Wall of Thorns

Chapter 2

I stopped breathing when I heard his voice. He continued to guide me-still holding my waist and arm until I saw Tasha talking to a man and his friends.

"You can breathe now". I faced him and I unknowingly released a deep breath. Now that I saw his face despite the lack of light. My breathing was uneven, I can see the moon's reflection in his eyes and his amused faced.

"Uhm, thank you mister". His mouth slightly opened when he heard 'mister'.

"You're welcome miss."

I blushed, after everything that happened the last time I saw him, I promised to myself to pretend that I didn't remember a thing. And I would treat him as a complete stranger. I excused myself at pinuntahan si Tasha. Binabaliwala ang tahip sa aking dibdib. May ibinulong ang kausap niyang lalake then she giggled after that, like she heard something amusing.

"Let's go Tasha, they might be looking for us now."

I thanked everyone who's talking to her, they seemed good. Nahirapan kaming bumalik kase maraming tao, it's already eleven o'clock. Nahihilo ako, I had to pretend that I'm not drunk so I could offer support to Tasha. Mahirap ang pagbaba namin sa hagdan. Ramdam kong may nakasunod na tingin sa amin. We finally arrived at our table, the worried face of our friends were replaced by annoyance.

"Hoy mga babae, akala namin kinain na kayo ng cr. Nag-alala kami."

Jude's nagging mouth never escaped our ears. Kahit makulit ay maalaga siya sa'ming lahat. Umupo na ako pero si Tasha ay nakatayo pa rin.

"We're sorry about that, and in exchange for your worry! I have a veeerryyyy exciting news!". Tasha energetically clapped her hands in excitement and proceed to look at me. My hands started sweating and I became anxious about what she's going to say, why would she look at me right after saying that?Is this about the man earlier?

"Talaga? Baka kwentong lasing lang yan."

Tasha made a face while Jude laughed. The anxiousness I felt lessened, maybe I was just overthinking that it's about me?

"Hindiiiii, I was talking to a family friend kanina and he's close with the man!"

My eyes widened and I'm frozen in my seat.

"What man Tasha?". It was Rodel who asked. Pabalikbalik ang tingin nilang apat sa'kin at kay Tasha. They looked curious and worried at the same time.

"The man Raven slept with!"

She looked so proud while spitting those words. But what the hell?

"What the fuck Raven?". Vaughn shouted with confusion. I'm also confused. I didn't know I slept with anyone, what is this? I looked at Carl and he has this 'seriously? ' kind of face. I was about to explain when Tasha continued talking.

"And guess what? They're together kanina". This brat, I wanted to pinched her cheeks.

"Well, that's some big news knowing it's Raven. Although, we don't get to say anything about it since it's none of our business."

I was happy to hear that from Rodel, he always think before giving his opinion. I explained to them what happened. Sinabi ko sa kanila na everything was just a coincidence and none of it happened.

"What do you mean none Raven? Isn't he the one you kissed on my birthday and when you went home he decided to tag along?And then things happened?"

When I wasn't able to answer her question she continued interrogating me.

"... that's why his friend saw you in his bedroom". Tasha grinned. Everyone in our group gasped including me, except for her of course.

Fuck!

Now I'm caught up with this. I looked at them and they don't look judgemental. They look shocked and curious instead! Umupo si Tasha sa tabi ko.

"Ganito na lang, mukhang di kaya ni Rav sagutin ang mga tanong. Kaya naman shot!"

"Papatayin mo ba kami Jude? Nanadya ka yata dahil driver ka ngayon?". Hindi na napigilan ni Vaughn ang mag reklamo.

"Susususus Bon, napaka reklamador mo. Absent ka kase parati eh."

"Ganito na lang, total farewell party na'tin ito. Let's have a shot each then reveal a secret. If you can't share a secret, then additional 2 shots. Shempre kay Rav, chika mo iyong nangyari sa'min". Ngumisi si Rodel sa'kin na ikinataas ang kilay ko.

"Parang lugi ako ah? Pinagplanohan niyo ata 'to."

"Ikaw ang huli Rav para exciting, dalaga ka na". Minsan gusto ko talagang pagdikitin silang tatlo ni Vaugn, Jude, at Rodel.

Ang unang gagawa ng laro ay si Carl. Good thing is we're gonna be drinking a mixed drinks, iyong juice ang itsura. He took the first shot, he looked hesitant before he sighed and look at us. When our eyes met, he smiled.

"You know I'm gay right?"

"Yep, and we love you". Everyone smiled especially Carl when he heard those words from us.

"Teka lang, wag iyong obvious secret ha. Gusto namin iyong masho-shookt talaga kami". Jude's mouth is unstoppable as usual.

"The thing is, uhm, I have a boyfriend."

"Wow really? Omg, congrats Carlyy."

We congratulated him. This is so wholesome. Humigpit ang kamay kong kanina pa niyang hinahawakan. Tinignan ko siya at ngumiti.

"I am so happy for you Carl."

"Tasha, ako ang pinakagwapo sa aming apat at sinasabihan mo akong Carly."

Tasha giggled and hugged him. Carl is our comfort, Jude is our happiness, Rodel is like the corny Dad of the group, while Tasha and I were considered brat. Vaughn naman ang palaging absent sa night out.

Si Jude ang emcee habang su Vaugn naman ang gunner. Nakita kong kaunti lang ang nilagay sa bask kase siya shot niya ngayon.

"Up next! Mr. Bonn!". Jude used his hands as the microphone, he looked stupid.

"Well, matagal na tayong magkasama and I trusted you guys at sana kayo ganoon rin. This is the first time na hindi ako maagang umuwi para magbantay sa kapatid ko at maiiintindihan ko kung ano man ang mararamdaman niyo. Sana lang ay hindi lumayo ang loob niyo dahil mahalaga kayo sa'kin. I've been wanting to say this to all of you, and I took the chance. Actually, I don't have a younger sibling..."

Lahat kami at tahimik at naghihintay sa kanyang sasabihin.

... it's my child whom I look after."

Aside from the loud music and the people's cheer at the dance floor, lahat kami ay walang reaksiyon at natahimik. Nakita kong nakanganga si Jude and the rest of us were having a questioning look. Ang kamay niyang microphone ay nalaglag.

"Bro, what the fuck? You're a daddy?'

Ibinalik ni Jude ang kamay niyang mic nong itinanong niya iyon.

"I know, I lied. I wasn't ready back then and it wasn't my intention to hide it, but, it happened when our friendship started to bloom. I didn't wanna ruin it so I kept it a secret."

May mga sitwasyon na kahit gaano mo ka-close ang tao, may kanya kanya tayong lihim na tinatago. But, it's not something to be mad of, unless, it has something to do with you. We're out of it. Tinapik nila si Vaugn at nagusap sila sandali at pinagpatuloy ang laro.

"Talagang na shookt ako don ah? "

Si Jude na ang sunod at nakita kong punong-puno ang shot niya. He's thinking for awhile, contemplating for his words. Still, he wasn't able to think of a secret so he decided to take three consecutive shots. Sinabihan na rin namin siyang last na'yon dahil may ihahatid pa siya. Sumunod naman ay si Rodel, he told us about his traumatizing car accident. Since then, he quit driving. Meanwhile, Tasha told us that she was almost married but she caught her fiance cheating. So she decided to just play around with men. We offered them acceptance and comfort.

"And for the highlight, Miss Raven!"

Pumalakpak silang lahat, ang ibang nasa table ay napapalingon. Nakakahiya talagang kasama ang mga hayop na'to. I took the shot and told them what I remember.