Strangers Again

Prologue

Seeing the state of my friends right now, I almost wish I didn't come. Loud EDM music was blasting all around while my friends jump and scream while holding their drinks in the air. I let an exasperated sigh and took a shot of my own drink. At least they're having fun.

Mag-isa akong nakaupo sa malaking U-shaped sofa na binigay sa amin. Ako na lang ang naiwan dahil halos silang lahat ay nasa dance floor na at nagsasaya.

I checked my phone for time and saw that it was just ten something in the evening. Ang huling araw ng aming University Days ay natapos ng 8 o'clock, ngunit umalis kami sa campus matapos pa ng isang oras dahil sa paghahanap ng magandang venue ng after party.

Wala naman dapat ako dito. Ang pag-guguilt trip at pagpipilit na rin ng mga kaibigan and dahilan kung bakit ako sumama. Tiningnan ko sila mula sa kinauupuan kong sofa. Lahat sila'y sumasayaw na sa ingay ng tugtog, and iba ay mayroon na ring kasayaw na mga babae na galing din sa aming campus.

I looked at my left when I felt a hand on my knees and saw this one girl from our department, her flirty smile directed at me. I discreetly moved away from her which she immediately noticed, so she moved closer.

"Why are you alone here? Come dance with me," she said, head cocked to one side and still smiling.

"I'm not into dancing. You can dance if you want," I said, sipping my almost finished drink.

"Oh, don't be shy. I can teach you?" she insisted, still moving closer.

Pang ilang buntong hininga ko na ba ito? My eyes wander around the room and involuntarily went to the one table where the other department are. They were mostly girls, laughing loudly although I can't hear it because of the loud music. She was downing a drink with a frown on her face, eyes shut. Loud shrieks were heard when she finished it and put the glass on their table. She smiled after though, then joined their laughter when another girl did the same.

"Come on, Lucien.." the girl beside me said tugging my left arm.

I didn't even know this girl's name. I just know that we are in the same department since I saw her with a senior guy earlier.

"I don't really wanna dance-"

"Lucien!" I heave a sigh of relief when I saw my friend coming towards us, calling my name loudly over the music.

Kita ko na tipsy na siya, kung hindi ay lasing na, with the way that he walks and how he was repeatedly calling my name even though I clearly heard him.

"Please don't tell me gusto mo nang umuwi. It's just ten!" sabi niya nang tuluyang makalapit. Lumingon siya sa babaeng nasa tabi ko at sobra pa sa palakaibigang ngiti ang binigay dito at binati ito. Napailing na lang ako sa ginawa niya.

"Marco, you're drunk," I stated the obvious. Tumawa siya ng malakas kahit wala namang nakakatawa sa sinabi ko.

"Dude, wala 'tong tama sa akin," he said while holding his empty glass. Tumingin siyang muli sa katabi kong babae at kumunot ang noo. "Sino pala 'to? Girlfriend mo?"