina pa niya binabanggit ang pangalan ng boyfr—ex ko. Who knew if there was someone in here na kilala si Channing. Maisumbong pa kami na pinag-uusapan namin siya.

"Maybe we can talk about him later," I said to my best friend who only gave me a glare.

"Bakit mamaya pa? We have the whole night to talk about you, dumping your boyfriend!"

"Jesus, Free! I did not dump Channing, okay?" I hissed.

"Oh, really?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. Her long lashes were moving as she squinted her eyes. "So you were dumped?"

Bago pa ako tuluyang malagutan ng hininga ay inalis ko na ang braso niya na nakaakbay sa akin. I sat back on my high chair and fixed my mini skirt. I grabbed the bottle of beer that I was drinking just before I told my best friend my break up story. Nararamdaman ko pa rin ang paninitig ni Freeda sa akin. Lumagok muna ako ng alak bago siya hinarap.

"It was a mutual decision," I started and she only glared at me even more. "What? You don't believe me?"

Freeda shifted in her seat. She was wearing a tight, low waisted jeans and a black tube top. Her hair was in a messy bun. It was her signature style.

"I just don't get why you two are breaking up. I mean... You were a great couple, Nemmie." She lifted her three fingers in front of me. "For three fucking years, I never saw you cry because of Channing. He is your person. And you were also to him. I know that. I witnessed your love story. So I don't know how..."

I blinked twice when I felt the side of my eyes stinging. God! Hindi nga ako naiyak noong nag-usap kaming dalawa ni Channing tungkol sa relasyon namin. I only felt sad; my heart was heavy. But I didn't cry. Channing and I talked in a calm manner. We even had coffee and ensaymada while we were discussing our breakup.

Maybe that was the reason I didn't shed any tears. It was a mature talk. And there are no hard feelings included.

Pero siguro, hindi ko rin maiwasan ang masaktan. Tama si Freeda. Channing and I were inseparable for three years. I loved him, and he loved me. There was not a single day that he did not make me feel happy and appreciated. He was my person. I was meant to be with him. He was my final destination.