A Lover of Rain

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX:

As I was on our way to the address Yohan sent to the students he invited to come over to their house for the celebration party of our school's basketball team, I couldn't shake the feeling that something crazy was about to happen. Call it gut feeling or being a pessimist, but knowing that we will be in the same place with the people who hurted us and even the ones we hurted was a recipe for disaster.

I didn't realize I was zoning out from the backseat of Jacob's car until Maya kept snapping her fingers in front of me just to get my attention. "What are you thinking about?" She asked, the tone of her voice didn't have an ounce of worry for the party that wasn't even supposed to happen until she almost kissed Jae. I paused to think of an answer but I still blurted out the most ridiculous response.

"Nothing... just wondering if we should have brought something for the party, you know–like red cups or some cards." I scratched the side of my head when I heard the absurdity from what I just said.

It made her giggle though, before clinging her hands around my arm. "I'm sure there's plenty of that in his house. Wait until you see the size of their pool, it will blow your mind. Oh–they also have eight rooms in their house, it's really crazy!" Maya said with glee after recalling the details of Yohan's house that I haven't seen myself. They weren't living in their current home when I became friends with him during senior high school and got invited to their previous house a few times, so I had no idea what she was talking about. All I know is that the Demartinez's comes from money and Yohan might even inherit his parent's winery someday.

I observed Maya for a few seconds, from her face with natural makeup that matches her soft features up to her white off-shoulder top and pastel pink pants she bought yesterday, making her look like a barbie doll. "What's up with you and Jae these days? I swear, I thought I almost saw you guys kiss earlier after they won." I asked her as I leaned a little closer so she could hear my voice that was being overlapped by Markie and Sera's conversation as well as the two lovebirds in front jamming to the music being played on the radio. My question caught her off-guard–the blush on her cheeks intensified from the mere mention of his name. God, she's so whipped for Jae I don't think she'll ever recover from him.

"We did until Yohan accidentally popped that balloon." Maya sighed before a wide smile appeared on her glossy lips. "But it's fine because I think this party is what we needed. Maybe tonight... a confession might happen or a kiss! I mean, this kind of setting is always perfect for either of the two in romantic movies, right?" I nodded my head in agreement even if my heart started pounding to my chest from the situation she was hoping to happen during the party. Maya and Jae, confessing their love for each other or their lips touching for the first time that had already been interrupted twice, happening inside of Yohan's house is a bomb waiting to explode.

"Let's see." I replied, hiding my uncertainty using all my energy.

As I watched Maya daydream about her hopes and wishes for the night we're about to embark upon, a new song came out from the radio called Pahinga by an upcoming artist I haven't heard about yet sounded familiar. Jacob was humming the tone as the song played out until Shay turned off the radio with urgency that weirded everyone out. It was until my mind finally recalled where I had heard the voice that I understood the odd reaction Shay displayed from hearing the first verse of the song.

"Are you okay?" Jacob was quick to notice the sudden change from her mood, his fingers started rubbing the back of her hand to calm her down.

Shay breathed before clearing her throat. "Okay lang ako. Gusto ko lang makinig na sa new playlist mo, so I'll just turn on the bluetooth." She replied while holding her phone. I knew it was a lie but I didn't want to pry about the situation.