Niki and Andy

Chapter 27: The Best Way to Know Who We Are is How Others See Us

"Niki!" Jewel almost body-slammed Niki in excitement. Pasado alas syete nang dumating ito sa bahay nina Andy. Kagaya ng napag-usapan, may kanya-kanyang dalang inumin at pagkain ang mga ito. Andy told them earlier to just bring drinks since marami namang pagkain sa bahay nito, pero nag-uubos din daw ng handa ang mga kaibigan nila kaya overflowing ang pagkain.

After Niki's talk with Andy's mom, she finally had the courage to get out of the room. She and Andy spent some time decorating the nipa hut and arguing which food would be best for their drinking session with their high school friends.

Antoneth volunteered to take care of the pets para hindi sila maabala.

Once they were done with the decorations, Niki finally took a bath. She opted to wear a tight cropped lilac shirt and Andy's old PE pants. It was too long for her that she had to fold the hems to be able to walk in them. But it was very roomy and comfy for her.

Just like back in high school, the first one to arrive was Angel, followed shortly after by PJ and Cathleen. Cathleen was not part of their friend group, pero kasama ito ni PJ pauwi. Alangan namang hindi nila isali sa inuman.

The men didn't forget to bring some drinks. Si Mike, dahil may tindahan, ay nagdala ng isang case ng beer. He also supplied the ice, na nasa cooler. Babylene brought different powdered juice sachets para sa chaser daw.

"Taray, may paunan pa," puna ni Jewel nang makita ang throw pillows na nakalatag sa mga uupuan.

"Para diretso tulog na kapag nalasing," biro ni Andy.

Halos mapuno ang ibabaw ng lamesa sa gitna nang ipatong nila ang lahat ng alak na dala ng mga kaibigan. There was barely any room for the food. Cathleen suggested that they put some of the drinks in the cooler first to make room for the other stuff that they brought.

As if on cue, Mike took out one of the board games that he brought. Shots and ladders. Inilabas naman ni Andy ang isang set ng shot glasses. May sampung maliliit na baso sa isang box. Binili talaga para sa inuman.

"So, pa'no natin lalaruin 'to?" tanong ni Babylene sa kanila.

Mike put the shot glasses on the designated places on the board. "First, we need to fill these shot glasses with drinks. Para masaya, lahat tayo maglalagay nang tig-iisang patak of our chosen drinks."

"Walwalan?" natatawang tanong ni Niki. "Sure kayo?"

"First few rounds lang naman 'to," sagot ni Mike. "Just to start the session."

"Okay."

Kanya-kanya silang kuha ng bote. Basa na agad ang board nang matapos silang maglagay ng alak. Nagkagulo kasi sila. Siksikan. But Mike didn't mind that his board was already ruined before they even started. He said it was part of the fun.

Binigyan sila ni Mike ng tig-iisang tako. Then, it was time to roll the dice. The host, Andy, was given the first spot. Unang ikot pa lang, napainom na ito kaagad. Niki laughed when Andy made an ugly face after drinking the shot. Inabutan niya ito ng pineapple juice.

"Oh, god. I'm scared for my turn!" bulalas ni Jewel.

"Next!" Iniabot ni PJ sa kanya ang dice. Pinagdaop ni Niki ang mga palad saka hinipan ang dice sa loob ng kamay bago iyon pinakawalan sa ibabaw ng lamesa.

"Truth or dare!" Pumapakpak si Babylene. "Dare!"

"Gaga. Hindi ikaw ang pipili."

Tumawa si Niki. "Okay. Sige. Dare."

"Kiss mo si Andy sa ilong!"

Pinandilatan ni Andy si Babylene. He looked at her with a frown, slightly shaking his head. Don't do it, he seemed to say.