Break Fresh Ground

15: VULNERABLE STORM

We were all in high spirits as France pulled out an Everclear alcohol and lime sodas for us to enjoy. We were gathered on the pool deck, lounging on the ground and soaking up the sun. Paris had ordered delicious food from the restaurant for us to enjoy while sipping on our drinks.

Eli initiated the fun by suggesting that we play a drinking game. He pulled out a stack of cards, each with a question or dare. "The rule is simple," he explained. "Answer the question or complete the dare or take a drink."

France reminded us that the Everclear was a potent drink, bottled at 95% alcohol by volume. Violet dismissed it with a snarky comment, making us all laugh. Artemis, sitting next to me, quipped that Violet's face was "basic" and would be sleeping in the bathroom if she got sick from drinking.

We started the game. Ivy was the one who randomly picked the first question. "Nagka-crush ka na ba sa boy/girl best friend mo?" She read out loud.

"Sagot, dali!" Excited na sabi ni Eli.

"Maghintay ka nga, baklang 'to." She sighed before answering the question. "Yes."

"Story time!" Some of us said.

Kumunot ang noo ni Ivy. "Ang sabi sagutin ang tanong, bawal mag follow-up question."

"Edi dagdagan ang rules. Ang hindi magkukwento, magbabayad ng 100 pesos," suhestiyon ni Piper.

"Basic lang ang 100 sa tatlo, bhie," Eli said, pointing my friends and I.

"Alangan namang gawin kong 50k, tayo lugi do'n," Piper said. Pumayag kami sa suhestiyon niya. "Go na, Ivy. Story time."

Ivy took a delicate sip from her soda, gathering her courage before beginning to speak. She took a deep breath and began to pour out her heart. "Itong kaibigan kong 'to, nakilala ko no'ng high school kami. Eh exclusive private school 'yon. Quick info, pinapaaral ako ng lola ni Scarlett ever since kaya nasa gano'ng klase ng school ako. So, private school nga, edi mga pa-sosyal ang nandoon kaya wala akong kaibigan talaga. Pero isang araw, lumapit itong naging kaibigan ko na ito saka ako kinausap. Noong una, sobrang nagulat pa ako kasi akala ko wala ng may gustong kumausap sa akin, pero kinausap niya ako. Simula no'n, palagi na kaming magkasama, kahit saan. Hindi niya pinaramdam sa akin na mayaman siya, kaya niyang sabayan ang mga trip ko, nakakapag-open up ako sa kaniya ng mga problema ko. Hanggang na-realize ko na, ay hala, may gusto na ako sa kaniya." Kwento niya.

"How did you know?" I asked, fully invested in her story.

"Kapag hindi ko siya nakikita, hinahanap ko siya. 'Pag may kasama siyang iba, naiinis ako, lalo na kapag nakakalimutan niyang kasama niya rin ako. Hindi naman ako makapagreklamo dahil kaibigan nga lang naman ako, paano ako magdedemand, 'di ba?"

"Umamin ka?" Tanong ng katabi ko.

Ivy nodded, taking another sip of her soda, but her sad smile told us everything we needed to know. "Lesson, huwag aamin. Pero biro lang, depende naman sa tao 'yan kung handa ka bang ma-reject. Kung oo, good for you. If not, huwag ka na munang umamin kung gano'n," she gave her advice.

Lahat kami ay nalungkot sa kwento niya. "Eli, ikaw na susunod na sasagot," paalala ni Ivy.

Eli nodded, glancing at Violet who was sitting next to Artemis. A faint smile was playing on his lips and a blush was creeping up on his face. "My answer to that wonderful question is... yes," he said, averting his gaze back to Violet who was trying to stifle a giggle.

What's so funny?

"People, aamin na ang dyosa niyo," madamdaming sabi nito na may pahawak pa sa dibdib. "Nagkaroon ako ng crush kay Artemis!" Mabilis na bulalas nito sabay pigil hiningang tumingin sa katabi ko.